by WINNERS_ONLY
August MLB Good Month / Bad Month Pitchers
By Marc Lawrence
With the MLB trading deadline officially closed, and the NFL preseason whetting our pigskin palates, the month of August sets the table for the stretch run of the baseball season. Which pitchers can we count on to satisfy our tastes, and which ones figure to sour our stomachs? Take a look below.
Listed below are hurlers that have enjoyed a two-to-one or better success ratio in team-starts over the course of the last three seasons during the month of August. On the flip side, we’ve also listed pitchers that struggle in August, winning 33% percent or less of their team-start efforts. To qualify pitchers must have made a minimum of 10 starts, with at least one start each April over the last three years. And for your convenience alongside each record we break down each pitcher’s greatest success or greatest failure rate either home (H) or away (A) within his good or bad month.
Note: * designates a categorical repeat appearance by this pitcher, maintaining status quo from last season’s August list.
I’ll be back next month with September’s Good Month Pitchers. Until then, as the legendary Neil Diamond would say, enjoy the hot August nights.
♦GOOD MONTH PITCHERS♦
*Buehrle, Mark • 11-5 (5-2 A)
If Toronto fails to make the post-season, it will not be Buehrle’s fault since he had another strong season as a middle of pack starter for the Blue Jays. On July 26th he walked his first batter in the 127 he faced over the prior month and that outing ended a streak of 11 consecutive quality starts. Highly dependable.
*Gallardo, Yovani • 10-3 (6-1 A)
After pitching well in May and June, July was bumpy for this Texas hurler who longer has the blazing fastball. On the season, his numbers are fairly typical of his career and if the Rangers score a few more times, Gallardo could bounce back.
*Hamels, Cole • 11-5 (5-2 A)
Hamels will be joining the Texas Rangers and all indications are he will take the ball either Aug. 1st. His last start was historic, a no-hitter and besides the two walks, no ball put in play was really close to being a hit. Being on a better team with immediate brighter future might well propel the lefty to a strong close of the season.
Iwakuma, Hisashi • 11-5 (6-2 A)
Iwakuma struggled when first coming off the DL, but turned in terrific work over three starts, allowing just four runs on 14 hits and four walks while striking out 18 in 20.2 innings. However, he was clobbered for six runs and 10 hits in final July outing and will attempt to get back to normal.
Kershaw, Clayton • 11-5 (6-1 A)
So much for the demise Clayton Kershaw whose ERA is as 2.48 and opposing hitters are back to hitting just over .200 against him. In July the dominating lefty pitched 33 innings, allowing 19 hits, striking out 45, walking only two and surrendered ONE earned run (as of July 30th). August is looking pretty good.
Sanchez, Anibal • 9-4 (6-2 H)
After winning seven straight decisions (Tigers 8-0), Sanchez lost his last of July at Tampa Bay, 5-2. He starts this month with an ERA of 4.61 which is his highest since 2008. The culprit has been the gopher ball already having allowed 22, which is a career-high.
*Scherzer, Max • 13-4 (7-0 H)
Still a great hurler, Scherzer was tagged for five runs twice last month and conceded six of the 13 homers he’s given up on the season. Chances are he will be his usual self with more big games coming up in August. Opposing hitters batting only .193 against him.
*Shields, James • 12-5 (7-1 A)
After starting 7-0, Shields is 1-4 since. Though San Diego has only won two of his last eight starts since that time, his ERA has only gone up just slightly and his ERA for July was 2.50.
Strasburg, Stephen • 13-3 (7-1 H)
Been on the DL since July 5th with an oblique strain and made rehab start on July 29th. Expected to return this month but all bets are off on his true effectiveness.
Tillman, Chris • 12-5 (4-1 A)
Tillman has found his groove since being hammered for six runs on six hits on June 21st, not allowing more than two runs in five starts. Biggest difference is the right-hander is averaging almost 10 groundball outs compared to six in five previous starts and strikeouts also are up. Should have a strong August.
Zimmermann, Jordan • 12-5 (7-2 H)
When watching Zimmermann, it always seems his record should be better. Starting the month at just 8-6, the two most notable stats that catch your eye is opposing teams have a higher OBP against him (.311 vs. career .295) and his strikeouts are on pace to be the lowest of his career. If Washington is to win the NL East and make the World Series, Zimmermann has to produce.
♦BAD MONTH PITCHERS♦
Alvarez, Henderson • 3-10 (1-4 A)
Alvarez has been diagnosed with a tear in his right shoulder and will undergo season-ending arthroscopic surgery,
Eovaldi, Nate • 5-12 (1-7 H)
His 10-2 record is a bit suspect with a 4.27 ERA, WHIP of 1.48 and teams hitting .300 against his tosses coming into this month. But Eovaldi has done what’s asked of him and he’s getting double-digit groundball outs in his last five starts. Yankees 6-1 in his last seven starts, will it continue?
Happ, J. A. • 5-11 (2-7 A)
After becoming a surprise fifth starter for Seattle and owning a 2.98 ERA on May 15th, Happ his seen his ERA creep up to 4.64. Never a hard thrower, his problems start the third time around the batting order.
Harang, Aaron • 4-12 (1-7 H)
Harang has been on the disabled list since July 2 with plantar fasciitis and returned with five strong innings on July 30 (5 innings – one run allowed) against Atlanta, earning the victory and ending his seven-game losing streak. He’s still on a bad club and the losses are likely to continue.
*Hellickson, Jeremy • 4-13 (2-9 A)
For the first several months the Diamondbacks starter was brutal, with an ERA over 5, and every couple of fair outings led to shelling. Hellickson was sharp in July with a 1.88 ERA, but that just probably means August will be nasty for him and backers.
Hernandez, Roberto • 4-8 (1-4 H)
Made 11 starts for Houston through June 5th before being sent to bullpen where he’s been since.
*Jimenez, Ubaldo • 3-10 (1-6 A)
Jimenez will never be anything more than a back of the rotation hurler because his delivery is so hard to repeat time after time. However, for him he’s having a good season like he did in Cleveland two years ago, when he was 13-9 with 3.31 ERA. His track record is not good late in the season, though, so let’s see what he does.
Keuchel, Dallas • 4-11 (1-4 A)
Ace of the Houston staff having a true breakout campaign and opposing hitters are just past the Mendoza Line (.200 BA) and his WHIP is under 1.00. Don’t look for his past numbers to continue.
Miley, Wade • 5-10 (3-6 H)
Miley has not come close to being the same pitcher since 2012, his first year as a starter with Arizona. This year it has been more of the same of being inconsistent in his first year with Boston and chances are he will repeat the past.
Wood, Travis • 5-13 (1-8 H)
Made a few starts early for the Cubs, before manager Joe Maddon said that was enough and Wood has been in bullpen since mid-May.
Five To Follow MLB Betting: Saturday, August 1, 2015 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews
Another busy trade day on Thursday with by far the most significant trade being Toronto landing the ace pitcher it so badly needed, Detroit’s David Price, in exchange for top prospect Daniel Norris and two other minor-league pitchers. Jays GM Alex Anthopolous clearly knows he’s going to get fired if Toronto misses the playoffs again this season — it hasn’t played in the postseason since 1993, longest drought in baseball — so he’s going all in with Price and Troy Tulowitzki emptying the Toronto farm system. I’d say there’s no chance that the Jays re-sign Price when he’s a free agent after this season and because they acquired him midseason they can’t give him a qualifying offer and thus get first-round pick in compensation from the team that signs him. Toronto futures odds got a nice bump following the deal as it is now +700 to win the pennant and +1600 to win the World Series. Going to be tough to catch the Yankees in the AL East, but at least Toronto now has a true No. 1 to start a possible wild-card game.
♦ Royals at Blue Jays (-119, 8.5)
The news isn’t all good for Toronto. Rookie second baseman Devon Travis sat Wednesday and Thursday with a shoulder injury after re-aggravating it on Tuesday. A shoulder problem (same shoulder) landed on him the DL for more than a month earlier this season. Travis is hitting .304 with 35 RBIs. The team was to decide on Friday whether he will head back to the DL, but it seems likely. That could force the Jays to add an infielder before the deadline. Toronto goes with lefty Mark Buehrle (11-5, 3.29) here. He won in Kansas City on July 11, allowing two runs over seven innings. Kansas City starts Yordano Ventura (5-7, 4.86). Part of the reason the Royals wanted Johnny Cueto so badly — he made his K.C. debut on Friday — was the impact he might have on his fellow Dominican Ventura, who is really talented but a bit of a hothead. It seemed to work in Ventura’s last start as it was his best in a while, allowing one run and six hits over seven innings vs. Houston. Not many Jays have seen him. Josh Donaldson is 0-for-2. Justin Smoak is 1-for-5 with a homer.
Key trends: The Royals are 0-5 in Ventura’s past five road starts. The Jays are 9-4 in Buehrle’s past 13 vs. teams with a winning record. The “over/under” has gone over in four straight Ventura’s past four on five days of rest. The Jays are 4-0 in Buehrle’s past four vs. K.C.
Early lean: Blue Jays and over.
♦ Tigers at Orioles (-133, 8.5)
Definitely bet against Detroit for a bit as the Tigers’ players are naturally going to be in the dumps following the trade of Price and closer Joakim Soria, the latter going to Pittsburgh. This story will have posted before Friday’s trade deadline, but I expect outfielder Yoenis Cespedes will be gone, too. Anibal Sanchez (10-8, 4.61) starts here for the Tigers. They had won eight straight of his starts, but last time out he allowed three runs over 5.1 innings in Tampa Bay and the Tigers lost 5-2. He beat the Orioles on July 17, allowing two runs over six innings. Matt Wieters is 3-for-6 with a homer off him. Chris Davis is 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Baltimore’s Kevin Gausman (1-2, 4.20) had been mentioned as a possible trade candidate, so maybe he doesn’t start here. But I think the Orioles might be done after getting outfielder Gerardo Parra from Milwaukee on Friday, and Gausman wasn’t in that deal. Cespedes, if by some miracle is still a Tiger, is 3-for-9 with a homer off him. Victor Martinez is 0-for-4.
Key trends: The Tigers are 10-1 in Sanchez’s past 11 road starts vs. teams with a winning record. The Orioles are 1-5 in Gausman’s past six vs. teams with a losing record. The over is 6-0-1 in Sanchez’s past seven overall.
Early lean: Orioles and over.
♦ Braves at Phillies (-110, 7.5)
Atlanta has a new closer in Arodys Vizcaino because the team included closer Jim Johnson in that 13-player, three-team swap with the Dodgers and Marlins on Thursday. Vizcaino, who used to be a very touted prospect but had Tommy John surgery and was shipped to the Cubs before being re-acquired this offseason, has allowed only one run and six hits over nine innings since returning from a PED suspension. It’s top prospect Matt Wisler (5-1, 3.43) here for Atlanta. He has allowed more than three runs just twice in seven big-league starts. He hasn’t faced the Phillies. It’s Philadelphia’s top pitching prospect Aaron Nola (1-1, 3.29). He has looked the part thus far in two big-league starts. First look at the Braves.
Key trends: The Braves are 1-6 in their past seven in Game 3 of a series. The under is 4-0 in Wisler’s past four road starts.
Early lean: Phillies — who won’t be favored much the rest of the season — and under.
♦ Rays at Red Sox (-126, 9)
Boston’s disastrous season can at least partly be blamed on vastly overpaid and overweight third baseman Pablo Sandoval, who isn’t having a very good season. It does appear he avoided a major injury, however, after he was hit on the forearm by a pitch from Chicago’s Chris Sale on Thursday — Sandoval actually swung at the ball and was thus called out on strikes. X-rays were negative, but he might miss a few games. The Sox start Joe Kelly (2-6, 5.94) here and they have lost his past five. He has allowed at least four runs in four of those. One more lousy start and he probably heads to the bullpen. His lone start against the Rays was on April 22 and he allowed five runs in five innings. Rays lefty Matt Moore (1-2, 7.61), as you can see, has struggled in his return from Tommy John surgery. He hasn’t faced Boston this season. David Ortiz is 6-for-13 with two doubles and a homer off him.
Key trends: The Rays are 0-4 in Moore’s past four vs. teams with a losing record. The Sox are 1-5 in Kelly’s past six at home. The over is 4-1 in Boston’s past five vs. a lefty.
Early lean: Rays and over — I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the highest-scoring game of the day.
♦ Diamondbacks at Astros (-190, 7.5)
Love the trade Houston made on Thursday in getting Brewers outfielder Carlos Gomez — after his deal to the Mets was scuttled — and solid pitcher Mike Fiers in exchange for four prospects. If Gomez doesn’t make it to Houston in time to debut on Friday, he surely will on Saturday. Gomez, 29, is a two-time All-Star in center field and a 2013 National League Gold Glove Award winner and is under contract through next season, so this isn’t just a rental. I think that trade on top of Scott Kazmir now makes Houston the favorite over the Angels in the AL West. It’s ace Dallas Keuchel (12-5, 2.32) for the Astros. .He comes off his worst start of the year, allowing five runs and 10 hits over 6.2 innings in Kansas City. Not many Diamondbacks have faced him. Aaron Hill is 3-for-8 with a homer. Paul Goldschmidt is 1-for-7. It’s Jeremy Hellickson (7-6, 4.60) for Arizona. He is off his best start, shutting out Gomez’s former Brewers on four hits over six innings. Gomez is 1-for-3 off him.
Key trends: Houston has lost eight straight on Saturday. The Astros are 5-0 in Keuchel’s past seven on five days of rest. The over is 4-1 in his past five vs. teams with a losing record.
Early lean: Astros and over.
MLB Betting Cheat Sheet: Mariners going ‘Over’ totals with ease
Here’s a comprehensive look at betting notes for the weekend major-league schedule:
Blue Jays Deadline Deals
As far as Blue Jays fans are concerned, the rest of the league might as well just waive a white flag. The acquisition of Troy Tulowitzki, Ben Revere and David Price at the deadline certainly makes the Jays a serious contender, but I think it’s a little premature to start planning the parade. There’s still a glaring weakness and that’s in the bullpen when I think LaTroy Hawkins will help, but will fall short of solving all their problems.
Orioles Bolster Battery
Gerardo Parra is riding a 13 game hitting streak, batting .444 since the All Star break. The 29 year old is batting .328 for the season, the fourth best average in the National League. He’s on his way to Baltimore, hoping to help the Orioles get to the post-season.
Hot Diggity Dog
The last place Phillies came out of the All Star break winning 10 of their first 12 games, and four of five on the road. They cleaned up in Chicago, sweeping the Cubs at Wrigley. They host the Braves this weekend, and both these teams have been cleaning house at the deadline.
Pitching Notes
*Cole Hamels will make his debut in Texas after tossing a no-hitter in his last start for the Phillies at Wrigley. He’s starting opposite Tim Hudson and the Giants, who roughed him up earlier this season. He has had success against the Giants in his career though, with a record of 1-0 with a 2.64 ERA in four starts versus San Francisco over the last three seasons.
*Jose Fernandez is still undefeated in Miami, with a career record of 15-0 with an ERA under 1.50. His next home start comes on Sunday opposite James Shields, who has only recorded one win over his last 10 starts.
Hitting Notes
*Melky Cabrera is swinging a hot bat, batting .485 with nine extra-base hits and eight RBIs over the last seven days. The White Sox come into this series versus the Yankees as winners of seven of their last eight. Ivan Nova will start for New York on Sunday, and Cabrera is 6-for-9 with a pair of home runs lifetime versus Nova.
*Buster Posey is hitting .444 over the last seven days, and he’s tied for fifth the National League hitting .325 on the season. The Giants are in Texas this weekend, and pitcher’s have been getting punished in this hitter’s park in recent days. Posey might spoil Cole Hamels debut, as he’s owned the veteran, going 11-for-20 with a home run and five RBIs lifetime.
Totals Streak
The Seattle Mariners have seen the total go over at a rate of 8-1-1 in their last 10, and that trend may continue in Minnesota over the weekend. The Twins are riding a long standing over trend at home, going above the number at a rate of 45-22-5 in their last 72 home games.
Injury Notes
*Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth have returned to the lineup for Washington, and the game-winning home run came of the bat of Zimmerman in Washington’s 1-0 win over Miami on Thursday.
*Robinson Cano is listed as day to day with a strained abdominal muscle, and he missed the Mariners last two games. He could return Friday, and the Mariners have missed him as he’s been tearing it up in July batting .337 with seven homers and 18 RBIs.
FYI – MLB UPDATE – 8/31/15
Left fielder Yoenis Cespedes has been traded to the New York Mets by the Detroit Tigers for two minor leaguers.
Cubs get Haren from Marlins for 2 minor leaguers
Blue Jays acquire speedy OF Revere from Phils
Blue Jays add righty Lowe to bullpen mix
Twins get bullpen help, add Jepsen from Rays
Gomez on move after all, shipped to Astros
Cardinals get reliever Broxton from Brewers
Hamels will make Saturday debut for Rangers
Hamels to make Rangers debut Saturday
Stephen Campbell
Newly-acquired starting pitcher Cole Hamels will make his Texas Rangers debut against the San Francisco Giants on Saturday, reports Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
In 20 starts this season for the lowly Philadelphia Phillies, Hamels went 6-7 with a 3.64 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Tim Hudson is the probable starter for the Giants.
The line for the interleague clash was off the board at the time of writing.
Game of the Day: Alouettes at Stampeders
♠ Montreal Alouettes at Calgary Stampeders (-5, 47.5)
The defending Grey Cup champion Calgary Stampeders begin life without star running back Jon Cornish as they try to avenge a Week 2 loss to Montreal when they host the Alouettes on Saturday. Cornish, the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player in 2013, was placed on the six-game injury list with a broken thumb suffered in a 29-26 loss in Ottawa on July 24, leaving Calgary with a running back-by-committee situation.
Montreal’s 29-11 victory over the Stampeders on July 3 served as a coming out party for rookie quarterback Rakeem Cato, who was 20-of-25 for 241 yards and three touchdowns in his first career start and has completed 72.2 percent of his passes while winning two of his three contests. Michael Sam, who became the first openly gay player drafted by an NFL team when the St. Louis Rams selected the defensive lineman in 2014 before releasing him, could make his Alouettes debut after signing a two-year contract prior to the season. “We would like to see (Sam) play, help us on special teams,” Alouettes coach Tom Higgins told reporters. “We would like to see and get the answer everyone is looking for – can he play? There’s only one way to answer that question, and that’s to put him on the field. …” Calgary is 3-0 at home this season – winning by a combined seven points – and has won five straight meetings with Montreal at McMahon Stadium by an average of 18.4 points.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, TSN, RDS, ESPN3
LINE HISTORY: The Stamps were initially -4.5 before shifting to -5. The total has dropped from 48 to 47.5.
INJURY REPORT: Alouettes – DL Markell Carter (Ques-Undisclosed), WR Kyle Graves (Ques-Undisclosed), S James Tuck (Ques-Undisclosed) Stampeders – WR Joe West (Ques-Leg)
ABOUT THE ALOUETTES (2-2 SU, 3-1 ATS, 0-4 O/U): Cato isn’t doing it alone as Montreal’s offence also is highlighted by the league’s receiving leader and No. 2 rusher. Slotback S.J. Green has recorded a CFL-best 341 yards on 20 receptions and a touchdown while running back Tyrell Sutton has registered 280 yards – second to Saskatchewan’s Jerome Messam – and three TDs. The Alouettes also boast a pair of top performers on defence in linebacker Chip Cox, who has a league-high 27 tackles, and defensive end John Bowman, who shared the CFL lead with Edmonton’s Marcus Howard in sacks with four prior to the Eskimos’ game Friday against the Roughriders.
ABOUT THE STAMPEDERS (3-2 SU, 0-5 ATS, 1-4 O/U): Calgary’s ground attack is expected to be handled by Matt Walter, top kick returner Tim Brown and Tory Harrison, who was elevated from the practice squad. Walter and Brown have combined for 45 yards on 12 carries this season as Cornish accounted for 325 of Calgary’s 417 rushing yards. Bo Levi Mitchell was 23-of-41 for 318 yards and a touchdown against Ottawa and has completed 66 percent of his passes with three TDs and four interceptions in 2015.
TRENDS:
*Alouettes are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 meetings in Calgary.
*Stampeders are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
*Under is 12-2 in Alouettes last 14 road games.
*Under is 4-0 in Stampeders last 4 home games.
CONSENSUS: As of this writing, 53 percent are backing the Stamps.
ANDRE RAMIREZ
50 DIMES PARLAY * 8-2 CAREER
MMA 50 DIMES GAME
TODAY’S WINNER: SOA PALELEI -190
Antonio Silva has a weak chin, and his cardio is not that good. Soa has excellent cardio, and excellent ground and pound. Silva will gas out in the second round, and expect Soa to shine with his heavy hands. Lay the money on Soa Palelei.
MMA 50 DIMES GAME
TODAY’S WINNER: STRUVE -160
Noguerira is old and his career is done. Struve has size and reach, but weak chin. Struve has better striking, and heavy hands. I like Struve to win by knockout.
UFC Fight Night 190: Rousey vs. Correia
By Ethan Back
UFC Fight Night 190: Rousey vs. Correia
Saturday, August 1st – 10:00 p.m. ET
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Ronda Rousey (11-0-0) vs. Bethe Correia (9-0-0)
Five Round Women’s Bantamweight Bout
Line: Rousey -1400, Correia +725
Undefeated fighters Ronda Rousey and Bethe Correia meet at UFC Fight Night 190 in Rio de Janeiro.
Ronda Rousey made her professional MMA debut in 2011, and has quickly become the most recognizable name in the world of women’s fighting. She won her first six fights via armbar submission before becoming the first woman to sign with the UFC. Her dominant ways have since continued, with only her first fight lasting longer than one minute and six seconds. Nine out of 11 of the California native’s victories have come via submission or technical submissions, and the other two were a knockout and a technical knockout. The 28-year-old’s last two bouts have lasted just 30 seconds combined, and she is proving to be quite a dominant force in the women’s bantamweight division. Bethe Correia emerged late onto the MMA scene, making her professional debut in 2012. She won her first six fights in her native Brazil, with five of these victories coming via unanimous decision and the other by TKO from punches. She signed with UFC in 2013 and has won all three of her bouts, including two against Jessamyn Duke and Shayna Baszler, two of Ronda Rousey’s close friends. While her career record stands at 9-0, Correia is only ranked eighth in the women’s bantamweight division.
Rousey is well known for her use of the armbar, which has been responsible for nine out of her 11 career fights. She is a very comfortable fighter on the ground and her grappling skills are tremendous. Throughout her career, Rousey has averaged 8.19 takedowns per 15 minutes, and boasts a takedown accuracy of over 72 percent. She also averages an incredible 6.3 submissions attempted per 15 minutes. Because of her style, she only lands a rather pedestrian 3.66 significant strikes per minute, but does connect at a solid clip of nearly 64 percent. Her opponents, on the other hand, land just 2.31 significant strikes per minute at a rate of less than 47 percent. Rousey will more than likely play to her strengths in this fight, and look for a victory via armbar submission.
Unlike Rousey, Correia is much more comfortable using boxing techniques. She lands an impressive 6.07 significant strikes per minute at a rate of just over 55 percent. She only absorbs 3.14 significant strikes per minute, and perhaps more remarkably, she limits her opponents to a clip of just over 33 percent. Correia prefers to keep the fight off the ground, and only averages 0.41 takedowns attempted per minute at an accuracy of 25 percent. She does, however, successfully defend takedowns at a rate of 80 percent. In stark contrast to her opponent, Correia has zero attempted submissions in her career. Her best chance in this bout will be to stay on her feet and hope that she can out-perform Rousey with her boxing skills.
NEWSLETTER UFC Prediction From Raphael Esparza
Take Over 1.5 Rounds(+280) Correia vs.Rousey (11:59 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 1)
Yes, I know Ronda Rousey dominates in the octagon quickly and early, but this fight is not going to be a push over. First of all, Bethe Correia is fighting in her home country, and she pretty much said she wants to take this fight into the late rounds, so wouldn’t shock me to see the first round pretty boring. Both fighters haven’t tasted a loss yet, so I see both fighters coming out cautious. In Correia’s last three fights, two of them have gone the distance while Rousey last three fights haven’t seen the second round. However, again this fight will be different, and I see Ronda Rousey winning this fight in the late second round of early third round.
NEWSLETTER MLB Baseball Prediction From Robert Ferringo
Take ‘Over’ 8.5 Kansas City at Toronto (1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 1)
These are two of the best offenses in baseball, and I think that this is going to be a high-scoring series. The Royals love to play the speed game – hitting the ball on the ground and stealing bases. That will work like a charm on the turf in Toronto. Add on their success against lefties and I see the Royals offense rolling once more. Toronto just added Troy Tulowitzki and added to an already-powerful lineup. They should get their cuts in against Yordano Ventura, and I see this one being played with each team scoring at least four runs. Play ‘over’.
NEWSLETTER MLB Baseball Prediction From Allen Eastman
Take ‘Under’ 7.0 L.A. Angels at L.A. Dodgers (4 p.m., Saturday, August 1)
Here we have two of the best teams in baseball going at it. They just happen to be in the same state! Both teams are armed with outstanding starters and two of the best bullpens in the game. They are also both fighting for their respective divisions. Both teams need this game, and I do not see a slugfest. I think that it will hurt the Angels not being able to use the DH, and it will help both starters that they have one less “real” batter to get out. The Dodgers have gone ‘under’ in four of their last five home games and the ‘under’ is 16-6 in their last 22 Game 2’s of a series against a team over .500. Go with the ‘Under’.
NEWSLETTER MLB Baseball Prediction From Doc’s Sports
Take ‘Under’ 6.5 Washington at New York Mets (Saturday, 7:10pm EST)
Two struggling offenses will go up against two pitchers who are throwing the ball well in a game that lines up perfectly for the UNDER. The struggles of the New York Mets offense have been well documented of late, but the Washington Nationals haven’t exactly been seeing the ball really well recently, either. The Nats are missing Ryan Zimmerman, Denard Span and Jayson Werth, and it’s starting to take its toll on the team. Bryce Harper is having a monstrous season, but he can’t do it all by himself anymore. He’s getting pitched around much more than he was in the first half of the season, and without protection that’s not going to change. Jacob deGrom takes the hill for New York as he goes for his eleventh win of the season. The young right-hander owns a nasty 2.05 ERA and 0.88 WHIP while he proves that his rookie season was certainly no fluke. Meanwhile, Joe Ross is filling in nicely for Stephen Strasburg in the Washington rotation. Ross has a 3.03 ERA in five starts and his K-BB ratio is an astounding 34-3 in those outings. Runs will be extremely hard to come by in this game, and we could easily see a 2-1 pitcher’s duel. Take the UNDER.
NEWSLETTER MLB Baseball Prediction From Strike Point Sports
Take Houston (-155) over Arizona (7:10 p.m., Saturday, August 1)
You can’t be much more dominating than Dallas Keuchel has been at home this year, and I think he will lead the Astros to another victory. Keuchel is 9-0 with a 1.13 ERA at home this year and has not allowed a home run in any of those contests as compared to giving up 8 in his road starts. Keuchel hasn’t allowed a run in his last 3 starts at home spanning 24 innings, and I think it will be hard for Arizona to score on him. Jeremy Hellickson will be opposing him on the mound, and he is 2-3 with a 5.26 ERA on the road this year. Hellickson has had a tough go in his last 4 starts away from home, going 0-2 while allowing 16 runs through 19 innings pitched. Houston has the best home record in the American League at 33-17, and I think they will add to that today with another win in this game.
NEWSLETTER UFC Prediction From Alan Harris
Take #24105 Nogueira +165 over Mauricio Rua (11:55 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 1)
We may be witnessing the end of a UFC career when Mauricio “Shogun” Rua takes on Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 190 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday night. Rua has lost four of his last five fights and hasn’t been in the octagon since a 34-second loss to Ovince St. Preux in November of last year. While Rua is just 33 years old, when you look at his overall career, and the beatings he has taken over the past few years, one could argue that he has the body of a much older man at this point. His saving grace may be that he does have a BJJ black belt, but he hasn’t won a fight by submission since 2006, and we can’t really see him being able to get Nogueira on the ground in this one to take advantage of his expertise. Lil’ Nog, as he’s known in the UFC circles, may be 39 years old, but we think he gets in done in the underdog role in this one. He has a better well-rounded attack when compared to Shogun and has much more recent “good wins” on his recent resume, including victories over Tito Ortiz and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champ Rashad Evans. Like Rua, Nogueira was blasted in his last fight, but it was by top contender Anthony Johnson, who is 9-1 in his last 10 fights with his only loss coming to Daniel Cormier in a bout for the vacant Light Heavyweight belt. We’re looking for a strong bounce back from Lil’ Nog this evening, and we expect him to take care of Rua pretty easily as the underdog in the Co-Main Event on the UFC 190 Card.
JIMMY MOORE (MLB Play of the Day)
#957 ♦4* Chicago Cubs with Hendricks ML -135 (7:10 edt)
The Cubbies are solid on the road and the Brewers are absolutely terrible at home. Hendricks has been perfect against Milwaukee with a 2-0 record and an ERA under 1.00 so he will be very ready here. The Brewers are horrible against right handers so look for Hendricks to have the best of it in this game. The Cubs are the play, thank you and good luck.