Phillies-Marlins Lines Preview

The Philadelphia Phillies and the Florida Marlins will meet on the field at LandShark Stadium on Friday in a battle of division rivals.
The Phillies will trot ace Cole Hamels out to the mound in this one. Lefthander Hamels has a 5-5 record and a 4.87 ERA this season.
Hamels’s opponent in this one will be Ricky Nolasco. The Marlins ace righthander has a 5.66 ERA to go along with a 6-7 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Phillies listed as 127-moneyline favorites versus the Marlins, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Jamie Moyer tossed a one-hit shutout through seven innings as the Phillies blanked the Marlins 4-0 in Thursday’s opener. The Phillies won that game as +105 underdogs, while the four runs went UNDER the posted over/under (10).
Raul Ibanez belted two home runs for three RBIs, and Ryan Howard also went deep for a solo home run for the Phillies. Moyer improved to 9-6 with the victory.
Chris Volstad surrendered seven hits and four runs over six innings in the loss. Oddsmakers had the Marlins as -115 favorite.
Current streak:
Philadelphia has won 6 straight games.
Team records:
Philadelphia: 49-38 SU
Florida: 46-45 SU
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Florida are 7-3
After playing Florida are 9-1
After a win are 8-2

Florida most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Philadelphia are 5-5
After playing Philadelphia are 2-8
After a loss are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Florida
Philadelphia is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing Florida
Philadelphia is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Florida is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games at home
Florida is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing Philadelphia
Florida is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Next up:
Florida home to Philadelphia, Saturday, July 18

 

Red Sox-Blue Jays Odds Preview

The Toronto Blue Jays will be fighting to snap a losing streak on Friday when they take on the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre.
Righthander Clay Buchholz will take the mound for the Red Sox to start this game. Buchholz is 0-0 this season with a 0.00 ERA.
The Blue Jays will counter Buchholz with Ricky Romero. Lefthander Romero has a 3.00 ERA to go along with a 7-3 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Blue Jays listed as 130-moneyline favorites versus the Red Sox, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Red Sox defeated Kansas City 6-0 as a -320 favorite on Sunday. The six runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (9.5).
Josh Beckett pitched a complete-game shutout, allowing only three hits with seven strikeouts for Boston, while Nick Green scored a pair of runs in the win.
The Blue Jays lost to Baltimore 4-2 as a +105 underdog on Sunday. The six runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (9).
Marco Scutaro was 2-3 with an RBI for Toronto and Marc Rzepczynski took the loss after giving up three runs on five hits in six innings.
Current streak:
Boston has won 3 straight games.
Toronto has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Boston: 54-34 SU
Toronto: 44-46 SU
Boston most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Toronto are 5-5
After playing Kansas City are 8-2
After a win are 4-6

Toronto most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Boston are 5-5
After playing Baltimore are 4-6
After a loss are 3-7

A few trends to consider:
Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Boston is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games on the road
Boston is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston’s last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto’s last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto’s last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto’s last 7 games when playing Boston
Toronto is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games when playing at home against Boston
Next up:
Toronto home to Boston, Saturday, July 18

 

Tigers-Yankees Odds Preview

The Detroit Tigers and the New York Yankees will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Yankee Stadium.
The Tigers will trot Lucas French out to the mound in this one. Lefthander French has a 1-0 record and a 2.45 ERA this season.
The Yankees will counter French with AJ Burnett. Righthander Burnett has a 3.77 ERA to go along with a 8-4 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Yankees listed as 210-moneyline favorites versus the Tigers, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Tigers defeated Cleveland 10-1 as a -210 favorite on Sunday. The 11 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (9).
Clete Thomas was 3-5 with a home run and five RBI for Detroit and Brandon Inge homered and drove in three runs in the win.
The Yankees lost to the Angels 5-4 as a -135 favorite on Sunday. The nine runs scored caused this game to be a PUSH on the posted over/under total (9).
Melky Cabrera was 2-3 with an RBI and two runs scored for New York and CC Sabathia took the loss after allowing five runs on nine hits in 6 2-3 innings.
Current streak:
New York has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Detroit: 48-39 SU
New York: 51-37 SU
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing NY Yankees are 7-3
After playing Cleveland are 5-5
After a win are 5-5

New York most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Detroit are 3-7
After playing LA Angels are 2-8
After a loss are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Detroit’s last 8 games on the road
Detroit is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Detroit’s last 14 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit’s last 7 games when playing NY Yankees
NY Yankees are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Yankees’s last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of NY Yankees’s last 9 games
NY Yankees are 13-5 SU in their last 18 games
Next up:
NY Yankees home to Detroit, Saturday, July 18

 

Cubs-Nationals Odds Preview

The Chicago Cubs and the Washington Nationals will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Nationals Park.
Ace Carlos Zambrano will be the starting pitcher for the Cubs on this day. Righthander Zambrano is 5-4 this season with a 3.53 ERA.
It’ll be Craig Stammen toeing the rubber for the Nationals in this contest. Righthander Stammen is 2-4 with a 4.45 ERA so far this season.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Rich Harden combined on a four-hit performance as the Cubs defeated the Nationals 6-2 in Thursday’s series opener. The Cubs won the game as -130 favorites, while the eight runs fell UNDER the posted over/under (9).
Derrek Lee went 3-for-4 at the plate with a solo home run for the Cubs. Harden evened his record to 6-6 with the win.
Ryan Zimmerman went deep for the Nationals, who were +110 underdogs. John Lannan allowed three runs over 6 2-3 innings in the loss.
Current streak:
Washington has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Chicago: 44-43
SU
Washington
: 26-62 SU
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Washington are 5-5
After playing Washington are 6-4
After a win are 4-6

Washington most recently:
When playing on Friday are 2-8
Before playing Chi Cubs are 5-5
After playing Chi Cubs are 4-6
After a loss are 2-8

A few trends to consider:
Chi Cubs are 10-4 SU in their last 14 games when playing Washington
Chi Cubs are 4-9 SU in their last 13 games on the road
Washington is 4-10 SU in their last 14 games when playing Chi Cubs
Washington is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games
Next up:
Washington home to Chi Cubs, Saturday, July 18

 

Mariners-Indians Lines Preview

The Seattle Mariners and the Cleveland Indians will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Progressive Field.
The Mariners will give the ball to starter Felix Hernandez in this one. Righthander Hernandez is 9-3 this season with a 2.53 ERA.
Meanwhile, it’ll be David Huff who starts for the Indians. Lefthander Huff is 4-3 with a 6.71 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Mariners listed as 155-moneyline favorites versus the Indians, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Cliff Lee tossed a complete game to help guide the Indians to a 4-1 win over the Mariners on Thursday, as -190 favorites. The team’s played UNDER the posted over/under (9).
Grady Sizemore had two hits with one RBI and one run scored for the Indians.
Ronny Cedeno homered for the Mariners, who were +170 underdogs. Garrett Olson gave up three runs over 2 2-3 innings in the loss.
Team records:
Seattle: 46-43
SU
Cleveland
: 36-54 SU
Seattle most recently:
When playing on Friday are 8-2
Before playing Cleveland are 6-4
After playing Cleveland are 4-6
After a loss are 8-2

Cleveland most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Seattle are 4-6
After playing Seattle are 7-3
After a win are 2-8

A few trends to consider:
Cleveland is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games at home
Cleveland is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games
Next up:
Cleveland home to Seattle, Saturday, July 18

 

Giants-Pirates Lines Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates will be fighting to snap a losing streak on Friday when they take on the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park.
The Giants will give the ball to starter Barry Zito in this one. Lefthander Zito is 5-9 this season with a 5.01 ERA.
Starting this game for the Pirates will be ace Paul Maholm. The lefthander has a 4.60 ERA to go along with a 6-4 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Giants listed as 155-moneyline favorites versus the Pirates, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Giants lost to San Diego 10-4 as a -130 favorite on Sunday. The 14 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (8).
John Bowker homered and drove in two runs for San Francisco, while Barry Zito was ripped for nine runs on 10 hits in 4 1-3 innings.
The Pirates lost to Philadelphia 5-2 as a +210 underdog on Sunday. The seven runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (9.5).
Freddy Sanchez was 2-4 with an RBI for Pittsburgh and Virgil Vasquez allowed five runs on four hits in only 1 1-3 innings.
Current streak:
Pittsburgh has lost 4 straight games.
Team records:
San Francisco: 49-39 SU
Pittsburgh: 38-50 SU
San Francisco most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Pittsburgh are 2-8
After playing San Diego are 4-6
After a loss are 6-4

Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing San Francisco are 7-3
After playing Philadelphia are 4-6
After a loss are 3-7

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Francisco’s last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh
San Francisco is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Francisco’s last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Francisco’s last 6 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Pittsburgh’s last 8 games at home
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against San Francisco
Pittsburgh is 14-4 SU in its last 18 games when playing San Francisco
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Pittsburgh’s last 17 games
Next up:
Pittsburgh home to San Francisco, Saturday, July 18

 

MLB Betting – Friday Baseball Picks

After seeing Tom Watson turn British Open betting on its head Friday, it’s safe to say bettors can’t take anything for granted in sports. Will Friday’s top baseball matchups provide us with similar surprises?

Detroit Tigers @ New York Yankees
Friday, July 17, 7:05 p.m. ET
Luke French (1-0, 1.93) vs A.J. Burnett (8-4, 3.77)
Baseball odds: Tigers +175, Yankees -210

You have to hand it to Tigers rookie Luke French, who came out of nowhere to surprise in his first two major league starts, shutting down the Royals and Twins. But forgive us for not equating those two teams with the New York Yankees. Facing the resurgent A-Rod and switch-hitting Mark Teixeira, not to mention All-Star Derek Jeter, the lefty French has plenty of right-handed sluggers to worry about and could get a rude awakening.

Meanwhile, A.J. Burnett hasn’t fared well against the Tigers in his career to say the least (8.04 ERA), but he’s 3-1 at home this season and he’s really in a groove right now, posting sub-3.00 ERAs in June and July. His nasty stuff should tie the free-swinging Tigers in knots now that he’s harnessed it.

Daily sports pick: Yankees -210

Boston Red Sox @ Toronto Blue Jays
Friday, July 17, 7:07 PM ET
Clay Buchholz (0-0, 0.00) vs Ricky Romero (7-3, 3.00)
Baseball odds: Red Sox +105, Blue Jays -125

Highly touted Clay Buchholz is back, perhaps so the Red Sox can showcase him before the trade deadline. He’s making his first start of the year but has faced the Jays before, going 0-2 with a respectable 4.22 ERA. He’ll have a tough time beating Ricky Romero at the Rogers Centre. Though Romero did get shelled their by Boston earlier this season, that was his only home loss. He’s pitching with confidence, having won four straight decisions, and Buchholz could be nervous since he hasn’t pitched in the majors this season. Go with the Blue Jays, who should get a nice price per head from the fans, as they only seem to come out for Red Sox and Yankees series.

Daily sports pick: Blue Jays -125

Astros-Dodgers Odds Preview

The fans at Dodger Stadium will be treated to a game between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers when they take their seats on Thursday.

The Astros will pin their hopes on the pitching of lefthander Wandy Rodriguez in this game. Rodriguez has a 8-6 record and a 2.96 ERA this season.

The Dodgers will counter Rodriguez with Randy Wolf. Lefthander Wolf has a 3.45 ERA to go along with a 4-3 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Dodgers listed as 150-moneyline favorites versus the Astros, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.

The Astros defeated Washington 5-0 as a -110 favorite on Sunday. The five runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (9).

Brian Moehler pitched 6 1-3 shutout innings for Houston and Kaz Matsui hit a three-run home run in the win.

The Dodgers defeated Milwaukee 7-4 as a +110 underdog on Sunday. The 11 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (8).

Orlando Hudson hit a pair of solo home runs for Los Angeles and Manny Ramirez was 3-3 with two runs scored in the win.

Team records:
Houston: 44-44 SU
Los Angeles: 56-32 SU

Houston most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
Before playing LA Dodgers are 6-4
After playing Washington are 6-4
After a win are 5-5

Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Houston are 3-7
After playing Milwaukee are 6-4
After a win are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games 
Houston is 6-2 SU in their last 8 games when playing on the road against LA Dodgers
Houston is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Houston is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing LA Dodgers
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Dodgers’s last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Dodgers’s last 5 games 
LA Dodgers are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games 
LA Dodgers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing Houston

Next up:
LA Dodgers home to
Houston, Friday, July 17

 

Angels-Athletics Odds Preview

The Los Angeles Angels will be trying to extend a winning streak on Thursday when they take on the Oakland Athletics at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

The Angels will give the ball to starter Ervin Santana in this one. Righthander Santana is 1-5 this season with a 7.81 ERA.

Starting this game for the Athletics will be Dallas Braden. The lefthander has a 3.12 ERA to go along with a 7-7 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Athletics listed as 135-moneyline favorites versus the Angels, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.

The Angels defeated the Yankees 5-4 as a +125 underdog on Sunday. The nine runs scored caused this game to be a PUSH on the posted over/under total (9).

John Lackey allowed two runs on six hits in seven innings for the Angels and Maicier Izturis was 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored in the win.

The Athletics defeated Tampa Bay 7-3 as a +180 underdog on Sunday. The 10 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (8).

Kurt Suzuki was 3-4 with a pair of RBI and two runs scored for Oakland and Mark Ellis drove in two runs in the win.

Current streak:
Los Angeles has won 3 straight games.
Oakland has won 2 straight games.

Team records:
Los Angeles: 49-37 SU
Oakland: 37-49 SU

Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing
Oakland are 6-4
After playing NY Yankees are 8-2
After a win are 7-3

Oakland most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 2-8
Before playing LA Angels are 5-5
After playing
Tampa Bay are 7-3
After a win are 3-7

A few trends to consider:
LA Angels are 7-2 SU in their last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of LA Angels’s last 8 games 
LA Angels are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games 
LA Angels are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against Oakland
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oakland’s last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Oakland’s last 13 games 
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oakland’s last 7 games when playing at home against LA Angels
Oakland is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing LA Angels

Next up:
Oakland home to LA Angels, Friday, July 17

Rockies-Padres Lines Preview

The fans at PETCO Park will be treated to a game between the Colorado Rockies and the San Diego Padres when they take their seats on Thursday.

Ace righthander Aaron Cook will take the mound for the Rockies to start this game. Cook is 8-3 this season with a 3.98 ERA.

Starting this game for the Padres will be Chad Gaudin. The righthander has a 5.15 ERA to go along with a 4-7 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Rockies listed as 135-moneyline favorites versus the Padres, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.

The Rockies defeated Atlanta 8-7 as a -145 favorite on Sunday. The 15 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (10).

Brad Hawpe homered and drove in two runs for Colorado, while Seth Smith hit a two-run home run in the win.

The Padres defeated San Francisco 10-4 as a +120 underdog on Sunday. The 14 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (8).

Kevin Kouzmanoff was 4-5 with a home run and three RBI for San Diego, while Eliezer Alfonzo hit a three-run home run in the win.

Team records:
Colorado: 47-41 SU
San Diego: 36-52 SU

Colorado most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing San Diego are 6-4
After playing Atlanta are 2-8
After a win are 5-5

San Diego most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing Colorado are 3-7
After playing San Francisco are 7-3
After a win are 2-8

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado’s last 6 games on the road
Colorado is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Colorado’s last 14 games 
Colorado is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games 
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Diego’s last 5 games at home
San Diego is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Colorado
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Diego’s last 6 games 
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Diego’s last 9 games when playing at home against Colorado

Next up:
San Diego home to Colorado, Friday, July 17

 

Sports betting blog with sports handicapping picks from the best sports handicappers, pregame betting information, sports handicapping articles, links to live odds, free picks, sportsbook information and more. All pro gamblers go to this betting blog before placing a bet.