Monday's MLB Preview
By Josh Jacobs
Let’s begin the week off on the right foot. Only three games in the American League will be supported by six being played in the NL. The Yankees and Indians will get national exposure on ESPN at 7:05 p.m. EDT. And that’s we’re will begin this installment of another MLB preview.
N.Y. Yankees (29-20, +88) at Cleveland (21-30, -980) – 7:05 p.m. EDT
It’s hard to pick apart a team that’s 14-4 in its last 18. But that doesn’t mean everything has been spot on. New York’s bullpen is still having problems executing on a consistent basis. Take the pen’s 5.17 ERA on the season. A 4.46 pen ERA in the last 10 games has been a minor improvement. The reason we’re not seeing the Yankees suffering from these pitching woes is an offense shelling opposing teams for a .281 BA, 148 RBIs and a league leading 46 long balls in May alone. What it all boils down to is a run margin of 3.9 runs per game in the last 14 wins.
Joba Chamberlain is slated to start on Monday. His last trip to the mound was in Texas last week, and it came in the wake of being yanked out of a contest versus Baltimore with a bruised shin from a comebacker. In the Texas spot, Joba pitched in only four innings (once again a product of the pitch count imposed on him), giving up three runs on four hits. It was the third start in which he received a no decision. The good news for those deciding to back the Pinstripes is that New York is 5-3 in Chamberlain’s last eight appearances (but only 2-3 when on the road this year).
In the home team dugout is an Indians club trying to harvest the same results it had in a four-game sweep over Tampa Bay last week. Southpaw pitcher Jeremy Sowers will look to get his second win of the season as he goes up against a team who’s been slapping left-handers. The Yankees have laid the hammer down for a .313 BA, 59 RBIs and .383 on base percentage versus left-handed pitching.
Sowers’ all three starts have seen the ‘over’ cash in. Maybe giving up seven runs against Boston and five versus the White Sox played a big role in hitting those ‘overs’. However, in his last no decision appearance, Sowers was near perfect for five innings as Tampa worked for three hits and no runs. It was the nine unanswered runs by Cleveland that once again tore the books’ 9 ½-set total to shreds.
In their six meetings thus far this season, the ‘over’ is 4-2. Sportsbetting.com has opened an early run total of 10 ½. New York is catching a -155 (bet $155 to make $100) price despite playing on the road in this contest.
When the Yanks have posted up seven or more runs in a given contest an ‘over’ record at 15-1-1 has been produced. When the total has been listed at 10 ½ runs, New York has gone ‘over’ 42 percent of the time.
Cincinnati (26-22, +633) at St. Louis (29-20, +615)
Opening up the books as a $1.20 favorite, St. Louis will be returning home from its short, six-game road trip. Eight wins in the last 11 games have been attributed to magnificent pitching.
The Cardinals have allowed 1.4 runs per game during the 11-game stretch. On the season, a 3.56 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and .316 on base percentage allowed are all ranked at the top of the statistical list in both the AL and NL. Starter Chris Carpenter was the beacon of the team’s defensive performance, having gone four starts without allowing an earned run (until an appearance against the Giants on Saturday).
Thanks to such stiff appearances on the mound, St. Louis has been able to cash in on the ‘under’ 13 times in the last 17 games. Starting slinger Todd Wellemeyer will attempt to get the job done on Monday. His last two starts have been a success, garnering two straight wins in both attempts. Wellemeyer’s 1.64 WHIP is a bit high and batters are going to town with a .305 BA. The problem for bettors is the Cards’ 2-8 record in Wellemeyer’s last 10 home starts versus a team with a winning record.
The Reds will look to counter when it places Edison Volquez in the starting role. Cincinnati has supplied their slinger with 5.4 runs of support per game. The Reds are 13-3 in Volquez’s last 16 road starts. The problem has been a bit of inconsistency and injury as Volquez is returning from the 15-day DL. In his last start versus St. Louis, the right-hander was torched for seven runs on six hits in 6.2 innings. Off six plus days of rest, Volquez is 3-7 with a 6.04 ERA.
The ‘under’ is 13-6-1 in the Reds last 20 road games. The Cardinals are 13-8 when installed as a favorite of $1.20 or more this year.
Philadelphia (27-20, +313) at San Diego (24-25, +243) – 10:05 p.m. EDT
It was only a matter of time for the winning streak to end and at 10 straight. San Diego just couldn’t sustain the magic. Now 2-3 since their winning ways ended, the Padres return home as $1.05 underdogs versus the Phillies.
San Diego will look to grab the win when Kevin Correia starts for the 10th time this season. Correia record stands at 1-3 after taking an ‘L’ in Arizona last Tuesday. The Diamondbacks were able to get to the righty for six earned runs on nine hits. If you’re weighing your options on betting the home team here, be aware that Correia has held batters down to a .262 BA versus .293 on the road. Also, his lone win came at home versus Cincinnati on May 15.
Phillies’ pitching is still suspect at best, coughing up 4.5 runs per game in the last 10 while concocting a 22nd worst, 4.68 ERA in May. And while you may have missed the train for the time being, Philadelphia has been on a torrent ‘under’ rage despite the pitching woes. We’re talking about the ‘under’ going 9-2 (seven straight through this run) in the last 11.
Big man, Joe Blanton will compete for his fourth win of the season. His 6.14 ERA has been in the making due to giving up four or more runs in five of his nine starts. And that ERA could be higher if it wasn’t for Blanton tossing a seven inning gem against Florida (who can’t hit to save their lives by the way – batting .243 with just 117 runs in May) last Tuesday.
The Padres enter this game up 4.36 units on the run line for a 27-21 record. San Diego is also a solid 17-5 in its last 22 home games. In-fact, the Pads are the No. 1 team in pitching at home this season with a 2.93 ERA and .217 BAA testament to that. Then again, it’s no secret that PETCO Park ranks the lowest in Park Factor at 0.688, easily the best pitchers friend in the league.
vegasinsider
By Josh Jacobs
Let’s begin the week off on the right foot. Only three games in the American League will be supported by six being played in the NL. The Yankees and Indians will get national exposure on ESPN at 7:05 p.m. EDT. And that’s we’re will begin this installment of another MLB preview.
N.Y. Yankees (29-20, +88) at Cleveland (21-30, -980) – 7:05 p.m. EDT
It’s hard to pick apart a team that’s 14-4 in its last 18. But that doesn’t mean everything has been spot on. New York’s bullpen is still having problems executing on a consistent basis. Take the pen’s 5.17 ERA on the season. A 4.46 pen ERA in the last 10 games has been a minor improvement. The reason we’re not seeing the Yankees suffering from these pitching woes is an offense shelling opposing teams for a .281 BA, 148 RBIs and a league leading 46 long balls in May alone. What it all boils down to is a run margin of 3.9 runs per game in the last 14 wins.
Joba Chamberlain is slated to start on Monday. His last trip to the mound was in Texas last week, and it came in the wake of being yanked out of a contest versus Baltimore with a bruised shin from a comebacker. In the Texas spot, Joba pitched in only four innings (once again a product of the pitch count imposed on him), giving up three runs on four hits. It was the third start in which he received a no decision. The good news for those deciding to back the Pinstripes is that New York is 5-3 in Chamberlain’s last eight appearances (but only 2-3 when on the road this year).
In the home team dugout is an Indians club trying to harvest the same results it had in a four-game sweep over Tampa Bay last week. Southpaw pitcher Jeremy Sowers will look to get his second win of the season as he goes up against a team who’s been slapping left-handers. The Yankees have laid the hammer down for a .313 BA, 59 RBIs and .383 on base percentage versus left-handed pitching.
Sowers’ all three starts have seen the ‘over’ cash in. Maybe giving up seven runs against Boston and five versus the White Sox played a big role in hitting those ‘overs’. However, in his last no decision appearance, Sowers was near perfect for five innings as Tampa worked for three hits and no runs. It was the nine unanswered runs by Cleveland that once again tore the books’ 9 ½-set total to shreds.
In their six meetings thus far this season, the ‘over’ is 4-2. Sportsbetting.com has opened an early run total of 10 ½. New York is catching a -155 (bet $155 to make $100) price despite playing on the road in this contest.
When the Yanks have posted up seven or more runs in a given contest an ‘over’ record at 15-1-1 has been produced. When the total has been listed at 10 ½ runs, New York has gone ‘over’ 42 percent of the time.
Cincinnati (26-22, +633) at St. Louis (29-20, +615)
Opening up the books as a $1.20 favorite, St. Louis will be returning home from its short, six-game road trip. Eight wins in the last 11 games have been attributed to magnificent pitching.
The Cardinals have allowed 1.4 runs per game during the 11-game stretch. On the season, a 3.56 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and .316 on base percentage allowed are all ranked at the top of the statistical list in both the AL and NL. Starter Chris Carpenter was the beacon of the team’s defensive performance, having gone four starts without allowing an earned run (until an appearance against the Giants on Saturday).
Thanks to such stiff appearances on the mound, St. Louis has been able to cash in on the ‘under’ 13 times in the last 17 games. Starting slinger Todd Wellemeyer will attempt to get the job done on Monday. His last two starts have been a success, garnering two straight wins in both attempts. Wellemeyer’s 1.64 WHIP is a bit high and batters are going to town with a .305 BA. The problem for bettors is the Cards’ 2-8 record in Wellemeyer’s last 10 home starts versus a team with a winning record.
The Reds will look to counter when it places Edison Volquez in the starting role. Cincinnati has supplied their slinger with 5.4 runs of support per game. The Reds are 13-3 in Volquez’s last 16 road starts. The problem has been a bit of inconsistency and injury as Volquez is returning from the 15-day DL. In his last start versus St. Louis, the right-hander was torched for seven runs on six hits in 6.2 innings. Off six plus days of rest, Volquez is 3-7 with a 6.04 ERA.
The ‘under’ is 13-6-1 in the Reds last 20 road games. The Cardinals are 13-8 when installed as a favorite of $1.20 or more this year.
Philadelphia (27-20, +313) at San Diego (24-25, +243) – 10:05 p.m. EDT
It was only a matter of time for the winning streak to end and at 10 straight. San Diego just couldn’t sustain the magic. Now 2-3 since their winning ways ended, the Padres return home as $1.05 underdogs versus the Phillies.
San Diego will look to grab the win when Kevin Correia starts for the 10th time this season. Correia record stands at 1-3 after taking an ‘L’ in Arizona last Tuesday. The Diamondbacks were able to get to the righty for six earned runs on nine hits. If you’re weighing your options on betting the home team here, be aware that Correia has held batters down to a .262 BA versus .293 on the road. Also, his lone win came at home versus Cincinnati on May 15.
Phillies’ pitching is still suspect at best, coughing up 4.5 runs per game in the last 10 while concocting a 22nd worst, 4.68 ERA in May. And while you may have missed the train for the time being, Philadelphia has been on a torrent ‘under’ rage despite the pitching woes. We’re talking about the ‘under’ going 9-2 (seven straight through this run) in the last 11.
Big man, Joe Blanton will compete for his fourth win of the season. His 6.14 ERA has been in the making due to giving up four or more runs in five of his nine starts. And that ERA could be higher if it wasn’t for Blanton tossing a seven inning gem against Florida (who can’t hit to save their lives by the way – batting .243 with just 117 runs in May) last Tuesday.
The Padres enter this game up 4.36 units on the run line for a 27-21 record. San Diego is also a solid 17-5 in its last 22 home games. In-fact, the Pads are the No. 1 team in pitching at home this season with a 2.93 ERA and .217 BAA testament to that. Then again, it’s no secret that PETCO Park ranks the lowest in Park Factor at 0.688, easily the best pitchers friend in the league.
vegasinsider
Marc Lawrence
MLB | Jun 01
New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians Cleveland Indians +125
Play On: Cleveland w/Sowers vs. Chamberlain
Note: Jeremy Sowers and the Tribe wraps up a four-game series with the Yankees tonight when they take on Joba Chamberlain at Progressive Park in Cleveland. While Chamberlain is 3-1 in his last four team starts he has averaged less than 5 innings per start in those games. With Sowers fighting to maintain a starting spot in the Indians' rotation and 2-0 at home in his career team starts against the Pinstripes, look for the Tribe to improve to 14-5 at home on Mondays here tonight.
MLB | Jun 01
New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians Cleveland Indians +125
Play On: Cleveland w/Sowers vs. Chamberlain
Note: Jeremy Sowers and the Tribe wraps up a four-game series with the Yankees tonight when they take on Joba Chamberlain at Progressive Park in Cleveland. While Chamberlain is 3-1 in his last four team starts he has averaged less than 5 innings per start in those games. With Sowers fighting to maintain a starting spot in the Indians' rotation and 2-0 at home in his career team starts against the Pinstripes, look for the Tribe to improve to 14-5 at home on Mondays here tonight.
Craig Trapp
-=TOP PLAY=- MLB | Jun 01
New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians New York Yankees -150
Rough day yesterday as Craig's MLB plays were 0-3!! But the good news is Craig's top plays are 6-2 with his 5 star Plays of day!! Today we bounce back with his MLB 5 star AL GRAND SLAM WINNER!! Today's Bonus Play will also be in the American League!
Records
New York Yankees 29-21, 15-12 away (Chamberlain 2-1, 3.97 ERA)
Cleveland Indians 22-30, 12-13 home (Sowers 1-2, 7.71 ERA)
Betting Trends
-Yankees are 4-0 in their last 4 road games vs. a left-handed starter.
-Yankees are 5-2 in Chamberlains last 7 starts as a favorite.
-Indians are 1-6 in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
-Indians are 1-4 in Sowers' last 5 starts.
The NYY lost yesterday but that still has them scoring a ton of runs as of late. Last 10 games NYY are averaging over 7 runs a game. Also good news for the NYY they have Chamberlin going for them on the mound today. Even though Chamberlin struggled last game out they have been winning almost all the starts of Chamberlin. Lucky for Chamberlin the CLE Indians will be without Sizemore and Martinez both out with injuries. Sowers will pitch for CLE and he has been very poor as a starter losing his last 4 times. Today he will really struggle with the great NYY lineup. This one will not be close as NYY want to get out of CLE with a winning series. SCORE NYY 8 - CLE 3
-=TOP PLAY=- MLB | Jun 01
New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians New York Yankees -150
Rough day yesterday as Craig's MLB plays were 0-3!! But the good news is Craig's top plays are 6-2 with his 5 star Plays of day!! Today we bounce back with his MLB 5 star AL GRAND SLAM WINNER!! Today's Bonus Play will also be in the American League!
Records
New York Yankees 29-21, 15-12 away (Chamberlain 2-1, 3.97 ERA)
Cleveland Indians 22-30, 12-13 home (Sowers 1-2, 7.71 ERA)
Betting Trends
-Yankees are 4-0 in their last 4 road games vs. a left-handed starter.
-Yankees are 5-2 in Chamberlains last 7 starts as a favorite.
-Indians are 1-6 in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
-Indians are 1-4 in Sowers' last 5 starts.
The NYY lost yesterday but that still has them scoring a ton of runs as of late. Last 10 games NYY are averaging over 7 runs a game. Also good news for the NYY they have Chamberlin going for them on the mound today. Even though Chamberlin struggled last game out they have been winning almost all the starts of Chamberlin. Lucky for Chamberlin the CLE Indians will be without Sizemore and Martinez both out with injuries. Sowers will pitch for CLE and he has been very poor as a starter losing his last 4 times. Today he will really struggle with the great NYY lineup. This one will not be close as NYY want to get out of CLE with a winning series. SCORE NYY 8 - CLE 3
Monday’s streaking and slumping starting pitchers
By Covers
Slumping
Ian Snell, Pittsburgh Pirates
Remember when this guy used to be a can’t-miss pitching prospect? He’s hated among Pittsburgh backers and loathed by fantasy baseball players who drafted him early hoping to cash in on his untapped potential.
Hopefully you Snell what the Pirates are cooking when they send the 27-year-old righty to the mound.
Snell gave up six runs – all earned – in five innings last week against the Cubs. The outing brings his 2009 numbers into fringe starter area (1-6 win-loss record with a 5.43 ERA).
Jeremy Sowers, Cleveland Indians
Don’t let this lefty’s latest performance (5 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 0 R) fool you. He’s as predictably bad as they come for starters in the bigs. Sowers had allowed 12 runs in his other two starts before his surprising long relief appearance against the Tampa Bay Rays.
He’s 1-2 with a 7.71 ERA in 14 1-3 innings this season and when he gets in jams – as he often does – he lacks the ability to strikeout batters.
Returning
Edinson Volquez, Cincinnati Reds
The hard-throwing righty returns from the DL after leaving a game against the Padres on May 16 due to back pain. A 17-game winner for the Reds last season, Volquez has mixed performances this year.
He is 4-2 with a 4.25 ERA. He had showed signs of his 2008 form with back-to-back eight-inning shutouts on April 29 and May 5, but followed that up by allowing seven runs against the Cards.
As inconsistent as he’s been, his stuff remains dynamic. Opponents are batting only .185 against the Dominican, good for the lowest mark among National League starting pitchers.
Hiroki Kuroda, Los Angeles Dodgers
Kuroda teased Dodger backers after outdueling San Diego ace Jake Peavy on opening day, only to miss the next eight weeks because of a strained muscle in his left side.
He made two rehab starts with the Class A squad – his latest on Wednesday when he allowed seven runs in five innings of work. Regardless, Joe Torre will send Kuroda to the hill with the original scheduled starter, Clayton Kershaw, on stand by in case Kuroda gets in trouble early on.
The Japanese hurler went 9-10 with a 3.73 ERA last season for the Dodgers. L.A. has won seven of the last eight games Kuroda has started dating back to 2008.
By Covers
Slumping
Ian Snell, Pittsburgh Pirates
Remember when this guy used to be a can’t-miss pitching prospect? He’s hated among Pittsburgh backers and loathed by fantasy baseball players who drafted him early hoping to cash in on his untapped potential.
Hopefully you Snell what the Pirates are cooking when they send the 27-year-old righty to the mound.
Snell gave up six runs – all earned – in five innings last week against the Cubs. The outing brings his 2009 numbers into fringe starter area (1-6 win-loss record with a 5.43 ERA).
Jeremy Sowers, Cleveland Indians
Don’t let this lefty’s latest performance (5 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 0 R) fool you. He’s as predictably bad as they come for starters in the bigs. Sowers had allowed 12 runs in his other two starts before his surprising long relief appearance against the Tampa Bay Rays.
He’s 1-2 with a 7.71 ERA in 14 1-3 innings this season and when he gets in jams – as he often does – he lacks the ability to strikeout batters.
Returning
Edinson Volquez, Cincinnati Reds
The hard-throwing righty returns from the DL after leaving a game against the Padres on May 16 due to back pain. A 17-game winner for the Reds last season, Volquez has mixed performances this year.
He is 4-2 with a 4.25 ERA. He had showed signs of his 2008 form with back-to-back eight-inning shutouts on April 29 and May 5, but followed that up by allowing seven runs against the Cards.
As inconsistent as he’s been, his stuff remains dynamic. Opponents are batting only .185 against the Dominican, good for the lowest mark among National League starting pitchers.
Hiroki Kuroda, Los Angeles Dodgers
Kuroda teased Dodger backers after outdueling San Diego ace Jake Peavy on opening day, only to miss the next eight weeks because of a strained muscle in his left side.
He made two rehab starts with the Class A squad – his latest on Wednesday when he allowed seven runs in five innings of work. Regardless, Joe Torre will send Kuroda to the hill with the original scheduled starter, Clayton Kershaw, on stand by in case Kuroda gets in trouble early on.
The Japanese hurler went 9-10 with a 3.73 ERA last season for the Dodgers. L.A. has won seven of the last eight games Kuroda has started dating back to 2008.
Cincinnati (26-23) at St. Louis (29-21)
After getting swept in Milwaukee over the weekend, the Reds now move to St. Louis and open a four-game series at Busch Stadium with Edinson Volquez (4-2, 4.25 ERA) returning from the disabled list and pitching opposite the Cardinals’ Todd Wellemeyer (5-4, 5.02).
Cincinnati arrived in Milwaukee on Friday riding a four-game winning streak, but lost all three games against the division-leading Brewers, capped off by Sunday’s 5-2 loss. The Reds have dropped six straight on the road and six straight against right-handed starters, but they’re 7-3 in their last 10 on Monday.
St. Louis wrapped up a six-game road trip with a 5-3 loss in San Francisco on Sunday. The Cards went 3-3 on the trip but now return home where they are 23-9 in their last 32 (22-7 as a home chalk). St. Louis is on further runs of 8-4 overall, 6-1 as a favorite, 7-1 against teams with a winning record and 5-1 against N.L. Central rivals.
Volquez, who was on the DL with back spasms, is 3-0 with a 3.28 ERA in four road starts this season. He got a no-decision in his last outing on May 16 when he allowed two runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings in San Diego, with the Reds falling 6-5. Previous to that start, the right-hander faced the Cardinals on May 10 and allowed seven runs on six hits in 6 2/3 innings of an 8-7 loss after splitting two starts against them last season. With Volquez pitching, Cincinnati is on runs of 13-3 on the highway, 5-1 in series openers, 5-0 as a road ‘dog and 4-1 against the N.L. Central.
Wellemeyer is just 2-3 with a 5.35 ERA in six starts at Busch Stadium this season. However, his last home start was his best this season when he blanked the Royals on four hits over six innings en route to a 5-0 victory. Wellemeyer faced the Reds three times last season and gave up a combined 10 runs on 18 hits in 18 1/3 innings (4.91 ERA), and the Cardinals lost two of the three games. St. Louis is 5-1 in Wellemeyer’s last six home starts, but just 2-8 in his last 10 against teams with winning records and 3-8 in his last 11 against N.L. Central squads.
The Reds took two of three from St. Louis in Cincinnati in the first three-game set between these two this season, but the Cardinals have dominated this series at home, going 36-15 in the last 51 near the arch.
Cincinnati has topped the total in 16 of Volquez’s last 24 starts and 10 of his last 16 against N.L. Central rivals. Meanwhile, with Wellemeyer on the hill, the Cardinals have topped the total in five of his last seven at home, but they’ve stayed under the total in five of his last six overall and six of his last seven against teams with winning records.
The over is 8-3 in the Reds’ last 11 against N.L. Central teams, but the under is 13-6-1 in their last 20 roadies. St. Louis is on a plethora of “under” streaks, including 9-3 overall, 6-0 at home, 6-0 in series openers, 5-1 against the N.L. Central and 4-1 on Mondays. Finally, the last seven Reds-Cards clashes have topped the total and the over is 4-1 in the last five battles at Busch Stadium.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
Philadelphia (28-20) at San Diego (25-25)
The Phillies kick off a 10-game road trip by sending Joe Blanton (3-3, 6.14 ERA) to the mound at Petco Park in San Diego opposite the Padres’ Kevin Correia (1-3, 5.11).
Philadelphia swept a weekend series against the Nationals, concluding with Sunday’s 4-2 victory. The Phils have won seven of their last 10 overall and three of their last four on the highway. Philadelphia is on further runs of 12-4 overall, 19-7 on the road, 7-1 on Monday, 49-22 in series openers and 13-6 against N.L. West teams.
San Diego salvaged one of three in Colorado over the weekend by beating the Rockies 5-2 on Sunday. The Padres have won 10 straight in front of the home fans, including a perfect 9-0 homestand they last time they were in San Diego. They are on further runs of 12-3 overall, 7-0 against teams with winning records, 7-2 against the N.L. East and 7-0 against right-handed starters.
Blanton had his best start of the season Tuesday when he blanked the Marlins for seven innings and led the Phillies to a 5-3 victory. Philadelphia has won five of his last six starts but in Blanton’s last two road efforts, he’s allowed a combined nine runs on 13 hits in 10 innings (8.10 ERA), but his offense has bailed him out both times, winning 10-6 in Washington and 12-5 in Cincinnati.
Blanton has only seen the Padres once in his career, giving up five run (four earned) in four innings of an 8-1 loss as a starter for Oakland in 2006. Philadelphia is 13-3 in Blanton’s last 16 trips to the mound overall, 6-1 in his last seven on the road, 4-0 in his last four on Monday and 6-0 in his last six series openers.
Correia got hit hard in his last start, allowing six runs on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings of a 6-5 loss in Arizona. However, in his last home outing the right-hander held the Giants to one run on six hits in 6 1/3 innings of a 3-2 victory, lowering his ERA at Petco Park to 4.88 in five starts, four of which the Padres have won. Correia hasn’t started against the Phillies since 2003 as a member of the Giants when he held them to one run on seven hits in six innings of a 5-2 victory.
San Diego took two of three from the Phillies in Philadelphia earlier this season, but the Phils are 5-1 in their last six visits to Petco Park.
Philadelphia has topped the total in seven of nine as a road favorite, nine of 13 against the N.L. West and 10 of 16 versus right-handed starters, but the team also carries “under” trends of 8-1 overall, 5-1 on the road and 5-1 as a favorite. San Diego is on over streaks of 5-2 overall, 4-0 on Mondays and 4-1-1 against N.L. East teams, but the under has been the play for the Padres in six of their last seven at home and six of their last eight series openers.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
Gametimepicks
After getting swept in Milwaukee over the weekend, the Reds now move to St. Louis and open a four-game series at Busch Stadium with Edinson Volquez (4-2, 4.25 ERA) returning from the disabled list and pitching opposite the Cardinals’ Todd Wellemeyer (5-4, 5.02).
Cincinnati arrived in Milwaukee on Friday riding a four-game winning streak, but lost all three games against the division-leading Brewers, capped off by Sunday’s 5-2 loss. The Reds have dropped six straight on the road and six straight against right-handed starters, but they’re 7-3 in their last 10 on Monday.
St. Louis wrapped up a six-game road trip with a 5-3 loss in San Francisco on Sunday. The Cards went 3-3 on the trip but now return home where they are 23-9 in their last 32 (22-7 as a home chalk). St. Louis is on further runs of 8-4 overall, 6-1 as a favorite, 7-1 against teams with a winning record and 5-1 against N.L. Central rivals.
Volquez, who was on the DL with back spasms, is 3-0 with a 3.28 ERA in four road starts this season. He got a no-decision in his last outing on May 16 when he allowed two runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings in San Diego, with the Reds falling 6-5. Previous to that start, the right-hander faced the Cardinals on May 10 and allowed seven runs on six hits in 6 2/3 innings of an 8-7 loss after splitting two starts against them last season. With Volquez pitching, Cincinnati is on runs of 13-3 on the highway, 5-1 in series openers, 5-0 as a road ‘dog and 4-1 against the N.L. Central.
Wellemeyer is just 2-3 with a 5.35 ERA in six starts at Busch Stadium this season. However, his last home start was his best this season when he blanked the Royals on four hits over six innings en route to a 5-0 victory. Wellemeyer faced the Reds three times last season and gave up a combined 10 runs on 18 hits in 18 1/3 innings (4.91 ERA), and the Cardinals lost two of the three games. St. Louis is 5-1 in Wellemeyer’s last six home starts, but just 2-8 in his last 10 against teams with winning records and 3-8 in his last 11 against N.L. Central squads.
The Reds took two of three from St. Louis in Cincinnati in the first three-game set between these two this season, but the Cardinals have dominated this series at home, going 36-15 in the last 51 near the arch.
Cincinnati has topped the total in 16 of Volquez’s last 24 starts and 10 of his last 16 against N.L. Central rivals. Meanwhile, with Wellemeyer on the hill, the Cardinals have topped the total in five of his last seven at home, but they’ve stayed under the total in five of his last six overall and six of his last seven against teams with winning records.
The over is 8-3 in the Reds’ last 11 against N.L. Central teams, but the under is 13-6-1 in their last 20 roadies. St. Louis is on a plethora of “under” streaks, including 9-3 overall, 6-0 at home, 6-0 in series openers, 5-1 against the N.L. Central and 4-1 on Mondays. Finally, the last seven Reds-Cards clashes have topped the total and the over is 4-1 in the last five battles at Busch Stadium.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
Philadelphia (28-20) at San Diego (25-25)
The Phillies kick off a 10-game road trip by sending Joe Blanton (3-3, 6.14 ERA) to the mound at Petco Park in San Diego opposite the Padres’ Kevin Correia (1-3, 5.11).
Philadelphia swept a weekend series against the Nationals, concluding with Sunday’s 4-2 victory. The Phils have won seven of their last 10 overall and three of their last four on the highway. Philadelphia is on further runs of 12-4 overall, 19-7 on the road, 7-1 on Monday, 49-22 in series openers and 13-6 against N.L. West teams.
San Diego salvaged one of three in Colorado over the weekend by beating the Rockies 5-2 on Sunday. The Padres have won 10 straight in front of the home fans, including a perfect 9-0 homestand they last time they were in San Diego. They are on further runs of 12-3 overall, 7-0 against teams with winning records, 7-2 against the N.L. East and 7-0 against right-handed starters.
Blanton had his best start of the season Tuesday when he blanked the Marlins for seven innings and led the Phillies to a 5-3 victory. Philadelphia has won five of his last six starts but in Blanton’s last two road efforts, he’s allowed a combined nine runs on 13 hits in 10 innings (8.10 ERA), but his offense has bailed him out both times, winning 10-6 in Washington and 12-5 in Cincinnati.
Blanton has only seen the Padres once in his career, giving up five run (four earned) in four innings of an 8-1 loss as a starter for Oakland in 2006. Philadelphia is 13-3 in Blanton’s last 16 trips to the mound overall, 6-1 in his last seven on the road, 4-0 in his last four on Monday and 6-0 in his last six series openers.
Correia got hit hard in his last start, allowing six runs on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings of a 6-5 loss in Arizona. However, in his last home outing the right-hander held the Giants to one run on six hits in 6 1/3 innings of a 3-2 victory, lowering his ERA at Petco Park to 4.88 in five starts, four of which the Padres have won. Correia hasn’t started against the Phillies since 2003 as a member of the Giants when he held them to one run on seven hits in six innings of a 5-2 victory.
San Diego took two of three from the Phillies in Philadelphia earlier this season, but the Phils are 5-1 in their last six visits to Petco Park.
Philadelphia has topped the total in seven of nine as a road favorite, nine of 13 against the N.L. West and 10 of 16 versus right-handed starters, but the team also carries “under” trends of 8-1 overall, 5-1 on the road and 5-1 as a favorite. San Diego is on over streaks of 5-2 overall, 4-0 on Mondays and 4-1-1 against N.L. East teams, but the under has been the play for the Padres in six of their last seven at home and six of their last eight series openers.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
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