DOUG UPSTONE
MLB | May 26, 2018
Mets vs. Brewers
UNDER 9 +104
On Saturday late afternoon, Play UNDER on NL home teams like the Brewers when the total is 9 to 9.5, hitting .250 or less, against a starting pitcher whose ERA is 6.20 or higher, with an overused bullpen that pitches more than 3.2 innings per game. In the past two decades, this totals system is 33-10!
MLB | May 26, 2018
Mets vs. Brewers
UNDER 9 +104
On Saturday late afternoon, Play UNDER on NL home teams like the Brewers when the total is 9 to 9.5, hitting .250 or less, against a starting pitcher whose ERA is 6.20 or higher, with an overused bullpen that pitches more than 3.2 innings per game. In the past two decades, this totals system is 33-10!
ROB VINCILETTI
The MLB comp play is on the Chicago Cubs at 7:15 eastern.
The cubs are a heavy favorite tonight but they do qualify in a solid 17-2 system that dates to 2004 and plays on home favorites off a -200 or higher home favored win scoring 5 or more runs with 0 errors, vs an opponent like SF that scored 2 or less runs on 4 or less hits in a road dog loss. The Cubs have won 9 of 11 here vs the Giants. SF has lost 40 of 58 on the road and 9 of 11 off a loss. The Have Quintana going and he is 7-0 at home vs losing teams. He faces C. Stratton who has a 7.56 Era in his last 3 starts. Look for the Cubs to take another from SF. On Saturday we have our highest ratted 6* MLB Total going from a perfect system that beats the lien by an average 3 runs. We also have a 92% NBA Game 6 Playoff system going. NBA on a 30-13 run.. For the MLB Free pick. Play on the Cubs. RV- GC Sports
The MLB comp play is on the Chicago Cubs at 7:15 eastern.
The cubs are a heavy favorite tonight but they do qualify in a solid 17-2 system that dates to 2004 and plays on home favorites off a -200 or higher home favored win scoring 5 or more runs with 0 errors, vs an opponent like SF that scored 2 or less runs on 4 or less hits in a road dog loss. The Cubs have won 9 of 11 here vs the Giants. SF has lost 40 of 58 on the road and 9 of 11 off a loss. The Have Quintana going and he is 7-0 at home vs losing teams. He faces C. Stratton who has a 7.56 Era in his last 3 starts. Look for the Cubs to take another from SF. On Saturday we have our highest ratted 6* MLB Total going from a perfect system that beats the lien by an average 3 runs. We also have a 92% NBA Game 6 Playoff system going. NBA on a 30-13 run.. For the MLB Free pick. Play on the Cubs. RV- GC Sports
MIKE LUNDIN
MLB | May 26, 2018
Diamondbacks vs. A's
A's-148
The Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the Oakland Athletics 7-1 Friday night, but they're mired in a huge slump and have dropped 13 of their last 15. Diamondbacks are 1-10 in their last 11 games vs. a right-handed starter, here they'll face solid Oakland righty Daniel Mengden.
Mengden (4-4, 3.30 ERA) allowed no runs on two hits and one walk across seven innings as he picked up the win in Sunday's 9-2 victory over the Blue Jays. He has held five of his last seven opponents to one or no runs.
Arizona hands the ball to Clay Buchholz (0-0, 1.80 ERA) who will make just his second start of the season. He held the Mets to one run on two hits through five frames on May 20, but Arizona still lost 4-1.
Athletics are 6-2 in Mengden's last eight starts.
MLB | May 26, 2018
Diamondbacks vs. A's
A's-148
The Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the Oakland Athletics 7-1 Friday night, but they're mired in a huge slump and have dropped 13 of their last 15. Diamondbacks are 1-10 in their last 11 games vs. a right-handed starter, here they'll face solid Oakland righty Daniel Mengden.
Mengden (4-4, 3.30 ERA) allowed no runs on two hits and one walk across seven innings as he picked up the win in Sunday's 9-2 victory over the Blue Jays. He has held five of his last seven opponents to one or no runs.
Arizona hands the ball to Clay Buchholz (0-0, 1.80 ERA) who will make just his second start of the season. He held the Mets to one run on two hits through five frames on May 20, but Arizona still lost 4-1.
Athletics are 6-2 in Mengden's last eight starts.
LARRY NESS
My 1* Bonus Play is on the Colorado Rockies (9:10 EST).
I think the Rockies will build off their 1-run victory over the Reds on Friday night.
The visitors hand the ball to the volatile Tyler Mahle (3-6, 4.53 ERA) who comes in off a loss against the Cubs on Sunday, allowing four runs off seven hits, including a trio of home runs. So far Mahle has been rocked for 13 homers over 53.2 innings of work this season and note that he’s been particularly inept in all “night” games this year by going 1-3 with a ballooned 5.26 ERA.
The home side counters with Tyler Anderson (3-1, 4.74) who comes in off an outing to forget against the Giants on Sunday, allowing five runs while striking out four and walking one over 5.1 innings. Anderson has struggled at time as well this year, but note that he owns a respectable 4.10 ERA at home (which is significant when talking about Coors Field of course.)
Mahle has been a disaster on the road, which I think spells doom in the thin atmosphere of Colorado and while Anderson has had plenty of issues of his own this season, I still think he’s the correct call over his erratic counterpart.
Consider Colorado on Saturday night.
Good luck…Larry
My 1* Bonus Play is on the Colorado Rockies (9:10 EST).
I think the Rockies will build off their 1-run victory over the Reds on Friday night.
The visitors hand the ball to the volatile Tyler Mahle (3-6, 4.53 ERA) who comes in off a loss against the Cubs on Sunday, allowing four runs off seven hits, including a trio of home runs. So far Mahle has been rocked for 13 homers over 53.2 innings of work this season and note that he’s been particularly inept in all “night” games this year by going 1-3 with a ballooned 5.26 ERA.
The home side counters with Tyler Anderson (3-1, 4.74) who comes in off an outing to forget against the Giants on Sunday, allowing five runs while striking out four and walking one over 5.1 innings. Anderson has struggled at time as well this year, but note that he owns a respectable 4.10 ERA at home (which is significant when talking about Coors Field of course.)
Mahle has been a disaster on the road, which I think spells doom in the thin atmosphere of Colorado and while Anderson has had plenty of issues of his own this season, I still think he’s the correct call over his erratic counterpart.
Consider Colorado on Saturday night.
Good luck…Larry
SEAN MURPHY
Saturday MLB Bonus Play. My selection is on Cleveland over Houston at 7:15 pm et on Saturday.
This price has flipped since opening and that probably has something to do with the Astros late explosion in last night's 11-2 rout. Houston has now taken the first two games of this series but I look for the Tribe to get back on track behind Cookie Carrasco on Saturday night.
Lance McCullers Jr. will take the ball for the Astros. While he has pitched well lately, the Astros have only managed to split his last four starts. Note that while he's 4-1 on the road this season, his ERA stands at a less than impressive 4.36. In his lone previous start here in Cleveland, McCullers was tagged for five earned runs in five innings in a 7-6 loss last season.
Carrasco has at least worked into the seventh inning in each of his last three starts, including a complete game over that stretch. After pitching exceptionally well here in Cleveland early in the campaign he has been rocked in his last two outings at Progressive Field. I expect him to rectify that on Saturday night, noting he has lasted 7 1/3 and 7 2/3 innings in his last two tries against the Astros, including a hard-luck loss in Houston last week.
The Indians rolled into this series off a two-game sweep of the Cubs. They haven't been able to keep it rolling but I look for them to bounce back here
Saturday MLB Bonus Play. My selection is on Cleveland over Houston at 7:15 pm et on Saturday.
This price has flipped since opening and that probably has something to do with the Astros late explosion in last night's 11-2 rout. Houston has now taken the first two games of this series but I look for the Tribe to get back on track behind Cookie Carrasco on Saturday night.
Lance McCullers Jr. will take the ball for the Astros. While he has pitched well lately, the Astros have only managed to split his last four starts. Note that while he's 4-1 on the road this season, his ERA stands at a less than impressive 4.36. In his lone previous start here in Cleveland, McCullers was tagged for five earned runs in five innings in a 7-6 loss last season.
Carrasco has at least worked into the seventh inning in each of his last three starts, including a complete game over that stretch. After pitching exceptionally well here in Cleveland early in the campaign he has been rocked in his last two outings at Progressive Field. I expect him to rectify that on Saturday night, noting he has lasted 7 1/3 and 7 2/3 innings in his last two tries against the Astros, including a hard-luck loss in Houston last week.
The Indians rolled into this series off a two-game sweep of the Cubs. They haven't been able to keep it rolling but I look for them to bounce back here
SCOTT RICKENBACH
MLB | May 26, 2018
Braves vs. Red Sox
OVER 10 -117
Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach MLB Game #925 Free Pick Saturday OVER the total in Boston Red Sox vs Atlanta Braves @ 1:05 ET - Very warm afternoon in Boston today and the wind will be blowing out toward right-center at a good clip. The set up is a good one for the hitters. Atlanta is the number one hitting team in the majors (.286 batting average) versus left-handed pitchers this season. The Red Sox are the number one hitting team in the majors (.288 batting average) in home games this season. Sean Newcomb has pitched well for the Braves this season but this is a much tougher test than what he has faced in many of his recent starts. Drew Pomeranz is struggling this season with a 5.97 ERA and a .302 BAA in his 6 starts. 1st of 2 MLB Free Picks Saturday: OVER the total in Boston
MLB | May 26, 2018
Braves vs. Red Sox
OVER 10 -117
Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach MLB Game #925 Free Pick Saturday OVER the total in Boston Red Sox vs Atlanta Braves @ 1:05 ET - Very warm afternoon in Boston today and the wind will be blowing out toward right-center at a good clip. The set up is a good one for the hitters. Atlanta is the number one hitting team in the majors (.286 batting average) versus left-handed pitchers this season. The Red Sox are the number one hitting team in the majors (.288 batting average) in home games this season. Sean Newcomb has pitched well for the Braves this season but this is a much tougher test than what he has faced in many of his recent starts. Drew Pomeranz is struggling this season with a 5.97 ERA and a .302 BAA in his 6 starts. 1st of 2 MLB Free Picks Saturday: OVER the total in Boston
JOHN MARTIN
1 Unit Bonus Play on Baltimore Orioles +135
Rookie Ryan Stanek is getting too much respect from oddsmakers in anticipation of his first major league start for the Rays Saturday. The Rays should not be this big of favorites over the Orioles. Andrew Cashner has been at his best on the highway this season with a 3.74 ERA in four road starts. Cashner beat the Rays in his only previous start against them last season. The Rays have been held to 2 runs or fewer in four of their last five games as their offense has sputtered. The Orioles are 8-3 in their last 11 vs. a team with a losing record. The Rays are 1-6 in their last seven home games. Give me the Orioles.
1 Unit Bonus Play on Baltimore Orioles +135
Rookie Ryan Stanek is getting too much respect from oddsmakers in anticipation of his first major league start for the Rays Saturday. The Rays should not be this big of favorites over the Orioles. Andrew Cashner has been at his best on the highway this season with a 3.74 ERA in four road starts. Cashner beat the Rays in his only previous start against them last season. The Rays have been held to 2 runs or fewer in four of their last five games as their offense has sputtered. The Orioles are 8-3 in their last 11 vs. a team with a losing record. The Rays are 1-6 in their last seven home games. Give me the Orioles.
JEFF BENTON
Your Saturday freebie is the Over in the Rockets-Warriors game.
The last 2 games of this Western Conference Finals series have been played well Under the posted total. Neither team has been able to reach 100 points, as Game 4 ended 95-92 in favor of the Rockets, and Game 5 saw a Houston 98-94 final.
Now we have a Game 6 total that has dropped a full 7-points. Of course a lot of that drop has to do with Chris Paul being sidelined for this one with a hamstring injury, and even with the totals drop, it is still very tempting to play the Under based on the past series results as 4 of the 5 in the books have landed Under the total. But, I am NOT going with the Under here tonight. I have a strong feeling that Golden State is sitting on another one of those 120-points plus results when the final buzzer sounds.
Also keep in mind that James Harden who just went 0-for-11 from the three-point arc and is 3-for-22 in the past 2 games from behind the arc. I have to believe that The Beard is about ready to contribute some distance points for the Paul-less Rockets tonight at Oracle Arena.
No Chris Paul, potentially no Andre Igoudala, and a 4-1 Under ledger through the 5 games played...no problem! This is the NBA, and when something looks obvious, it has a way of making you scratch your head. Watch as this one does indeed climb Over the lowest total of the series this Saturday night in Oakland.
Rockets-Warriors Over.
2* HOUSTON-GOLDEN STATE OVER
Your Saturday freebie is the Over in the Rockets-Warriors game.
The last 2 games of this Western Conference Finals series have been played well Under the posted total. Neither team has been able to reach 100 points, as Game 4 ended 95-92 in favor of the Rockets, and Game 5 saw a Houston 98-94 final.
Now we have a Game 6 total that has dropped a full 7-points. Of course a lot of that drop has to do with Chris Paul being sidelined for this one with a hamstring injury, and even with the totals drop, it is still very tempting to play the Under based on the past series results as 4 of the 5 in the books have landed Under the total. But, I am NOT going with the Under here tonight. I have a strong feeling that Golden State is sitting on another one of those 120-points plus results when the final buzzer sounds.
Also keep in mind that James Harden who just went 0-for-11 from the three-point arc and is 3-for-22 in the past 2 games from behind the arc. I have to believe that The Beard is about ready to contribute some distance points for the Paul-less Rockets tonight at Oracle Arena.
No Chris Paul, potentially no Andre Igoudala, and a 4-1 Under ledger through the 5 games played...no problem! This is the NBA, and when something looks obvious, it has a way of making you scratch your head. Watch as this one does indeed climb Over the lowest total of the series this Saturday night in Oakland.
Rockets-Warriors Over.
2* HOUSTON-GOLDEN STATE OVER
JACK BRAYMAN
While goaltending and quickness are the strength of the Golden Knights, there is plenty of playoff experience on Washington's side. And Ovechkin, of all people, has been waiting a long time for this.
Ovie looks like a man on a mission right now - just watch the first 1:02 of Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning, as he wasted no time in getting the scoring underway.
And we can talk all we want about Fleury, but when you combine the explosiveness of Ovechkin and his linemates, with the play of Capitals goalie Braden Holtby - who hasn't allowed a goal since Game 5 of the conference final - and you get a team on the brink of a championship.
The Golden Knights are a fairy tale for the NHL, and all of sports, but Vegas is also facing a team of destiny in the Capitals, who have put their past playoff disappointments behind them to get this far. It's the second time in their history and first time since 1998 the Caps are in the Stanley Cup Final.
The x-factor for this series is special teams. The Capitals have proven to be much better on the power play, than Vegas. They've proven they can capitalize with the man advantage, while the Golden Knights are relying on too Fleury too much.
Ovechkin has shown he is a true leader and is very much still a dominant offensive force, and Holtby has re-established himself as a stellar netminder at the right time.
I also think Washington has gotten here after tougher competition, and will be battled tested, more so than Vegas.
Take the Caps, and look for them to wrap this up in 6.
3* CAPITALS (series)
While goaltending and quickness are the strength of the Golden Knights, there is plenty of playoff experience on Washington's side. And Ovechkin, of all people, has been waiting a long time for this.
Ovie looks like a man on a mission right now - just watch the first 1:02 of Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning, as he wasted no time in getting the scoring underway.
And we can talk all we want about Fleury, but when you combine the explosiveness of Ovechkin and his linemates, with the play of Capitals goalie Braden Holtby - who hasn't allowed a goal since Game 5 of the conference final - and you get a team on the brink of a championship.
The Golden Knights are a fairy tale for the NHL, and all of sports, but Vegas is also facing a team of destiny in the Capitals, who have put their past playoff disappointments behind them to get this far. It's the second time in their history and first time since 1998 the Caps are in the Stanley Cup Final.
The x-factor for this series is special teams. The Capitals have proven to be much better on the power play, than Vegas. They've proven they can capitalize with the man advantage, while the Golden Knights are relying on too Fleury too much.
Ovechkin has shown he is a true leader and is very much still a dominant offensive force, and Holtby has re-established himself as a stellar netminder at the right time.
I also think Washington has gotten here after tougher competition, and will be battled tested, more so than Vegas.
Take the Caps, and look for them to wrap this up in 6.
3* CAPITALS (series)
Atlanta Braves vs. Boston Red Sox Preview and Predictions 05-26-2018
25th May 2018 by Gracenote
the boston red sox followed up a significant roster makeover with another win and will try for their eighth in a 10-game span when they continue a three-game interleague series with the visiting atlanta braves on saturday. the red sox activated second baseman dustin pedroia from the disabled list friday and made the somewhat surprising corresponding move of designating veteran first baseman hanley ramirez for assignment.
hours later, four boston hitters went deep in a 6-2 win in the series opener, including the major league-leading 17th home run for mookie betts. pedroia, who was recovering from offseason knee surgery, did not appear in the contest but is expected to make his season debut saturday. the braves will start lefty sean newcomb, who hails from middleboro, mass., roughly 50 miles from fenway park, in saturday's tilt. the red sox counter with drew pomeranz, pitching for the first time in over a week.
tv: 1:05 p.m. et, mlb network, fs southeast (atlanta), nesn (boston)
pitching matchup: braves lh sean newcomb (5-1, 2.39 era) vs. red sox lh drew pomeranz (1-2, 5.97)
newcomb's phenomenal run continued last saturday against miami, as he won his fourth straight start while allowing one run in six innings. it is the only run he has allowed in 25 innings during his four-game winning streak, during which opponents have managed only nine hits. the 24-year-old gave up seven runs on nine hits and five walks in 9 1/3 innings over his first two career interleague starts.
pomeranz completed only four innings in each of his last two starts while giving up a total of eight runs (seven earned) and walking eight. he was saddled with the loss after a rocky outing against baltimore on may 18 and then was pushed back in order to get in some side work during the week, which he hopes can yield a turnaround. "getting real rotational," pomeranz told reporters of a mechanical issue he thinks he has solved. "it's something exactly what i did last year, it's something that i've struggled with."
walk-offs
1. braves rf nick markakis drove in both of his team's runs in the opener and is 11-for-27 during a seven-game hitting streak.
2. red sox cf jackie bradley jr. has three extra-base hits over his last five games after going 21 straight games without one.
3. boston won 12 of the last 15 meetings.
prediction: braves 5, red sox 4
25th May 2018 by Gracenote
the boston red sox followed up a significant roster makeover with another win and will try for their eighth in a 10-game span when they continue a three-game interleague series with the visiting atlanta braves on saturday. the red sox activated second baseman dustin pedroia from the disabled list friday and made the somewhat surprising corresponding move of designating veteran first baseman hanley ramirez for assignment.
hours later, four boston hitters went deep in a 6-2 win in the series opener, including the major league-leading 17th home run for mookie betts. pedroia, who was recovering from offseason knee surgery, did not appear in the contest but is expected to make his season debut saturday. the braves will start lefty sean newcomb, who hails from middleboro, mass., roughly 50 miles from fenway park, in saturday's tilt. the red sox counter with drew pomeranz, pitching for the first time in over a week.
tv: 1:05 p.m. et, mlb network, fs southeast (atlanta), nesn (boston)
pitching matchup: braves lh sean newcomb (5-1, 2.39 era) vs. red sox lh drew pomeranz (1-2, 5.97)
newcomb's phenomenal run continued last saturday against miami, as he won his fourth straight start while allowing one run in six innings. it is the only run he has allowed in 25 innings during his four-game winning streak, during which opponents have managed only nine hits. the 24-year-old gave up seven runs on nine hits and five walks in 9 1/3 innings over his first two career interleague starts.
pomeranz completed only four innings in each of his last two starts while giving up a total of eight runs (seven earned) and walking eight. he was saddled with the loss after a rocky outing against baltimore on may 18 and then was pushed back in order to get in some side work during the week, which he hopes can yield a turnaround. "getting real rotational," pomeranz told reporters of a mechanical issue he thinks he has solved. "it's something exactly what i did last year, it's something that i've struggled with."
walk-offs
1. braves rf nick markakis drove in both of his team's runs in the opener and is 11-for-27 during a seven-game hitting streak.
2. red sox cf jackie bradley jr. has three extra-base hits over his last five games after going 21 straight games without one.
3. boston won 12 of the last 15 meetings.
prediction: braves 5, red sox 4
