Dave Cokin
Bonus Play PADRES (Friedrich) at REDS (Lamb) 7:10 PM
Take: PADRES +102
I’ll call this game pretty close on the pitching. Both Christian Friedrich and John Lamb are what amounts to finesse lefties. Each throws in the 90 range, neither blows away anyone with his stuff. Friedrich has the slightly better numbers overall among those I put the most focus on, although current form is basically a wash.
I make the offense and the bullpen the keys here. The Cincy relievers have shown some improvement lately after being historically awful for two months, so it’s not a slam dunk to fade them late anymore. But I’d still rather trust the San Diego pen guys if it’s close toward the finish.
The bigger deal is the massive differential on splits for the Padres. They’re pretty feeble against righties, but this team has put up some very good numbers against lefties, and they’re facing a very average southpaw tonight. I therefore have some faith the Friars can get at least a few runs on the scoreboard tonight.
So with what I’ll call a pitching lean on Friedrich and the Friars getting to hit against a low-end southpaw, I think San Diego is worth a bet as long as they’re plus anything on the money line. They are currently plus a few pennies, so I’ll make the Padres the Thursday comp.
Bonus Play PADRES (Friedrich) at REDS (Lamb) 7:10 PM
Take: PADRES +102
I’ll call this game pretty close on the pitching. Both Christian Friedrich and John Lamb are what amounts to finesse lefties. Each throws in the 90 range, neither blows away anyone with his stuff. Friedrich has the slightly better numbers overall among those I put the most focus on, although current form is basically a wash.
I make the offense and the bullpen the keys here. The Cincy relievers have shown some improvement lately after being historically awful for two months, so it’s not a slam dunk to fade them late anymore. But I’d still rather trust the San Diego pen guys if it’s close toward the finish.
The bigger deal is the massive differential on splits for the Padres. They’re pretty feeble against righties, but this team has put up some very good numbers against lefties, and they’re facing a very average southpaw tonight. I therefore have some faith the Friars can get at least a few runs on the scoreboard tonight.
So with what I’ll call a pitching lean on Friedrich and the Friars getting to hit against a low-end southpaw, I think San Diego is worth a bet as long as they’re plus anything on the money line. They are currently plus a few pennies, so I’ll make the Padres the Thursday comp.
Jim Feist
Jim Feist's Comp MLB Pick, Thursday, June 23, 2016 7:10 PM
(955) CHICAGO CUBS VS (956) MIAMI MARLINS
Take: UNDER THE TOTAL
Reason: Your Bonus Play for Thursday, June 23, 2016 is in the MLB scheduled contest between the Chicago Cubs and the Miami Marlins. Miami is a big stadium and a pair of teams that know how to pitch square off: Miami ranks No. 13 in baseball in team ERA, while the Cubbies are No. 1. Chicago has 32-year old ace lefty John Lester (9-3, 2.06 ERA) on the mound, with batters hitting .213 off him. He has a 92-20 strikeout to walk ratio, off a 4-3 win at Wrigley over the Pirates. He is 5-1 on the road with a 1.69 ERA. Chicago is 10-2 under the total against a winning team and faces a Miami team on a strong run under the total this week. The Under is 10-2-1 in the Marlins last 13 games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600. Play Chicago/Miami Under the total.
Jim Feist's Comp MLB Pick, Thursday, June 23, 2016 7:10 PM
(955) CHICAGO CUBS VS (956) MIAMI MARLINS
Take: UNDER THE TOTAL
Reason: Your Bonus Play for Thursday, June 23, 2016 is in the MLB scheduled contest between the Chicago Cubs and the Miami Marlins. Miami is a big stadium and a pair of teams that know how to pitch square off: Miami ranks No. 13 in baseball in team ERA, while the Cubbies are No. 1. Chicago has 32-year old ace lefty John Lester (9-3, 2.06 ERA) on the mound, with batters hitting .213 off him. He has a 92-20 strikeout to walk ratio, off a 4-3 win at Wrigley over the Pirates. He is 5-1 on the road with a 1.69 ERA. Chicago is 10-2 under the total against a winning team and faces a Miami team on a strong run under the total this week. The Under is 10-2-1 in the Marlins last 13 games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600. Play Chicago/Miami Under the total.
Mike Lundin
White Sox vs Red Sox
5* MLB Free Pick Boston Red Sox -1.5
The Boston Red Sox have lost five of their past seven and three straight against the Chicago White Sox. I doubt they'll let the White Sox complete the sweep though facing the struggling James Shields on the mound today.
Shields (2-9, 6.28 ERA) has been a huge disappointment for Chicago since coming over from the Padres. Shields has allowed 32 hits, 31 earned runs and seven home runs, all while logging just a total of 11 1/3 innings through his last four starts, the last three with Chicago. He figures to be lit up today as well as he's 2-9 with a 5.42 ERA in 13 starts at Fenway Park.
Boston turns to Rick Porcello (8-2, 3.76) who is coming off a solid outing when he held the Mariners to a pair of runs through six innings of a 6-2 win. Porcello is 10-8 with a 4.09 ERA in 21 career starts against the White Sox, and while several White Sox hitters have decent numbers against him I expect the run support he'll receive to be enough for a Boston win.
Red Sox are 6-0 in Porcello's six home starts this year, and the 27 year old has been credited with the decision each time behind a 3.03 ERA.
White Sox vs Red Sox
5* MLB Free Pick Boston Red Sox -1.5
The Boston Red Sox have lost five of their past seven and three straight against the Chicago White Sox. I doubt they'll let the White Sox complete the sweep though facing the struggling James Shields on the mound today.
Shields (2-9, 6.28 ERA) has been a huge disappointment for Chicago since coming over from the Padres. Shields has allowed 32 hits, 31 earned runs and seven home runs, all while logging just a total of 11 1/3 innings through his last four starts, the last three with Chicago. He figures to be lit up today as well as he's 2-9 with a 5.42 ERA in 13 starts at Fenway Park.
Boston turns to Rick Porcello (8-2, 3.76) who is coming off a solid outing when he held the Mariners to a pair of runs through six innings of a 6-2 win. Porcello is 10-8 with a 4.09 ERA in 21 career starts against the White Sox, and while several White Sox hitters have decent numbers against him I expect the run support he'll receive to be enough for a Boston win.
Red Sox are 6-0 in Porcello's six home starts this year, and the 27 year old has been credited with the decision each time behind a 3.03 ERA.
Marc Lawrence
Padres vs Reds
Play - San Diego Padres w/Friedrich vs Lamb
Edges - Padres: Christian Friederich 0.47 ERA away as opposed to 5.57 ERA at home this season; and 4-2 team starts at night this season. Reds: John Lamb 1-4 home team starts. With Lamb sporting a 5.55 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP in his last seven starts, we recommend a 1* play on San Diego. Thank you and good luck as always.
Padres vs Reds
Play - San Diego Padres w/Friedrich vs Lamb
Edges - Padres: Christian Friederich 0.47 ERA away as opposed to 5.57 ERA at home this season; and 4-2 team starts at night this season. Reds: John Lamb 1-4 home team starts. With Lamb sporting a 5.55 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP in his last seven starts, we recommend a 1* play on San Diego. Thank you and good luck as always.
WNBA
Long Sheet
Thursday, June 23
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SAN ANTONIO (2 - 10) at DALLAS (6 - 7) - 6/23/2016, 8:30 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 7-2 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 6-4 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
Long Sheet
Thursday, June 23
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SAN ANTONIO (2 - 10) at DALLAS (6 - 7) - 6/23/2016, 8:30 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 7-2 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 6-4 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
