MLB 3-PACK - INDIANS

Indians rookie right-hander Eli Morgan (2-5, 5.80 ERA) struck out eight over six scoreless innings in a 3-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins last time out. He'll face a reeling Rangers team that has lost 18 of its last 20 on the road. Rangers left-hander Taylor Hearn (2-4, 3.97 ERA) has made 35 appearances this year, but only four starts. Cleveland has averaged 5.4 runs per game while winning four of its last five games. 

8* play on Cleveland Indians. 

TOP-RATED 10* MARINERS @ ATHLETICS *BAILOUT PLAY*

Oakland right-hander Paul Blackburn (0-1, 5.06 ERA) gave up three runs on five hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings at Chicago White Sox last week in his season debut. I think he'll do better here against a Seattle team that has lost four of its last six as road dogs. 

Seattle left-hander Marco Gonzales (5-5, 4.10 ERA) has pitched well lately, but the lowly 43-80 Rangers were the opponent in three of his last five starts. 

The pitching matchup is quite even, but I hold the A's as the better team and they have won five of their last six as home favorites. 

10* play on Oakland Athletics. 

YANKEES @ BRAVES MLB BOOKIE BREAKER - GUARANTEED TO WIN

Both teams are coming into this contest riding nine-game winning streaks, but I think home field advantage gives Atlanta a decent edge in this one. Braves righty Huascar Ynoa (4-2, 2.70 ERA) is an undefeated 3-0 with a 1.54 ERA in four home starts on the season. Yankees' left-hander Jordan Montgomery (4-5, 3.77 ERA)is 2-2 with a 4.14 ERA on the road. Montgomery allowed three runs on five hits and two walks in 4 2/3 innings against Boston in his last start. 

8* play on Atlanta Braves. 

8* play on Helsingborg. 

TOP-RATED 10* MLB RUNLINE GAME OF THE WEEK

Blue Jays' left-hander Steven Matz (10-7, 4.08 ERA) has posted a 1.15 ERA through his last three starts overall and his 5-2 with a 2.36 ERA in day starts in 2021. 

Tigers' righty Drew Hutchison (0-1, 10.80 ERA) has made only one start this year. It was on August 15 when he gave up five runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks in just 1 2/3 innings of work. The Jays are averaging 6.12 runs per nine innings off right-handers home at Rogers Centre.

10* play on Toronto Blue Jays -1.5. 

8* play on OVER. 

SATURDAY NIGHT MLB MONEYLINE MASSACRE *NO-BRAINER*

Arizona has one of the worst road records in baseball. Right-hander Zac Gallen (1-7, 5.03 ERA) is 0-2 with a 6.48 ERA in his last three starts and he is 1-2 with a 5.50 ERA on the road in 2021. 

The Rockies have a losing record overall, but only a handful of teams have a better home record than the Rockies who are 41-21 home at Coors Field. Left-hander Kyle Freeland (4-6, 4.40 ERA) has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five starts and he is 3-0 with a 3.94 ERA in his last three. The Rockies have won each of his last four starts. 

8* play on Colorado Rockies. 

*MAJOR WAGER ALERT* NATIONAL LEAGUE TOTAL OF THE MONTH

I think runs will come a premium for both teams at Petco Park Saturday night. 

Phillies' righty Aaron Nola (7-7, 4.48 ERA) Has not had a great month, but now he'll face a Padres team who's bats have really gone quiet of late. Padres' righty Joe Musgrove (8-8, 3.11 ERA) was tagged with six runs in five innings at Arizona in his last start. Bounce back spot for Musgrove, and he has posted a 2.43 ERA home at Petco Park in 2021. 

Under is 9-1-2 in Phillies last 12 overall. Under is 5-1 in Padres last 6 overall. (both trends prior to the conclusion of Friday's matchup). 

10* play on UNDER. 

5* play on OVER. 

5* play on OVER. 

ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP BOOKIE BU$TER -

Write up posted shortly. 

8* play on Bournemouth. 

5* play on OVER. 

MLB RUNLINE RIPPER

Mariners' left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (7-6, 3.82 ERA) allowed three runs on five hits and four walks over 4 1/3 innings against Toronto in his last start. He'll go toe-to-toe with Astros' righty Lance McCullers Jr. (9-4, 3.22 ERA) who is 8-3 with a 2.93 ERA over 15 career starts against the Mariners. 

8* play on Houston Astros -1.5. 

MLB 3-PACK - REDS

The Reds opened this four-game series with a dominant 6-1 win on Thursday. The Marlins have now lost four in a row, all by two runs or more. The Reds have won five of their last eight, each win by at least two runs. 

Miami right-hander Elieser Hernandez (0-0, 2.84 ERA) has made only three appearances in 2021. Reds righty Sonny Gray (4-6, 4.47 ERA) is not having a great year, but he should have no trouble to contain a Miami team that has been held to two or fewer runs in three of its last four games. 

8* play on Cincinnati Reds. 

MLB 3-PACK - BLUE JAYS

The Tigers squandered a 10-2 lead against the Angels on Thursday. Their bullpen is one of the worst in the major leagues, and tonight's starter Tyler Alexander (2-2, 4.57 ERA) gave up four runs on six hits in five innings against Cleveland in his last start. 

The Jays have dropped back-to-back games at Washington despite putting up a total of 11 runs. I think they'll get an easy W here with left-hander Robbie Ray (9-5, 2.88 ERA) on the mound. Ray is 5-2 with a 2.82 ERA at home and he has posted a 1.89 ERA through his last three starts.  

8* play on Toronto Blue Jays -1.5. 

MLB 3-PACK - BRAVES

The Orioles are an absolute mess, and now they'll face one of the hottest teams in baseball. The Braves have put up 25 runs through a three-game sweep at Miami this week. Atlanta left-hander Max Fried (10-7, 3.78 ERA) has allowed only two runs through his last three starts (3-0, 1.00 ERA). 

Baltimore left-hander Keegan Akin (0-7, 8.13 ERA) has surrendered nine runs in his last two starts alone. The Orioles are 1-9 in his 10 starts this year. 

8* play on Atlanta Braves -1.5. 

MLB 3-PACK - REDS

The Miami Marlins have opened the week with three straight home losses to Atlanta, and things won't go any easier as they travel to Cincinnati for the opener of a four-game series Thursday night. 

Reds righty Luis Castillo (6-12, 4.51 ERA) has posted a respectable 3.72 ERA at home and he is is 3-0 with a 1.84 ERA in four career starts against Miami. 

The Marlins hand the ball to right-hander Zach Thompson (2-5, 2.91 ERA) who's having an impressive rookie season, but he's been pitching better at home than on the road where he is 0-3 in five starts, with the Marlins losing each of those five games. In fact, their team record is 3-8 in Thompson's 11 starts overall. 

The Reds are 7-1 SU and 5-3 against the runline as home favorites of -200 or more while the over is 6-2 in this spot. I fully expect the Reds' bats to come alive again following back-to-back one-run outings against the Cubs.  

8* play on Cincinnati Reds -1.5. 

MLB 3-PACK - OVER

The Miami Marlins have opened the week with three straight home losses to Atlanta, and things won't go any easier as they travel to Cincinnati for the opener of a four-game series Thursday night. 

Reds righty Luis Castillo (6-12, 4.51 ERA) has posted a respectable 3.72 ERA at home and he is is 3-0 with a 1.84 ERA in four career starts against Miami. 

The Marlins hand the ball to right-hander Zach Thompson (2-5, 2.91 ERA) who's having an impressive rookie season, but he's been pitching better at home than on the road where he is 0-3 in five starts, with the Marlins losing each of those five games. In fact, their team record is 3-8 in Thompson's 11 starts overall. 

The Reds are 7-1 SU and 5-3 against the runline as home favorites of -200 or more while the over is 6-2 in this spot. I fully expect the Reds' bats to come alive again following back-to-back one-run outings against the Cubs.  

8* play on OVER.

MLB 3-PACK - OAKLAND

White Sox right-hander Dylan Cease (9-6, 4.04 ERA) has allowed three runs through five innings in each of his last two starts. I think Oakland will get to him here after scoring a total of only four runs through the first three games of the series, all losses. The White Sox were raking against left-handers in the early stages of the season, but they've lost eight of their last 10 against left-handed starters. Oakland left-hander Cole Irvin (8-11, 3.52 ERA) has solid numbers and he has posted a 2.95 ERA through his last three starts. 

8* play on Oakland Athletics. 

SUPER EARLY ANGELS VS TIGERS TOP-RATED MLB PLAY OF THE DAY

The Los Angeles Angels are going for the three-game sweep of this series Thursday, but I think they'll be DENIED! 

I don't think Halos' left-hander Jose Quintana (0-3, 6.12 ERA) should be a favorite against just about anyone at the moment, especially as he's been working out of the bullpen in his last 13 appearances. We can also note that Detroit is averaging 5.61 runs per nine innings against left-handers home at Comerica Park. 

Tigers' righty Matt Manning (3-5, 6.10 ERA) is 2-1 with a 3.15 ERA at home, much, much better stats than his 1-4 record with an 8.16 ERA on the road. 

10* play on Detroit Tigers. 

TUESDAY AFTERNOON MLB MONEYLINE BOOKIE BU$TER

This looks like a far than less than ideal matchup for Nats' right-hander Josiah Gray (0-1, 4.13 ERA) who has only six big league appearances (five starts) under his belt. In those outings, he has allowed nine home runs over 24 innings of work. Containing the Blue Jays could prove to be a huge challenge for Gray as they rank #1 in baseball for home runs with 1.59 homers per nine innings. Toronto starter Jose Berrios (8-6, 3.52 ERA) is primed to bounce back from a rough outing against the Angels. 

8* play on Toronto Blue Jays. 

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON MLB MONEYLINE MASSACRE *NO-BRAINER*

The Giants have the best record in baseball and they've been red hot of late. They're going for the three-game sweep of this series following 7-5 and 3-2 victories, and I don't see the Mets coming through with an upset. 

Giants' right-hander Anthony DeSclafani (11-5, 3.29 ERA) is 6-2 despite a 4.15 ERA at home as the Giants usually provide their pitching staff with plenty of run support. The same can not be said about the Mets have averaged 3.4 runs per game through a five-game slide. 

Mets righty Tylor Megill (1-2, 3.42 ERA) has surrendered four, four, and three runs through a total of 14 2/3 innings (6.75 ERA) in his last three starts combined, all Mets' losses. He is 0-2 with a 4.79 ERA on the road this season.

8* play on San Francisco Giants. 

TUESDAY NIGHT MLB MONEYLINE MASSACRE *NO-BRAINER*

The red hot Giants opened this series with a 7-2 win on Monday and they've now won 10 of their last 12 games. This will be Mets' right-hander Marcus Stroman's  (8-11, 2.79 ERA) first start against the Giants in 2021, but note that this SF roster is batting a combined .293 over 62 at bats against Stroman. The Mets have lost seven of Stroman's last 10 starts. 

Giants' righty Logan Webb (6-3, 2.96 ERA) will be facing the Mets for the first time. Webb is 4-0 with a 1.58 ERA at home. The Giants have won eight of his last 10 starts. 

Stroman is solid, but the Mets, have not been able to provide him with enough run support. That's a story likely to repeat itself tonight. 

8* play on San Francisco Giants. 

MLB 3-PACK - BRAVES

The red hot Braves have won seven of their last eight and four in a row, a 12-2 rout of the Marlins here at loanDepot Park on Monday included. 

Braves right-hander Huascar Ynoa (4-2, 3.02 ERA) hasn't pitched since May 16 when he broke his pitching hand, but I expect a solid outing from Ynoa. The Marlins turn to right-hander Sandy Alcantara (7-10, 3.52 ERA) who has posted a 2.43 ERA in six career starts against Atlanta and he has a 2.58 ERA in 11 home starts on the season. 

Miami's bats are wildly inconsistent though, and I like the price we get on the Braves to get the W in a low-scoring affair. 

8* play on Atlanta Braves. 

MLB 3-PACK - BRAVES/MARLINS UNDER

The red hot Braves have won seven of their last eight and four in a row, a 12-2 rout of the Marlins here at loanDepot Park on Monday included. 

Braves right-hander Huascar Ynoa (4-2, 3.02 ERA) hasn't pitched since May 16 when he broke his pitching hand, but I expect a solid outing from Ynoa. The Marlins turn to right-hander Sandy Alcantara (7-10, 3.52 ERA) who has posted a 2.43 ERA in six career starts against Atlanta and he has a 2.58 ERA in 11 home starts on the season. 

Miami's bats are wildly inconsistent though, and I like the price we get on the Braves to get the W in a low-scoring affair. 

8* play on UNDER. 

5* play on Reading -0.25. 

5* play on OVER. 

5* play on Sheffield Wednesday. 

LATE NIGHT BASEBALL *BAILOUT PLAY*

The Mets are coming off three straight losses to the Dodgers home on the east coast. Now they have to fly cross-country to face a red hot Giants team that has baseball's best record. 

Mets' left-hander Rich Hill (6-4, 4.05 ERA) has allowed three, four, zero and three runs in his four starts since coming over from Tampa Bay. 

Giants' All-Star right-hander Kevin Gausman (11-5, 2.29 ERA is having a fantastic year, and he has allowed only a pair of runs on nine hits with 13 Ks covering 11 innings over his last two starts. 

8* play on San Francisco Giants -1.5. 

MLB 3-PACK - INDIANS

Minnesota right-hander Griffin Jax (3-1, 5.45 ERA) has only nine appearances, five starts, under his belt. He has allowed 10 runs on 14 hits (five home runs) in just 14 2/3 innings of work home at Target Field.  

Cleveland right-hander Cal Quantrill (3-2, 3.13 ERA) has held opponents to one or fewer runs in five of his last six starts. The exception was in his last appearance against Oakland when he conceded a pair of runs on three hits in six innings, so still a very solid outing. Quantrill is 1-0 with a 0.95 ERA over his last three starts. 

8* play on Cleveland Indians. 

TOP-RATED 10* MLB RUNLINE PLAY OF THE DAY

The slumping Cubs have dropped 11 straight games. I expect their struggles to continue against a Reds team that has won nine of 13 head-to-head meetings on the season (five of six in Cincinnati). 

Cubs rookie left-hander Justin Steele (2-1, 2.95 ERA) has mostly been pitching out of the bullpen. He made his first start last week and gave up three runs on five hits (two homers) in five innings of a 4-2 loss to Milwaukee. 

The Reds turn to left-hander Wade Miley (9-4, 3.00 ERA) who is 1-0 this season against the Cubs with a 3.94 ERA in three starts. The Cubs are averaging only 3.75 runs per game on the road. 

10* play on Cincinnati Reds -1.5. 

TOP-RATED 10* MLB RUNLINE PLAY OF THE DAY

At 14-44, Colorado is one of the worst road teams in baseball and I highly doubt the Rockies can repeat Saturday's 4-1 win here at Oracle Park. 

Rockies' right-hander Jon Gray (7-8, 3.92 ERA) gave up four runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings of a 5-0 loss at Houston in his last start. Gray is 2-5 with a 4.73 ERA on the road this year. Gray is 2-6 with a 5.86 ERA in 13 career starts against San Francisco. 

Giants' left-hander Alex Wood (9-3, 4.22 ERA) has not been at his best lately, but the team has still won each of his four starts and seven of his last eight. Wood is 6-2 with a 4.14 ERA at home and he is 1-0 with a 3.27 ERA in two starts against the Rockies on the year. 

10* play on San Francisco Giants -1.5. 

MLB PACK - RAYS

The Rays are true road warriors (36-24 away from home) while Minnesota has struggled at home (27-32 at Target Field). 

Rays' righty Luis Patino (2-3, 4.64 ERA) has 13 Ks with only four hits and three walks allowed through 10 2/3 innings in early outings this season. 

Twins left-hander Charlie Barnes (0-2, 6.08 ERA) has made only three career appearances, two starts. The Twins lost both and he has allowed six runs on 11 hits and three walks over 8 2/3 innings in his early outings. 

8* play on Tampa Bay Rays -1.5. 

MLB-PACK - INDIANS/TIGERS UNDER

The teams have split the first two games of this series with a 6-1 win each. I expect another relatively low-scoring affair in the series-finale on Sunday. 

Detroit right-hander Drew Hutchison will make his first major-league appearance since 2018, but he has a decent amount of big-league experience. He's been solid for the Toledo Mudhens in Triple-A this year, going 8-3 with a 3.63 ERA in 17 starts. Cleveland right-hander Triston McKenzie (1-5, 5.66 ERA) has allowed a total of only five runs on nine hits over 13 innings in his last two starts combined. He held Detroit to one hit through five scoreless innings back in May. 

8* play on UNDER. 

TOP-RATED 10* SATURDAY NIGHT MLB RUNLINE RIPPER

I expect the San Diego Padres to come out with a chip on their shoulder after dropping back-to-back games here at Chase Field. They've put up a total of only five runs through the previous two games, but now they'll get a look at left-hander Tyler Gilbert (0-1, 0.00 ERA) who has only 3 2/3 big league innings under his belt. 

Joe Musgrove (8-7, 2.81 ERA) will take the ball for the Friars. He's been on fire lately, posting an 0.95 ERA with 24 Ks through 19 innings over his last three starts. The Padres have won three of his last four starts and covered the runline in each of those wins.

10* play on San Diego Padres -1.5. 

NFL PRESEASON BOOKIE BU$TER

Ravens' head coach John Harbaugh cares about preseason results. A lot. Harbaugh is 37-12 lifetime in preseason games, and he is an undefeated 17-0 dating back to the start of the 2016 season. Saints' head coach Sean Payton is 28-30 lifetime in preseason games. Harbaugh clearly tries more than other coaches in the preseason, and I expect the Ravens' winning streak to continue.

That being said, I would never advise betting big on any NFL preseason game. 

5* play on Baltimore Ravens. 

LATE-NIGHT MLB RUNLINE RIPPER

Rockies' Austin Gomber has impressive numbers home at Coors Field, but he has struggled on the road where he is 4-5 with a 5.40 ERA. The Rockies as a team is only 13-43 away from home. Gomber faced San Francisco twice in Apri, taking the loss in both starts while posting a 12.38 ERA. 

Giants' Anthony DeSclafani (10-5, 3.28 ERA) has been roughed up in recent outings, but this looks like a good spot to get back on track as he is 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA in five career starts against Colorado.

8* play on San Francisco Giants -1.5. 

TOP-RATED 10* INTERLEAGUE GAME OF THE WEEK

I absolutely love the price we get on the Cardinals here in the opener of a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium. 

Cards' right-hander Jack Flaherty (8-1, 2.90 ERA) has not pitched since May 31 due to a left oblique injury, but I'm not too worried. Flaherty is a solid pitcher, the team is 9-2 in his 11 starts on the season and the Cards are on a roll, having won five of their last six. 

Flaherty is 3-0 with a 0.95 ERA in three career starts against the Royals who turn to Mike Minor (8-10, 5.39) who is 2-3 with a 6.11 ERA all-time against the Cardinals. 

10* play on St. Louis Cardinals. 

FRIDAY NIGHT MONEYLINE MASSACRE *NO-BRAINER*

The Reds snapped a three-game skid with a 12-3 win at Atlanta on Thursday, but I think they'll face a tougher test at Citizens Bank Park Friday night. Phillies' righty Zack Wheeler (10-6, 2.42 ERA) has been pitching lights out all year, and he is 6-3 with a 2.02 ERA at home. Wheeler is coming off a complete, two-hit, shutout game against the Mets. 

Reds' right-hander Tyler Mahle (9-3, 3.78 ERA) is also having a solid year, but note that he is 0-1 with a 7.50 ERA in two career starts against the Phillies. 

8* play on Philadelphia Phillies. 

YANKEES VS WHITE SOX FIELD OF DREAMS BOOKIE BU$TER

Good spot to back the White Sox in the Field of Dreams game against the Yankees. They got shut out by Minnesota on Wednesday, but I expect them to have better success against Yankees righty  Andrew Heaney (7-8, 5.45 ERA) who has allowed four runs in each of his first two starts with the Pinstripes. 

The White Sox counter with their ace Lance Lynn (10-3, 2.04 ERA) who's having a great year. Lynn fanned eight while holding the Cubs to one run on four hits of a 6-4 White Sox win in his last start, and the team has won five of his last six starts. 

8* play on Chicago White Sox. 

THURSDAY NIGHT MLB BOOKE BREAKER

The Braves beat the Reds 8-6 in 11 innings on Wednesday. Atlanta has now won seven of its last eight and three in a row. Braves' left-hander Kyle Muller (2-3, 2.88 ERA) is 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA through his last three starts. The team has won four of his last six starts and this is a favorable matchup for Muller as the Reds have been hitting right-handers much harder than lefties. Muller beat the Reds on June 27 while allowing just one hit in five scoreless innings with nine strikeouts. 

The Reds hand the ball to Vladimir Gutierrez (7-3, 4.15 ERA) who has been pitching really well lately, but I think the red hot Braves will get to the rookie.  

8* play on Atlanta Braves. 

EARLY DODGERS @ PHILLIES MLB BOOKIE BA$HER

Good spot to back the Phillies on the runline as an underdog as I think they have a good chance of winning outright and deny the Dodgers to sweep this three-game series. The Phillies had won eight straight coming into the series and left-hander Ranger Suarez's (5-3, 0.98 ERA) last two appearances have been starts, with no hits and no runs allowed over 5 2/3 innings of work. 

The Dodgers are handing Mitch White (0-0, 3.75 ERA) a start as he's been recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City. This looks like a bullpen game for the Dodgers, and I don't expect the same amount of effort from the visitors as we should see from the home team. 

Phillies are 4-0 in their last 4 games after losing the first 2 games of a series. Phillies are 5-2 in their last 7 during game 3 of a series. 

8* play on Philadelphia Phillies +1.5. 

SUPER EARLY MLB BOOKIE BOMBER

Pittsburgh right-hander JT Brubaker (4-11, 4.95) should be extremely focused and motivated for this one as he looks to bounce back from a disastrous outing at Cincinnati last time out. Brubaker was tagged with eight earned runs in five innings of work, but it's worth noting that he had allowed only three runs over 10 innings in his last two previous starts. Cards' right-hander Wade LeBlanc (0-2, 4.02 ERA) is 0-1 wit a 4.19 ERA on the road. The team has lost four his his last six starts. 

After dropping the first two games of the series, I think the Pirates will deny the Cards the sweep.

8* play on Pittsburgh Pirates. 

SUPER LATE MLB BAILOUT TOTAL 

We saw nine runs scored in the opener of this series on Tuesday. I expect at least as many runs here in Game 2.   

Mariners' left-hander Tyler Anderson (5-8, 4.35 ERA) has posted a 5.14 ERA under the lights in 2021 while Rangers right-hander Spencer Howard (0-3, 6.16 ERA) has a 6.35 ERA under the lights. Howard has posted a 7.15 ERA through his last three starts overall. 

8* play on OVER. 

MIKE'S REDS @ BRAVES MLB BOOKIE BREAKER

The Braves have won six of their last seven following a 3-2 win against Cincinnatti on Tuesday.

Braves' righty Touki Toussaint (1-2, 4.43 ERA) has made three starts on the season, three of them decent and one disaster against the Brewers which is driving up his ERA. I think we'll see a strong outing from Toussaint as he'll face a Reds team that has scored a total of only eight runs through its last three games. 

Reds' left-hander Wade Miley (9-4, 2.75 ERA) is having a terrific year, but note his 4.91 ERA in seven career outings (six starts) against the Braves. 

8* play on Atlanta Braves. 

TOP-RATED 10* MLB PLAY OF THE DAY

A four-run ninth-inning rally earned the Tampa Bay Rays an 8-4 win in the opener of this three-game series on Tuesday. They have now won four straight while the slumping Red Sox have dropped 11 of their last 14 games.

Boston right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (9-7, 4.07 ERA) has allowed 12 runs over his last 12 starts alone, and the Red Sox have lost each of his last five starts. Eovaldi gave up six runs (five earned) in 5 1/3 innings against Tampa BAy in a loss July 31 to fall to 3-6 with a 5.24 ERA in 12 outings (10 starts) against the Rays. 

Tampa Bay left-hander Josh Fleming (9-5, 4.12) has fanned 13 while holding oppponents to five runs over 10 innings in his last two starts. The team has won five of his last six starts, including a 7-3 win over Boston on July 30.

10* play on Tampa Bay Rays. 

MLB 3-PACK

The Pirates have lost six straight and eight of their last nine. Right-hander Wil Crowe (3-6, 5.47 ERA) has posted a 2.93 ERA through his last three starts, but he gave up seven runs (three earned) on eight hits and two walks in four innings of a 7-4 loss to Cincinnati last time out. 

Cards' veteran righty Adam Wainwright (10-6, 3.48 ERA) is 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA in his last three starts. The team has won each of his last three and seven of his last 10 starts. 

8* play on St. Louis Cardinals. 

SUPER EARLY MLB RUNLINE RIPPER

The White Sox opened the series with a dominant 11-1 win, but the Twins bounced back with a 4-3 triumph Tuesday night. I expect the White Sox to take the rubber game of this three-game series as they get to tee off vs. right-hander Bailey Ober (1-1, 4.99 ERA). Ober has posted a 5.33 ERA in home games and a 5.82 ERA in day games in 2021. 

White Sox ace Lance Lynn (10-3, 2.12 ERA) has held opponents to one run or fewer in six of his last seven starts. He is 5-1 with a 1.38 ERA in day games. The White Sox have won five of his last six starts. 

8* play on Chicago White Sox -1.5. 

TOP-RATED 10* AMERICAN LEAGUE RUNLINE GAME OF THE MONTH

Rangers' left-hander Kolby Allard (2-10, 5.07 ERA) is 0-3 with a 10.38 ERA over his last three starts and he is 1-4 with a 6.06 ERA on the road this season. The Rangers have lost each of his last eight starts, covering the runline in only two of those games. Allard gave up seven runs, six earned, in three innings against Seattle on July 30.

Seattle rookie right-hander Logan Gilbert (5-3, 4.14 ERA) is having a solid year. The Mariners have won 10 of his last 11 starts. 

10* play on Seattle Mariners -1.5. 

MLB 3-PACK - BREWERS/CUBS GAME 2

I like the Brewers in Game 1 of this series, but this looks like a great price on the Cubs to cover the runline in Game 2.

Brewers' rookie left-hander Aaron Ashby gave up seven runs (four earned) on four hits and three walks while recording only two outs in his MLB debut, against this very Cubs team.

Cubs right-hander Alec Mills (5-4, 4.41 ERA) is 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA in six career games, three of them starts, against Milwaukee.  

8* play on Chicago Cubs +1.5

EARLY MLB NO-BRAINER

Milwaukee right-hander Freddy Peralta (8-3, 2.21 ERA) is 2-0 with a 2.14 ERA in four starts against the Cubs this season. I expect to see a reaction from the Brew Crew after losing two games at San Francisco over the weekend. They're still 6-4 in their last 10 games and 3-0 SU and 2-1 against the runline as road favorites -180 or larger this season. The Cubs are 1-3 SU and against the runline as home dogs of 160+.

8* play on Milwaukee Brewers -1.5.

TOP-RATED 10* MLB RUNLINE RIPPER TOP PLAY OF THE DAY

White Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito (8-8, 3.98 ERA) is  2-0 with a 2.57 ERA in two starts against the Twins in 2021 and 4-2 with a 3.89 ERA in seven starts at Target Field. 

The Twins hand the ball to right-hander Beau Burrows (0-0, 11.00 ERA) who will make his first career start, but as an opener. Rookie left-hander Charlie Barnes is expected to take over early. 

Barnes (0-2, 6.23 ERA) allowed five runs on seven hits and a pair of walks in four innings of a 6-5 defeat against the Reds on Wednesday. The White Sox have destroyed left-handers over the last two seasons, and I think the White Sox win this one in a blowout. 

10* play on Chicago White Sox -1.5. 

MLB 3-PACK

Yankees' righty Jameson Taillon (7-4, 4.04 ERA) is 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA over his last three starts while Royals' rookie right-hander Carlos Hernandez (3-1, 4.58 ERA) has a 4.24 ERA at home. The Yankees should come out focused after getting shut out by Seattle on Sunday. The Yankees are 4-0 SU and against the runline as favorites after getting shut out in their last game in 2021. 

8* play on New York Yankees -1.5. 

MLB 3-PACK - PADRES

Diamondbacks' left-hander Madison Bumgarner (6-6, 4.57 ERA) has pitched better lately, but he gave up six runs on seven hits when he took on the Padres back in April and note his 7.36 ERA in day games. Padres' left-hander Blake Snell (5-4, 5.24 ERA) is 3-1 with a 2.81 ERA home at Petco Park in 2021. 

8* play on San Diego Padres -1.5. 

MLB 5-PACK - BREWERS

Giants' Johnny Cueto (7-6, 3.83 ERA) has pitched far better at home than on the road where is 1-3 with a 4.91 ERA over 40 1/3 innings of work. Brew Crew's Brett Anderson (4-5, 3.67 ERA) has posted a 3.00 ERA over 27 innings of work home at American Family Field. This is a revenge spot for the Brewers after blowing a ninth-inning lead to lose 9-6 in extra innings on Saturday. With the series tied at one a piece, I think they'll really put in the effort to win the series. 

8* play on Milwaukee Brewers. 

TOP-RATED 10* MLB RUNLINE GAME OF THE WEEK

Boston right-hander Garrett Richards (6-7, 5.21 ERA) has made five starts against Toronto already this season, posting a 6.15 ERA with 34 hits and 14 walks allowed over 26 1/3 innings of work. Toronto left-hander Hyun Jin Ryu (11-5, 3.22 ERA) is 5-2 with a 3.34 ERA at home on the season adn 2-0 with a 2.60 ERA in his last three starts overall. Ryu is 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA in three starts against Boston on the season. 

10* play on Toronto Blue Jays. 

MLB 3-PACK - YANKEES

Seattle left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (7-6, 3.89 ERA) has made one start against the Yankees in 2021. It was pretty much a disaster, wtih five runs allowed on eight hits and three walks over five innings on the mound. Yankees' righty Luis Gil (1-0, 0.00 ERA) has made only one career start, but it was a solid one as he allowed just four hits and one walk while striking out six batters across six scoreless frames to earn a win against Baltimore earlier this month.

8* play on New York Yankees. 

MLB 5-PACK - PHILLIES

Phillies' Zack Wheeler has been phenomenal for most of the season. Last time out he gave up four runs in 7 1/3 innings at Washington, but now Wheeler returns home to Citizens Bank Park where he is 5-3 with a 2.22 ERA. Mets' Taijuan Walker (7-6, 3.86 ERA) has allowed five, six, five and four runs in his last four starts. He is 3-4 with a 4.53 ERA on the road this season. 

8* play on Philadelphia Phillies. 

SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Phillies' Zack Wheeler has been phenomenal for most of the season. Last time out he gave up four runs in 7 1/3 innings at Washington, but now Wheeler returns home to Citizens Bank Park where he is 5-3 with a 2.22 ERA. Mets' Taijuan Walker (7-6, 3.86 ERA) has allowed five, six, five and four runs in his last four starts. He is 3-4 with a 4.53 ERA on the road this season. 

In addition to the Phillies winning the game, I also like the over as I expect Walker and the Mets' bullpen to get absolutely torched. 

8* play on OVER. 

LATE NIGHT MLB BAILOUT BOMBER

The Dodgers are 17-9 against the runline as home favorites of -200 or more. Dodgers left-hander Julio Urias (13-3, 3.40 ERA) has allowed more than one run in only one of his last six starts. Angels' righty Jaime Barria (2-0, 4.12 ERA) has made only four starts in 2021, two on the road, in which he has allowed nine runs through nine innings. 

8* play on Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5. 

MLB 3-PACK

Arizona right-hander Taylor Widener (1-1, 5.05 ERA) has given up five runs in three consecutive starts (10.66 ERA). San Diego righty Yu Darvish (7-6, 3.48 ERA) has allowed four or more runs in four of his last five outings, but he's still 5-3 with a solid 3.16 ERA home at Petco Park on the season. The D'Backs are averaging an abysmal 2.95 runs/9 innings on the road against right-handers.

8* play on San Diego Padres -1.5. 

MLB 3-PACK

Washington rookie right-hander Josiah Gray (0-0, 4.85 ERA) will be making just his fourth big leagues appearance ever and second start for the Nats since coming over from the Dodgers. He'll face a Braves team that is riding a four-game winning streak through with it has scored a total of 29 runs. Atlanta righty Charlie Morton (10-4, 3.69 ERA) is 2-1 with a 3.71 ERA through his last three starts. 

8* play on Atlanta Braves -1.5. 

TOP-RATED 10* MLB TOTAL GAME OF THE WEEK

Milwaukee won the opener of this series 2-1 on Friday, and four of its last five games have gone under the total. The Giants are 3-1 to the under in their last four. 

Both Milwaukee' righty Brandon Woodruff (7-6, 2.26 ERA) and Giants' right-hander Aaron Sanchez (1-1, 2.97 ERA) have posted impressive numbers this season. Woodruff has a 1.48 ERA in day starts. 

10* play on UNDER. 

MLB 5-PACK - PHILLIES

The starting pitching matchup for this game is pretty even, but the Phillies have a huge edge when it comes to momentum. The Phillies are riding a six-game winning streak while the Mets have dropped five of their last six and seven of their last nine. We can also note Philly's Ranger Suarez's 0.90 ERA in 20 innings of work in day games this season. 

8* play on Philadelphia Phillies. 

SUPER EARLY TOP-RATED 10* MLB RUNLINE RIPPER

Cubs' right-hander Adbert Alzolay (4-11, 4.85 ERA) has allowed four runs in back-to-back starts and that has been the case in four of his last seven starts. White Sox left-hadner Carlos Rodon (8-5, 2.49 ERA) has recorded eight strikeouts or more in nine of his last 10 starts. 

10* play on Chicago White Sox -1.5. 

8* play on OVER. 

TOP-RATED 10* MLB TOP PLAY OF THE DAY - RUNLINE RIPPER

The Houston Astros came out flat and failed to get their bats going in a 5-3 loss to Minnesota in the opener of this four-game series on Thursday. I expect order to be restored Friday, and the Astros to come through and cover the runline as a big favorite. 

Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (1-1, 4.94 ERA) is 0-1 with a 4.43 ERA on the road. Ober rarely pitches deep into the games, he has not pitched past the fifth inning in any of his last 10 starts. Twins' relievers are among the worst in the big leagues. 

Houston righty Zack Greinke (10-3, 3.65 ERA) has allowed only four earned runs through his last three starts. The Astros are 8-2 SU (6-4 against the runline) as home favorites with Greinke on the mound in 2021. 

10* play on Houston Astros. 

TOP-RATED 10* MLB TOTAL TOP PLAY OF THE DAY

The Pirates are averaging only 3.84 runs/9 innings (30th ) and that number drops to 2.67 runs/9 innings when on the road against a left-handed starter. That's the situation they're at here against Reds southpaw Wade Miley (8-4, 2.92 ERA). Miley has posted a 2.91 ERA home at Great American Ball Park in 2021. 

Pittsburgh hands the ball to JT Brubaker (4-10, 4.49 ERA). He has pitched reasonably well in his last two starts, with a total of only three runs allowed on six hits and three walks over 10 innings of work. 

10* play on UNDER. 

LATE NIGHT MLB RUNLINE RIPPER *NO-BRAINER*

Twins rookie right-hander Griffin Jax (1-1, 6.41 ERA) has only 26 2/3 innings under his belt, spread out over three starts and four appearances as a reliever. 

The Astros are #1 for several offensive categories, including runs per nine innings and batting average, and I think they'll run Jax off the mound early, which means they'll get to tee off against a very weak Minnesota bullpen. 

Left-hander Framber Valdez (7-2, 3.01 ERA) will take the ball for Houston. He is  2-0 with a 1.62 ERA over five career appearances (two starts) against the Twins who are 9-26 in their last 35 games vs. a left-handed starter (0-5 in their last 5 road games vs. a left-handed starter). 

8* play on Houston Astros -1.5. 

SUPER EARLY 10* MLB TOP PLAY OF THE DAY

The Red Sox snapped a six-game skid with a 4-1 win here at Comerica Park on Wednesday. I like them to pick up another win here on Thursday, facing left-hander Tarik Skubal (6-10, 4.53 ERA). The Tigers have lost three of Skubal's last four starts. Skubal has posted a 5.40 ERA through his last three starts and he has served up three home runs in each of his last two starts. 

The Red Sox counter with left-hander Martin Perez (7-7, 4.56 ERA) who was rocked by the Rays in his last start, but the Tigers do not pose as much of a threat. We can also note that Perez is 4-3 with a 3.40 ERA on the road. 

10* play on Boston Red Sox. 

TOP-RATED 10* MLB TOTAL PLAY OF THE DAY

The first two games of this series have seen 12 and nine runs respectively. I expect Game 3 to be a much lower-scoring affair. 

Phillies' righty Chase Anderson (2-4, 6.75 ERA) is having a rough year, but he's built back his confidence lately pitching out of the bullpen. He held Pittsburgh to two runs with five Ks in four innings in his last outing. 

The Nats hand the ball to righty Paolo Espino (3-2, 3.08 ERA) who held the Cubs to a run on four hits in 5 1/3 innings while striking out six his last time out. Espino has posted a 2.35 ERA through his last three starts and he has a 2.23 ERA home at Nationals Park. 

Under is 23-6 in Nationals last 29 during game 3 of a series. Under is 23-10 in Nationals last 33 games as a home favorite.

10* play on UNDER. 

SUPER EARLY MLB BOOKIE BREAKER

The Seattle Mariners have opened the week with a couple of wins, but I don't see the Rays allowing them to sweep this three-game series, especially as it would also earn the Mariners a sweep of the season series. 

Tampa Bay left-hander Josh Fleming (8-5, 4.15 ERA) has been excellent home at Tropicana Field, coming into this contest with a 5-2 record and a 2.23 ERA in his home outings. Mariners' rookie right-hander Logan Gilbert (5-2, 4.04 ERA) is 4-0 with a 3.14 ERA on the road, but note that the Rays are averaging 5.23 runs per nine innings at home against right-handers. 

Lastly, the Rays have a big bullpen advantage with their relievers combining for a 3.03 ERA on the season, the second-best mark across the big leagues. 

8* play on Tampa Bay Rays. 

SUPER EARLY 10* MLB TOP PLAY OF THE DAY

The Minnesota Twins are coming off a 7-5 upset win on Tuesday thanks to a three-run, ninth-inning homer. The Twins are still only 4-10 in their last 14 games as an underdog, and I think they're at a major disadvantage on the mound today. 

Minnesota left-hander Charlie Barnes (0-1, 1.93 ERA) has only one major league appearance. He's unlikely to eat a lot of innings, and then he'll hand over the ball to one of the worst bullpens in the big leagues. Sure, Reds relievers are not top of the line either, but starter Luis Castillo (5-10, 4.22 ERA) is solid and his season ERA drops to 3.94 home at Great American Ball Park. 

Reds are 6-1 in their last 7 interleague home games vs. a left-handed starter. Reds are 14-5 in their last 19 games as a home favorite. Reds are 4-1 in their last 5 games following a loss.

10* play on Cincinnati Reds -1.5. 

MLB 3-PACK

Arizona left-hander Madison Bumgarner (5-6, 4.87 ERA) spent 10-plus seasons with the Giants before joining Arizona last year. Bumgarner was an ace with the Giants, but he's been far worse since leaving and just 6-10 with a 5.43 ERA in 24 starts over the last two seasons. 

Right-hander Johnny Cueto (7-5, 3.84 ERA) will toe the rubber for San Francisco. Cueto has had plenty of success against the D'Backs throughout his career, sitting on an 11-4 record with a 3.45 ERA in 20 career meetings. 

The Giants won a wild affair in extra innings last night, but they held a 7-1 lead at one point and I expect this to be a more comfortable ride for the visitors. 

8* play on San Francisco Giants -1.5.  

MIKE'S TOP-RATED 10* MLB PLAY OF THE DAY

The Chicago White Sox are 34-10 SU and 30-14 against the runline against left-handed starters dating back to the beginning of last season. 

I expect runs to come fast and easy for the White Sox here against KC southpaw Kris Bubic (3-4, 4.58 ERA). Sure, Bubic held the White Sox to a pair of runs on five hits in six innings of a 3-2 Royals win last time out, but note that Bubic is 1-4 with a 7.16 ERA on the road. 

The White Sox hand the ball to Dylan Cease (7-6, 4.14 ERA) who gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits in six innings of a 5-3 White Sox win over the Royals at KC in his last start. Cease is 4-2 behind a 2.44 ERA home at Guaranteed Rate Field on the season. 

10* play on Chicago White Sox -1.5. 

MIKE'S MLB MONEYLINE MASSACRE *NO-BRAINER*

Nats' left-hander Patrick Corbin (6-9, 5.78 ERA) is 0-2 with an 8.04 ERA in his last three starts, and he gave up four runs on eight hits (three homers) in an 11-8 loss to the Phillies last time out. The Phillies are averaging 5.15 runs per nine innings against left-handers on the road. The Nats have lost five of Corbin's last six starts. 

The Phillies hand the ball to Zack Wheeler (8-6, 2.45 ERA). He was a rather unlucky loser in a 3-1 setback against the Nats in his last start, and this looks like a good spot to execute revenge.

8* play on Philadelphia Phillies. 

LATE NIGHT MLB BOOKIE BU$TER *NO-BRAINER*

The Diamondbacks took a 13-0 beating by the Dodgers on Sunday, and I think they'll start the new week with another blowout loss, this time to the Giants.

Giants' right-hander Anthony DeSclafani (10-5, 3.10 ERA) is 5-3 with a 2.50 ERA on the road this season. The Giants have won eight of his 13 starts away from home. Arizona right-hander Taylor Widener (1-1, 4.42 ERA) has posted a 7.45 ERA through 9 2/3 innings home at Chase Field.

8* play on San Francisco Giants -1.5. 

TOP-RATED 10* MLB TOTAL PLAY OF THE DAY

The Pittsburgh Pirates are averaging an MLB-worst 3.82 runs per game. On the road and facing left-handers, they average only 2.50 runs per nine innings, and that's the situation they'll be in here on Monday as the Brewers are sending Eric Lauer (3-4, 3.50 ERA) to the mound. Lauer has posted a 1.17 ERA in his last five outings. Lauer has posted a 3.13 ERA in six career appearances, including five starts, against Pittsburgh. 

The Pirates are handing the ball to Bryse Wilson (2-3, 5.88 ERA) for his first appearance with the team since coming over from Atlanta. While the Brewers could end up hitting him hard, I still expect this game to stay under the total. 

10* play on UNDER. 

TOP-RATED 10* MONDAY NIGHT MLB RUNLINE RIPPER

Andrew Heaney (6-7, 5.27 ERA) will make his first start for the Yankees since being acquired from the Los Angeles Angels. The left-hander will be looking to impress his new teammates, and Heaney should have no trouble outperforming Orioles' righty Jorge Lopez (2-12, 6.19 ERA), who is 0-6 with a 7.43 ERA through his past nine starts. Additionally, note that Lopez is 1-3 with a 7.22 ERA in six career starts against the Yankees. 

The Yankees are riding a three-game winning streak, and they've covered the runline in four of their last five wins. 

10* play on New York Yankees -1.5. 

MLB 3-PACK 

The Astros and the Giants have combined for 29 runs through the first two games of this series, but I expect a pitchers duel in the finale. 

Astros righty Luis Garcia (7-5, 3.19 ERA) was lit up at Seattle in his last start, but ha had allowed only one run on five hits through 11 innings in his last two starts prior to that outing. Giants' Logan Webb (4-3, 3.36 ERA) has posted a 1.54 ERA in his past seven starts.

8* play on UNDER. 

MARINERS @ RANGERS MLB BOOKIE BU$TER

Seattle left-hander Marco Gonzales is 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA through his last three starts and the team has won five of his last six starts. The lone loss came against Texas on July 3, but I expect Gonzales to get revenge today. Rangers' Mike Foltynewicz (2-10, 6.11 ERA) is getting lit up on the regular, and he is 0-2 with a 13.50 ERA through his last three starts. 

8* play on Seattle Mariners. 

EARLY SUNDAY AFTERNOON MLB MONEYLINE MASSACRE

The Braves put an 8-1 beating on Milwaukee on Saturday, and I think they'll make light work of the Brew Crew again in Sunday's matchup. 

Brewers' left-hander Brett Anderson (3-5, 3.86 ERA) is 2-4 with a 4.50 ERA on the road. Anderson gave up four runs and 11 base runners in 3 2/3 innings when he faced Atlanta on May 15. 

Charlie Morton (10-3, 3.72 ERA) will toe the slab for the Braves. Morton is 5-2 with a 3.10 ERA at home and this will be his first start of the season against Milwaukee. 

8* play on Atlanta Braves. 

TOP-RATED 10* NATIONAL LEAGUE TOTAL OF THE WEEK

The Nats are 11-4 to the under in right-hander Erick Fedde's starts in 2021. Fedde (4-7, 5.05 ERA) allowed no earned runs and only four hits in a 3-1 Nats loss to Miami in his last home start. Cubs' right-hander Adbert Alzolay (4-11, 4.73 ERA) was tagged with four runs in five innigs of a 7-4 loss to Cincinnati in his last start, but here he'll face a Washington team that is averaging only 4.20 runs per nine innings against right-handers. 

Under is 8-1-1 in Cubs last 10 Sunday games. Under is 13-3 in Nationals last 16 Sunday games.

10* play on UNDER. 

MLB 5-PACK - PHILLIES

I expect to see a fired up Philly team finally showing up here and deny the Pirates to sweep the series. Kyle Gibson (6-3, 2.87 ERA) takes the ball for the Phillies for the first time since coming over from Texas, where he's had a strong year. The Pirates hand the ball to Mitch Keller (3-7, 7.04 ERA) who is 2-5 with an 8.48 ERA at home. One does not have to dig deep into the numbers to see that this is a complete mismatch on the mound. Happy to back the Phillies at this price. 

8* play on Philadelphia Phillies. 

EARLY TOP-RATED 10* AMERICAN LEAGUE GAME OF THE WEEK

The Kansas City Royals took a 6-4 loss here at Rogers Centre on Friday to fall to 17-32 on the road. For Saturday, they hand the ball to left-hander Mike Minor (8-8, 5.32 ERA) who is coming off a couple of solid outings, but here he'll face a Toronto team that is averaging 6.05 runs per nine innings at home. 

KC meanwhile is averaging only 3.62 runs per game on the road, and Toronto righty Alek Manoah (2-1, 2.90 ERA) is 1-0 with a 2.20 ERA through 16 2/3 innings at home.

10* play on Toronto Blue Jays -1.5. 

TWINS @ CARDINALS BOOKIE BU$TER TOTAL

The Twins took a 17-14 loss to Detroit on Wednesday, but I expect a much lower scoring affair here in the opener of a three-game set at St. Louis. 

Twins right-hander Jose Berrios (7-5, 3.48 ERA) has 2.92 ERA in two career starts against the Cardinals. He allowed only three hits and no earned runs in seven innings of a 2-1 loss to the Halos in his last start. 

The Cards counter with left-hander Wade LeBlanc (0-2, 4.58 ERA) who has posted a solid 3.45 ERA since coming to the team in midseason. 

Under is 13-4 in Cardinals last 17 games as a home underdog. Under is 14-3-1 in the last 18 meetings. Under is 9-2-1 in the last 12 meetings in St. Louis.

8* play on UNDER. 

TGIF RUNLINE RIPPER *NO-BRAINER*

The Chicago White Sox return home from a disappointing seven-game road trip which saw them shut out in the last game at Kansas City on Thursday. Now they return home to Guaranteed Rate Field where they are 35-17 on the season. 

White Sox right-hander Lance Lynn (10-3, 2.00 ERA) has been phenomenal in his home starts, entering this game with a 6-2 record to go with a 1.64 ERA. Indians' righty Jean Carlos Mejia (1-6, 7.52 ERA) is having a rough year, and he is 1-4 with an 8.34 ERA on the road. Through his last three starts overall, Mejia has allowed 15 runs and 24 base runners through 13 innings of work. 

8* play on Chicago White Sox -1.5. 

TOP-RATED 10* MLB PLAY OF THE DAY

Rangers' left-hander Kolby Allard (2-8, 4.71 ERA) has been tagged with 11 runs while allowing 13 base runners through 10 innings in his last two starts combined. The Rangers have lost each of his last seven starts. Mariners' rookie right-hander Logan Gilbert (4-2, 3.81 ERA) is having a solid first year, and he is 3-0 with a 2.35 ERA in five road starts. 

The slumping Rangers have dropped 13 of their last 14 games while the Mariners have been playing fairly well lately. With Seattle still very much alive in the Wild Card race, I really like the price we get on the visitors in this matchup. 

10* play on Seattle Mariners. 

MLB 3-PACK - PHILLIES

The Pittsburgh Pirates are better at home than on the road, but they're still only 21-28 home at PNC Park. Pittsburgh right-hander Wil Crowe (2-5, 5.89 ERA) is 0-4 with a 5.58 ERA at home. 

Philadelphia right-hander Vince Velasquez (3-5, 5.54 ERA) is not having a great year, but I expect the Phillies' bats to bail him out. Note that that team has won four of Velasquez's last six starts and Pirates' Crowe is most likely in a letdown spot after striking out a career-high nine at San Franciscolast Saturday. 

8* play on Philadelphia Phillies. 

TOP-RATED 10* BLUE JAYS @ RED SOX MLB PLAY OF THE DAY

The Toronto Blue Jays have opened the week with a win and two losses here at Boston, but I like them to salvage a split of the series with a win on Thursday. 

Blue Jays' lefty Hyun Jin Ryu (9-5, 3.44 ERA) is 2-0 with a 2.20 ERA through his last three games and the team has won five of his last six starts. Ryu threw seven scoreless innings in an 8-0 victory in his last start against the Red Sox. On the mound for Boston in that game, just as tonight, was Eduardo Rodriquez (7-5, 5.23 ERA). The left-hander gave up five runs and 12 base runners through five innings in the defeat. 

The Blue Jays are a solid 28-25 on the road on the season, and I expect them to give the Red Sox all kinds of trouble in this one. Great price on Toronto to close this series with a win at Fenway Park. 

10* play on Toronto Blue Jays. 

EARLY MLB RUNLINE RIPPER - PROFIT GUARANTEE

The Chicago White Sox coughed up a ninth-inning lead to lose in extra innings on Wednesday. I like them to snap back and win big in the finale of this series tonight. 

Royals' right-hander Carlos Hernandez (1-1, 6.04 ERA) has mostly worked out of the bullpen, but his last two outings were starts. Neither was particularly successful, with Hernandez allowing a total of seven runs on five hits and six walks over 6 2/3 innings of work. 

White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon (8-4, 2.24 ERA) is having a terrific year, and he's 5-1 with a 1.90 ERA away from home. The team is 6-1 SU and against the runline as road favorites with Rodon on the mound. 

8* play on Chicago White Sox -1.5. 

SUPER EARLY MLB TOTAL TOP PLAY OF THE DAY

Yankees' ace Gerrit Cole (10-5, 2.74 ERA) is 1-5 despite a solid 3.82 ERA in 10 career starts against the Rays. 

Tampa Bay right-hander Luis Patino (1-2, 5.26 ERA) has been roughed up in his last three starts, but note his 1.04 ERA in three appearances at home this season. He took on the Bronx Bombers on May 11 when he held them to two runs (one earned) through four frames. Patino is backed up by one of the best bullpens in baseball. 

The first two games of this series have seen seven and four runs respectively. This should be another low-scorin affair. 

10* play on UNDER. 

TOP-RATED 10* BALLPARK BLOWOUT

Yankees' left-hander Nestor Cortes Jr. (0-0, 1.95 ERA) has an impressive ERA, but note that it's over only 27 2/3 innings of work and mostly out of the bullpen. In his last two outings, both starts, Cortes Jr. has allowed three runs through 6 2/3 innings. He's unlikely to go deep into the game which will put a lot of pressure on the Yankees' bullpen. 

Ray's righty Michael Wacha (2-2, 5.16 ERA) does not have impressive numbers, but note that he is 1-0 with a 4.13 ERA at home. Wacha is backed up by one of the best bullpens in baseball. 

Rays are 9-1 in their last 10 vs. a team with a winning record. Rays are 6-2 in their last 8 games vs. a left-handed starter. Rays are 62-21 in their last 83 games as a home favorite.

10* play on Tampa Bay Rays. 

EARLY MLB MONEYLINE MASSACRE

Good spot to back the Blue Jays in Game 1 of a double-header on Wednesday. 

Toronto left-hander Robbie Ray (8-5, 3.12 ERA) has a 2-1 record to go with a minuscule 1.93 ERA through his last three starts. Boston right-hander Garrett Richards (6-5, 4.99 ERA) is 2-0 in his last three starts, despite a 5.17 ERA. Richards has posted a 6.55 ERA at Fenway Park on the season. 

8* play on Toronto Blue Jays. 

SUPER EARLY TOP-RATED 10* MLB TOTAL PLAY OF THE DAY

Cleveland right-hander Zach Plesac (5-3, 4.30 ERA) does not boast particularly impressive numbers this season, but note his 2.95 ERA through 21 1/3 innings of work in four day starts in 2021. 

Cards' left-hander Kwang Hyun Kim (6-5, 2.88 ERA) has a consistent ERA no matter home/away or day/night. He has allowed only two runs on 10 hits with 15 Ks through his last three starts, covering 18 innings of work for a 1.00 ERA. 

Under is 5-1 in Indians last 6 interleague games vs. a left-handed starter. Under is 21-5-1 in Cardinals last 27 interleague road games.

10* play on UNDER. 

MIKE'S MLB MONEYLINE MASSACRE *NO-BRAINER*

The Houston Astros managed to squander a seven-run lead in the opener of this three-game series on Monday. The Mariners came back to win 11-8, but I expect the Astros to avenge the disappointing loss tonight.  

Houston righty Lance McCullers Jr. (7-2, 3.04 ERA) is having a solid year, and he is 5-0 with a 2.66 ERA on the road. In 14 career starts against the Mariners, McCullers is 7-3 with a 2.70 ERA. 

Chris Flexen (9-4, 3.34 ERA) will take the ball for Seattle. While Flexen has posted an impressive 1.89 ERA home at T-Mobile Park, I think he's about to get lit up tonight. Note that Flexen was lucky to hold Houston to one run despite giving up 10 hits in six innings back in April. I highly doubt he'll be as fortunate in this encounter. 

8* play on Houston Astros. 

MLB 3-PACK - PADRES

The San Diego Padres lost at Miami Saturday and Sunday, but now they return home to Petco Park where they are 33-19 on the season. 

The Padres are 9-0 in their last 9 vs. a team with a winning record and Chris Paddack (6-6, 4.76 ERA) is 2-0 with a 3.75 ERA through his last three starts. A's righty James Kaprielian (5-3, 2.65 ERA) has solid numbers, but note his 4.00 ERA on the road this season compared to a 1.13 ERA at home. 

8* play on San Diego Padres. 

MLB 3-PACK - INDIANS

I really like the price we get on Cleveland in this matchup. Indians' righty Cal Quantrill (2-2, 3.84 ERA) owns a 2-0 record with a 3.22 ERA in four starts in July and he is 1-0 with a 3.49 ERA at home on the season. Cards' Adam Wainwright (7-6, 3.56 ERA) has a 5.35 ERA through 38 2/3 innings of work on the road. Cleveland is averaging 5.32 runs per nine innings against right-handers home at Progressive Field.

8* play on Cleveland Indians. 

AL CENTRAL MONEYLINE GAME OF THE MONTH

The Kansas City Royals are coming into the new week riding a five-game winning streak, but I think they'll come up short in this matchup with Chicago. 

The White Sox snapped a three-game slide with a 3-1 win at Milwaukee on Sunday. White Sox are 5-0 in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing record and 6-2 in their last 8 road games overall. They're dominating left-handers and runs should come fast and easy against Mike Minor who is 3-5 with a 5.61 ERA home at Kauffman Stadium on the season. 

The White Sox counter with left-hander Dallas Keuchel (7-3, 4.22 ERA) who's having a disappointing year, but he has allowed only three runs through 12 innings in his last two starts combined. 

10* play on Chicago White Sox. 

MLB BOOKIE BOMBER - UNDERDOG DELIGHT - GUARANTEED TO WIN

The Chicago Cubs are 30-18 at home on the season, but the Reds are a solid 25-22 on the road and I really like the price we get on the visitors in this matchup. 

Reds left-hander Wade Miley (8-4, 2.72 ERA) is having an excellent year, and he is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA through his last three starts.  

Cubs righty Kyle Hendricks (12-4, 3.61 ERA) is also having a solid year, but I don't think he should be this kind of favorite against Miley. We can also note that the Reds are hitting right-handers hard, averaging 5.08 runs per nine innings against them throughout the season.

8* play on Cincinnati Reds.