D'BACKS @ PIRATES MONDAY NIGHT NO-BRAINER

The Pittsburgh Pirates had a five-game winning streak come to an end with a 3-2 loss to San Francisco on Sunday. They look way overpriced in this contest, and with this kind of value on the visitors I think this is a no-brainer play on Arizona Diamondbacks.

Arizona right-hander Zack Godley (1-1, 6.26 ERA) has not had a great start to the season, but his last outing was rather encouraging when he held the Braves to five hits and two runs, with four strikeouts and two walks in six frames of a 3-2 D'Backs win. Godley has posted a 3.86 ERA in three career matchups with the Pirates who will hand the ball to 3.86 ERA Joe Musgrove. 

Unlike Godley, Musgrove (1-1, 0.81 ERA) has been phenomenal here in 2019 with just two earned runs allowed through 22 2/3 innings of work, but I think a poor start is right around the corner. It might very well come here as he is 0-1 with a 5.56 ERA in three career games against the D'Backs. 

The Diamondbacks are 6-3 in their past nine road games. 

8* play on Arizona Diamondbacks. 

TOP RATED 10* MLB PLAY OF THE DAY

The Arizona Diamondbacks put an end to the Chicago Cubs' four-game winning streak yesterday with a 6-0 triumph. They've five of their last six with the only setback a 5-1 loss to the Cubs in the opener of this three-game set on Friday, and I think the D'Backs will claim the rubber match here Sunday afternoon. 

D'Backs left-hander Robbie Ray (0-1, 4.64 ERA) had allowed only a total of six runs through his first three starts (15 1/3 innings) before getting roughed up for five in six innings at Atlanta last time out. Arizona still won that game 9-6 and I like Ray to come back with a big performance here. Note that Ray has posted a 1.88 ERA in four career starts against the Cubs. 

Chicago hands the ball to Tyler Chatwood (0-0, 6.00 ERA) for his first start of the season. He has been tagged with four runs on six hits and five walks in six innings out of the bullpen. Chatwood surrendered four runs on five hits and six walks in 4 2/3 innings against Arizona last season.  

Diamondbacks are 11-4 in Ray's last 15 road starts vs. a team with a losing record.

10* play on Arizona Diamondbacks. 

SUPER EARLY WHITE SOX @ TIGERS DAYTIME DESTROYER

The Chicago White Sox have won four of their last six and tied this series at 1-1 with a 7-3 triumph over Detroit Friday night. Saturday's matchup was postponed due to steady rain in the Detroit area, but I like the Tigers to bounce back with a win here in the rubber-match of the series Sunday afternoon. 

Detroit hands the ball to left-hander Daniel Norris (0-0, 4.32 ERA) for his first start of the season. He has pitched OK out of the bullpen and limited Minnesota to one run in three innings last time out.

Norris is 3-1 with a 2.53 ERA in five career outings, including three starts against the White Sox who turn to Reynaldo Lopez (1-2, 8.84 ERA). Lopez was tagged with six runs on six hits and four walks in just five innings last time out. He has struggled with his command all season and issued 14 walks through 19 1/3 innings of work. Lopez has also struggled with the long-ball, serving up a total of seven homers through his last three starts and here he'll face a Detroit side that went deep three times in Friday's matchup. 

8* play on Detroit Tigers. 

TOP RATED 10* MLB PLAY OF THE DAY (TOTAL)

The Cincinnati Reds and the San Diego Padres battled out a low-scoring affair Friday night. I think runs will be few and far between here in Saturday's matchup as well. 

Reds right-hander Luis Castillo (1-1, 1.46 ERA) has had a blistering start to the year, allowing just four runs with 32 Ks through 24 2/3 innings of work. Except for a 14-0 win over Miami, the run support has however been meager with Cincinnati scoring just nine runs in his other three starts. Under is 8-1 in Castillo's last nine starts overall.

The Padres counter with 23 year old southpaw Eric Lauer (2-2, 4.91 ERA) who tossed six scoreless innings of a 2-0 triumph over San Francisco in his season opener. He has not been quite as sharp in recent starts, but we can note that under is 9-0 in Reds last nine games vs. a left-handed starter. Lauer faced Cincinnati twice last year and held the club to one run with 12 Ks through nine innings of work. 

Under is 23-6 in Reds last 29 road games. Under is 8-3 in Padres last 11 home games.

10* play on UNDER. 

GAME OF THE MONTH (MLB): MIKE'S TOP RATED MLB TOTAL FOR APRIL

The Colorado Rockies will host the Philadelphia Phillies for Game 2 of a four-game series Friday night. I think the total looks way high for this contest, and I'm going with a BIG BET on the under. 

Rockies right-hander German Marquez (2-1, 2.00 ERA) has been excellent through his first four outings in 2019. He was roughed up by Atlanta on April 9 but has allowed just one run covering a total of 22 innings in the other three starts. Last time out, he tossed a complete game, one-hit shutout against the Giants and under is 13-3-2 in Marquez's last 18 starts overall. 

Marquez has posted a 3.32 ERA in three career starts against the Phillies who turn to Vince Velasquez (0-0, 2.25 ERA). The 26 year old right-hander has made three appearances (two starts) here in 2019. In the the two starts, Velasquez held Miami and Washington to a combined three runs on six hits and three walks covering 11 innings of work. He has posted a poor 5.23 ERA in six career starts against the Rockies, but they've struggled to produce runs home at Coors Field this season. 

10* play on UNDER. 

FRIDAY NIGHT MLB MONEYLINE MASSACRE

The Detroit Tigers snapped a five-game skid with a 7-5 win over the Chicago White Sox in the opener of this four-game series Thursday night. 

I think the Tigers will be back to their losing ways here, facing White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon (2-2, 3.27 ERA) who held the New York Yankees to two runs on three hits in six innings on Sunday. Rodon has struggled in previous career matchups with the Tigers, but note that they're 1-6 in their last seven games vs. a left-handed starter.

Jordan Zimmermann (0-2, 4.29 ERA) will toe the slab for Detroit. He has been tagged with 10 runs while serving up four homers in his last two starts. Zimmerman was 1-2 with a weak 7.11 ERA against the White Sox last season and has posted a 5.81 ERA in 13 career starts against them. Jose Abreu and Yonder Alonso both has great number against the right-hander. 

White Sox are 6-2 in Rodon's last 8 Friday starts. Tigers are 2-9 in Zimmermann's last 11 Friday starts.

8* play on Chicago White Sox. 

LATE MLB MIDNIGHT MASSACRE

The Seattle Mariners have cooled off since a red hot 13-2 start to the season and managed just a total of 15 runs during an 0-6 homestand. The opposition was not the easiest though, with a pair of three-game series against Cleveland and Houston ... The Mariners are most likely rather happy to get out of Seattle for a change of scenery, and I like the price we get on the Mariners here at LA with veteran right-hander Felix Hernandez on the mound. 

Hernandez (1-1, 4.38 ERA) had a rough 2018, but he's been much better this season. He allowed just one earned run through 5 1/3 innings of a 6-3 win against the Halos in his season debut, a matchup where he just like today was opposed by LAA right-hander Chris Stratton. Stratton (0-1, 5.54 ERA) went 4 1/3 innings in that contest and allowed four runs on seven hits in the defeat. 

Mariners are 6-0 in their last 6 road games. Mariners are 12-2 in their last 14 vs. a team with a losing record. Mariners are 6-1 in the last 7 meetings.

8* play on Seattle Mariners. 

DODGERS @ BREWERS BOOKIE BLASTER

The LA Dodgers snapped a six-game slide with 7-1 win over Milwaukee on April 14, and they're coming off a three-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds to make it four wins in a row. They're however 1-6 in their last seven vs. a team with a winning record and 0-4 in their last four road games. Here they'll face a red hot Brewers pitcher in Zach Davies in the opener of a four-game series.

Davies (2-0, 1.53 ERA) has allowed just one earned run in his past two outings. First the right-hander blanked the Cubs over 5 2/3 innings before holding the Dodgers scoreless over seven frames of a 4-1 Brew Crew triumph last time out to improve to 3-1 with a 2.30 ERA in five career starts against the Dodgers.

The Dodgers turn to left-hander Julio Urias (0-1, 5.27 ERA) who was tagged with six runs (five earned) on six hits over five innings of am 8-5 loss to Milwaukee on April 12. 

The Brewers took two of three in LA Last week. They're 7-2 in their last nine home games vs. a left-handed starter and own a .308 batting average against southpaws on the season, good for 3rd in the major leagues.

8* play on Milwaukee Brewers. 

EARLY GIANTS @ NATIONALS TOTAL

The San Francisco Giants opened this series with a 7-3 win but the Washington Nationals tied it up with a 9-6 triumph Wednesday night. After two high-scoring contests, I think we'll see far fewer runs here in the rubber match.

Nats left-hander Patrick Corbin (0-0, 2.84 ERA) is 4-1 behind a 1.93 ERA in his last seven starts against the Giants. He limited Pittsburgh to one run and fanned 11 through seven innings last time out. On the season, Corbin owns a 24/4 K/BB ratio over 19 frames. 

Giants lefty Drew Pomeranz (0-1, 3.86 ERA) held the Rockies to two runs on four hits in five innings his last start. He has posted a 2.19 ERA in two career starts versus Washington.

Under is 23-9-2 in Giants last 34 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game. Under is 25-10-1 in Giants last 36 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.

8* play on UNDER. 

GIANTS @ NATIONALS NO-BRAINER

The Washington Nationals should be well up for this contest after taking a 7-3 loss to the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday. Here they'll face right-hander Jeff Samardzija (1-0, 1.62 ERA) who may be off to a fast start here in 2019, but he is 0-6 with a hideous 7.39 ERA in his last six starts against the Nationals. 

Nats' righty Jeremy Hellickson (1-0, 2.25 ERA) on the other hand has posted a solid 3.29 ERA in five career starts against the Giants. He tossed six shutout innings of a 15-1 win at Philadelphia last time out and Nationals are 7-1 in Hellickson's last eight starts vs. a team with a losing record.

Nationals are 5-1 in their last 6 games following a loss and 13-3 in their last 16 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game. Giants are 1-9 in their last 10 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game and 2-7 in their last 9 games following a win.

8* play on Washington Nationals. 

RED SOX @ YANKEES AL EAST RIVALRY

The New York Yankees put an 8-0 beating on the Boston Red Sox in the opener of this two-game series Tuesday night. I like the price we get on the visitors to bounce back and deny the Bronx Bombers a sweep here with Nathan Eovaldi on the mound. 

Eovaldi (0-0, 8.40 ERA) has admittedly had a poor start to the season, but the Red Sox have still won each of his three starts. Eovaldi is very familiar with the Yankees organization after pitching for the club 2015 and 2016 and the 29 year old right-hander has dominated previous meetings with the Yankees. He limited them to one run in seven innings in Boston's 16-1 win in Game 3 of the 2018 ALDS in the last matchup. 

The home team turns to J.A. Happ (0-2, 8.76 ERA) who much like Eovaldi has had a rocky start to 2019. He gave up six runs in just four innings his outing, and the last time the left-hander faced Boston, in Game 1 of the 2018 ALDS, he was tagged with five runs in two innings.

Red Sox are 9-4 in their last 13 games vs. a left-handed starter and 5-0 in Eovaldi's last 5 starts. Yankees are 2-7 in their last 9 games following a win and 1-6 in their last 7 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.

8* play on Boston Red Sox. 

EARLY TOP RATED METS @ PHILLIES BOOKIE BREAKER

The Philadelphia Phillies dropped Game 1 of this series by a score of 7-6, but they bounced back in a big way on Tuesday. A 10 run first frame certainly didn't hurt, and I think they'll score plenty today as well coming up against a depleted Mets bullpen and a starter with a bloated ERA. 

Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler (1-1, 7.47 ERA) is coming off his best outing of the season, six innings of two-run ball at Atlanta. He did however struggle with his command again and has issued 11 walks in 15 2/3 innings. Wheeler was tagged with seven runs in two starts covering 11 2/3 innings against the Phillies last season 

Phillies right-hander Jake Arrieta (2-1, 2.25 ERA) meanwhile is off to an excellent start to the year and fanned eight through seven innings of one-run ball at Miami last time out. In 2018, Arrieta held the Mets to just five runs in 18 1/3 innings of work and he owns a 2.34 ERA in 10 career starts against the club.

10* play on Philadelphia Phillies.

LATE NIGHT MLB MONEYLINE MASSACRE

The Colorado Rockies have answered an eight-game slide with back-to-back wins, the most recent a  5-2 victory here at San Diego yesterday. The Padres are trending in the opposite direction coming off a pair of losses.

Colorado right-hander Jon Gray (0-3, 4.19 ERA) will take the mound eager to get his first W of the season. Gray was a hard-luck loser last time out though when he held the Giants to one run through 6 2/3 innings of a 1-0 defeat at AT&T Park, and I expect another stellar outing from him here.  

Gray is 8-3 with a 2.69 ERA in 15 career starts the Padres and he has won each of his past three starts in San Diego behind a 1.42 ERA. "I've always liked pitching in San Diego," Gray said last Sept. 1 after holding the Padres to two runs on seven hits and a walk over six innings. "I like the mound."

The Padres turn to rookie left-hander Nick Margevicius (1-1, 1.69 ERA) who has been outstanding through his first three starts in the big leagues, allowing just three runs on nine hits and a walk with 12 strikeouts in 16 innings of work.

Margevicius will no doubt find it hard to out-duel Gray here though, and I like the price we get on the visitors at Petco Park Monday night.

8* play on Colorado Rockies. 

TUESDAY NIGHT CARDS @ BREW CREW TOTAL

Monday's matchup between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Milwaukee Brewers turned into a high-scoring affair. I think runs will be harder to come by for both sides here in Game 2 of the series. 

Cards' right-hander Jack Flaherty (1-0, 2.93 ERA) went six innings, allowing one run on three hits and eight strikeouts against the Dodgers last time out. He has posted a 3.58 ERA in previous meetings with Milwaukee and has the current Brew Crew roster limited to a .194 AVG through 98 at bats. 

Brandon Woodruff (1-1, 6.00 ERA) will take the ball for Milwaukee. He'll be looking to get back on track after getting roughed up in back-to-back starts. The 26 year old right-hander did however limit St. Louis to a pair of runs in five innings of a 4-2 win in his season debut on March 30 and under is 7-2 in Woodruff's last nine home starts.

Under is 12-3-1 in Brewers last 16 games vs. a right-handed starter and 10-3-1 in their last 14 vs. a team with a winning record.

8* play on UNDER. 

$20 TUESDAY UNDERDOG DELIGHT

The Toronto Blue Jays took the opener of this series by a score of 5-3 on Monday. I think we're getting good value on them to pick up another win here at Minnesota Tuesday night. 

The Twins hand the ball to Kyle Gibson (0-0, 7.71 ERA) who has been roughed up in each of his first two starts this season. Minnesota still provided him with enough run support to win both games, but that might not be the case here as they'll come up against Toronto right-hander Aaron Sanchez (1-1, 1.69 ERA) who had opened the season strong prior to a disappointing outing at Fenway Park last time out. 

Sanchez is 2-0 with a 3.79 ERA in three starts here at Target Field and the price is right to back the visitors in this matchup.  

8* play on Toronto Blue Jays. 

MONDAY NIGHT METS @ PHILLIES TOTAL

Two elite pitchers will take the mound at Citizens Bank Park Monday night, but I think the bookmakers have made a mistake on the total here, setting it a tad too low. 

Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola (1-0, 6.46 ERA) has been lit up in back-to-back starts to Washington, surrendering a total of 11 runs (10 earned) on 12 hits, five of them homers) over 9 1/3 innings of work. On top of that, Philadelphia's bullpen has struggled all season, and it won't help that the Phillies played a 14-inning marathon at Miami on Sunday.

Mets' right-hander Noah Syndergaard (1-1, 4.74 ERA) gave up four runs on seven hits in seven innings of a 9-6 win over Minnesota last time out. Last season, Syndergaard went 1-2 with a 5.75 ERA in four starts against the Phillies. 

8* play on OVER. 

ORIOLES @ RED SOX RUNLINE RIPPER

The Boston Red Sox have taken two of the first three games of this four-game series following a dominant 4-0 triumph on Sunday. I like them to pick up an easy win here in the series finale Monday afternoon with right-hander Hector Velazquez on the mound. 

Velazquez (0-0, 2.79 ERA) was 1-0 with a 3.09 ERA in five outings (two starts) covering 11 2/3 total innings against Baltimore last season. While this will be Velazquez second start of the season, note that he pitched three shutout innings as the starter in a 1-0 win over the Diamondbacks last Sunday. 

The Orioles turn to Dan Straily (0-1, 19.29 ERA) who is 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA in two career starts against the Red Sox. Straily was tagged with five runs on eight hits in just 3 1/3 innings of a 10-3 loss to Oakland last time out. On the season, he has served up four homers through 4 2/3 innings of work. 

10* play on Boston Red Sox. 

SUNDAY AFTERNOON MLB BALLPARK BLOWOUT

The surging Oakland Athletics are going for a fifth consecutive victory here as they take on the Texas Rangers Sunday afternoon. 

Oakland southpaw Brett Anderson (3-0, 2.50 ERA) was 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA against the Rangers last season. He's coming off a solid outing where he held Baltimore to two runs in six frames. 

The Rangers turn to right-hander Adrian Sampson (0-1, 1.86 ERA) who has been solid out of the bullpen here in 2019, surrendering only two runs through 9 2/3 innings of work. This will however be just his sixth career start and he is 0-5 with a 4.10 ERA in eight career appearances. 

Sampson will face an Oakland team that is coming off six consecutive multi-homer games and reigning home run champion Khris Davis has already blasted a major league-leading 10 on the season. Davis hit seven homer in nine games here at Globe Life Park last season ... 

The Rangers have have lost five of six games, and I think we're getting a great price on the hotter (and better) A's in this matchup. 

8* play on Oakland Athletics. 

EARLY MLB RUNLINE RIPPER

The Detroit Tigers took a 4-3 loss here at Minnesota on Saturday. I expect the home team to make lighter work if their opponent today and rout the visitors at Target Field Sunday afternoon. 

Tigers' right-hander Jordan Zimmerman (0-1, 2.50 ERA) gave up five runs (four earned) on four hits, three of them homers, in an 8-2 loss to Cleveland last time out. The Tigers are 6-20 in Zimmermann's last 26 starts vs. a team with a winning record and he has poor career numbers against Minnesota which hands the ball to Jose Berrios (1-1, 2.18 ERA). The 24-year-old right-hander has opened the season with three quality starts, and I think he'll keep the Tigers in check here. The Twins are 21-5 in Berrios' last 26 home starts.

8* play on Minnesota Twins -1.5. 

GAME OF THE WEEK (MLB): MIKE'S TOP RATED MONEYLINE MASSACRE

The Tampa Bay Rays saw a five-game winning streak come to an end with a 3-1 loss at Toronto on Saturday. I like them to bounce back to their winning ways with a triumph in the rubber-match of this three-game series Sunday afternoon. 

The Rays hand the ball to Charlie Morton (2-0, 2.25 ERA). The Rays have won two of his three starts on the season, and the veteran right-hander has been solid with only four earned runs allowed and 21 Ks through 16 innings of work. Morton held the Blue Jays scoreless through seven innngs of four-hit ball last year. 

The Jays counter with Marcus Stroman (0-2, 2.41 ERA) who has pitched well, but with nothing to show for it as he has received extremely poor run support through his first three starts of the season (two runs in total). Stroman was tagged with five runs on 11 hits in two starts covering 6 2/3 innings against Tampa Bay last year.

Rays are 9-0 in their last 9 Sunday games. Rays are 16-5 in their last 21 games following a loss. Blue Jays are 0-4 in their last 4 Sunday games. Blue Jays are 1-5 in their last 6 games following a win.

10* play on Tampa Bay Rays. 

GAME OF THE WEEK (MLB): MIKE'S TOP RATED MLB TOTAL

This contest will be played at Estadio de Beisbol Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico, and I expect both teams to entertain the crowd with their bats rather than their pitching. 

The Reds are coming off a three-game sweep of Miami during which they scored 21 runs with eight homers. The Cards are coming off a an have scored 30 runs during a five-game winning streak and put an 11-7 beating on the Dodgers last time out. Over is 9-1 in Cardinals' last 10 after scoring five runs or more in their previous game.

Cards' right-hander Adam Wainwright (1-0, 4.50 ERA) has posted a 5.09 ERA in 29 appearances (24 starts) against the Reds. Joey Votto is 14-for-46 with three homers and eight RBI off Waino. 

Tanner Roark (0-0, 5.79 ERA) will take the ball for Cincinnati. He has posted a gaudy 6.58 ERA through seven career appearances (five starts) against St. Louis. Marcell Ozuna has had decent success against Roark, going 13-for-41 with a homer and seven RBI.

10* play on OVER. 

SATURDAY NIGHT MLB MONEYLINE MASSACRE

The Philadelphia Phillies put a 9-1 beating on the Miami Marlins on Friday. The Fish have now lost five in a row and have earned just three wins on the season. I think they'll come up short for a sixth straight game here, coming up against Philly right-hander Zach Eflin on the mound. 

Eflin (2-0, 0.75 ERA) has allowed just one run through 12 innings of work on the season and he went 2-0 behind a 2.21 ERA covering 20 1/3 innings against the Marlins last season. Miami owns a .215 batting average on the season and has scored just a total of 34 runs here in 2019. 

Caleb Smith (0-0, 4.09 ERA) will take the ball for the Marlins. The left-hander has not been good nor bad through his first two starts of the campaign, but that could easily change here against a Philly team that averages 5.82 runs per game. 

The Phillies are 4-0 in their last four games vs. a left-handed starter, and Andrew McCutchen is coming off a 3-for-4 performance with three RBI and a homer. He is 2-for-5 with a homer in previous matchups with Smith. 

8* play on Philadelphia Phillies. 

LATE MLB MIDNIGHT MASSACRE

The Colorado Rockies are ice cold, entering this contest as losers of six straight and 10 of their last 11. They took a 1-0 loss to the San Francisco Giants in the opener of this four-game series Thursday night and I predict another Rockies setback here in Game 2 of the series. 

They'll be coming up against San Francisco left-hander Drew Pomeranz (0-1, 4.00 ERA) who has never lost to the Rockies, going 2-0 with just two runs allowed through 14 frames for a 1.29 ERA. The Rockies are 0-4 in their last four games vs. a left-handed starter.

Chad Bettis (0-2, 11.88 ERA) will take the ball for the Rockies, and his first two outings of the seasons have both been subpar, getting roughed up for 12 runs (11 earned) in 8 1/3 innings. Bettis is 3-4 with a 4.59 ERA in 15 career matchups with San Francisco.

8* play on San Francisco Giants. 

TOP RATED 10* MLB BIG HITTER

The Tampa Bay Rays are coming off a three-game sweep as they knocked the Chicago White Sox's pitching staff around to the tune of 24 runs on 38 hits before getting Thursday off to recharge the batteries. 

Here they'll face Toronto rookie right-hander Trent Thornton (0-0, 1.59 ERA) who has fanned 15 while allowing just a pair of runs through his first 10 2/3 innings of work in the big leagues, but I don't think he's ready for this Rays team and their red hot bats. 

The Rays' pitching staff owns a combined 1.98 ERA and tonight's opener, Ryne Stanek (0-0, 1.50 ERA), has certainly pulled his weight. Toronto has struggled to score runs here at the start of the season, entering Friday with a poor 3.00 rpg average. 

The Rays are 14-6 in the last 20 meetings and 5-1 in Stanek's last six starts vs. Blue Jays.

10* play on Tampa Bay Rays. 

ROCKIES @ GIANTS MIDNIGHT MASSACRE

The Colorado Rockies will have a slight situational advantage as their scheduled series finale against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday was postponed due to poor weather while the Giants took a 3-1 loss to San Diego last night.

We can however note that San Francisco is 6-2 in the last eight meetings at AT&T Park, and I like the price we get on the home team here. 

Jon Gray (0-2, 5.68 ERA) will take the ball for Colorado, but the right-hander is off to a slow start to the season and was tagged with five runs on eight hits through six innings of a 7-2 loss to the Dodgers last time out. He is 0-2 with a 5.48 ERA in five career visits to AT&T Park. 

The Giants turn to Jeff Samardzija (0-0, 2.79 ERA). Samardzija owns a 4.00 ERA in 17 career appearances against the Rockies, but that number drops to 3.02 in games not played at Coors Field. 

Colorado has lost five in a row and nine of 10. Fade the slumping visitors. 

8* play on San Francisco Giants. 

TOP RATED 10* MLB BIG HITTER

The New York Mets managed to snap a two-game slide with a rather dominant 9-6 home victory over Minnesota Wednesday night. I think they'll find it hard to follow that up with another win here against a hot Atlanta Braves team that has won seven of eight games since an 0-3 start to the season. Additionally, the Braves should be pumped up to play again after getting Wednesday's matchup with the Rockies postponed due to rain. 

Atlanta right-hander Kevin Gausman (1-0, 0.00 ERA) has made just one start this season, but it was a dominant outing as he tossed seven scoreless innings of two-hit ball of a 4-0 triumph over Miami Friday night. 

The Mets turn to left-hander Steven Matz (0-0, 0.87 ERA) who is without a winning decision on the season despite allowing just one earned run through 10 1/3 innings of work. He has not recieved much help from a Mets' bullpen that owns a 6.37 ERA and we can also note that the Braves have hit a respectable .292 against southpaws this season. 

The Mets are 3-7 in Matz's last 10 starts vs. a team with a winning record. The Braves are 11-2 in their last 13 home games and a perfect 6-0 in Gausman's last six home starts.

10* play on Atlanta Braves. 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT RUNLINE RIPPER

The Minnesota Twins put a 14-8 beating on the New York Mets and Jacob deGrom on Tuesday. I don't see them coming up with such a performance two days in a row, and I expect a blowout win for the home team here with Noah Syndergaard on the mound. 

Syndergaard (0-1, 4.50 ERA) held the Nats to two runs on just one hit through six innings last time out in his first home start of the season. The right-hander was 8-1 behind a 2.87 ERA in 13 starts at Citi Field last season. 

The Twins turn to Jake Odorizzi (0-1, 6.75 ERA) who didn't even get out of the first inning of a 10-4 loss at Cleveland last time as he was tagged with five runs (four earned) on two hits and three walks.  

Twins are 1-7 in Odorizzi's last eight road starts.

8* play on NY Mets. 

SUPER EARLY MLB BIG HITTER (RUNLINE)

The Tampa Bay Rays have opened the season with nine wins in 12 games and they're 4-1 in the road. That includes a 10-5 win over the Chicago White Sox Tuesday afternoon, and I expect the Rays bats to stay hot here against White Sox right-hander Reynaldo Lopez. 

Lopez (0-1, 10.00 ERA) was tagged with six runs and six hits over five innings. He'll go toe-to-toe with Rays' right-hander Tyler Glasnow (2-0, 0.82 ERA) who was poor during spring training but has turned up the heat when it matters. Glasnow has allowed just one earned run on nine hits through 11 innings and shut out the Giants over six frames last time out.

The White Sox's relievers rank dead last in the major leagues with a 6.72 ERA. Let's roll with the Rays for a second straight day. 

10* play on Tampa Bay Rays. 

EARLY TOP RATED 10* MLB RUNLINE RIPPER

The Tampa Bay Rays are 8-3 on the season following a 5-1 victory in the opener of a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox on Monday. They're 5-2 SU and against the runline as a favorite on the season, and I think we're getting good value on the Rays to win by at least two runs today. 

The White Sox hand the ball to right-hander Ervin Santana (2018: 0-1, 8.03 ERA) for his team debut. Santana made just five starts with Minnesota last year due to various injuries and might be on a pitch count in this contest. He has posted a 5.31 ERA in 17 starts versus the Rays and I think they'll chase him off the mound early here, only for one of the worst bullpens in baseball to take over. 

The Rays counter with veteran right-hander Charlie Morton (1-0, 1.64 ERA) who has opened the season strong, allowing just a pair of runs with 14 strikeouts through 11 innings of work.

The White Sox are 2-11 in their last 13 after allowing five runs or more in their previous game and 1-7 in their last 8 home games vs. a right-handed starter.

10* play on Tampa Bay Rays. 

SUPER EARLY MLB MONEYLINE MASSACRE

The Cleveland Indians are coming off a four-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays. They've not lost since two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber (0-2, 5.23 ERA) got roughed up in an 8-3 loss to the White Sox on April 3 his last time out, but I think Kluber will bounce back with a big outing today. 

We can note that Kluber limited Detroit to three runs on 12 hits through 23 1/3 innings of work last season and the Tribe have won each of his last five starts against the Tigers. 

Detroit hands the ball to Jordan Zimmermann (0-0, 0.66 ERA) who has started the season with a pair of solid outings, but he is 0-5 with a horrendous 11.08 ERA in seven career starts against Cleveland. Cleveland's Jose Ramirez is 5-for-10 with a pair of triples, a homer and five RBI off the veteran right-hander. 

8* play on Cleveland Indians. 

LATE BALLPARK BOOKIE BLASTER

Atlanta has won five of its last six games, and I like the price we get on the Braves here at Coors Field Monday night. 

Colorado's Kyle Freeland (1-1, 2.31 ERA) has posted a 4.13 ERA in four career starts against the Atlanta, and the current Braves are batting a combined .328 over 64 at bats against him. Nick Markakis is 5-for-11 with a pair of homers off the 25 year old southpaw. 

Atlanta right-hander Julio Teheran (0-1, 3.60 ERA) is 5-1 with a 2.25 ERA through 10 career starts against Colorado and the Braves are 5-1 in his last six starts vs. a team with a losing record.

The Rockies are off to a disappointing 3-7 start to the season and I'm not even sure they should even be the favorite in this matchup. 

8* play on Atlanta Braves. 

TOP RATED 10* MLB BIG HITTER

The Seattle Mariners have scored scored eight or more runs in six games on their way to a 9-2 record. They scored a total of 29 runs through their three-game series against the Chicago White Sox over the weekend, and I like the Mariners to stay hot at the plate here against KC right-hander Homer Bailey. 

Bailey (0-0, 5.40) was tagged with three runs in five innings against Minnesota in his season opener. He might not be able to count on much back up from a Royals' pen that has allowed 21 runs on 29 hits and 21 walks in 23 1/3 innings for an 8.10 ERA. 

Felix Hernandez (1-0, 1.69 ERA) will take the ball for Seattle. The veteran right-hander posted a 5.55 ERA last year but was sharp in his first start of 2019, giving up just one earned run over 5 1/3 innings against the Dodgers. Hernandez owns a 3.26 ERA in 16 career starts against the Royals. 

The Mariners are 5-0 in the last five head-to-head meetings with KC.

10* play on Seattle Mariners. 

SUPER EARLY MLB MONEYLINE MASSACRE

The Chicago White Sox won just one of three games against Seattle and gave up a grand total of 29 runs during their first home series of the season this weekend. While I doubt they'll get roughed up quite like that on the mound here Monday afternoon, I still think they'll come up short. 

Tampa Bay left-hander Blake Snell (1-1, 3.46 ERA), the reigning American League Cy Young winner, is 2-0 behind a minuscule 0.93 ERA in four career starts against the White Sox who are 9-25 in their last 34 home games vs. a left-handed starter.

The Rays' pitching staff has held opponents to two runs or fewer in eight of their past nine games and their bullpen's ERA of 1.88 is the best in baseball this season. 

Carlos Rodon (1-1, 1.59 ERA) will take the ball for the White Sox. He allowed just one unearned run on two hits over six innings against the Cleveland Indians last time out, but note that the Rays are 20-8 in their last 28 games vs. a left-handed starter. 

It's also worth pointing out that the White Sox's bullpen owns a ghastly 6.52 ERA on the season.

8* play on Tampa Bay Rays. 

MLB 3-PACK - MARINERS @ WHITE SOX BOOKIE BLASTER

The Seattle Mariners are 8-2 on the year following a 9-2 triumph over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday. They look good to pick up another win here in the finale of this three-game set with 34 year old southpaw Wade LeBlanc on the mound. 

LeBlanc (1-0, 6.75 ERA) was roughed up for six runs by Boston last Sunday but was still rewarded with the W. He is 1-0 with a 2.35 in five career appearances (two starts) against the White Sox who hand the ball to Ivan Nova (0-0, 1.29 ERA) who was dominant against Cleveland in his season debut, but Nova is 0-0 with a 3.94 ERA in three career starts against the Mariners. 

Seattle leads the majors with 24 homers on the season, and I see no reason to pass up on arguably the hottest team in baseball.

8* play on Seattle Mariners. 

SUNDAY AFTERNOON MLB MONEYLINE MASSACRE

The Washington Nationals and the New York Mets are all tied at 1-1 in this three-game series following a 6-5 Mets win on Saturday. The Mets homered five times(!) in yesterday's triumph but figure to have less success here against Max Scherzer (0-2, 2.13 ERA). 

The Nats right-hander has been a hard-luck loser in both starts this season as he's allowed just four runs (three earned) through 12 2/2 innings of work. Scherzer allowed both runs in a 2-0 loss to the Mets on Opening Day but also struck out 12 batters in his 7 2/3 frames on the mound. The Nationals are 5-0 in Scherzer's last five starts here at Citi Field.

The Mets turn to Zack Wheeler (0-0, 7.20 ERA) who gave up four runs in five innings against the Nationals in his lone start of the season so far. I expect the Nats to knock him around early and give Scherzer the run support he deserves.

8* play on Washington Nationals. 

SUPER EARLY ROYALS @ TIGERS TOTAL

The Detroit Tigers enter this matchup riding a four-game winning streak following a 7-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday. The Royals have played six straight overs since an Opening Day under, but I think we'll see a fairly low-scoring contest here Sunday afternoon. 

KC right-hander Brad Keller (1-0, 2.08 ERA) tossed seven scoreless innings against the White Sox in his season opener before surrendering three runs in six innings against Minnesota. He is 1-1 with a 1.80 ERA through 10 innings pitched against the Tigers in his career. Under is 7-2 in Tigers last nine games vs. a right-handed starter, and their own right-hander Tyson Ross (0-1, 3.60 ERA) has posted a 3.00 ERA in 12 career innings against the Royals. 

The Tigers had opened the season with seven straight unders coming into this series, and I think the bats will cool off for both sides today. 

8* play on UNDER. 

EARLY TOP RATED 10* MLB BIG HITTER

The St. Louis Cardinals took a 5-3 loss to San Diego in their home opener Friday afternoon. I like the Cards to bounce back and even the three-game series with a triumph today with Michael Wacha on the mound. 

Wacha (0-0, 1.50 ERA) has limited the Padres to nine runs (eight earned) on 24 hits and 11 walks with 20 Ks through five career starts covering 31 frames. He held Milwaukee to one run through six innings in his season debut. 

The Friars counter with rookie right-hander Chris Paddack (0-0, 1.80 ERA) who was solid in his MLB debut, holding the Giants to one run and two hits in five innings of work. We can however note that San Francisco has scored only 19 runs in eight games on the season, and this will be much tougher test for Paddack who will face a Cards team that has averaged a respectable 4.71 rpg in seven games. 

Cardinals are 7-2 in Wacha's last nine home starts. Padres are 6-21 in their last 27 during Game 2 of a series.

10* play on St. Louis Cardinals. 

ROYALS @ TIGERS DAYTIME DESTROYER

The Detroit Tigers claimed the first game of this three-game series with the Kansas City Royals 5-4 on Thursday. The two teams got Friday off, but I think the Royals will tie up the series here in Game 2 Saturday afternoon. 

The Royals are 4-0 in their last four games vs. a left-handed starter and here the they will face Tigers' southpaw Matt Moore (0-0, 0.00 ERA) who is 0-2 with a 5.91 ERA in four career starts against the Royals and likely to have a letdown game after tossing seven scoreless frames against the Blue Jays in his season opener. 

On the flip side, I expect Royals' right-hander Jorge Lopez (0-1, 7.20 ERA) to bounce back after getting knocked around in his first start of the season. All in all, good price to back the visitors.

8* play on Kansas City Royals. 

EARLY TOP RATED 10* MLB BIG HITTER

The Seattle Mariners are off to the best start in franchise history, entering Friday 7-1 on the season. 

I think we're getting good value on the M's here Friday afternoon as they visit a Chicago White Sox team that will send out right-hander Reynaldo Lopez to the mound. 

The 25 year old Lopez (0-1, 9.00 ERA) was tagged with five runs in five innings against Seattle in 2018. He gave up four runs on six hits and four walks through four innings of an 8-6 loss at Kansas City in his season debut.

Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (0-0, 2.53 ERA) will take the ball for Seattle for his third major league start. He held both Oakland and Boston in check through the first two and owns an 8/1 K/BB ratio over 10 2/3 innings of work. 

The White Sox are 2-9 in their last 11 home games and we can note that they have committed a total to eight errors in five games this season.

10* play on Seattle Mariners. 

THURSDAY NIGHT CUBS @ BRAVES BANKROLL BUILDER

I like the Chicago Cubs to come through with a big performance here as they seek to snap a four-game losing streak and deny the Braves to complete the sweep this three-game series. 

Cubs right-hander Yu Darvish (0-0, 10.13 ERA) was coming off a solid spring (2.25 ERA) but walked seven hitters and was knocked around for three runs in 2 2/3 innings in his season debut. He's so much better than that and has this Atlanta team limited to a .216  batting average. 

The Braves hand the ball to left-hander Max Fried (0-0, 0.00 ERA). Fried has logged 1 2/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen but will make his first start for the season here. 

The Cubs must be very disappointed with their 1-4 record and the books are giving us a good price on Chicago here due to its slow start.

8* play on Chicago Cubs. 

SUPER EARLY MLB DAYTIME DESTROYER

The Kansas City opened the season with a pair of wins but have lost three straight since. I think they'll get back to .500 with a win here in the opener of a three-game series with the Detroit Tigers Thursday afternoon. 

Royals right-hander Jake Junis (1-0, 4.76 ERA) pitched five scoreless innings before giving up a three-run homer in an 8-6 win over Chicago White Sox in his season debut. Junis was 4-0 with a 1.95 ERA in five starts against Detroit last season and has posted a 6-1 record behind an 3.12 ERA in eight career meetings. 

Tigers right-hander Spencer Turnbull (0-1, 5.40 ERA) made his major league debut with Detroit in September and owns a 6.20 ERA in four career starts. He's still without a major league win.

8* play on Kansas City Royals. 

SUPER EARLY TOP RATED 10* MLB MONEYLINE MASSACRE

The New York Mets are 5-1 on the season and have scored 6+ runs in three straight games. They picked up an 11-8 win at Washington last week in a matchup where both Stephen Strasburg and Noah Syndergaard allowed four runs over six innings. I predict another Mets win today. 

Syndergaard (0-0, 6.00 ERA) went 8-1 behind an 2.87 ERA in 13 home starts last season while fanning 80 through 78 1/3 innings of work. Particularly impressive considering he more often than not were opposed by elite pitchers. Syndergaard held the Nats to four runs in 12 innings over two outings.

Strasburg (0-0, 6.00 ERA) was tagged with four runs through six innings against the Mets in 2018. The Nats bullpen has been very suspect so far this season and ranks in the bottom three of the major leagues with a 6.60 ERA. Even if the Mets can't get to Strasburg, I'm sure they'll score plenty late in the game to earn the win. 

10* play on New York Mets. 

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON MONEYLINE MASSACRE

The Minnesota Twins are 3-1 on the season following a 5-4 victory in 10 innings here at KC on Tuesday night. 

I think they'll prove well worth the price here, facing right-hander Homer Bailey (2018: 1-14, 6.09 ERA) who might be coming off an impressive spring, but he had a disastrous campaign with Cincinnati in 2018 during which he went 0-9 with a 6.52 ERA in his final 11 starts. The Twins turn to right-hander Kyle Gibson (2018: 10-13, 3.62 ERA) who is 7-5 behind a 3.59 ERA in 18 career turns against Kansas City and owns a 3.43 ERA in 10 starts at Kauffman Stadium. 

The Twins are 7-2 in Gibson's last nine starts vs. the Royals and I don't think we'll even need him to have a particularly good game here for Minnesota to win this one. Fade Homer Bailey is the play.

8* play on Minnesota Twins. 

MLB DAYTIME DESTROYER

The Philadelphia Phillies have hit 10 home runs and scored 31 runs through a perfect 4-0 start to the season, and they look like a solid road favorite here in the finale of this two-game set at Washington Wednesday afternoon. 

The Nationals' hand the ball to Anibal Sanchez (2018: 7-6, 2.83 ERA) for his first start since coming over from Atlanta during the off-season. The veteran right-hander is 5-9 with a 4.50 ERA in 20 career starts versus the Phillies who counter with right-hander Aaron Nola (1-0, 1.50 ERA). Nola held Atlanta to one run on two hits in six innings while fanning eight and walking five on Opening Day. He was 3-1 with a 2.14 ERA against the Nats last season while fanning 35 batters through 33 2/3 innings of work. 

Bryce Harper, now with the Phillies, had three hits (including a 458-foot home run) in last night's 8-2 Phillies win here at Nationals Park. "It was pretty cool. My teammates and staff of the Phillies, I respect them so much," Harper said afterwards. "It was an emotional day. You just try to go about it the right way. I just try to go out there and play my game."

8* play on Philadelphia Phillies. 

MLB MIDNIGHT MASSACRE

The Seattle Mariners' red hot bats have led them to an American League-best record of 6-1, including three triumphs against the defending World Series champions Boston Red Sox. The Mariners posted a 6-3 triumph over the LA Angels last night and look good to also claim the finale of this two-game series tonight. 

Seattle left-hander Marco Gonzales (2-0, 4.76 ERA) was 3-0 with a 3.34 ERA in six starts versus the Angels last season, and he must be encouraged knowing that the Halos have scored just six runs during a three-losing streak. We can also note that Angels are 7-15 in their last 22 road games vs. a left-handed starter.

Trevor Cahill (0-1, 6.00 ERA) will take the ball for LAA. He was tagged with four runs in six innings of a 4-1 loss to his former team Oakland in his first start of the season. 

The Angels are 1-6 in the last seven meetings in Seattle and 1-9 in their last 10 road games.

8* play on Seattle Mariners. 

TUESDAY NIGHT MLB TOTAL

The Kansas City Royals opened the season with a high-scoring series opposing the Chicago White Sox. Here they'll host a Minnesota team that put a 9-3 beating on Cleveland last time out. "It was a good day offensively for the whole group," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. "You can look up and down the lineup, it was fun to watch."

I think we'll see a decent amount of action over the plate for both sides in this contest. 

Minnesota right-hander Jose Berrios (1-0, 0.00 ERA) struck out 10 while holding the Cleveland Indians to two hits over 7 2/3 scoreless innings home at Target Field in his season debut. We can however note that the 24 year old posted a 4.85 ERA in 15 road starts last season and over is 4-1 in Berrios' last five road starts. 

The Royals hand the ball to right-hander Brad Keller (1-0, 0.00 ERA) who held the White Sox to one walk and two hits through seven scoreless innings on Opening Day. To me it looks like the books have set the total too low here though, putting way to much emphasis on the two pitchers Opening Day performances. We can also note that over is 4-0 in the last four meetings at Kauffman.

8* play on OVER. 

MLB MONEYLINE MASSACRE

The Tampa Bay Rays are 4-1 on the season following a 7-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies Monday night. I like the price we get on the Rockies to bounce back here in Game 2 of the series with left-hander Kyle Freeland (1-0, 1.29 ERA) on the mound. 

Freeland will make his first career start against the Rays, but he's an undefeated 6-0 with a 1.78 ERA in eight career interleague starts. In his first start of the season, Freeland allowed just a pair of hits as he cruised through seven innings of one-run ball at Miami.

The Rays turn to left-hander Blake Snell (0-1, 7.50 ERA) who served up three homers through six innings of a 5-1 loss to Houston on Opening Day. While the reigning American League Cy Young no doubt is better than that, I would not be surprised to see the Rockies get to him as well. 

8* play on Colorado Rockies. 

MLB MIDNIGHT MASSACRE

The Seattle Mariners are averaging 8.00 runs per game on the season, and I think their bats will stay hot here when hosting the LA Angels Monday night. 

They'll come up against Angels' right-hander Chris Stratton (2018: 10-10, 5.09 ERA) who will make his team debut since coming over from San Francisco. Stratton will make his first career start against the Mariners and was 4-7 with a 5.45 ERA in 13 road starts last season.

Felix Hernandez (2018: 8-14, 5.55 ERA) will take the ball for Seattle. He endured a difficult second half of 2018 and is 0-8 with a 6.34 ERA in 11 games since his last victory back in June.

I expect Hernandez to enter the new campaign focused and determined to show the world he's not done yet. He'll no doubt be encouraged by the fact that the Angels have totaled just nine runs through their first four games.  

The Mariners have won five of the last six meetings when hosting the Halos. 

8* play on Seattle Mariners. 

GAME OF THE MONTH (MLB): MIKE'S TOP RATED MARCH MLB TOTAL

As if there was ever any doubt, both teams have proven well capable of scoring runs here early in the season. The Mariners claimed the series opener 12-4 before Boston tied the series with a come-from-behind 7-6 triumph Friday night, and I think Game 3 will see plenty of action over the plate as well. 

Boston left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (2018: 13-5, 3.82 ERA) was reached for seven runs (six earned) on 13 hits in 10 innings of work against Seattle last season. Over is 4-0 in Mariners last four home games vs. a left-handed starter.

The Mariners turn to Mike Leake (10-10, 4.36 ERA) who posted a 3.21 ERA covering 14 innings in a pair of starts against the Red Sox last season. The right-hander has however struggled throughout spring training and was charged with 11 earned runs over his last three starts. Over is 12-4-2 in Red Sox last 18 games vs. a right-handed starter.

Xander Bogaerts was 1-for-3 with a homer in Friday's matchup and has five hits in 12 at bats against Leake. 

10* play on OVER. 

EARLY METS @ NATS DAYTIME DESTROYER (1:05 PM ET)

The New York Mets held the Washington Nationals to just five hits in a 2-0 triumph on Opening Day. The teams got Friday off but will be back in action Saturday afternoon. I like the price we get on the visitors to take a 2-0 lead in this series at Nationals Park with another win.  

The Mets are 16-5 in their last 21 after scoring two runs or fewer in their previous game and hand the ball to right-hander Noah Syndergaard (2018: 13-4, 3.03 ERA). He was 5-1 behind a 2.26 ERA in 10 day starts in 2018 and held the Nats to four runs through 12 innings over two starts. 

The Nats turn to Stephen Strasburg (10-7, 3.74 ERA) who was 3-2 with a 3.19 ERA in six day starts last season and was charged with four runs on five hits (two homers) in six innings in his lone start against the Mets. 

NYM's Yoenis Cespedes is 9-for-18 in previous matchups with Strasburg and Robinson Cano drove in two runs in Thursday's matchup with the Nats.

8* play on New York Mets. 

TOP RATED 10* LATE NIGHT BATTERS BONANZA (TOTAL)

The Seattle Mariners' bats have been spitting fire through their first three games of the season. They opened the campaign by scoring 14 runs in pair of wins against Oakland in Japan and put a 12-4 beating on the Boston Red Sox on the "official" Opening Day on Thursday.

Here they'll face right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (2018: 6-7, 3.81 ERA) who admittedly was excellent in the postseason and a big reason Boston eventually won the World Series, but note that over is 6-2 in Eovaldi's last eight road starts. 

Seattle turns to Yusei Kikuchi (0-0, 1.93 ERA) who limited the A's to two runs (one earned) and four hits through 4 2/3 innings in his MLB debut. Another relatively short start will put a lot of pressure on Mariners' bullpen, and I think the Red Sox will get to the rookie early. 

Over is 8-3 in umpire Alfonso Marquez's last 11 games behind home plate in games involving Boston and 5-2 in his last seven games behind home plate in games involving Seattle. Over is 18-6-2 in Red Sox last 26 games following a loss.

10* play on OVER. 

MLB MONEYLINE MASSACRE

The Houston Astros put a 5-1 beating on the Tampa Bay Rays on Opening Day. I like the Rays to bounce back here in Game 2 of the series Friday night. 

The Rays hand the ball to right-hander Charlie Morton (2018: 15-3, 3.13 ERA) for his first start for the club. The former Astro should be pumped up for this game, facing the team he helped win the 2017 World Series and compiled a 29-10 record behind a 3.36 ERA in 55 starts with over the last two seasons. "It's a group of guys I care a lot about," Morton told the Tampa Bay Times. "It's an organization I was proud to be a part of. To pitch against them, yeah, I absolutely expect to feel some emotion. And I think that's normal when you're pitching against a group of guys who mean a lot to you and you respect a lot."

The Astros counter with right-hander Gerrit Cole (2018: 15-5, 2.88 ERA) who is no doubt a stud, but he went 0-1 with a 3.46 ERA in two starts against the Rays last year. 

The Rays are 10-2 in their last 12 games following a loss and 9-2 in their last 11 after scoring two runs or less in their previous game. While those trends date back to last season, I still think they're worth taking into consideration here.

8* play on Tampa Bay Rays. 

OPENING DAY MLB MONEYLINE MASSACRE

I like the Colorado Rockies to the season started with a win here at Miami on Thursday. 

The Marlins hand the ball to right-hander Jose Urena who was reached for five runs on six hits and four walks through four innigns in an 8-4 loss to the Cubs in Miami's season opener last year. He posted a 3.38 ERA and a 9:5 K/BB ratio through 10 2/3 frames in spring training.

Colorado counters with left-hander Kyle Freeland who is coming off a breakout season in which he went 17-7 with a 2.85 ERA, an earned run average that set a franchise record for a full-season starter. Freeland went 4-1 with a 4.12 ERA in spring traning but recorded 19 Ks through 19 2/3 innings of work. 

The Rockies are 5-1 in Freeland's last six road starts while the Marlins are 1-7 in their last eight home games vs. a left-handed starter, and pitching aside, Colorado simply has too much firepower for Miami to keep up with. 

8* play on Colorado Rockies. 

NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL DAYTIME DESTROYER

The St. Louis Cardinals look like a great underdog here in their season opener at Milwaukee. 

Brew Crew right-hander Jhoulys Chacín (2018: 15-8, 3.50 ERA) has struggled throughout his career versus the Cardinals, going 2-7 with a 5.72 ERA in 11 career appearances. Brewers are 1-4 in Chacin's last five home starts.

St. Louis right-hander Miles Mikolas (2018: 18-4, 2.83 ERA) on the other hand is coming off a career year which included a 3-0 record behind a 4.01 ERA in four starts against the Brewers. Cardinals are 13-3 in Mikolas' last 16 road starts.

St. Louis belted 205 homers last season, fourth-best in the NL, and has since added more firepower to the team by acquiring six-time All-Star Paul Goldschmidt from Arizona. 

8* play on St. Louis Cardinals. 

GAME OF THE YEAR (MLB): MIKE'S WORLD SERIES GAME 1 *BEST BET* TOTAL

I think we'll see a fair amount of runs scored when the Boston Red Sox host the LA Dodgers in the opener of the 2018 World Seris Tuesday night. 

Boston left-hander Chris Sale owns a 5.85 ERA in five career postseason appearances while Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw has posted a 4.09 ERA in 28 career playoff appearances. Over is 11-3 in Red Sox last 14 interleague games vs. a left-handed starter. Over is 8-2 in Dodgers last 10 road games vs. a left-handed starter.

The Dodgers have averaged 3.9 rpg through 11 games in the playoffs while Boston has averaged 6.22 rpg. 

10* play on OVER. 

GAME OF THE MONTH (MLB): MIKE'S BEST BASES TOTAL BET FOR OCTOBER!

The Boston Red Sox beat the Houston Astros 8-2 on Tuesday for a 2-1 series lead, much thanks to a Jackie Bradley Jr. grand slam in the 8th inning. I think runs will come fairly easy for both teams here in Game 4 of the series. 

Boston right-hander Rick Porcello (17-7, 4.28 ERA) has allowed only one run through three outings covering 6 2/3 innings in the postseason this year, but he was tagged with seven runs (six earned) on 12 hits in as many innings against Houston during the regular season. Houston right-hander Charlie Morton (15-3, 3.13 ERA) made two starts against Boston and was charged with eight runs on 16 hits through 10 1/3 innings of work. 

Trends supporting the over: Over is 14-3-1 in Red Sox last 18 overall. Over is 14-2-1 in Astros last 17 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings at Minute Maid Park.

10* play on OVER.

RED SOX @ ASTROS BIG HITTER (10* TOP PLAY)

The Boston Red Sox dropped Game 1 of the ALCS 7-2 but bounced back with a 7-5 triumph Sunday. I don't see them upsetting the Astros here at Minute Maid Park though and I'm happy to back the home team at this price. 

Houston left-hander Dallas Keuchel (12-11, 3.74 ERA) will take the mound on seven days of rest since his start in Game 3 of the ALDS against the Cleveland Indians. The 30 year old does not have a great career record against Boston, but he should still be able to out-duel Boston right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (6-7, 3.81 ERA) who was just 2-6 with a 5.14 ERA in 13 road starts during the regular season. We can also note that Eovaldi served up four homers in six innings of a 5-1 loss when he visited Houston on June 20. 

Trends supporting Houston: Astros are 10-1 in their last 11 games following a loss, 13-3 in their last 16 home games and 4-0 in Keuchel's last four starts with seven or more days of rest.

10* play on Houston Astros. 

TUESDAY 5-PACK

The Boston Red Sox dropped Game 1 of the ALCS 7-2 but bounced back with a 7-5 triumph Sunday. I don't see them upsetting the Astros here at Minute Maid Park though and I'm happy to back the home team at this price. I also think we'll see a fair amount of runs scored so I'm also recommending a play on the over. 

Houston left-hander Dallas Keuchel (12-11, 3.74 ERA) will take the mound on seven days of rest since his start in Game 3 of the ALDS against the Cleveland Indians. The 30 year old does not have a great career record against Boston, but he should still be able to out-duel Boston right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (6-7, 3.81 ERA) who was just 2-6 with a 5.14 ERA in 13 road starts during the regular season. We can also note that Eovaldi served up four homers in six innings of a 5-1 loss when he visited Houston on June 20. 

Trends supporting Houston: Astros are 10-1 in their last 11 games following a loss, 13-3 in their last 16 home games and 4-0 in Keuchel's last four starts with seven or more days of rest.

Trends supporting the over: Over is 11-3 in Red Sox last 14 vs. a team with a winning record and 6-2-2 in Eovaldi's last 10 starts overall. Over is 7-0 in Astros last seven home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.

8* play on OVER. 

GAME OF THE YEAR (MLB): MIKE'S ASTROS @ RED SOX BEST PLAYOFF BET 2018

The Houston Astros look primed for another World Series appearance following a 7-2 beatdown of Boston in Beantown Saturday night. Game 2 of the best-of-seven series goes Sunday night, and I think Houston will get the better of the Red Sox tonight as well. 

Houston right-hander Gerrit Cole (1-0, 1.29 ERA) put up a dominant display in the ALDS with 12 strikeouts through seven frames while allowing only one run on three hits to defeat Cleveland. Boston left-hander David Price (0-1, 16.20 ERA) wasn't quite as successful his last time out, giving up three runs on three hits (two homers) and a pair of walks in less than two innings of work. He' 0-9 with a 6.03 ERA in 10 career postseason starts and Astros are 12-3 in their last 15 games vs. a left-handed starter. 

10* play on Houston Astros. 

ASTROS @ RED SOX SATURDAY 10* MLB PLAY OF THE DAY

I think the Houston Astros look like great value as they visit Boston Red Sox for the opener of their American League Championship Series Saturday night.

Houston right-hander Justin Verlander held Cleveland to a pair of runs on as many hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 7-2 win in the ALDS. He was 12-2 with a 2.14 ERA in 15 road starts during the regular season and has the current Red Sox hitters limited to a .211 batting average over 171 at bats. 

Boston hands the ball to Chris Sale who held the Yankees to two runs through a combined 6 1/3 innings in a start and one relief effort in their ALDS. He gave up four runs in six frames of a 7-3 loss at Houston on June 1 and was rocked for for seven runs including three home runs in five innings in Game 1 of last year's ALDS vs. the Astros. 

10* play on Houston Astros. 

The Milwaukee Brewers enter the National League Championship Series as winners of 11 straight, including a 3-0 sweep of the Rockies in the NLDS. I think their streak will come to an end here though against the LA Dodgers who will send left-hander Clayton Kershaw to the mound in the series opener. Kershaw limited Atlanta to two hits through eight scoreless innings his last time out and owns a 4-1 record behind a 1.40 ERA in seven career starts at Miller Park.

Milwaukee hands the ball to left-hander Gio Gonzalez who has stepped up his game since coming over from Washington, but I think he'll find it hard to slow down the Dodgers' bats.

The Dodgers homered eight times during their four-game series against the Braves and I think they'll prove well worth the price in this matchup. 

8* play on LA Dodgers.

GAME OF THE WEEK (MLB) - MIKE'S ASTROS @ INDIANS BEST BET ~ 10* SIDE!

I think this is a great price on the Houston Astros to complete the sweep of this ALDS and move on to the American League Championship Series. They've outscored Cleveland 10-3 through the first two games of the series and Houston left-hander Dallas Keuchel (12-11, 3.74 ERA) owns a 4-1 record with a 2.79 ERA in eight lifetime appearances against the Tribe. He is 4-2 with a 3.24 ERA in eight postseason appearances (seven starts) and Indians are just 2-7 in their last nine home games vs. a left-handed starter.

Meanwhile, Cleveland right-hander Mike Clevinger (13-8, 3.02 ERA) has never started a postseason game before but has given up six runs, five earned, five hits, including two home runs in six relief appearances. In two starts against the Astros this year, he went 0-2 with a 6.17 ERA and the Indians are 2-7 in Clevinger's last nine starts vs. a team with a winning record.

10* play on Houston Astros. 

GAME OF THE WEEK (MLB): MIKE'S TOP RATED 10* TOTAL

The LA Dodgers head to Atlanta with a commanding lead in this NLDS after shutting out the Braves in each of the first two games.

Here the Braves will face right-hander Walker Buehler (8-5, 2.62 ERA) who pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings Monday in the NL West tiebreaker against Colorado and he held the Braves to a run and two hits over 5 1/3 innings at Los Angeles on June 8. Atlanta hands the ball to left-hander Sean Newcomb (12-9, 3.90 ERA) pitched a no-hitter through 8 2/3 innings against the Dodgers in Atlanta on July 29. 

Under is 6-2-1 in Dodgers last nine playoff road games. Under is 5-0-1 in Buehler's last six starts overall.

10* play on UNDER. 

INDIANS @ ASTROS DAYTIME DESTROYER

In this matchup the Houston Astros will host the Cleveland Indians for the second game of the their ALDS. The Astros took command of the series with a 7-2 triumph on Friday and I like them  to come through with another win here Saturday afternoon. 

Houston right-hander Gerrit Cole (15-5, 2.81) has been solid home at Minute Maid Park this season, entering the playoffs with an 8-2 record behind a 2.99 ERA in 15 starts. He struck out eight while allowing three runs on four hits against Cleveland back in May. 

Cleveland right-hander Carlos Carrasco (17-10, 3.38 ERA) has been tagged with eight runs in 13 1/3 frames against Houston this season. Indians are 1-4 in Carrasco's last five road starts vs. a team with a winning record.

8* play on Houston Astros. 

FRIDAY MLB MONEYLINE MASSACRE

In this matchup the Houston Astros will host the Cleveland Indians for the opener of their ALDS. I like them home team to come through with a win with veteran right-hander Justin Verlander on the mound. 

Verlander (16-9, 2.52 ERA), who did not crossmatch against the Indians this season, enters the postseason red hot after going 3-0 with a 1.09 ERA over five September starts. The Indians turn to right-hander Corey Kluber (20-7, 2.89 ERA) who finished 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA over two starts against the Astros this season, but he was tagged with three runs in five innings at Kansas City his last time out. For the season, Kluber posted a 3.80 ERA in 16 road starts compared to a 2.14 ERA at home and we can note that he gave up nine runs over 6 1/3 innings in the playoffs last season. 

Indians are 2-5 in Kluber's last seven starts vs. a team with a winning record. Astros are 13-6 in Verlander's last 19 starts vs. a team with a winning record.

8* play on Houston Astros. 

THURSDAY NIGHT BRAVES @ DODGERS NLDS TOTAL

I think runs will come at a premium for both teams when the LA Dodgers host the Atlanta Braves for the opener of their National League Divisional Series Thursday night. 

Hyun-Jin Ryu (7-3, 1.97 ERA) will take the ball for the Dodgers. The South Korean southpaw missed 3 1/2 months of the season with a groin strain and should be relatively fresh for the postseason. This will be his first start against Atlanta in 2018. 

The Braves hand the ball to right-hander Mike Foltynewicz (13-10, 2.85 ERA). He was even more effective on the road than at home during the regular season, posting a 2.48 ERA in 15 starts away from home. I think he'll be able to handle the Dodgers' bats and it's also worth mentioning that rested bullpens naturally will favor a low-scoring game. 

Under is 17-5-1 in Dodgers last 23 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Under is 11-5-1 in Dodgers last 17 games following an off day.

8* play on UNDER. 

ATHLETICS @ YANKEES RUNLINE RIPPER

The NY Yankees host the Oakland Athletics in the American League Wild Card game Tuesday night. I think the bookmakers have made the home team too big of a favorite in this matchup and I'm happy to take the extra run and half on Oakland at this price. 

Oakland will head to the Bronx filled with confidence knowing that they reached Yankees right-hander Luis Severino (19-8, 3.39 ERA) for six runs (five earned) on six hits and a walk in 2 2/3 innings last month. Severino was razor sharp before the All Star break but only 5-6 with a 5.57 ERA in his last 12 starts and he is 1-1 with a 5.63 ERA in four postseason starts. 

The A's will not use a traditional starter but instead utilize an opener in Liam Hendricks (0-1, 4.13 ERA). Hendricks' will be backed up by veteran starters Edwin Jackson and Mike Fiers along with relievers Fernando Rodney, Jeurys Familia, Shawn Kelley and closer Blake Treinen among others. Note that Oakland used the opener technique nine times in September and went 4-5 with a 1.86 ERA in those games.

10* play on Oakland Athletics +1.5. 

GAME OF THE WEEK (MLB) - MIKE'S TOP RATED ROCKIES @ CUBS BEST BET

The Colorado Rockies had won nine of 10 games prior to Monday’s loss to the LA Dodgers in the tiebreaker for the NL West title. I think they'll get back to their winning ways here in the Wild Card game against the Chicago Cubs. 

The Cubs spent a lot of energy and arms out of the bullpen in their 3-1 loss to Milwaukee in the NL Central tiebreaker yesterday. Tonight's starter, right-hander Jon Lester (18-6, 3.32 ERA) has held two of his last three opponents scoreless and allowed only two runs during that stretch. It's one thing to face Cincinnati, Chicago White Sod and Pittsburgh and a whole other thing to take on Colorado's red hot bats. 

Rockies right-hander Kyle Freeland (17-7, 2.85 ERA) is 9-1 with a 2.41 ERA in 14 starts since the All-Star break. Rockies are 12-2 in Freeland's last 14 starts vs. a team with a winning record and 21-6 in his last 27 starts overall.

I like the price we get on the visitors in the National League Wild Card game. 

10* play on Colorado Rockies. 

ROCKIES @ DODGERS TOTAL 

The LA Dodgers will host the Colorado Rockies for a one-game playoff to decide the National League West title Monday afternoon. Both teams have been red hot at the plate down the stretch, and I think the total for this contest is set way too low. 

Sure, both starters, Rockies right-hander German Marquez (14-10, 3.76 ERA) and Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler (7-5, 2.76 ERA), are solid pitchers with good numbers against today's opponent, but this not being a one-and-done game makes it an awkward situation. 

The loser will play a Wild Card game tomorrow, and the losing team might opt to rest their best relievers if things go wrong early today.

8* play on OVER. 

BREWERS @ CUBS BOOKIE BREAKER

The winner of this contest will move on to the NLDS while the loser will face either the Rockies or the Dodgers in a Wild Card game tomorrow. 

I like the price we get on the Brewers here as I think the early first pitch will benefit the visitors. 

Brewers right-hander Jhoulys Chacin (15-8, 3.56 ERA) is 4-2 with a 2.96 ERA in 10 day starts on the season while Cubs' left-hander Jose Quintana (13-11, 4.09 ERA) owns a 5.32 ERA in 17 day starts. Brew Crew also have a psychological advantage having won seven straight overall and seven of the last 10 meetings with the Cubs. 

8* play on Milwaukee Brewers. 

SATURDAY NIGHT MLB TOP PLAY (10* MONEYLINE) TESTS 9-3 RUN!

The red hot Colorado Rockies have won eight straight games. They clinched a postseason berth with a 5-2 win Friday night but will most likely need to win their last two games of the regular season in order to hold on to their one-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West. 

I think the Rockies keep rolling here with Jon Gray (12-8, 4.91 ERA) on the mound. The right-hander held Philadelphia to one run and four hits over seven innings of a 10-1 victory his last time out and he owns a 7-3 record and 4.50 ERA in 15 starts at Coors Field this season.

The Nats turn to right-hander Stephen Strasburg (9-7, 3.77 ERA) who has struggled at Coors Field throughout his career, going 1-3 behind a 7.20 ERA in four appearances.

10* play on Colorado Rockies. 

FRIDAY NIGHT BASES BLOWOUT (TOTAL)

The Kansas City Royals are going for a fifth straight win when they host the Cleveland Indians Friday night. I don't think runs will come easy for KC though, coming up against Cleveland righty Mike Clevinger (12-8, 3.07 ERA) who owns a 2.37 ERA in nine career appearances (eight starts) against the Royals. Right-hander Ian Kennedy (3-8, 4.59 ERA) will take the mound for the home team. After missing nearly two months with an oblique strain, Kennedy was activated off the disabled list Sept. 9. He is 2-0 with a 1.89 ERA in three starts since. 

Under is 8-3 in Kennedy's last 11 home starts. Under is 6-2-1 in Clevinger's last nine road starts.

8* play on UNDER. 

FRIDAY NIGHT MLB TOP PLAY (10* RUNLINE)

The Colorado Rockies have won seven in a row and own a one-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers at the top of the National League West. Colorado left-hander Kyle Freeland (16-7, 2.84 ERA) who is 7-0, 2.10 in his past 10 starts. He has been remarkably good home at hitters-friendly Coors Field, boasting a 9-2 record behind a 3.36 ERA in 14 starts on the season. Colorado pitchers can almost always count on good run support in front of the home town crowd with the Rockies averaging 5.46 rpg and a .289 batting average at home. Washington is hitting .247 against southpaws this season which is below average in the majors.

The Nationals hand the ball to Joe Ross (0-1, 4.09 ERA) who will make his third start for the Nationals since returning from Tommy John surgery in July 2017. He gave up four runs (three earned) in six innings Friday in a 95-pitch start against the Mets. 

The Rockies are 12-1 in Freeland's last 13 home starts, and I expect the home team to roll to an easy victory. 

10* play on Colorado Rockies -1.5. 

MLB DAYTIME DESTROYER

There's plenty at stake when the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals open a season-ending three-game series Friday afternoon.

The Cubs have clinched a postseason berth already but are battling Milwaukee for the National League top seed while the Cardinals will be hoping to steal the second wild card in the NL. 

Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks (13-11, 3.49 ERA) has allowed just one earned run in three of his four starts in September and he has posted a 1.55 ERA through his last seven starts.

Hendricks is 4-2 with a 3.49 ERA in 13 career starts against the Cards who turn to Adam Wainwright (2-3, 4.08 ERA). The veteran right-hander has made three starts since returning from the disabled list. He allowed four earned runs in both the first and the last of those outings with a scoreless outing against the Dodgers sandwiched in between. Cubs are hitting .268 in day games (2nd in the major leagues) and their bats should give Waino plenty of trouble today.

We can also note that the morale in the St. Louis camp must be rather low after opening the week with three devastating losses to Milwaukee. Good value on the Cubs in this matchup IMO.

8* play on Chicago Cubs. 

THURSDAY NIGHT MLB MONEYLINE MASSACRE

The Atlanta Braves wrapped up the division relatively early, but they've kept on playing winning baseball down the stretch and enter this game as winners of six of their last seven. They're a solid 46-31 on the road this season and I love the price we get on the Braves when they visit the Mets at Citi Field Thursday night. 

Atlanta righty Julio Teheran (9-8, 4.03 ERA) has dominated the Mets this season, posting a 1.69 ERA in four starts. New York left-hander Jason Vargas (6-9, 6.25 ERA) on the other hand has been lit up with 10 runs on 19 hits and six walks in 14 2/3 innings for a 6.14 ERA in three starts against the Braves here in 2018. Atlanta's .272 batting average against southpaws is the 2nd best mark in baseball this year. 

Braves are 7-2 in the last 9 meetings at Citi Field.

8* play on Atlanta Braves. 

TOP RATED 10* MLB RUNLINE RIPPER

The Colorado Rockies have are coming off a 14-0 rout of Philly and they've outscored opponents 47-7 during a six-game winning streak. Here they'll face Philadelphia right-hander Jake Arrieta (10-10, 3.94 ERA) who has posted a 6.61 ERA in five career starts against the Rockies. Arrieta has been particularly poor at Coors Field where he owns a 14.54 ERA in two starts. Phillies are 2-7 in Arrieta's last nine starts and he is 1-4 with a 6.64 ERA in his last eight turns. 

Colorado counters with right-hander Antonio Senzatela (6-6, 4.52 ERA) who held Arizona to  one run and three hits over seven frames his last time out. This will be his first career start against the Phillies. 

The Rockies enter Thursday with a 0.5 game lead over the Dodgers at the top of the NL West. All games are must-win games for them, and I expect nothing less than a blowout win for the home team in this matchup. 

10* play on Colorado Rockies -1.5. 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT RUNLINE RIPPER

Tuesday night the Seattle Mariners rallied from three-run deficits twice to defeat Oakland Athletics 10-8 in extra frames.

Tonight Seattle will hand the ball to Felix Hernandez (8-13, 5.46 ERA) who will start for the first time since Sept. 8 after spending some time on the DL with a hamstring injury. Hernandez owns a stellar 26-13 behind a 2.78 ERA in 51 career appearances against the A's. 

Oakland turns to right-hander Edwin Jackson (6-3, 3.18 ERA) who is 5-0 with a 1.30 ERA in five career starts against the Mariners, but one must wonder how motivated the A's will be for this contest. Last night's setback allowed Houston to claim the AL West, and Oakland sits 2 1/2 games behind the New York Yankees in the race for the top wild-card berth with only four games to go. 

Mariners are 9-3 in the last 12 meetings at Safeco. 

8* play on Seattle Mariners +1.5. 

MLB GAME OF THE WEEK ~ TOP RATED 10* MONEYLINE

National League West rivals LA Dodgers the Arizona Diamondbacks will close out a three-game series Wednesday night. The Dodgers are on a nice run but took a loss here at Arizona last night. They and need to get back to their winning ways if they want to hold on to their slim lead over Colorado at the top of the division and getting this price on a desperate Dodgers team feels like a steal. 

Dodger right-hander Ross Stripling (8-5, 2.84 ERA) has pitched exactly 3 1/3 innings in each of his three starts since sliding back into the Dodgers' rotation. He has allowed six runs in those starts, but also recorded 13 Ks against just three walks. 

Here Stripling will face a Diamondback team which is hitting just .211 on the month and we can note that the Diamondbacks are 3-13 in their last 16 games vs. a right-handed starter.

The D'Backs counter with Zack Greinke (14-11, 3.21 ERA). The ex-Dodger is having a great season, but he has started to slow down as of late and owns a 4.91 ERA in four September starts. 

10* MLB Game of the Week: LA Dodgers ML. 

TIGERS @ TWINS TOTAL

The Detroit Tigers defeated the Minnesota Twins 4-2 on Tuesday. I don't think we'll see many runs tonight either. Twins right-hander Jake Odorizzi (7-10, 4.35 ERA) owns a 3.15 ERA in seven career starts against the Tigers while Detroit southpaw Matthew Boyd (9-12, 4.16 ERA) has compiled a 3.80 ERA in four meetings with Minnesota this season. 

Boyd lasted only 1 1/3 innings against KC his last time out but under is 5-1 in his last six starts following an outing of less than four innings in his last appearance. Under is 7-1 in Odorizzi's last eight starts overall.

8* play on UNDER. 

TOP RATED 10* MLB RUNLINE RIPPER

In this matchup the LA Dodgers will visit the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

The Dodgers opened the three-game series with a 7-4 victory Monday night and they're now 15-3 in their last 18 vs. National League West rivals. Note that the D'Backs are eliminated from playoff contention already while the Dodgers are looking to hold on to their division lead. 

Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler (7-5, 2.74 ERA) has posted a 1.58 ERA over his last 10 starts. He held fanned nine D'Backs through 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball when he took on Arizona on Sep 2. 

Arizona right-hander Matt Koch (5-5, 4.26 ERA), who has worked out of the bullpen most of the season, is making his second spot start in place of Clay Bucholz. Koch has faced the Dodgers once this season, giving up three runs (two earned) in five innings.

10* play on LA Dodgers -1.5. 

MLB MONEYLINE MASSACRE

The Cincinnati Reds host the Kansas City Royals at Great American Ballpark Tuesday night.

This is the first game of the series with both teams getting Monday off. The Reds swept a two-game series in Kansas City earlier in the season, winning 5-1 in 10 innings on June 10 and 7-0 on June 11.

The Reds closed out last week with three losses at Miami, but they play much better in front of the home town crowd and boast a 36-16 record in their last 52 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.

Reds right-hander Matt Harvey (7-9, 4.92 ERA) owns a 5-1 record at GBP this season and should not have much to fear from a KC team which averages 3.73 rpg on the road. 

8* play on Cincinnati Reds. 

MONDAY NIGHT MLB MIDNIGHT MASSACRE

The Arizona Diamondbacks are officially eliminated from playoff contention after dropping three straight against the Rockies.

They'll face another division rival here Monday night when the NL West leading Dodgers are paying a visit to Chase Field. Dodgers' left-hander Clayton Kershaw (8-5, 2.45 ERA) has owned Arizona throughout his career, going 15-9 with a 2.53 ERA in 30 starts.

Arizona left-hander Robbie Ray (6-2, 3.92 ERA) has won three straight decisions and own a 2.63 ERA in 14 career starts against the Dodgers, but how much run support can he realistically expect here? Note that Arizona mustered only three runs over the weekend ... 

8* play on LA Dodgers.

TOP RATED 10* MLB MONEYLINE MASSACRE

The Colorado Rockies are coming off a sweep of the D'Backs at Arizona, and here they return home to Coors Field where they're 41-33 on the season. The visiting Philadelphia Phillies are just 31-46 on the road on the season and 7-20 in their last 27 away from home. 

The Rockies hand the ball to left-hander Tyler Anderson (6-9, 4.76 ERA) has allowed two runs in six innings in each of his last two starts. He is 2-1, 3.13 in four starts against the Phillies who counter with right-hander Zach Eflin (11-7, 4.09 ERA). He has allowed three or fewer runs in four of his past five starts and only one run and eight hits over 11 1/3 innings in his last two starts, but he owns a 7.50 ERA in two career starts against the Rockies. 

Philly has lost 11 of its last 15 and has no chance of making the playoffs. The Rockies on the other hand are 1 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West and trail the St. Louis Cardinals by 1 1/2 games in the chase for the second NL wild-card spot. 

10* play on Colorado Rockies. 

SUNDAY AFTERNOON MLB *BIG HITTER* (10* TOP PLAY)

The slumping Arizona Diamondbacks took another beating by NL West rival Colorado on Saturday to fall to 5-15 through their last 20 games. They've lost the first two of this series and eight of the last 10 meetings with the Rockies, and I think the visitors will complete the sweep of this three game series Sunday afternoon. 

Colorado hands the ball to left.hander Kyle Freeland (15-7, 2.95 ERA) who has been at his very best home at Coors Field, but his 3.45 ERA on the road is nothing to be ashmed of. He was knocked around for four runs in four innings here at Chase Field back in July, but the Rockies still won the game. Diamondbacks are 4-11 in their last 15 home games vs. a left-handed starter and I don't think he'll have to fear here as Arizona has pretty much given up on the season by now. 

Arizona counters with Zack Godley (14-10, 4.79 ERA). The right-hander has been tagged with 14 runs through just 12 2/3 innings in his last three starts combined, including five in four innings at Colorado on Sep 10. On the season, he has posted a 6.14 ERA in three starts against the Rockies. 

Great value on the Rockies who are still battling for a postseason berth. 

10* play on Colorado Rockies. 

LATE NIGHT MLB RUNLINE RIPPER (10* TOP PLAY)

The Oakland Athletics had won each of Mike Fiers (12-7, 3.38 ERA) first seven starts with the team prior to a 5-4 loss his last time out. I think they'll book an easy W here when coming up against the Twins and Chase De Jong (0-1, 3.68 ERA) who surrendered five runs (three earned) on eight hits in 3 1/3 innings of a 10-3 loss at Kansas City on Sep 15. De Jong has made only two starts on the season and I don't think he'll be ready for the A's big bats. The A's have won three in a row, scoring 38 runs in the process ... 

Twins are 3-12 in their last 15 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Athletics are 10-2 in their last 12 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.

10* play on Oakland Athletics. 

MLB GAME OF THE WEEK (10* MONEYLINE) ~ LIVE ON ESPN!

The Colorado Rockies and the Arizona Diamondbacks both got Thursday off, but the two NL West rivals are back in action with the opener of a three-game series at Chase Field Friday night.  

The Rockies are 7-2 in the last nine meetings and tonight they hand the ball to German Marquez (12-10, 3.96 ERA). He is 7-4 behind a 2.94 ERA in 15 road starts on the season and limited the D'Backs to a pair of runs with 11 Ks through seven innings of a 13-2 triumph here at Chase field on Sep 10. 

The D'Backs counter with Zack Greinke (14-10, 3.20 ERA) who has dominated the Rockies this year, but he's not been particularly sharp of late. The veteran right-hander struck out just two while surrendering four earned runs over 6 1/3 innings Sunday in a loss to the Astros. He has allowed a total of 14 earned runs through his last four starts.

The slumping D'Backs have won just five of their last 19 games and are now given just 0.1% of making the playoffs. I think the wrong team is favored here with the super motivated Rockies still in contention for a postseason berth. 

10* MLB Moneyline Game of the Week: Colorado Rockies. 

EARLY ANGELS @ A'S DAYTIME DESTROYER *TOP PLAY*

The LA Angels and the Oakland Athletics will close out a three-game series Thursday afternoon. I like Oakland here with Edwin Jackson (5-3, 3.17 ERA) on the mound. The A's have won nine of his last 10 starts and he held the Halos to three hits and three walks through 7 1/3 scoreless innings on Aug 11. The Angels counter with Matt Shoemaker (2-1, 3.98 ERA) who got beaten up by the Mariners on Friday, getting the loss by going 4 2/3 innings and giving up three runs and five hits. He's made just four starts this year after missing most of the season with forearm issues. 

The A's are 14-5 as home favorites in day games this year. The Angels are 2-7 in the opposite spot. 

10* play on Oakland Athletics. 

MLB GAME OF THE YEAR (10* TOTAL)

I'm confident we'll see a low-scoring affair here with two hot pitchers on the mound.

Cubs Cole Hamels (9-9, 3.67 ERA) has posted a 1.57 ERA since coming over from Texas and the left-hander doesn't seem to mind to travel as he owns a 2.54 ERA in 15 road starts on the season. Hamels has had decent success at Arizona throughout his career, posting a 3.32 ERA in six starts at this park.

Arizona left-hander Robbie Ray (5-2, 4.14 ERA) has allowed just six runs through his last five starts with 38 Ks in 28 innings of work. Against the Cubs, he has gone 0-1 with a 2.50 ERA in three career starts. 

Under is 8-0 in Cubs last 8 overall (prior to Tuesday's game), under is 7-1 in Hamels' last 8 starts overall. Under is 7-1 in Diamondbacks last 8 games vs. a left-handed starter and 4-1 in Ray's last 5 starts overall.

Under is 5-1-1 in the last 7 meetings (prior to Tuesday's game).

MLB Regular Season Total of the Year: UNDER. 

SUPER EARLY CARDINALS @ BRAVES DAYTIME DESTROYER (12:10 PM ET START)

The Atlanta Braves are coming off four straight defeats, including an 8-1 setback to the Cardinals on Tuesday. Their pitching staff have failed to deliver lately and rookie right-hander Touki Toussaint (1-1, 4.67 ERA) is no exception. The 22 year old walked four and allowed two hits while giving up three runs in a one-inning relief outing against Washington last Saturday. He has struggled with his command in all his four big league outings and walked 13 through 17 1/3 innings of work. 

The Cards hand the ball to Jack Flaherty (8-7, 2.86 ERA) who was 4-0 with a 1.13 ERA in five starts last month and he's having a great September as well, boasting a 2.81 ERA in three outings. He limited the LA Dodgers to four hits and a run over six innings while striking out eight last Friday. Flaherty is 4-1 with a 2.14 ERA in eight day starts. 

Cardinals are 17-5 in their last 22 road games. Atlanta is playing .500 baseball home at SunTrust Park this season and they're 5-17 in their last 22 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.

8* play on St. Louis Cardinals. 

LATE NIGHT MLB MONEYLINE MASSACRE *NO-BRAINER*

The Oakland Athletics are battling the New York Yankees for the top wild card spot in the American League, and I think they'll come out 100% motivated for this series-opener with the LA Angels. 

Halos left-hander Tyler Skaggs (8-8, 3.78 ERA) was tagged with seven runs and 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings in a 7-0 los to Oakland on Aug 11. He is 2-5 with a 5.32 ERA in eight career starts against Oakland which is 22-9 in its last 31 games vs. a left-handed starter. 

The A's hand the ball to right-hander Liam Hendriks (0-1, 5.60 ERA). He has allowed two runs and four hits in 5 2/3 innings as an "opener" and will not be on the mound for too many innings with the A's making this a bullpen day.  

Athletics are 46-11 in their last 57 vs. a team with a losing record. Angels are 6-20 in their last 26 road games vs. a team with a winning record.

8* play on Oakland Athletics. 

TUESDAY NIGHT MLB TOTAL BLOWOUT

Toronto right-hander Aaron Sanchez (4-6, 4.90 ERA) owns a 1.88 ERA in two starts against Baltimore on the season and he limited Boston to one run on three hits through seven frames his last time out. 

Baltimore right-hander Dylan Bundy (8-14, 5.48 ERA) has been knocked around by Toronto this year, giving up 14 runs in 16 innings, but he held Oakland to a pair runs with eight strikeouts through six innings last time out.

Toronto has scored more than four runs in only two of its last seven games while Baltimore has been shut out twice in its last four. 

Under is 8-1 in Sanchez's last 9 Tuesday starts. Under is 7-3-1 in Bundy's last 11 Tuesday starts.

8* play on UNDER. 

EARLY TOP RATED 10* MLB BIG HITTER IN THE BRONX

The Boston Red Sox have all but clinched the division already while the New York Yankees are battling the Oakland Athletics for the top wild card spot in the American League. Motivational advantage Yankees here, and my money is on the home team in this matchup. 

Yankees left-hander J.A. Happ (16-6, 3.75 ERA) owns a 6-0 record behind a 2.70 ERA in eight career starts against the Yankees and he's undefeated since coming over from Toronto. Red Sox hand the ball to right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (5-7, 4.22 ERA) who has held the Yankees to five runs in 15 1/3 innings this season, but he gave up all five in 7 1/3 innings here in the Bronx back in June. 

Yankees are 7-1 in Happ's last eight starts and they've won six of the last eight when hosting Boston. 

10* play on New York Yankees. 

TOP RATED 10* MLB BOOKIE BREAKER *TOP PLAY*

The Chicago Cubs have scored just 15 runs through their last seven games and here they'll come up against left-hander Patrick Corbin (11-5, 3.05 ERA) who is 5-1 with a 3.68 ERA in seven career appearances, six starts, against the Cubs. We can also note that Corbin owns a 2.49 ERA through his last eight starts. 

Chicago counters with Kyle Hendricks (11-11, 3.71 ERA) who owns a 3.24 ERA in three career starts against the Diamondbacks. He's been on fire lately, posting a 1.80 ERA through his last five starts. 

Under is 7-0 in Cubs last seven overall.

10* play on UNDER. 

MLB 3-PACK

Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Wade Miley (4-2, 2.23 ERA) owns a 3.14 ERA in nine career meetings with Cincinnati and he has allowed fewer than three earned runs in 12 of his last 13 starts. Under is 7-2 in Reds last nine road games vs. a left-handed starter.

Cincinnati right-hander Anthony DeSclafani (7-5, 4.80 ERA) has allowed nine runs total over his last two outings, spanning 8 2/3 innings but he'll face a Milwaukee team which has mustered only a total of three runs in its last two games. Under is 5-1 in Brewers last six overall.

8* play on UNDER. 

MLB 3-PACK

New York Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler (11-7, 3.23 ERA) has posted a 1.32 ERA in his last 10 starts, and while Philadelphia right-hander Jake Arrieta (10-9, 3.66 ERA) may have allowed seven runs in his last two, note that he's fanned 18 through 12 1/3 innings in those starts. Arrieta owns a 1.94 ERA in nine career starts versus New York and under is 4-0-1 in Mets last five overall.

8* play on UNDER. 

MLB GAME OF THE WEEK (10* TOTAL) ~ DODGERS @ CARDINALS

The LA Dodgers routed the Cardinals 17-4 on Saturday, but I don't think runs will come quite as easy here tonight against Adam Wainwright (1-3, 4.70 ERA). The veteran right-hander has posted a 2.69 ERA against the Dodgers in 15 career games (12 starts) and under is 6-2-1 in Dodgers last 9 games vs. a right-handed starter.

The Dodgers counter with right-hander Ross Stripling (8-3, 2.61 ERA) who's having a great year, and he's been particularly sharp on the road where he has posted a 2.86 ERA in 18 outings (11 starts). Under is 7-2-1 in Stripling's last 10 road starts.

Under is 15-7 in the last 22 meetings in St. Louis. Under is 35-17 in the last 52 meetings overall.

10* MLB Game of the Week (Total): UNDER. 

MLB MONEYLINE MASSACRE

The Milwaukee Brewers have won 12 of their last 15 games, including a 7-4 triumph against Pittsburgh Friday night. Milwaukee right-hander Zack Davies (2-5, 4.75 ERA) has allowed only three runs through his last two starts (both Milwaukee wins) and he has conceded two runs or fewer in five of his last seven appearances. 

Milwaukee has plenty to play for sitting just one game back of the Cubs who are top of the NL Central while Pittsburgh's motivation must be questionable. Pittsburgh right-hander Ivan Nova (8-9, 4.17 ERA) had lost three straight decisions before throwing scoreless innings against Miami his last time out to earn the W. 

8* play on Milwaukee Brewers. 

MLB MONEYLINE MASSACRE (10* TOP PLAY*)

We have the red hot Rockies visiting the reeling Giants Friday night, and I expect nothing less than a blowout win for the visitors. 

The Rockies scored have won nine of their last 13 and scored a total of 31 runs while taking three of four against Arizona to start the week. Tonight they'll face Giants right-hander Chris Stratton (9-9, 4.99 ERA) who has surrendered 17 runs (16 earned) through 14 2/3 innings of work against the Rockies this year. 

Colorado counters with left-hander Tyler Anderson (6-8, 4.89 ERA) who has struggled somewhat of late, but note that he has had the Giants number this season, fanning 20 while holding them to eight runs through 18 2/3 innings. San Francisco has lost 11 straight and scored only one run in three straight games. 

Rockies are 7-0 in the last seven meetings.

10* play on Colorado Rockies. 

THURSDAY NIGHT RUNLINE RIPPER

The Oakland Athletics put a 10-0 beating on Baltimore yesterday, and I think they'll rout the poor Orioles again here Thursday night. 

Baltimore has lost six straight and right-hander Dylan Bundy (7-14, 5.58 ERA) is 0-5 with a 9.09 ERA through his last seven starts. Baltimore is 1-10 in his last 11 starts and Bundy has allowed five or more runs in seven of those 11 outings. 

Oakland counters with left-hander Brett Anderson (3-4, 4.02 ERA) who will make his first start since Aug 27 after a stint on the DL (strained left forearm). He posted a 2.15 ERA and did not allow a run in three of his five appearances last month. 

Baltimore has the majors' worst record (41-104) and has given up on the season a long time ago. Oakland has pretty much clinched a playoff berth but will want to overtake the Yankees for home field advantage in the wild card game. 

8* play on Oakland Athletics -1.5. 

MLB GAME OF THE MONTH (10* TOTAL)

I think the total is set way too high considering the pitching matchup here in the finale of an imporant series between two National League West foes.   

D'Backs right-hander Clay Buchholz (7-2, 2.01 ERA) has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 15 of 16 starts since May 20. He has posted a 1.04 WHIP and 81/22 K/BB ratio those starts and has thrived on the road (1.73 ERA). Under is 4-0 in Buchholz's last four road starts.

Colorado turns to Kyle Freeland (14-7, 2.91 ERA) who struck out eight through six innings of one-run ball against the Dodgers his last time out. He has posted a 2.21 ERA in 13 home starts on the season and under is 25-4 in Freelands last 29 home starts.

Under is 13-3-1 in Diamondbacks last 17 road games vs. a team with a winning record. Under is 38-13-1 in Rockies last 52 home games vs. a team with a winning record.

10* MLB Game of the Month (Total): UNDER.