TEXAS vs. CLEVELAND
Texas is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Texas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cleveland
Cleveland is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
Cleveland is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
KANSAS CITY vs. MINNESOTA
Kansas City is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Kansas City is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games
Minnesota is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Kansas City
Minnesota is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games
DETROIT vs. BOSTON
Detroit is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Boston
Detroit is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Boston is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
SAN DIEGO vs. MILWAUKEE
San Diego is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
San Diego is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Milwaukee
Milwaukee is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home
Milwaukee is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
PHILADELPHIA vs. CHI CUBS
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
Philadelphia is 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing Chi Cubs
Chi Cubs are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games
Chi Cubs are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games at home
PITTSBURGH vs. COLORADO
Pittsburgh is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Colorado
Pittsburgh is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Colorado
Colorado is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
Colorado is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games
HOUSTON vs. FLORIDA
Houston is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Florida
Houston is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Florida
Florida is 16-7 SU in its last 23 games at home
Florida is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
WASHINGTON vs. CINCINNATI
Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati
Cincinnati is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Cincinnati's last 13 games at home
NY YANKEES vs. SEATTLE
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Yankees's last 5 games on the road
NY Yankees are 9-1 SU in their last 10 games
Seattle is 3-11 SU in their last 14 games when playing NY Yankees
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Seattle's last 10 games when playing NY Yankees
Hot Pitchers
-- Parra is 4-0, 5.34 in his last five starts; Brewers are 1-11 in his starts when they give Parra less than six runs.
-- Lee is 2-0, 1.13 in two starts for Philadelphia.
-- Washington won all three Balester starts (1-0, 5.06) scoring 20 runs.
-- Sowers is 2-0, 1.80 in his last three starts. Rangers won seven of last nine Feldman starts.
-- Pavano is 2-0, 0.60 in his last two starts.
-- Sabathia is 4-1, 3.78 in his last five starts.
Cold Pitchers
-- Carrillo was 8-4, 4.24 in 20 AA starts, then got called up to Portland and was 0-2, 6.19 in three AAA outings.
-- Dempster has a 6.28 RA in his last five starts.
-- Marquis is 0-2, 5.21 in his last three starts. Maholm is 0-2, 7.13 in his last four starts.
-- West is 0-2, 8.53 in his last four starts. Hampton is 2-4, 10.08 in his last six starts.
-- Arroyo is 0-3, 4.91 in his last four starts.
-- Meche was 0-4, 9.89 in his last five starts before going on the DL.
-- Verlander has a 6.00 RA in his last three starts. Buchholz is 0-2, 6.52 in his last four starts.
-- Snell is 0-1, 6.14 in two starts for Seattle.
Hot Teams
-- Marlins won five of their last six games.
-- Nationals won eight of their last ten games, but lost last two.
-- Padres won 11 of their last 15 games.
-- Colorado won nine of its last thirteen games.
-- Indians won seven of their last ten games.
-- Bronx Bombers are 20-6 since the All-Star break.
-- Red Sox won their last three games, scoring 21 runs.
-- Seattle won six of its last eight home games.
Cold Teams
-- Astros are 6-11 in their last seventeen games.
-- Reds lost 10 of their last 14 games.
-- Cubs lost six of their last seven games. Phillies are 5-8 in their last 13 games, but won the last two.
-- Pirates lost 18 of their last 22 road games.
-- Brewers are 5-11 in their last 16 home games.
-- Rangers are 7-9 in their last sixteen road games.
-- Tigers are 2-12 in their last fourteen road games.
-- Royals lost six of their last eight road games. Twins lost eight of their last eleven games.
Totals
-- Nine of Brewers' last ten home games went over the total.
-- Eight of last nine Florida games went over the total.
-- Under is 5-0-2 in Pirates' last seven away games.
-- Under is 7-2-1 in Phillies' last ten road games.
-- 12 of last 15 Washington road games went over the total.
-- Over is 11-5-1 in last seventeen Cleveland games.
-- Last seven games at Fenway Park all went over the total.
-- Under is 15-7-2 in Royals' last 24 road games.
-- Five of last six Bronx games stayed under the total.
SAN DIEGO (48 - 66) at MILWAUKEE (55 - 57) - 2:05 PM
CESAR CARRILLO (R) vs. MANNY PARRA (L)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN DIEGO is 111-164 (-48.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 46-89 (-31.6 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 111-164 (-48.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 60-80 (-22.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 13-23 (-12.9 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 22-34 (-16.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MILWAUKEE is 245-284 (-65.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 3-1 (+2.3 Units) against MILWAUKEE this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.2 Units, Under=-0.3 Units)
CESAR CARRILLO vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
No recent starts.
MANNY PARRA vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
PARRA is 0-1 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 1.80 and a WHIP of 1.800.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)
PHILADELPHIA (62 - 48) at CHICAGO CUBS (58 - 53) - 2:20 PM
CLIFF LEE (L) vs. RYAN DEMPSTER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LEE is 8-14 (-9.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
DEMPSTER is 65-38 (+28.0 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997. (Team's Record)
DEMPSTER is 65-38 (+28.0 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field since 1997. (Team's Record)
DEMPSTER is 33-16 (+21.6 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997. (Team's Record)
PHILADELPHIA is 165-121 (+15.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 33-19 (+15.5 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 30-16 (+14.8 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 22-12 (+11.1 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 22-12 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 68-48 (+16.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
LEE is 20-6 (+16.1 Units) against the money line when playing on Thursday since 1997. (Team's Record)
CHICAGO CUBS are 1015-1062 (-190.9 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 546-490 (-104.7 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 154-197 (-60.7 Units) against the money line in August games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 958-978 (-168.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 25-29 (-7.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 20-26 (-17.3 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 3-1 (+2.2 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.1 Units)
CLIFF LEE vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
LEE is 1-0 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 2.45 and a WHIP of 1.227.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)
RYAN DEMPSTER vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
DEMPSTER is 3-3 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 5.05 and a WHIP of 1.634.
His team's record is 6-7 (-0.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 12-1. (+11.0 units)
PITTSBURGH (46 - 66) at COLORADO (62 - 51) - 3:10 PM
PAUL MAHOLM (L) vs. JASON MARQUIS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 38-86 (-34.7 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Thursday since 1997.
PITTSBURGH is 32-81 (-32.8 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 13-46 (-25.1 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 62-51 (+8.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
COLORADO is 62-51 (+8.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
MARQUIS is 18-6 (+10.4 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
COLORADO is 49-60 (-20.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
MARQUIS is 15-25 (-20.6 Units) against the money line in August games since 1997. (Team's Record)
MARQUIS is 59-65 (-32.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997. (Team's Record)
MARQUIS is 27-40 (-30.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1997. (Team's Record)
Head-to-Head Series History
COLORADO is 4-3 (-0.3 Units) against PITTSBURGH this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)
PAUL MAHOLM vs. COLORADO since 1997
MAHOLM is 1-3 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 1.600.
His team's record is 1-4 (-2.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-5. (-5.2 units)
JASON MARQUIS vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
MARQUIS is 9-6 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 3.93 and a WHIP of 1.286.
His team's record is 11-9 (-2.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 10-6. (+3.2 units)
HOUSTON (55 - 58) at FLORIDA (60 - 53) - 7:10 PM
MIKE HAMPTON (L) vs. SEAN WEST (L)
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA is 60-53 (+8.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
FLORIDA is 57-50 (+6.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
FLORIDA is 100-96 (+10.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 24-15 (+11.1 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
HOUSTON is 141-133 (+20.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 25-15 (+15.5 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 137-131 (+16.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 99-95 (+9.0 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 66-71 (+9.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 27-26 (+10.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
FLORIDA is 2-0 (+2.0 Units) against HOUSTON this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)
MIKE HAMPTON vs. FLORIDA since 1997
HAMPTON is 9-7 when starting against FLORIDA with an ERA of 4.65 and a WHIP of 1.522.
His team's record is 11-11 (-1.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 11-8. (+2.9 units)
SEAN WEST vs. HOUSTON since 1997
No recent starts.
WASHINGTON (40 - 73) at CINCINNATI (49 - 63) - 7:10 PM
COLLIN BALESTER (R) vs. BRONSON ARROYO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 40-73 (-25.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 12-31 (-15.0 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +150 over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 14-40 (-19.7 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
WASHINGTON is 40-70 (-22.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
WASHINGTON is 26-54 (-23.3 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
WASHINGTON is 31-55 (-17.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
WASHINGTON is 114-111 (+35.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 8-2 (+8.4 Units) against the money line in August games this season.
WASHINGTON is 89-91 (+20.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 47-42 (+15.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 61-62 (-37.6 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -150 to -175 since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 251-270 (-61.0 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 80-107 (-26.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 53-65 (-18.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CINCINNATI is 2-1 (+1.0 Units) against WASHINGTON this season
3 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.0 Units)
COLLIN BALESTER vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
BALESTER is 1-1 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 4.91 and a WHIP of 1.364.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.1 units)
BRONSON ARROYO vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
ARROYO is 2-1 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 4.56 and a WHIP of 1.402.
His team's record is 4-1 (+2.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-1. (+1.7 units)
TEXAS (62 - 49) at CLEVELAND (49 - 63) - 12:05 PM
SCOTT FELDMAN (R) vs. JEREMY SOWERS (L)
Top Trends for this game.
TEXAS is 12-30 (-15.9 Units) against the money line in road games against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 24-13 (+15.4 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 10-4 (+8.8 Units) against the money line when playing on Thursday this season.
TEXAS is 62-49 (+16.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TEXAS is 64-70 (+12.6 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 61-47 (+16.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
FELDMAN is 14-6 (+8.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
FELDMAN is 8-1 (+8.2 Units) against the money line in road games this season. (Team's Record)
FELDMAN is 14-6 (+8.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
CLEVELAND is 49-63 (-14.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 25-30 (-10.7 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
CLEVELAND is 70-85 (-32.5 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 1997.
CLEVELAND is 36-52 (-18.8 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 44-56 (-13.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CLEVELAND is 32-49 (-19.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
CLEVELAND is 11-20 (-11.6 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS is 3-1 (+2.1 Units) against CLEVELAND this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.9 Units)
SCOTT FELDMAN vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
FELDMAN is 0-1 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 7.50 and a WHIP of 1.167.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)
JEREMY SOWERS vs. TEXAS since 1997
SOWERS is 0-0 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 17.17 and a WHIP of 2.452.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)
KANSAS CITY (44 - 68) at MINNESOTA (54 - 58) - 1:10 PM
GIL MECHE (R) vs. CARL PAVANO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
KANSAS CITY is 44-68 (-22.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 39-66 (-21.8 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 68-104 (-29.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 18-29 (-11.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MECHE is 14-28 (-16.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MECHE is 6-19 (-15.7 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1997. (Team's Record)
MINNESOTA is 84-52 (+17.7 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 22-8 (+13.5 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 65-47 (+11.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 87-56 (+17.6 Units) against the money line in games played in a dome over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 87-59 (+14.5 Units) against the money line in games played on artificial turf over the last 2 seasons.
PAVANO is 110-89 (+23.8 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997. (Team's Record)
PAVANO is 12-5 (+9.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
KANSAS CITY is 26-26 (+12.4 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 54-58 (-10.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY is 4-3 (+2.8 Units) against MINNESOTA this season
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.5 Units)
GIL MECHE vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
MECHE is 8-6 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 4.53 and a WHIP of 1.390.
His team's record is 10-8 (+1.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 11-7. (+3.1 units)
CARL PAVANO vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
PAVANO is 1-3 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 8.59 and a WHIP of 1.636.
His team's record is 1-3 (-3.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-3. (-2.4 units)
DETROIT (59 - 53) at BOSTON (64 - 48) - 1:35 PM
JUSTIN VERLANDER (R) vs. CLAY BUCHHOLZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 133-141 (-30.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 23-35 (-12.3 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
DETROIT is 17-22 (-13.4 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 126-122 (-19.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 87-105 (-34.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 16-35 (-17.3 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 16-32 (-18.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 95-45 (+23.3 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 11-2 (+9.3 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off this season.
BOSTON is 152-91 (+29.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 35-43 (-17.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
BUCHHOLZ is 5-15 (-14.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BUCHHOLZ is 4-12 (-11.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 5-0 (+5.2 Units) against DETROIT this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.9 Units)
JUSTIN VERLANDER vs. BOSTON since 1997
VERLANDER is 1-2 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 5.49 and a WHIP of 1.474.
His team's record is 1-2 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)
CLAY BUCHHOLZ vs. DETROIT since 1997
BUCHHOLZ is 0-0 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 11.25 and a WHIP of 2.750.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)
NY YANKEES (70 - 43) at SEATTLE (59 - 54) - 10:10 PM
C.C. SABATHIA (L) vs. IAN SNELL (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY YANKEES are 133-88 (-51.1 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -175 or more since 1997.
SEATTLE is 59-54 (+6.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SEATTLE is 29-21 (+7.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
SEATTLE is 12-7 (+14.9 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +175 to +200 since 1997.
SEATTLE is 56-50 (+7.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SEATTLE is 78-109 (-30.2 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
SNELL is 3-13 (-10.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 1-2 (+0.6 Units) against NY YANKEES this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)
C.C. SABATHIA vs. SEATTLE since 1997
SABATHIA is 5-4 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 3.39 and a WHIP of 1.376.
His team's record is 7-6 (-0.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-7. (-1.8 units)
IAN SNELL vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
No recent starts.
We’ve got day games! Gamblers can get in on the action early and often Thursday with six afternoon affairs on the nine-game slate. Let’s take a look at a pair of games with crucial ramifications on the division races.
**Tigers at Red Sox**
Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Detroit as a minus-115 road favorite with a total of nine ‘over’ (minus-125). Bettors can take the Tigers on the run line (minus 1 ½ runs) for a plus-140 payout.
Boston will give the starting nod to Clay Buchholz (1-2, 5.33 ERA), who kept his team in the game in his last start but nonetheless took the loss. Buchholz went six innings and gave up just two runs in a 5-0 loss to the Yankees in the Bronx. The right-hander took a no-decision in his lone home assignment this year, surrendering a pair of runs over 5 2/3 innings of work for a 3.18 ERA.
Jim Leyland will hand the ball to his ace Justin Verlander, who has a 12-6 record and 3.45 ERA. The hard-throwing righty is 5-5 with a 4.68 ERA in 13 road starts in 2009. Verlander is 1-2 with a 5.49 career ERA against Boston. He is 5-2 with a 1.74 ERA during seven starts in day games this year.
Boston slugger David Ortiz is 3-for-7 (.429) against Verlander with one double and one home run. Kevin Youklis is 4-for-10 off the right-hander with a pair of big flies. Newly acquired Victor Martinez has the most experience against Verlander, going 11-for-39 (.282) with three doubles and four homers.
Going into Wednesday’s third leg of this four-game series, Boston had a 37-17 home record at Fenway Park. Meanwhile, Detroit was the owner of an abysmal 23-35 road ledger. The Red Sox entered Wednesday’s action in second place in the American League East, 5 ½ games back of the Yankees. They held a 1 ½-game advantage over Texas in the AL wild-card hunt. Meanwhile, the Tigers had a two-game lead over the second-place White Sox in the AL Central.
The ‘over’ has hit in six straight games for the Tigers. However, the ‘under’ is 63-46 overall for Detroit, 35-21 in its road games.
The ‘under’ is 57-46 overall for the Red Sox, 27-22 in their home assignments.
The Red Sox have produced a 19-15 record in day games this year. Detroit has thrived in day games, compiling a 25-14 ledger.
The MLB Network will provide television coverage at 1:35 p.m. Eastern.
**Phillies at Cubs**
LVSC opened Philadelphia as a minus-125 road ‘chalk.’ As always, there was no overnight total due to the uncertain wind conditions at Wrigley Field.
Cliff Lee (9-9, 2.95) will get the call for the Phillies, who acquired the former Cy Young winner before the trading deadline. The left-hander has won both of his starts since joining his new club and has prevailed in each of his last five outings, throwing three complete games during that stretch. Lee is 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA in a pair of career starts against the Cubs.
Alfonso Soriano is 3-for-11 (.273) with one homer against Lee. Milton Bradley is hitting just .231 with one homer off the lefty in 13 career at-bats.
Ryan Dempster (6-5, 4.04) has a 4-1 record and 4.62 ERA in eight home starts this year. The veteran right-hander is 4-3 with a 4.76 lifetime ERA against Philadelphia. Dempster is 2-2 with a 4.09 ERA in day games this season.
Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins is 9-for-30 (.300) against Dempster with a pair of doubles. Ryan Howard is 1-for-5 (.200) against the righty with a double. Don’t be surprised if Matt Stairs gets a rare start because he absolutely feasts on Dempster, blasting three homers and producing four hits in just seven career at-bats.
The Cubs own a 12-12 record against southpaws in 2009. They are 31-20 in day games, 33-20 at home before Wednesday’s game went final.
Charlie Manuel’s team is 21-12 in day games and took a 33-19 road mark into Wednesday’s game with Pedro Martinez making his debut for the Phillies.
The ‘under’ is 59-48 overall for the Cubs, 28-25 in their home games.
The ‘under’ is 54-50 overall for the Phillies, but they have watched the ‘under’ cash at a 25-24 clip in their road games.
Dempster will throw the first pitch at 2:20 p.m. Eastern.
MLB Trend Report 8/13
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