Five To Follow MLB Betting: Thursday, June 4, 2015 Opening Line Report

by Alan Matthews - 6/3/2015

I was waiting for a Cardinals off day to touch on an amazing streak to start the season by St. Louis outfielder Matt Holliday, but alas it ended on Tuesday. Holliday had reached base at least once in 45 straight games to start the year, a National League record. Derek Jeter held the all-time record at 53 in a row, and Ted Williams holds the mark at any point in a season at 74 straight. Holliday was 0-for-3 and was called out on strikes by umpire Joe West in the seventh inning. Holliday argued, which is a no-no on balls and strikes, and West ejected him. Too bad to see the streak end like that, although as it turned out Holliday wouldn't have batted again.

A's at Tigers (-123, 8.5)

You could see some regulars get this game off as it's an early getaway day start time (1:08 p.m.) after a night game. The Tigers for sure won't have outfielder Rajai Davis as he was placed on the paternity list Tuesday. He's hitting .269 with 10 RBIs this season. Jesse Hahn (2-5, 3.77) starts for Oakland. His best start of the season by far was May 25 at home vs. Detroit when he threw a complete-game four hitter with one walk, striking out five. That's Oakland's only win in his past seven outings. Miguel Cabrera has never faced him because he got that game off. Detroit's Shane Greene (4-4, 5.19) had a historic outing last time out against the Angels, and not in a good way. He lasted just 1.2 innings and allowed seven runs and five homers. No pitcher in modern big-league history had given up five homers in an outing of just five outs or fewer. He was opposite Hahn the start before that, allowing four runs and eight hits in 5.2 innings. Josh Reddick is 2-for-3 with a triple off him.

Key trends: The A's are 1-10 in their past 11 Thursday games. The "over/under" has gone over in five of Hahn's past seven overall.

Early lean: Tigers and over.

Reds at Phillies (-109, 7.5)

More bad news for the Reds as outfielder Marlon Byrd was hit by a pitch on Tuesday in Philadelphia and has been diagnosed with a fractured wrist. He's hitting .212 with 10 homers and 25 RBIs and obviously is going to miss a while. Byrd would be a trade candidate if healthy by the deadline. Speaking of guys who will be traded, the Phillies could deal Aaron Harang (4-5, 2.02) at any time now while his value his high. He has allowed two runs or fewer in six straight starts. That's a total mirage. Too bad about Byrd as he is 10-for-25 with three dingers off Harang. Joey Votto is 3-for-6 with a homer and two RBIs. Anthony DeSclafani (3-4, 3.41) goes for the Reds. DeSclafani is 1-1 with a 7.94 ERA in two career appearances, including one start, against Philadelphia (both last year). Ryan Howard is 1-for-3 with a double and RBI off him.

Key trends: The Reds are 2-5 in their past seven in Game 3 of a series. The Phillies are 1-8 in their past nine on Thursday. The under is 5-0 in Harang's past five at home.

Early lean: Phillies and under.

Indians at Royals (-119, 7.5)

It appears that Royals catcher Salvador Perez has avoided a concussion. He passed the tests after being lifted from Tuesday's game when he took a foul tip off the side of his face against the Tribe. Trevor Bauer (4-2, 2.97) starts here for Cleveland, and he has been great over the past four starts with a 1.53 ERA. He faced the Royals on April 28 and allowed three runs in six innings in a loss. Alex Gordon is 2-for-7 with a homer off him. Alcides Escobar is 4-for-8 with a double. Perez is just 1-for-10 with five strikeouts, so maybe he gets the night off regardless. Big Royals right-hander Chris Young (4-1, 1.55) took his first loss last time out, allowing four runs over six innings at the Yankees. He has pitched 3.1 innings of scoreless relief this season vs. Cleveland. Brandon Moss is 4-for-14 with three homers of him.

Key trends: The Indians are 2-5 in Bauer's past seven vs. teams with a winning record. The under is 4-0 in his past four on the road. The under is 4-1 in Young's past five overall.

Early lean: Indians and under.

Cubs at Nationals (-122, 7)

Cubs outfielder Jorge Soler has had an MRI on his ankle and may have to land on the disabled list. If he does, that will mean plenty of playing time for Junior Lake. Soler is hitting .265 with four homers and 19 RBIs and strikes out a ton. Jake Arrieta (4-4, 3.18) is on the mound for Chicago. He has been a bit shaky in his past two, allowing 10 runs and 15 hits (four homers) over 13 innings. He hasn't faced Washington in 2015. Bryce Harper is 4-for-9 with a double off him. Yunel Escobar is 7-for-18 with a homer. Lefty Gio Gonzalez (4-2, 4.73) starts for Washington. The Nats had won five straight of his starts but lost his last when he allowed four runs in 5.1 innings at the Reds. Dexter Fowler is 5-for-11 with a homer off him. Anthony Rizzo is 0-for-11 with four strikeouts.

Key trends: The Cubs are 1-4 in Arrieta's past five road starts vs. teams with a winning road record. The Nationals are 6-0 in Gonzalez's past six at home vs. teams with a winning record. Washington is 4-1 in Gonzalez's past five against Chicago.

Early lean: Nationals and under.

Mets at Diamondbacks (+135, 8)

Should the Mets start to have at least minimal concerns about ace Matt Harvey? He followed the worst start of his career with a loss last time out, giving up four runs over eight innings against the Marlins, although he did strike out a season-high 11. He made his big-league debut at Arizona in 2012. Aaron Hill is 3-for-7 off him. Paul Goldschmidt is 0-for-3 with three strikeouts. Arizona's Jeremy Hellickson (3-3, 5.08) has won back-to-back starts for the first time this season. He held the Brewers to two runs over six innings in his most recent outing. The Mets' Lucas Duda is 1-for-2 with a double and three RBIs off him.

Key trends: The Mets are 0-5 in Harvey's past five road starts vs. teams with a losing record. The under has hit in six of his past nine on five days of rest.

Early lean: Diamondbacks and under.

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