Five to Follow MLB Betting: Wednesday, August 3, 2016, Opening Line Report

by Alan Matthews - 8/2/2016

Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera

Despite Brewers All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy vetoing a trade to Cleveland, the Indians were one of the winners ahead of Monday's trade deadline in getting Yankees stellar lefty reliever Andrew Miller and Rays outfielder Brandon Guyer. They are behind only the Texas Rangers on odds to win the AL pennant. However, those Cleveland pennant hopes could be dependent on what an MRI shows on the elbow of All-Star pitcher Danny Salazar on Tuesday. Salazar (11-4, 3.38), who didn't pitch in the All-Star Game due to arm fatigue, didn't look right Monday in lasting just two innings, the shortest outing of his career, and allowing six runs and six hits against the Twins. Manager Terry Francona says he wants Salazar to get the MRI on his right elbow for his "peace of mind." The Tribe better hope it's nothing.

Marlins at Cubs (-190, TBA)

This 2:20 p.m. ET matinee should have live betting at it's televised by the MLB Network. Chicago made a minor deal right at Monday's deadline in acquiring right-handed reliever Joe Smith from the Angels. The Cubbies start John Lackey (8-7, 3.69). He won for the first time since June 8 last time out, allowing one run and four hits over six innings against the White Sox. Lackey lost in Miami on June 25, giving up seven runs and seven hits over 4.1 innings. Might Ichiro get a start in an attempt for his 3,000th career hit? He has faced Lackey a ton in his career (121 at-bats) and hits .306 off him. The Marlins go with Tom Koehler (8-8, 4.18). He comes off one of his best starts of the year, shutting out the Phillies on three hits over six innings. Koehler took a no-decision vs. the Cubs on June 24, allowing four runs in six innings. Willson Contreras is 1-for-2 off him with a homer. Anthony Rizzo is 0-for-6.

Key trends: The Marlins are 0-8 in Koehler's past eight vs. teams with a winning record. The Cubs are 1-4 in Lackey's past five vs. teams with a winning record. The "over/under" is 5-2 in Koehler's past seven on the road.

Early lean: Cubs.

Nationals at Diamondbacks (+212, 8.5)

A 3:40 ET first pitch on Fox Sports 1. Both these teams were quiet on Monday; the Nats got closer Mark Melancon from the Pirates over the weekend after missing out on both Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller. Washington starts Max Scherzer (11-6, 2.85) here. He has gone seven innings exactly in four straight starts and allowed just four earned runs combined. He beat the Giants last time out, allowing one earned and five hits. Scherzer, who started his career in the Arizona organization, has a 2.25 career ERA against the Snakes in three starts. Paul Goldschmidt is 0-for-4 off him with three strikeouts. It's Zack Godley (3-1, 5.63) for Arizona. He took a no-decision last time out, allowing three runs and four hits over six innings. Godley hasn't faced Washington this season. Bryce Harper has a single in three career at-bats against him.

Key trends: The Nationals are 5-2 in Scherzer's past seven on the road. The Diamondbacks are 4-1 in Godley's past five at home. The under is 6-0 in Scherzer's past six.

Early lean: Nationals and under.

Giants at Phillies (+183, 7.5)

San Francisco strengthened its already very good rotation on Monday by landing Rays lefty Matt Moore for a package that includes third baseman Matt Duffy, who was great last year as in finishing second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. Duffy is struggling this year, however, and is currently on the DL with an Achilles injury. Here the Giants go with Cy Young candidate Johnny Cueto (13-3, 2.63). But he comes off a loss, allowing three runs and eight hits over five innings against the Nationals. Cueto hasn't been quite as good since the All-Star break. One of Cueto's worst starts this year was June 26 vs. Philadelphia, allowing six runs and eight hits over six innings in a no-decision. The Phillies go with young righty Aaron Nola (6-9, 4.78). He had been struggling for weeks but won in Atlanta on Thursday, giving up three runs and eight hits over five innings, so still not a quality start. Nola took a no-decision on June 26 in San Francisco in giving up five runs and 10 hits over 3.1 innings. Buster Posey is 2-for-2 with an RBI off him. Brandon Belt is 2-for-3 with a double.

Key trends: The Giants are 10-1 in Cueto's past 11 road starts. The Phils are 1-5 in Nola's past six at home. The under is 4-0 in Cueto's past four.

Early lean: Giants and under.

White Sox at Tigers (-126, 7.5)

Really surprised neither team made a move on Monday, with the White Sox expected to be in sell mode and Detroit looking to add pitching. Keep in mind that trades can still happen, but the waiver process complicates things. The Pale Hose were talking with Boston about ace lefty Chris Sale (14-4, 3.17) but opted to keep him for now. They have lost his past three outings. Sale allowed two runs and six hits over six innings on Thursday at the Cubs. He is 1-1 with a 4.73 ERA this year in two starts vs. Detroit. Victor Martinez is a career .500 hitter off Sale with four homers and nine RBIs in 36 at-bats. Miguel Cabrera is 9-for-38 with two homers and 13 strikeouts off him. Detroit goes with AL Rookie of the Year candidate Michael Fulmer (9-2, 2.50), who came over from the Mets at the 2015 trade deadline. He took a no-decision in his last start vs. Boston, allowing three runs in 7.2 innings. Fulmer also got a no-decision in his lone start vs. the White Sox, allowing five runs over five innings on July 22. Jose Abreu is 2-for-2 off him with two RBIs. Justin Morneau is 1-for-2 with a homer.

Key trends: The Sox are 4-1 in Sale's past five vs. Detroit. The over is 4-0-1 in his past five in Motown. The Tigers are 4-1 in Fulmer's past five at home. The over is 5-1 in his past six vs. the AL Central.

Early lean: White Sox and over.

Dodgers at Rockies (+119, 11)

Los Angeles was a big winner at the deadline in landing pitcher Rich Hill and outfielder Josh Reddick from Oakland as well (to a much lesser extent) as pitcher Jesse Chavez from Toronto. Landing Reddick means the team will demote Yasiel Puig to Triple-A -- it's amazing what a fall from grace it has been for him. The Dodgers tried their best to trade him by Monday. Los Angeles starts rookie Kenta Maeda (9-7, 3.23) here. He comes off a no-decision vs. Arizona, allowing two runs and four hits over 6.1 innings. Maeda is 0-1 with a 0.69 ERA in two starts this year against Colorado, and one of those was in hitter-friendly Coors Field as this will be. DJ LeMahieu is 2-for-5 off him. Nolan Arenado is 0-for-6. Colorado lefty Tyler Anderson (3-3, 3.33) pitched well at the Mets on Thursday in allowing a run over six innings but took a no-decision. The Rockies have won his past four outings. Anderson has never faced the Dodgers.

Key trends: The Dodgers are 1-6 in Maeda's past seven following a quality start in his last appearance. The under is 4-1 in his past five on four days of rest. The under is 4-0 in Anderson's past four vs. teams with a winning record.

Early lean: Rockies and under.

Start:	November 23, 2024 @ 10:07 PM
Expert:	Vernon Croy
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