Docs Website

53 Years Strong! A Trusted Leader In Sports Picks, Best Bets and Predictions Since 1971.

Main Menu

Five to Follow Expert MLB Betting Picks: 8/3/2017, Opening Line Report


by - 8/2/2017

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Michael Wacha

I just want to remind readers that while the non-waiver trade deadline passed on Monday, that doesn't mean there still won't be deals. Now teams will place most of the veterans on their roster on waivers just to see what happens. Waiver order works in reverse order of standings, and you are going to see guys claimed just to block other contending teams from potentially acquiring them (especially teams in the same division). Three things can happen when a player is claimed: 1) the two teams can work out a deal, although the team that waived the player has lost leverage and would have to accept pennies on the dollar; 2) the team can pull the claimed player off waivers; 3) the team can simply let the waived player go. That third option can prove dangerous. For example, I guarantee that the Yankees place overpriced Jacoby Ellsbury on waivers. I am 100 percent sure that no team would claim him, but if one did then the Yankees would gladly walk away from that contract. The best example of this came in 2009 when the Blue Jays put outfielder Alex Rios, who was owed about $60 million on his contract, on waivers. The White Sox claimed him, and Toronto said good riddance. It worked out OK for Chicago for a couple of seasons, but the Jays would do it again in a heartbeat.

Cardinals at Brewers ( +111, 8.5 )

A 2:10 p.m. ET first pitch from Miller Park between NL Central hopefuls. The Cardinals reportedly made a very interesting offer for Oakland's Sonny Gray that included good-looking young outfielder Stephen Piscotty, but apparently the A's liked the Yankees' deal better. So the Cardinals ended up doing nothing. They go with Michael Wacha (8-4, 3.71) here. He threw six shutout innings last time out vs. Arizona with three hits allowed. Wacha has now gone 3-1 with a 2.36 ERA over his past five. He has yet to get a decision in two starts this year vs. the Brewers with a 7.20 ERA. Ryan Braun is 4-for-6 off him. Milwaukee is expected to activate Matt Garza from the DL to start here. Garza (4-5, 3.83) has been dealing with a lower leg injury. He allowed four runs over five innings on June 14 in St. Louis. If Garza can't go, the club likely will call up Brandon Woodruff for his big-league debut. He was originally recalled June 13 to make a spot start in what would have been his debut, but that never happened as the right-hander experienced hamstring tightness prior to the outing and went on the DL. He is 6-5 in the minors this year with a 4.46 ERA.

Key trends: The Cards are 9-3 in Wacha's past 12 on Thursday. The "over/under" is 5-1 in his past six against Milwaukee.

Early lean: Cardinals and over.

Diamondbacks at Cubs (-127, TBA)

MLB Network game at 2:20 p.m. ET from Wrigley in the series finale. Also the marquee pitching matchup of the day. Diamondbacks All-Star Zack Greinke (13-4, 2.84) should get some Cy Young votes and probably finish in the Top 5, maybe Top 3, if he keeps pitching well. He comes off a dominant win over St. Louis, allowing one run and four hits over seven with nine strikeouts. This is the guy the franchise was expecting last year when Greinke was given that $210 million contract. It's his first 2017 look at the Cubs. Ben Zobrist is about the only one who hits him well, going 8-for-25 with two extra-base hits. The Cubbies took off when they acquired lefty Jose Quintana (6-9, 4.16) from the White Sox. He's 2-1 with a 2.37 ERA and 25 strikeouts in three starts. He did face Arizona in interleague play on May 24 and was shelled for a season-high eight runs in 4.1 innings. JD Martinez is 9-for-28 off him from his Tigers days.

Key trends: The Diamondbacks are 4-0 in Greinke's past four on Thursday. The under is 6-1-1 in his past eight overall.

Early lean: Like the under (probably a total of 8 if no wind conditions) better than side (Diamondbacks).

Mets at Rockies (-155, 12.5)

As expected, New York has recalled its top prospect, shortstop Amed Rosario, from Triple-A. He was widely considered the No. 1 overall guy in the minors after Yoan Moncada was called up by the White sox. Rosario hit .328 with Las Vegas. New York starts Rafael Montero (1-7, 5.56). The Mets had lost the previous four times he took the mound, once in relief, but that ended Friday in Seattle even though Montero was tagged for five runs in 4.2 innings, walking five. Only a few Rockies have seen him. Charlie Blackmon is 0-for-3 and Nolan Arenado 0-for-2. Colorado rookie German Marquez (9-4, 4.08) has won four starts in a row, allowing three earned or fewer in each with 33 strikeouts. It's his first career look at the Mets.

Key trends: The Mets are 2-5 in Montero's past seven in Game 3 of a series. The Rockies are 6-0 in Marquez's past six at home. The over is 5-1 in his previous six vs. teams with a losing record.

Early lean: Rockies and over.

White Sox at Red Sox (-233, 10)

The Pale Hose avoided disaster on Monday when Moncada collided with outfielder Willy Garcia. Both had to leave the game, with Moncada carted off. Garcia has landed on the seven-day concussion list, but he frankly doesn't much matter to the team. Had Moncada torn his ACL, and it looked bad, it would have been crushing, but he simply has a deep bruise and is listed as day-to-day. I doubt you see him until the weekend as Chicago has no reason to rush him. The Red Sox, meanwhile, have lost their second baseman, Dustin Pedroia, to the 10-day DL with knee inflammation. Chicago starts Miguel Gonzalez (5-9, 4.59). He's working on three straight quality starts but has just one win to show for it. Boston left Eduardo Rodriguez (4-3, 4.16) has allowed 11 runs over 14.2 innings in three starts this month off the DL.

Key trends: The White Sox are 6-2 in their past eight in Boston. The over is 6-2 in those.

Early lean: Red Sox on runline and over.

Rangers at Twins (TBA)

Minnesota has activated outfielder and former No. 1 overall prospect Byron Buxton off the DL. The rest of the season regarding Buxton is teaching him how to make contact as he's already a Gold Glove-caliber outfielder and good base-runner. Texas, which is definitely fade-worthy post-trade deadline, goes with Austin Bibens-Dirkx (3-1, 4.80). He returned to the rotation from the bullpen on Saturday and allowed four runs over five innings vs. the Orioles. The 32-year-old has never faced the Twins. Minnesota rookie lefty Adalberto Mejia (4-4, 4.07) is looking for his first victory since July 3. He has never faced the Rangers. It's not clear who will get closing opportunities for the Twins in the wake of the trade of Brandon Kintzler to Washington. It's probably going to be by committee.

Key trends: The Rangers are 1-4 in the past five meetings. The over is 6-2-1 in the previous nine.

Early lean: TBA as Rangers haven't officially announced Bibens-Dirkx yet. There's an outside chance AJ Griffin (5-2, 5.77) could be activated from the 60-day DL to start. I like Twins regardless.

Doc's Sports is offering $60 worth of member MLB picks absolutely free - no obligation, no sales people, no credit card information. You can use this $60 credit any way you please on any of our top MLB handicappers. Get your free baseball picks now . Also, for a limited time only get three MLB handicappers for the price of one. Click here for details . Get free baseball picks today at Doc's Sports baseball predictions page .

Read more articles by

Most Recent Baseball Handicapping

One E-mail A Week Is All You Need!
Our weekly newsletter is loaded with exclusive free picks,insight and advice from our expert handicappers