MLB Baseball Betting
MLB: Top MLB Holiday Weekend Power Trends 7/2-7/4
2010-07-02
The 4th of July holiday weekend is upon us and so is another full schedule of baseball action as we cruise towards the all-star break in just a week-and-a-half. Many experts believe this is a key point in the baseball season, as teams hope to set the tone for the unofficial second half of the season by making a push before the break. Some teams like the Reds, Brewers, White Sox, and Rangers are surging now, while others like the Jays and Giants are skidding. This weekend’s action will continue the pre-break patterns. Let’s take a look at what’s on tap for this weekend and reveal our list of Top StatFox Power Trends that you’ll want to consider in your weekend wagering.
The interesting thing about the National League slate for this weekend is that only two teams with winning records are paired up, meaning the chasers have a chance to gain key ground but they need to play well. In Chicago, the Cubs may be reaching a point of desperation, and nothing shy of taking the final three games of a 4-game set with the Central-leading Reds will suffice. Cincinnati already won the series opener on Thursday in extra innings, putting the Cubs 10-1/2 games out. In that same division, the Brewers have a chance to make up some ground too, but unlike the Cubs, they got off to a good start in their own 4-game set with the Cardinals by winning 4-1 on Thursday. Milwaukee is playing some of its best baseball of the year, 8-3 in its L11 games, outscoring opponents 55-37 in that span. The Brewers have actually played very well in St. Louis too, going 15-7 over the last three seasons.
In the N.L. East, division leading Atlanta is at home against the Marlins. That is certainly good news for the Braves, who own the league’s best home mark at 28-9. They are currently two games up on New York who is in Washington this weekend and four games ahead of Philadelphia, who visits Pittsburgh. Both the Mets and Phillies got off to slow starts in their 4-game sets, losing the series openers. Out West, reeling San Francisco will be in Colorado hoping to snap a skid of 1-8 in its L9 games. Both teams are looking up at San Diego (home vs. Houston this weekend) and Los Angeles (at Arizona) in the standings.
In the American League, there are two key series’ to keep an eye on, both matching teams right in the thick of the playoff hunt. In Texas, the surging Sox come to town, although since winning 15 of 16 games entering Monday’s play, they have since lost three of four. The Rangers have also played very well of late, going 21-7 since the beginning of June to take over the West Division. In Minnesota, two teams that are struggling to recapture some earlier season magic are going head-to-head, as the Twins host the Rays. Tampa Bay won the series opener on Thursday night but is just 7-12 since June 10th, having slipped into third place in the East. The Twins have won just three of their last 10 games and have allowed both the Tigers and White Sox to creep to within a couple games of the Central lead.
The other current division leader in the Junior Circuit is New York, and the Yankees will host the sliding Jays this weekend. Toronto has lost nine of its L11 games and could be close to becoming a “seller” by the July 31 trade deadline. The Yankees have struggled with their pitching a bit of late, having allowed 5.6 runs per game in their L9. Boston is just 1-1/2 games back of New York right now and has what figures to be the easiest series on paper this weekend, hosting the Orioles, owners of the league’s worst record at 24-54. Baltimore has only won eight of 37 games on the road this season.
Now, let’s get to those Top StatFox Power Trends we promised earlier….
CINCINNATI at CHICAGO CUBS
CHICAGO CUBS are 15-31 (-15.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 54% to 62%) over the last 2 seasons. The average score was CHICAGO CUBS 3.4, OPPONENT 4.8 - (Rating = 1*)
PHILADELPHIA at PITTSBURGH
PITTSBURGH is 21-55 (-31.9 Units) against the money line vs. an NL team with an on base percentage .325 or worse over the last 2 seasons. The average score was PITTSBURGH 2.9, OPPONENT 5.1 - (Rating = 3*)
NY METS at WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON is 45-25 UNDER (+16.6 Units) vs. teams averaging 2.75 or less extra base hits per game this season. The average score was WASHINGTON 4.0, OPPONENT 4.3 - (Rating = 2*)
FLORIDA at ATLANTA
FLORIDA is 38-22 (+18.4 Units) against the money line vs. teams who strand 7.5 or more runners on base per game over the last 2 seasons. The average score was FLORIDA 4.9, OPPONENT 4.3 - (Rating = 1*)
SAN FRANCISCO at COLORADO
SAN FRANCISCO is 9-16 (-10.4 Units) against the money line vs. a good bullpen whose WHIP is 1.350 or better this season. The average score was SAN FRANCISCO 3.0, OPPONENT 3.6 - (Rating = 1*)
MILWAUKEE at ST LOUIS
ST LOUIS is 47-25 UNDER (+18.7 Units) vs. a poor bullpen whose ERA is 4.50 or worse over the last 2 seasons. The average score was ST LOUIS 4.4, OPPONENT 3.7 - (Rating = 1*)
LA DODGERS at ARIZONA
LA DODGERS are 22-11 OVER (+10.8 Units) vs. teams outscored by opp by 1 or more runs/game on the season over the last 2 seasons. The average score was LA DODGERS 5.7, OPPONENT 4.3 - (Rating = 1*)
HOUSTON at SAN DIEGO
HOUSTON is 9-2 (+13.8 Units) against the money line in road games vs. an excellent bullpen whose ERA is 3.00 or better over the last 3 seasons. The average score was HOUSTON 5.5, OPPONENT 3.3 - (Rating = 3*)
TORONTO at NY YANKEES
TORONTO is 35-23 OVER (+11.0 Units) as an underdog of +125 to +175 over the last 2 seasons. The average score was TORONTO 4.7, OPPONENT 5.6 - (Rating = 0*)
SEATTLE at DETROIT
SEATTLE is 11-20 (-10.9 Units) against the money line vs. AL teams scoring 4.7 or less runs/game on the season this season. The average score was SEATTLE 3.7, OPPONENT 4.9 - (Rating = 1*)
OAKLAND at CLEVELAND
CLEVELAND is 16-32 (-17.9 Units) against the money line vs. poor power teams - averaging 0.9 or less HR's/game over the last 2 seasons. The average score was CLEVELAND 4.1, OPPONENT 5.6 - (Rating = 1*)
BALTIMORE at BOSTON
BALTIMORE is 3-18 (-13.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 54% to 62%) this season. The average score was BALTIMORE 2.9, OPPONENT 6.7 - (Rating = 1*)
CHI WHITE SOX at TEXAS
TEXAS is 45-23 (+18.8 Units) against the money line vs. teams averaging 2.75 or less extra base hits per game this season. The average score was TEXAS 5.6, OPPONENT 4.0 - (Rating = 2*)
TAMPA BAY at MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA is 40-18 (+17.2 Units) against the money line in home games vs. teams whose hitters strike out 7 or more times/game over the last 3 seasons. The average score was MINNESOTA 5.4, OPPONENT 3.6 - (Rating = 0*)
KANSAS CITY at LA ANGELS
LA ANGELS are 65-35 (+21.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. The average score was LA ANGELS 5.4, OPPONENT 4.7 - (Rating = 1*)
MLB: Big battle in the Bronx
2010-05-19
There’s little doubt that the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees have established themselves as the top teams in the AL East, the division New York reclaimed last year after the Rays won it in 2008. They also appear to be the two best clubs in baseball. Tampa Bay can bolster its early lead on the Yankees and extend its latest winning streak to five on Wednesday night, but to do so the Rays will need to end a string of six straight losses in the Bronx. They’ll also need to overcome an underdog line of +145 according to Sportsbook.com.
New York (25-14, +5.6 units) has begun defense of its World Series title in strong fashion only to be overshadowed by the Rays, who are the only team in the majors with a better record.
Tampa Bay (28-11, +10.4) dropped two of three to the Yankees at home from April 9-11, but manager Joe Maddon’s team - already with a three-game lead - has a chance to make a statement in New York before beginning interleague play. “It’s going to be fun going up there, as it should be,” said Maddon, whose team has gone 15-4 (+10.5) on the road in 2010 but was outscored 31-12 while losing its last six in the Bronx last season.
“You want to be on the top. You want to play the best teams. You want to play in the best division. I think it’s great,” Maddon added. “Our guys will be ready for it. Our game’s a pretty good game right now. We haven’t hit to our potential yet, but we’ve been doing everything else.”
Brilliant pitching has been the foundation of the majors’ best start since Boston was 28-11 in 2002. David Price and four relievers held Cleveland to six hits in a 6-2 win Tuesday, lowering Tampa Bay’s team ERA to 2.69 - the best in the AL and they are 37-16 after allowing two runs or less.
Wade Davis (3-3, 3.38 ERA, 1.325 WHIP) has played a role, although the rookie will be trying to avoid a third straight loss. He has held Oakland and Seattle to three runs each in his last two starts, but has gotten minimal run support in that stretch. For those interested in sports betting, Tampa Bay is just is 5-19 in road games vs. AL teams scoring 5.2 or more runs per contest over the last two seasons.
Davis has yet to pitch at Yankee Stadium, but New York has already beaten him twice in St. Petersburg, with Davis posting a 5.73 ERA in the two outings. “I just want us to play the same kind of game we’ve been playing to this point,” Maddon said. “I don’t like to say: `We’re playing the Yankees, you’ve got to play a better game.’”
The Rays, however, have had major problems figuring out the Yankees’ scheduled starter. A.J. Burnett has won four straight starts against Tampa Bay and is 6-0 with a 1.76 ERA in his last seven. He held the Rays to two runs in seven innings of a 7-3 win April 11. Burnett (4-1, 3.31, 1.355) did not factor in the decision Friday night against Minnesota, although he worked 6 2/3 innings and allowed three runs - two earned - in an 8-4 win.
The banged-up Yankees will try to regroup quickly after squandering a 5-0 lead in Tuesday’s 7-6 home loss to Boston, with Mariano Rivera allowing a go-ahead hit for the second straight outing. New York fell to 13-4 (+6.4) at Yankee Stadium and will now try to avoid its first back-to-back losses at home and is 73-44 vs. an AL starting pitcher whose ERA is 4.00 or better since 2008.
Sportsbook.com has New York as -155 money line favorites with total at Ov9. The Yankees are 38-12 in the Bronx playing against a team with a winning record and 41-11 at home when the total is 9 to 9.5. They are 13-4 OVER when their bullpen is struggling with ERA over 7.00 in the last five games.
Tampa Bay has been terrific in the visitor’s role and is 12-2 away from home after a win this season. The biggest concern is putting together enough hits and they are 6-17 in road outings after batting .250 or worse over a 20-game span. Since last year the Rays are 11-2 UNDER as a road underdog of +125 to +150.
This is the ESPN Wednesday night contest which has a 7:05 Eastern start and New York has won 12 of previous 18 against Tampa Bay in the pinstripes.
The StatFox Power Line shows New York should only be priced at -105.
MLB: Baseball Totals System Ready to Fire
2009-09-16
There will be no pennant race talk in this article, instead we’re on the hunt for a baseball betting winner and the potential is there to cash a winning ticket just by utilizing a totals system that has hit consistently in the high 70% range. Read on for more on that system, then find out more on the game it applies to on the Sportsbook.com LIVE ODDS & GAME MATCHUP pages.
The Cincinnati Reds were spotted as frauds at the All-Star break hovering around .500, despite having the 14th rated runs scored and runs allowed figures in the National League. The baseball gods finally caught up with the Reds and they lost 14 out of 15 after the break. Fortunately for Cincinnati (66-79, -2.9 units), they play in the same division as Pittsburgh, so finishing last is usually taken care of by the Pirates. The Reds have had their share of injuries, which might have contributed to better offensive numbers, yet the facts state what the Reds are, not very good offensively, ranked 28th in baseball.
It hasn’t been a marquee season in Houston (70-75, -0.9 units) either, trying to squeeze one more pennant chase out of the oldest team in the big leagues, with a pitching staff being held together with yarn and duct tape beyond Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez. The Astros don’t swing the bats a whole lot better than Cincinnati, ranked 25th in runs scored at 4.1 runs per game.
September baseball is a real challenge to wager on, with so many unexpected occurrences. However, some savvy bettors make most of their baseball money at this time of year. Take this series, Houston had won seven out of ten and came to play on the banks of the Ohio River, having beaten the Reds 16 out of last 21 in their own ballpark.
Cincinnati returned home after losing five of last six on extended road trip and they were set to be underdogs against the Astros best starters Rodriguez and Oswalt, in the first two meetings. So what happens? Cincy wins the first two games as home underdogs and goes for the sweep today.
Today’s pitching matchup won’t make this the game of the day, with Justin Lehr (4-2, 4.93 ERA) facing Yorman Bazardo (0-1, 9.00). What these pitchers lack in name brand recognition, they are expected to contribute to a top notch Totals system today.
Play Over on all teams when the total is 9 to 9.5, with a winning percentage between 38 and 46 percent, off two straight upset wins over division rivals as a home underdog.
Since 1997, this Total system is 35-11, 76.1 percent, with the average total score being 11.1 runs per game. This system is further aided by Cincinnati sporting a 9-1 OVER record off an upset win over a division rival as a home underdog (note the similarity) over the last two seasons and Houston is 29-15 OVER vs. an NL starting pitcher whose ERA is 4.70 to 5.20 since 2007. September baseball, the strangeness never stops, yet winners can still be uncovered.
The Reds are -120 money line favorites at Sportsbook.com, with a total of Ov9
MLB: MLB Series Betting- San Francisco at L.A. Dodgers
2009-05-08
It seems only fitting on the day of the biggest news story of the season, the team that will affected the most would lose their first home game of the season to the worst team in Major League baseball. Manny Ramirez was suspended 50-games by baseball for taking illegal substance and the Dodgers record setting home winning streak of 13 games came crashing down, but not because the offense failed, as they lost 11-9 to the Nationals.
Ramirez is old news, as manager Joe Torre will have to play with the 25 players on the active roster and not be concerned about what he doesn’t have, as his club prepares for rival San Francisco. Undoubtedly, Los Angeles will miss Ramirez, but the team’s young players have paid attention to Manny’s positive habits and are second in the big leagues in runs scored and batting average. Being aggressive yet patient has really paid off for the Dodgers who have drawn the most walks in baseball coming into the series.
San Francisco has instituted its youth movement and the early results haven’t been bad in the win/loss column with 14-13 record. The Giants have survived to this point on pitching and barely enough hitting to have winning record. No matter how good the pitching is, at some point San Fran hitters are going to have to do better than being last in runs scored and 29th in on-base percentage (.306) if they expect to be a .500 club on the season.
The Dodgers have mashed NL West rivals this season accounting for fast start with 19-6 record. They’ve opened with 4-2 record against the Giants in 2009 and will send ace Chad Billingsley (5-0, 2.21 ERA) to the rubber as he tries to become first six game winner in the National League. There were questions before the season if Billingsley was ready to assume the role of No.1 at the grand old age of 24. He’s embraced the position and has 42 strikeouts through 40 2/3 innings. The Dodgers are 18-3 in home games vs. a NL team with an on base percentage .315 or worse.
The Giants are +180 money line underdogs in the opener at Sportsbook.com and will send Barry Zito (0-2, 3.99) to the mound. Zito has been one the biggest free agent flops in the last decade and started in much the same fashion this season, surrendering 10 runs in first nine innings of work. Since then he’s looked like the pitcher who used to wear Oakland uniform, allowing three runs in 20 1/3 innings (1.33). The only reason he hasn’t posted a win, is his teammates have tallied a grand total of three runs in those three starts. Interestingly, Zito and San Francisco are 7-2 in road games after a win over the last two seasons. If Zito pitches well again it might mean the Giants are starting to finally get some of their money’s worth from the left-hander. However, Billingsley has pitched well against the San Fran in his career, going 4-0 with a 3.21 ERA in eight starts.
Game 1 Edge: Los Angeles
San Francisco knows the Dodgers are not the same team without Manny but they understand this is still a talented club with ample firepower. “That team is very good," Giants catcher Bengie Molina said. "They have a lot of young guys who can hit and play the game. In a way, it'd be very unfair to say that they're going to be a less competitive team [without Ramirez]. I think they're going to keep battling and use this as motivation."
The Giants had won 11 of last 16 coming into the series, though dismal 4-9 on the road. They will present Jonathan Sanchez (1-2. 3.80) to L.A. The hard throwing lefty has low to mid 90’s heater with natural tailing movement away from RH hitters. Sanchez is prone to inconsistency and wildness, as noted by walking 18 batters in 21 1/3 innings so far in 2009. When he throws strikes and is around the plate, batters are hitting .188 against him.
The Dodgers counter with Eric Stults (3-1, 4.94), who is no kid at 29 years old and has never found a home with the big club. He’s primarily a fly-ball pitcher, lacking any special out-pitches. He strictly a back of the rotation guy and if the Torre had somebody better to start, he would take Stults place. This contest is more about the numbers and the Dodgers are 10-1 playing on Saturday’s and 17-4 against lefties. The Giants are 3-13 when Sanchez is starting pitcher.
Game 2 Edge: Los Angeles
The reigning Cy Young award Tim Lincecum (3-1, 3.05) brings tranquility and confidence to the Giants team when he pitches. San Francisco has scored five or more runs nine times this season, four when Lincecum pitches. He is one of the few pitchers in baseball that if you are a fan of pitching, you want to watch him make hitters look silly with his overpowering fastball and knee-buckling curve. He will go up against Jeff Weaver (1-0, 1.00), who is on his second tour of duty with the Dodgers and made first start since 2007 last Tuesday against Arizona. Weaver struck out six, walked one and allowed one run in five innings, throwing a season-high 85 pitches. He was in continual trouble with runners in scoring position in four of the innings pitched, but escaped. Lincecum is 3-0 lifetime versus L.A.
Game 3 Edge: San Francisco
As much fun as it would be to bet on the Giants for big payday, it’s very difficult to bet against Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium right now. Billingsley is very sharp, which should be a win and Sanchez wildness puts more Dodgers on the base paths. Though Stults is far from a sure thing, San Francisco’s lack of production at the plate makes Torre’s troops the obvious play.
Sportsbook.com series odds: San Francisco +170, L.A. Dodgers -220
StatFox Edge Pick: Dodgers
2009 Record – 1-3
MLB: Yankees Favored to Open Big Series
2008-08-26
The final regular season series ever at Yankees Stadium between New York and Boston commences Tuesday night. If the Bronx Bombers have any aspirations of still making a push towards the 2008 postseason, they’ll need to play their best series of the year. As a small favorite in Game 1 of the 3-game set, the Yanks will send Andy Pettitte to the hill to face off against Tim Wakefield. Over 90% of the early action at Sportsbook.com backs the hosts.
If there were ever a time to exercise ghosts from the past, now would be the perfect time for the New York Yankees. With Yankee Stadium wilting down to a few precious weeks before the final game is played at the famous ball park, maybe this would be the week to hang pictures throughout the stadium with Boston in town. Maybe banners with Bucky Dent’s face, Reggie Jackson, Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle plastered all over the place, to remind the Red Sox there is a reason why they have won only 37 percent of the time at Yankee Stadium over the last 85 years. With what is at stake for New York, it’s time to use every trick in the book.
The Yankees trail Boston by five games for the wild card spot and have to win a minimum of two games in this series to realistically hold on to any chance of snagging last postseason berth in the American League, with just over a month to go. Despite a mastery over the Red Sox for years, the magic ended when New York lost four straight in the 2004 ALCS to Boston. The Red Sox have gone on to win two World Series since then and the Bronx Bombers have lost four consecutive playoff series. For New York, this season it’s about just trying to extend 13-year run of October baseball.
“I feel like it’s a must-win series,” Andy Pettitte (13-9, 4.17, 1.344 WHIP) told the team’s official Web site. “I don’t necessarily feel like we need to sweep them, but I feel like we need to win the series.” Pettitte has a long history of success against the BoSox and is opening game starter. In the last 11 years, the left-hander is 16-7 versus Boston and his team has won 19 of his 28 starts. Sportsbook.com has New York as -155 money line home favorites and with total Un9.5. Since 1997, Pettitte and the teams he has pitched for are 52-18 as a home favorite of -150 to -200.
Boston will go for two virtual eliminations in a row, having taken down Toronto on the road, all but closing out what chances they had left and will try to do the same to the Yanks. You have to love managers like Terry Francona, who so desperately try to keep everything on even keel, even when they understand what is at stake. He knows this is big series and is trying to sell it like his club is playing Seattle this week, just with more people in the stands. “Because of the media and the fans, there’s more energy or electricity in the ballpark, but you can’t bring in a pitcher an inning earlier,” Francona said. “They don’t give you two wins when you beat the Yankees.”
Thanks for insightful information T.F., here is something that is useful for baseball bettors, Boston is 21-8 in road games when playing with a day off over the last three seasons. Tim Wakefield (7-8, 3.67, 1.177) will make first start since coming off the disabled list and has one win in last 11 starts (Boston 2-9) against the team in pinstripes. Another factor working against the knuckle-baller and his club is they have combined to produce 4-12 record against teams with winning record the last two seasons and are 0-8 in this situation if it occurs in the second portion of the season.
The total does cause confusion as to what way is best to wager. With Pettitte on the hill, manager Joe Girardi’s club is 17-5 Under. Boston is 16-5 Under as a road underdog of +100 or higher since 2006, when giving Wakefield the starting assignment. Just when this seems so cut and dry, you realize New York is 16-3 Over off two straight road wins against AL East rival over the last three years.
This heavyweight encounter can be viewed in local markets or on MLB.TV starting at 7:05 Eastern. These teams have split a dozen meetings in 2008.
StatFox Power Line – Yankees -114
Thursday Night MLB Series Wrap-ups
2008-07-10
Often referred to as getaway day in baseball, Thursday’s normally offer an array of afternoon and evening encounters in the big leagues. Today we’ll focus our attention on night-time action as the team’s wrap-up series before getting ready for the next opponent.
L.A. Angels at Texas
Angels manager Mike Scioscia is known for keeping his demeanor on an even keel, however no former player, manager or whoever sleeps very well after seeing team lose with two outs in the bottom of the ninth on a walk-off home run. The gut-wrenching loss is made all the worse knowing Francisco Rodriguez, who leads the league in saves, served it up to Josh Hamilton, who is having dream season from remarkable recovery. The losses the last two nights by the Halos have to sting a little more since in both cases, they were held in check to lose by first major league starters for Texas.
Los Angeles will turn to their best starter John Lackey (6-2, 1.93, 0.924 WHIP) to even this four game series. Lackey has been spectacular after starting the year on the DL and is 26-9 against the money line after a loss over the last two seasons. (Halos Record) After slow start that had many wondering about manager Ron Washington continued employment in Texas, the Rangers have become formidable foe, even with patchwork pitching staff. Texas has taken advantage of the Angels lack of hitting and is 20-11 vs. an AL team with an on base percentage .320 or worse this season.
Sportsbook.com has the Rangers as +135 home underdogs, with total ay U9.5. The Angels might be 28-13 after two or more consecutive losses, yet it is not wise to give up on Texas who can hit and is 34-22 (+17.1 Units) in home games off an upset win over a division rival as a home underdog.
Arizona at Washington
This is an important contest for the Arizona Diamondbacks, now tied for first place in the NL West. With the D-Backs and the Dodgers owning the same record and having 71 games left in the regular season, Arizona would not enjoy the thought of losing the division by a game or two, knowing they lost two series to the Washington Nationals. Dan Haren (8-5, 2.83, 0.977 WHIP) will try to place the Snakes in position to win this road series and square up season series with the Nats. Arizona’s failures are traced to lack of offense scoring more than four runs three times in last 19 games. No wonder the D-Backs are 3-10 in road games after three or more consecutive Unders this season.
The posted total is Un7.5, which makes a lot of sense. Haren has a baseball best 1.50 ERA since June 1 and despite Washington’s Jason Bergmann sporting a 1-6 record, he has a 1.73 ERA in last four starts. Take into consideration Arizona is 12-3 UNDER in road games after scoring four runs or less three straight games in 2008 and the Nationals are 24-10 UNDER vs. a starting pitcher whose throws more than 6.5 innings per start.
Chicago at Kansas City
Kansas City is finding out two things playing the White Sox this week, they never quit and the Royals bullpen stinks like…manure (close one). Chicago battled back from five runs down for a 7-6 win over Kansas City on Wednesday, one day after rallying from an early three-run hole for an 8-7, 13-inning victory. All-Star left fielder Carlos Quentin hit a pair of two-run homers Wednesday, then scored the go-ahead run on an eighth-inning balk to lead the White Sox to their 11th win in 13 contests. Mark Buehrle (6-7, 3.91, 1.346 WHIP) will take the ball for the Pale Hose, who look to continue dominance of Kansas City, seeking 6-0 start versus AL Central foe.
Zack Grienke (7-5, 3.62, 1.274 WHIP) takes the pill for the Royals at Kauffman Stadium where he is 3-0, with 2.57 ERA. K.C. has won five of his six starts at home, nevertheless is up against terrible trend that has them at 2-15 against the money line vs. teams outscoring opponents by 0.5 or more runs a game on the season. Though this contest is listed as a “Pick” at press time, it doesn’t feel like it, with Buehrle and the White Sox having won 12 of their last 14 contests against the Royals.