MLB tidbits – Friday, April 26

MLB tidbits – Friday, April 26

Some quick thoughts on today’s MLB card. A couple of sentences detailing some of the stuff we considered.

Lines per Pinnacle at time when notes posted.

Hopefully this helps your handicapping. We always post rationale with our picks with the goal of helping people graduate from being betting zombies. Read. Consider. Make a wagering decision. GL and enjoy the games!

Miami at Philadelphia (7:05 pm)

Philadelphia -173 Miami +159

The scrappy Marlins got it done last night but can they pull off the repeat with Urena on the mound?…..Urena has allowed 39 hits in 26.2 IP…..Eickhoff is making his 2nd start and his first start was ok considering it was in Coors Field……Miami has scored 68 runs in 25 games will take a shot with the Phillies and hope they wear the old school unis again!

Milwaukee at New York Mets (7:10 pm)

New York -181 Milwaukee +167

Some bad weather expected in the area and we have not done any digging as a result. Keep in mind that DeGrom’s last two starts were pretty rotten (by his standards).

San Diego at Washington (7:05 pm)

Washington -177 San Diego +163

Price seems a bit high to back the Nats given that they are below-.500 (11-12) and Mad Max got roughed up vs Miami (?) last start…..Padres are 7-3 on the road and Strahm has pitched well so far…..He is also supported by a good pen. Have the game lined around -160 will take a pass.

Oakland at Toronto (7:07 pm)

Toronto -127 Oakland +117

It’s VLAD JR time tonight an hour from ML HQ and the fans will be giving him a warm reception….Lean to the Jays in this spot but we were hoping for closer to a pick em so will pass and enjoy the festivities…..We are not big Stroman guys but is pitching well with three QS and zero DONGS allowed….Fiers is a legit GASCAN that has allowed six ER in each of his last 3 starts….The As have won 3 straight whilst the Jays are just 4-8 in 12 home games.

Boston at Tampa Bay (7:10 pm)

<No line>

Taking a hard pass. Questionable weather and unknown starter for the Sox as we go to press.

Colorado at Atlanta (7:20 pm)

Atlanta -172 Colorado +158

The Rockies are starting to roll (8-2 L10) but still need to bag together a few more solid weeks before we can say THEY ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE…..Senzatela is just a guy (JAG) at SP and Fried has been really good for the Braves with four straight QS……Lean to the Braves but wanted to see something in the -145/-150 range. Pass.

Detroit at Chicago White Sox (8:10 pm)

Chicago -129 Detroit +120

Very tempted to roll with the boys from Chicago in this game with Rodon on the mound who has only allowed more than 2 ER in one start……Norris has a sub-3 ERA but has only started one game….Both teams struggle with lefties, particularly the Tigers (#26 OPS) but the Sox are just 3-6 at home…..Will take a pass on this bad boy….FWIW note that the weather is favorable for hitting (wind blowing out).

Cleveland at Houston (8:10 pm)

Houston -123 Cleveland +114

It feels like we are getting 25+ cents of line value in this spot and will roll with the Astros…..McHugh has only had one bad start (destroyed by Texas last outing) and is supported by the universe’s #1 WHIP PEN…..Kluber has been horrible last two times out (9.2 IP, 11 hits, 10 ER, 4 DONGS) and it doesn’t feel like this is the spot he will get straightened out. Best team in MLB at home vs struggglllllinngggg SP.

Baltimore at Minnesota (8:10 pm)

Minnesota -186 Baltimore +171

Two SP in this game that are not worthy of backing with your COLD, HARD CASH…..Cobb allowed 9 ER (!!) in his last start (vs these same Twins) and Perez is JAG…..Orioles are over .500 on the road…Total is worth a look (over) but we will almost certainly take a seat on this one as the market seems to recognize the pure filth involved from a pitching standpoint.

Los Angeles Angels at Kansas City (8:10 pm)

Los Angeles -113 Kansas City +105

The Angels are just 2-8L10 but did manage to INCINERATE the Yankees middle relief last night and score 11 runs after being down 4-CACK…..They are also just 2-9 (!) on the road…..KC is scrappy and we have watched a lot of their games (wut?) but there is no way on this planet we can take them with Danny “Barf Bag” Duffy on the mound making his first appearance of the season…..Skaggs is not someone you want to lay your support behind consistently either…..Line is short and sharp in our opinion but will wait for other opportunities to (gulp) back KC. <F5 innings or team total over> Pass.

Cincinnati at St Louis (8:10 pm)

St Louis -143 Cincinnati +132

Made our BANK with the Reds yesterday but they played a long game (rain delay, yo) and now travel to St Louis to face a team that is 10-3 at home (Reds 3-8 A) with a JAG SP in DeSclafani…..Mikolas is not a great fantasy pitcher but is good in REAL LIFE, albeit he has been less effective so far…..Cards have won 5 straight and the Reds are not hitting….Puig is currently trash…..Votto chokes up to the barrel after one strike….Will take a shot with STL.

Chicago Cubs at Arizona (9:40 pm)

Arizona -109 Cubs +101

The SNAKES are smoking hot right now (8-2L10) and the Cubs are just 5-7 on the road so far….This game feels like a toss-up and the line reflects that fact…..Hendricks is coming off an outing in which he tossed 7 SO innings (11 K) and while Robbbbbbyyyy Ray has not been a K machine he is certainly an arm to be respected. Pass on this bad boy.

Texas at Seattle (10:10 pm)

Seattle -137 Texas +126

Game is an automatic pass for us. FYI – Kikuchi is only going one inning (max 2) for the Mariners and while Shelby Miller is PURE FILTH we usually just pass on games with this kind of uncertainty.

Pittsburgh at Los Angeles Dodgers (10:10 pm)

Los Angeles -170 Pittsburgh +157

You know we love us some Pirates but they have lost 5 straight games and face an LA squad that is really good at home (9-4)……Pirates are (-14) in run differential and LA is +24…..Lean to LA but not going to pay the -170 price tag.

New York Yankees at San Francisco (10:10 pm)

New York -116 San Francisco +107

Going back to the well with the Yankees….NY is a playoff team whilst the Giants are…..N…O….T….Paxton is pitching great (last 2 starts – 14 IP, 5 hits, 2 BB 24 K) and the San Fran lineup features Kevin Pillar as their best hitter….NY 8-2 L10 despite last night’s CHOKE JOB and should be able to handle the Giants 6 times out of 10 with this match-up so we will take a shot at -116.

Enjoy the games!