The Pittsburgh Pirates will be fighting to snap a losing streak on Friday when they take on the San Francisco Giants at PNCPark.
The Giants will give the ball to starter BarryZito in this one. LefthanderZito is 5-9 this season with a 5.01 ERA.
Starting this game for the Pirates will be ace PaulMaholm. The lefthander has a 4.60 ERA to go along with a 6-4 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Giants listed as 155-moneyline favorites versus the Pirates, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Giants lost to San Diego 10-4 as a -130 favorite on Sunday. The 14 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (8).
JohnBowker homered and drove in two runs for San Francisco, while BarryZito was ripped for nine runs on 10 hits in 4 1-3 innings.
The Pirates lost to Philadelphia 5-2 as a +210 underdog on Sunday. The seven runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (9.5).
Freddy Sanchez was 2-4 with an RBI for Pittsburgh and VirgilVasquez allowed five runs on four hits in only 1 1-3 innings.
Current streak: Pittsburgh has lost 4 straight games.
Team records: San Francisco: 49-39 SU Pittsburgh: 38-50 SU
San Francisco most recently: When playing on Friday are 6-4 Before playing Pittsburgh are 2-8 After playing San Diego are 4-6 After a loss are 6-4
Pittsburgh most recently: When playing on Friday are 5-5 Before playing San Francisco are 7-3 After playing Philadelphia are 4-6 After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Francisco’s last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh San Francisco is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Francisco’s last 6 games The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Francisco’s last 6 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Pittsburgh’s last 8 games at home Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against San Francisco Pittsburgh is 14-4 SU in its last 18 games when playing San Francisco The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Pittsburgh’s last 17 games
Next up: Pittsburgh home to San Francisco, Saturday, July 18
After seeing Tom Watson turn British Open betting on its head Friday, it’s safe to say bettors can’t take anything for granted in sports. Will Friday’s top baseball matchups provide us with similar surprises?
Detroit Tigers @ New York Yankees Friday, July 17, 7:05 p.m. ET Luke French (1-0, 1.93) vsA.J. Burnett (8-4, 3.77) Baseball odds: Tigers +175, Yankees -210
You have to hand it to Tigers rookie Luke French, who came out of nowhere to surprise in his first two major league starts, shutting down the Royals and Twins. But forgive us for not equating those two teams with the New York Yankees. Facing the resurgent A-Rod and switch-hitting Mark Teixeira, not to mention All-Star Derek Jeter, the lefty French has plenty of right-handed sluggers to worry about and could get a rude awakening.
Meanwhile, A.J. Burnett hasn’t fared well against the Tigers in his career to say the least (8.04 ERA), but he’s 3-1 at home this season and he’s really in a groove right now, posting sub-3.00 ERAs in June and July. His nasty stuff should tie the free-swinging Tigers in knots now that he’s harnessed it.
Daily sports pick: Yankees -210
Boston Red Sox @ Toronto Blue Jays Friday, July 17, 7:07 PM ET Clay Buchholz (0-0, 0.00) vs Ricky Romero (7-3, 3.00) Baseball odds: Red Sox +105, Blue Jays -125
Highly touted Clay Buchholz is back, perhaps so the Red Sox can showcase him before the trade deadline. He’s making his first start of the year but has faced the Jays before, going 0-2 with a respectable 4.22 ERA. He’ll have a tough time beating Ricky Romero at the Rogers Centre. Though Romero did get shelled their by Boston earlier this season, that was his only home loss. He’s pitching with confidence, having won four straight decisions, and Buchholz could be nervous since he hasn’t pitched in the majors this season. Go with the Blue Jays, who should get a nice price per head from the fans, as they only seem to come out for Red Sox and Yankees series.
The fans at Dodger Stadium will be treated to a game between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers when they take their seats on Thursday.
The Astros will pin their hopes on the pitching of lefthander Wandy Rodriguez in this game. Rodriguez has a 8-6 record and a 2.96 ERA this season.
The Dodgers will counter Rodriguez with Randy Wolf. Lefthander Wolf has a 3.45 ERA to go along with a 4-3 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Dodgers listed as 150-moneyline favorites versus the Astros, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Astros defeated Washington 5-0 as a -110 favorite on Sunday. The five runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (9).
Brian Moehler pitched 6 1-3 shutout innings for Houston and Kaz Matsui hit a three-run home run in the win.
The Dodgers defeated Milwaukee 7-4 as a +110 underdog on Sunday. The 11 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (8).
Orlando Hudson hit a pair of solo home runs for Los Angeles and Manny Ramirez was 3-3 with two runs scored in the win.
Team records: Houston: 44-44 SU Los Angeles: 56-32 SU
Houston most recently: When playing on Thursday are 3-7 Before playing LA Dodgers are 6-4 After playing Washington are 6-4 After a win are 5-5
Los Angeles most recently: When playing on Thursday are 6-4 Before playing Houston are 3-7 After playing Milwaukee are 6-4 After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider: Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games Houston is 6-2 SU in their last 8 games when playing on the road against LA Dodgers Houston is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games on the road Houston is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing LA Dodgers The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Dodgers’s last 5 games at home The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Dodgers’s last 5 games LA Dodgers are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games LA Dodgers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing Houston
Next up: LA Dodgers home to Houston, Friday, July 17
The Los Angeles Angels will be trying to extend a winning streak on Thursday when they take on the Oakland Athletics at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
The Angels will give the ball to starter Ervin Santana in this one. Righthander Santana is 1-5 this season with a 7.81 ERA.
Starting this game for the Athletics will be Dallas Braden. The lefthander has a 3.12 ERA to go along with a 7-7 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Athletics listed as 135-moneyline favorites versus the Angels, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Angels defeated the Yankees 5-4 as a +125 underdog on Sunday. The nine runs scored caused this game to be a PUSH on the posted over/under total (9).
John Lackey allowed two runs on six hits in seven innings for the Angels and Maicier Izturis was 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored in the win.
The Athletics defeated TampaBay 7-3 as a +180 underdog on Sunday. The 10 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (8).
Kurt Suzuki was 3-4 with a pair of RBI and two runs scored for Oakland and Mark Ellis drove in two runs in the win.
Current streak: Los Angeles has won 3 straight games. Oakland has won 2 straight games.
Team records: Los Angeles: 49-37 SU Oakland: 37-49 SU
Los Angeles most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 Before playing Oakland are 6-4 After playing NY Yankees are 8-2 After a win are 7-3
Oakland most recently: When playing on Thursday are 2-8 Before playing LA Angels are 5-5 After playing TampaBay are 7-3 After a win are 3-7
A few trends to consider: LA Angels are 7-2 SU in their last 9 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 6 of LA Angels’s last 8 games LA Angels are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games LA Angels are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against Oakland The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oakland’s last 6 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Oakland’s last 13 games The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oakland’s last 7 games when playing at home against LA Angels Oakland is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing LA Angels
Next up: Oakland home to LA Angels, Friday, July 17
The fans at PETCOPark will be treated to a game between the Colorado Rockies and the San Diego Padres when they take their seats on Thursday.
Ace righthander Aaron Cook will take the mound for the Rockies to start this game. Cook is 8-3 this season with a 3.98 ERA.
Starting this game for the Padres will be Chad Gaudin. The righthander has a 5.15 ERA to go along with a 4-7 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Rockies listed as 135-moneyline favorites versus the Padres, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Rockies defeated Atlanta 8-7 as a -145 favorite on Sunday. The 15 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (10).
Brad Hawpe homered and drove in two runs for Colorado, while Seth Smith hit a two-run home run in the win.
The Padres defeated San Francisco 10-4 as a +120 underdog on Sunday. The 14 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (8).
Kevin Kouzmanoff was 4-5 with a home run and three RBI for San Diego, while Eliezer Alfonzo hit a three-run home run in the win.
Team records: Colorado: 47-41 SU San Diego: 36-52 SU
Colorado most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 Before playing San Diego are 6-4 After playing Atlanta are 2-8 After a win are 5-5
San Diego most recently: When playing on Thursday are 7-3 Before playing Colorado are 3-7 After playing San Francisco are 7-3 After a win are 2-8
A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado’s last 6 games on the road Colorado is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Colorado’s last 14 games Colorado is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Diego’s last 5 games at home San Diego is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Colorado The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Diego’s last 6 games The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Diego’s last 9 games when playing at home against Colorado
Next up: San Diego home to Colorado, Friday, July 17
The division rival Philadelphia Phillies and Florida Marlins are set to renew hostilities on Thursday when they meet at LandShark Stadium.
Jamie Moyer will be the starting pitcher for the Phillies on this day. Lefthander Moyer is 8-6 this season with a 5.99 ERA.
The Marlins will counter Moyer with Chris Volstad. Righthander Volstad has a 4.44 ERA to go along with a 6-8 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Marlins listed as 125-moneyline favorites versus the Phillies, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Phillies defeated Pittsburgh 5-2 as a -240 favorite on Sunday. The seven runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (9.5).
Pedro Feliz delivered a grand slam home run for Philadelphia and v J.A. Happ picked up the win after allowing one run on four hits in seven innings
The Marlins defeated Arizona 8-1 as a -120 favorite on Sunday. The nine runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (8.5).
Cody Ross drove in three runs for Florida and Jeremy Hermida hit a two-run home run in the win.
Current streak: Philadelphia has won 5 straight games.
Team records: Philadelphia: 48-38 SU Florida: 46-44 SU
Philadelphia most recently: When playing on Thursday are 6-4 Before playing Florida are 6-4 After playing Pittsburgh are 7-3 After a win are 8-2
Florida most recently: When playing on Thursday are 6-4 Before playing Philadelphia are 5-5 After playing Arizona are 3-7 After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider: Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Florida Philadelphia is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Florida The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Philadelphia’s last 11 games Florida is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games at home The total has gone OVER in 4 of Florida’s last 6 games when playing at home against Philadelphia Florida is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Philadelphia Florida is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Next up: Florida home to Philadelphia, Friday, July 17
The fans at GreatAmericanBallPark will be treated to a game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Cincinnati Reds when they take their seats on Thursday.
Braden Looper will be the starting pitcher for the Brewers on this day. Righthander Looper is 7-4 this season with a 4.94 ERA.
The Reds will counter Looper with Homer Bailey. Righthander Bailey has a 5.16 ERA to go along with a 1-0 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Reds listed as 115-moneyline favorites versus the Brewers, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Brewers lost to the Dodgers 7-4 as a -120 favorite on Sunday. The 11 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (8).
Yovani Gallardo took the loss for Milwaukee after allowing five runs on six hits in five innings.
The Reds lost to the Mets 9-7 as a +100 underdog on Sunday. The 16 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (8).
Brandon Phillips drove in a pair of runs for Cincinnati and Aaron Harang was roughed up for five runs on eight hits in three innings.
Current streak: Cincinnati has lost 2 straight games.
Team records: Milwaukee: 45-43 SU Cincinnati: 42-45 SU
Milwaukee most recently: When playing on Thursday are 6-4 Before playing Cincinnati are 4-6 After playing LA Dodgers are 3-7 After a loss are 6-4
Cincinnati most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 Before playing Milwaukee are 7-3 After playing NY Mets are 4-6 After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider: Milwaukee is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Cincinnati The total has gone OVER in 9 of Milwaukee’s last 11 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Milwaukee’s last 6 games The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee’s last 6 games when playing Cincinnati The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cincinnati’s last 6 games when playing Milwaukee The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cincinnati’s last 6 games Cincinnati is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games Cincinnati is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Milwaukee
Next up: Cincinnati home to Milwaukee, Friday, July 17
A winning streak will be on the line for the New York Mets on Thursday when they battle the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.
The Mets will pin their hopes on the pitching of lefthander Oliver Perez in this game. Perez has a 2-2 record and a 8.78 ERA this season.
Perez’s opponent in this one will be Derek Lowe. The Braves ace righthander has a 4.39 ERA to go along with a 8-7 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Braves listed as 175-moneyline favorites versus the Mets, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Mets defeated Cincinnati 9-7 as a -110 favorite on Sunday. The 16 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (8).
Gary Sheffield was 2-5 with three RBI for the Mets and Luis Castillo was 3-4 with three runs scored.
The Braves lost to Colorado 8-7 as a +135 underdog on Sunday. The 15 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (10).
Brooks Conrad was 3-5 with a home run and three RBI for Atlanta and Nate McLouth was 2-3 with two runs scored.
Current streak: New York has won 2 straight games.
Team records: New York: 42-45 SU Atlanta: 43-45 SU
New York most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 Before playing Atlanta are 6-4 After playing Cincinnati are 4-6 After a win are 3-7
Atlanta most recently: When playing on Thursday are 4-6 Before playing NY Mets are 4-6 After playing Colorado are 8-2 After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Mets’s last 5 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 14 of NY Mets’s last 19 games when playing on the road against Atlanta The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Mets’s last 6 games when playing Atlanta The total has gone UNDER in 6 of NY Mets’s last 9 games Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Atlanta’s last 9 games The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Atlanta’s last 19 games when playing at home against NY Mets Atlanta is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against NY Mets
A winning streak will be on the line for the Seattle Mariners on Thursday when they battle the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.
The Mariners will pin their hopes on the pitching of lefthander Garrett Olson in this game. Olson has a 3-2 record and a 5.00 ERA this season.
The Indians will counter Olson with ace Cliff Lee. Lefthander Lee has a 3.47 ERA to go along with a 4-9 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Indians listed as 210-moneyline favorites versus the Mariners, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Mariners defeated Texas 5-3 as a -150 favorite on Sunday. The eight runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (8.5).
Franklin Gutierrez was 2-4 with two runs scored for Seattle and Ichiro Suzuki was 2-5 with an RBI and a run scored in the win.
The Indians lost to Detroit 10-1 as a +190 underdog on Sunday. The 11 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (9).
Jamey Carroll drove in the Indians’ lone run and Tomo Ohka was roughed up for five runs on five hits in 3 2-3 innings.
Current streak: Seattle has won 2 straight games.
Team records: Seattle: 46-42 SU Cleveland: 35-54 SU
Seattle most recently: When playing on Thursday are 3-7 Before playing Cleveland are 6-4 After playing Texas are 4-6 After a win are 5-5
Cleveland most recently: When playing on Thursday are 3-7 Before playing Seattle are 4-6 After playing Detroit are 5-5 After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Seattle’s last 5 games The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Seattle’s last 25 games on the road Seattle is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Cleveland Seattle is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Cleveland The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cleveland’s last 8 games at home Cleveland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Seattle Cleveland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Seattle Cleveland is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games at home
Next up: Cleveland home to Seattle, Friday, July 17
The Chicago Cubs and the Washington Nationals will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at NationalsPark.
Righthander Rich Harden will take the mound for the Cubs to start this game. Harden is 5-6 this season with a 5.59 ERA.
It’ll be John Lannan toeing the rubber for the Nationals in this contest. Lefthander Lannan is 6-6 with a 3.70 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 125-moneyline favorites versus the Nationals, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Cubs lost to St. Louis 4-2 as a +100 underdog in Game 2 of a doubleheader on Sunday. The six runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (8.5).
Milton Bradley was 2-3 with an RBI for Chicago and Randy Wells surrendered four runs on seven hits over seven innings to take the loss.
The Nationals lost to Houston 5-0 as a +100 underdog on Sunday. The five runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (9).
Jordan Zimmermann took the loss for Washington after allowing three earned runs on five hits in 6 1-3 innings.
Team records: Chicago: 43-43 SU Washington: 26-61 SU
Chicago most recently: When playing on Thursday are 7-3 Before playing Washington are 6-4 After playing St. Louis are 4-6 After a loss are 5-5
Washington most recently: When playing on Thursday are 2-8 Before playing Chi Cubs are 6-4 After playing Houston are 3-7 After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs’s last 6 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Chi Cubs’s last 9 games when playing Washington The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs’s last 7 games The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington’s last 5 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington’s last 5 games The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Washington’s last 9 games when playing Chi Cubs The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington’s last 7 games at home
Next up: Washington home to Chi Cubs, Friday, July 17
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