Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
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08-20-21 | White Sox v. Rays OVER 9 | Top | 7-5 | Win | 102 | 13 h 9 m | Show |
Total Annihilation - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #971 Friday 10* Top Play OVER 9 runs in Tampa Bay Rays vs Chicago White Sox @ 7:10 ET - The White Sox have Lucas Giolito on the mound and the over is 9-3 in his road starts this season. He has been hit a little harder in recent starts too as he has struggled in 2 of his last 3 outings. I know Giolito is certainly a solid pitcher overall but this Rays team is swinging very hot sticks right now. Tampa Bay has won 11 of 14 games and scored an average of 7.7 runs per game during this hot stretch. The White Sox are also rolling again overall as they had won 8 of 12 before yesterday's 5-4 loss. Chicago had averaged 5.8 runs per game in those dozen games and should have no trouble with the offerings of Michael Wacha here. The Rays right-hander is 0-2 with an 11.57 ERA in his last 3 starts. The over is 10-4-2 in Wacha's 16 starts this season. More of the same on tap here and both teams have huge days at the plate. 10* OVER 9 in Tampa Bay |
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08-19-21 | Edmonton Elks +4 v. BC | Top | 21-16 | Win | 100 | 18 h 37 m | Show |
ESPN2 Smash Pass - Rickenbach CFL Rotation #671 Thursday 10* Top Play Edmonton Elks +4 @ BC Lions @ 10 ET - Statistically, the Elks have been much better than what has been reflected on the scoreboard the first two weeks. That is helping lead to line value here especially with Edmonton available at +4 in this one. The road team is a perfect 2-0 ATS in BC games this season and 2-0 SU/ATS in Elks games this season and I look for that trend to continue here but will grab the points as added insurance. Keep in mind, the Lions lost in Week 1 by just 4 points and Edmonton also lost in Week 1 by just a 4-point margin. 10* EDMONTON +4 |
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08-19-21 | Patriots v. Eagles +1.5 | Top | 35-0 | Loss | -110 | 15 h 36 m | Show |
Thursday Thrasher - Rickenbach NFL Rotation #402 Thursday 10* Top Play Philadelphia Eagles +1.5 vs New England Patriots @ 7:30 ET - The Eagles blew a 13-0 late 1st half lead last week and lost 24-16 as they are outscored 24-3 the rest of the way. Philadelphia is likely to struggle in the regular season this year but keep in mind this is preseason. With a first year head coach who demands plenty from his players, I look for a much better effort this week after the ugly 2nd half last week for the Eagles. As for the Patriots, a long TD run is what sealed their victory last week as they were clinging a 2-point lead at the time. The key here is that other than that run, one could easily argue that Washington was the much better team in that game. The Pats, not including that long TD run, were outgained by 138 yards. New England is 1-2 SU/ATS the last 2 preseasons when off a home win and they allowed an average of 25.3 points per game in those 3 games. Look for them to struggle again on the road in that role here and the Eagles bounce back from last week's second half debacle. 10* PHILADELPHIA +1.5 |
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08-19-21 | Mariners v. Rangers OVER 8.5 | Top | 9-8 | Win | 100 | 8 h 48 m | Show |
Afternoon Annihilation - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #913 Thursday 10* Top Play OVER 8.5 runs in Texas Rangers vs Seattle Mariners @ 2:05 ET - I know neither one of these lineups have been juggernauts in terms of scoring runs of late but this looks like the perfect match-up for a breakthrough game for each. That said, I love the value of this very low total, 8.5, for an American League game when you consider the pitching match-up here. Chris Flexen has struggled throughout his career and after a surprising run through much of this season, particularly in his home starts, he is starting to revert back to normal of late. Flexen has been hit much harder over his last 4 starts. Also, on the season he has proven to be much more susceptible to getting roughed up on the road and that was also true in his lone start at Texas earlier this season. Flexen has a 5.44 ERA in his road starts this season and opponents are hitting .327 against him away from home. The Rangers start former Phillie Spencer Howard here and the Mariners just faced him in his most recent start. This is a big edge to the hitters and they will get to him this time around. Though he was successful in that outing, Howard only lasted 3 innings and now Seattle gets another look. Keep in mind, he entered that start with an 8.03 ERA over his 3 prior starts. Return to normal here and both teams see their lineups have big games here. 10* OVER 8.5 in Texas |
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08-18-21 | Angels v. Tigers OVER 8.5 | Top | 3-1 | Loss | -106 | 14 h 5 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach MLB 10* Top Play OVER the total in Detroit Tigers vs Los Angeles Angels @ 7:10 ET - This total is an 8.5 and it is a contrarian play because both Shohei Ohtani and Tarik Skubal have been pitching well of late. However, I like the over here as Skubal is going to return to norms as I am expecting a regression to the mean. Also, the Angels exploding for 6 runs in the top of the 9th yesterday gives this team a ton of momentum heading into today's match-up. As for Ohtani, he has been known to be a much better pitcher at home in comparison with on the road. That said, I do expect some struggles for him here. He entered this season with a 6.20 ERA in his career on the road and he has a 4.54 ERA in his 7 road starts this season and that is even including a good one in his most recent outing. I know the Tigers offense has been quite in the past two games but this followed Detroit scoring an average of 6 runs a game over 6 prior games. The Angels have averaged scoring 5 runs per game in their last 4 road wins and Skubal's most recent home start was a good one but that was preceded by him allowing 3 homers in his prior home start. Just a strong feeling here that the Angels carry momentum from yesterday's huge 9th inning while the Tigers also hit well as Ohtani has some road struggles as his long-term tendency for that resumes here. 10* OVER the total in Detroit |
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08-17-21 | Braves v. Marlins +118 | Top | 2-0 | Loss | -100 | 15 h 3 m | Show |
ACTION on the pitchers. This is a TEAM based money line play. NO listed pitchers: Earliest Cash - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #904 Tuesday 10* Top Play Miami Marlins +115 vs Atlanta Braves @ 7:10 ET - Yes the Braves have been very hot but the Marlins are a respectable home team and will bounce back after yesterday's ugly loss. Miami has a starting pitching edge. Additionally their home bullpen ERA is a full run lower than Atlanta's road bullpen ERA. I like the fact that Sandy Alcantara has a 2.58 ERA at home this season. Also, the Marlins are 5-2 in Alcantara's career starts against the Braves and he has a solid 3.14 ERA in those 7 outings. The Braves are starting Huascar Ynoa and he was strong against Marlins in most recent outing but struggled when he first faced them and now this is the first time he will be starting at Miami. Note that Ynoa is 1-2 with a 4.87 ERA in road outings this season. The Marlins had won 4 straight games overall and 4 straight home games before yesterday's embarrassing defeat. Perfect time to back them for a bounce back effort on Tuesday. 10* MIAMI +115 |
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08-17-21 | Orioles v. Rays OVER 8 | Top | 0-10 | Win | 100 | 14 h 29 m | Show |
NOTE: Drew Rasmussen is making just his 4th start of the season and is averaging only 3 innings per start. He is not a true starter. The Rays could change their mind and use an opener and then let Rasmussen get the bulk of the work - 3 or 4 innings. That said, I just want to emphasize that, just like yesterday's play involving these teams, I do not care who the starting pitchers are for either team. If possible, I would recommend to bet this total at a book that has action on pitchers on all bets in MLB. Either way, I am telling you straight away that if there is a pitching change, this is still a play for me and I would recommend to re-bet it if you did not already have action: Total of the Month: Rickenbach MLB Rotation #921 Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER 8 runs in Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore Orioles @ 7:10 ET - As for the Orioles, John Means is scheduled to start. With how hot the Rays bats have been it does not matter whom Baltimore starts here and plus the Orioles bullpen has been dreadful and that continued yesterday. As for Means, he has a decent ERA his last 3 starts but his numbers, particularly in his last 2 starts, have certainly left a lot to be desired and this is helping to lead to value in this spot. Means has allowed 16 hits in just 9 and 1/3 innings in his last two starts and that including giving up just 1 earned run but 8 hits to the Rays. Also, Means just got absolutely destroyed by the Tigers when he gave them a quick 2nd look and now he is doing the same by facing this hot Tampa Bay lineup again after just seeing them two starts ago - exact same situation he just had relating to Detroit. Also, the Rays are on an 8-2 run to the over as TB has been hot. The Rays have scored an average of nearly 9 runs per game in their last 8 victories. The Orioles have allowed an average of about 9 runs per game last 12 games! Also, the Orioles had scored an average of 5 runs per game in last 6 games versus Rays prior to being held to just 2 runs yesterday. They should fare better today plus the TB bats should remain FIRE! 10* OVER the total in Tampa Bay |
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08-16-21 | Orioles v. Rays OVER 8.5 | Top | 2-9 | Win | 100 | 15 h 26 m | Show |
NOTE: Fleming likely to get most of the work for Rays while McHugh will serve as an opener here. I do not care who the starting pitchers are for either team. If possible, I would recommend to bet this total at a book that has action on pitchers on all bets in MLB. Either way, I am telling you straight away that if there is a pitching change, this is still a play for me and I would recommend to re-bet it if you did not already have action: Rickenbach MLB Rotation #963 Monday 10* Top Play OVER 8.5 runs in Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore Orioles @ 7:10 ET - Collin McHugh expected to only serve as an opener here so lets discuss Josh Fleming as he is projected to get most of the action. Fleming has been hit hard and has a 10.13 ERA in his last 3 starts and the over is 7-4 in his 11 starts this season. Again, I know he is not the listed starter here but essentially he is the starter by virtue of getting most of the work here. As for the Orioles Matt Harvey is scheduled to start. With how hot the Rays bats have been it does not matter whom Baltimore starts here and plus the Orioles bullpen has been dreadful. As for Harvey, he has a decent ERA his last 3 starts but his numbers, particularly in his last 2 starts, have certainly left a lot to be desired and this is helping to lead to value in this spot. Harvey got absolutely destroyed by Tampa Bay earlier this season. Also, the Rays are off a 5-4 loss that stayed under the total but this was preceded by a 7-1 run to the over as TB had been hot. The Rays have scored an average of nearly 9 runs per game in their last 7 victories. The Orioles are off a 6-2 loss that stayed under the total but Baltimore has allowed an average of about 9.5 runs per game last 11 games! Also, the Orioles have scored an average of 5 runs per game in last 5 games versus Rays. 10* OVER the total in Tampa Bay |
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08-15-21 | Dodgers -1.5 v. Mets | Top | 14-4 | Win | 100 | 12 h 59 m | Show |
Run Line Game of the Year - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #913 Sunday 10* Top Play Los Angeles Dodgers Run Line -1.5 runs -100 @ New York Mets @ 7:08 ET - The Dodgers are without Mookie Betts but Justin Turner got back on the field yesterday and will likely be in the starting lineup tonight. If Betts was available of course this line would be even higher but I am taking advantage of the added line value here. The Dodgers are available at practically even money on the run line in this game and this is superb value in my opinion. The Dodgers have won 9 of 12 games. The Mets have lost 11 of 16. I know there have been some tight 1-run games included in these stretches for each team but I fully expect a blowout here. Carlos Carrasco is simply "not right" yet and he showed that again in his most recent rain-shortened start (he likely would have been pulled early) while Max Scherzer dominated in his most recent start which was also shortened by rain. Carrasco has a 6.75 ERA in his 3 starts and has been hit hard. Scherzer has a dominating 2.67 ERA on the season and a 1.65 ERA in his last 3 starts and continues to be a strikeout machine. Considering his strong current form and the fact that this is his first start against the Mets this season, look for New York's lineup to struggle badly as the strikeouts pile up and contact made is likely to be weak. 10* LOS ANGELES DODGERS Run Line -1.5 runs -100 |
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08-15-21 | Manchester City v. Tottenham Hotspur OVER 2.5 | Top | 0-1 | Loss | -100 | 7 h 2 m | Show |
NBCSN Blowout Rout - Rickenbach EPL Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 2.5 goals in Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City @ 11:30 AM ET - Of course these are two of the best clubs in the league and they are equally strong on defense as well on the attack. Those balanced attributes are what helped lead to successful campaigns last season for each club. That said it is hard to argue against the strengths of the defense and goalkeeping of each of these clubs. However, I like all the Harry Kane drama surrounding this match-up and the fact that Tottenham made some key offseason acquisitions to strengthen their club plus they have a new head coach in Nuno Espírito Santo and he had enjoyed success at Wolverhampton. Manchester City averaged scoring 2.2 goals last season and Tottenham averaged 1.8 goals per game. That totals 4 goals and while I do not necessarily expect that many here I do feel we should get at least 3. Just so much firepower for each club and I do not see either team being shutout. Nor do I foresee either team being willing to settle for a draw. That said, if this game gets to 1-1 each club will be gunning hard for that 2-1 win and will be willing to take some risk by being aggressive on the attack. A lot of positive dynamics for an over in this one in my opinion. 10* OVER 2.5 goals in Tottenham |
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08-14-21 | Hamilton +3 v. Saskatchewan | Top | 8-30 | Loss | -108 | 11 h 53 m | Show |
ESPNews Network Rout - Rickenbach CFL Saturday 10* Top Play Hamilton Tiger-Cats +1.5 @ Saskatchewan Roughriders @ 10 ET - Saskatchewan off a non-covering win in which they nearly entirely blew a 31-0 lead in their season opener. That gives me some major question marks about the Roughriders defense but really this play is more about taking an extremely good team as an underdog coming off a loss. Yes we faded Hamilton with Winnipeg in Week 1 and got the win but the Blue Bombers, now 2-0 on the season, certainly look quite strong. Also, the Tiger-Cats were done in by turnovers in that game and that is helping to give us line value here as the Blue Bombers defense has looked strong this season. Hamilton will take advantage of a leaky Riders defense in this one and I look for the hungry Ti-Cats, a true Grey Cup favorite this season, to gets into the win column! 10* HAMILTON |
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08-14-21 | Orioles v. Red Sox OVER 9.5 | Top | 2-16 | Win | 100 | 10 h 50 m | Show |
Divisional Dominator - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #965 Saturday 10* Top Play OVER 9.5 runs in Boston Red Sox vs Baltimore Orioles @ 4:10 ET - The Orioles were held to just 1 run yesterday and that was the difference in the game staying under the total as the Red Sox did explode for 8 runs in that game. Today I look for the Boston bats to again be rolling but, this time, the Baltimore bats should enjoy some success too. Chris Sale, of course, brings a certain reputation to the mound. But this will be his first MLB start in two years. Coming back from a major elbow issue, Sales will not work very deep into this game. Also, the last time he hosted the Orioles he did allow 3 earned runs in less than 5 innings of work. Jorge Lopez starts for the visitors in this one. I know he has some decent stats of late but Lopez also has a 7.45 ERA in his two starts versus the Red Sox this season. Boston enters this game scoring an average of 8.2 runs last 5 games. The Orioles have allowed 9.1 runs last 9 games. The Orioles lead the AL in slugging percentage versus southpaws this season so could surprise here with some success versus Sale. Also, over the past week, Baltimore is hitting .262 and the Red Sox are hitting .286 and we should see plenty of scoring today. 10* OVER the total in Boston |
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08-14-21 | Liverpool v. Norwich City OVER 3 | Top | 3-0 | Push | 0 | 8 h 43 m | Show |
NBC Total of the Week - Rickenbach EPL Saturday 10* Top Play OVER 3 goals in Norwich City vs Liverpool @ 12:30 ET - Liverpool known for some crazy high-scoring matches to begin new seasons and last year was no exception. This season they are on the road at Norwich City and I am aware that the last time these clubs met was a 1-0 Liverpool win. However, 3 of the 4 prior meetings totaled at least 5 goals and I would not be surprised to see today's match do the same. Liverpool finished last season well but they know they were fortunate to have some help from other clubs in the way things finished out. That said, they want to do a better job of having strong early season success this year and I expect them to view this as a statement match. In other words, Liverpool will be strong on the attack throughout this game and will not take their foot off the gas. Norwich City, though at home, also fully realizes they are a bit outclassed here. That said, they will not be able to stop Liverpool but they have some talented forwards that will be a little extra aggressive on the counter-attack which should lead to a goal or two for a club that was very impressive last season and certainly earned their promotion to the premier league for this season. Look for an entertaining affair with plenty of scoring to wrap up Saturday's slate of matches. 10* OVER 3 goals in Norwich City |
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08-13-21 | Toronto v. Winnipeg OVER 47.5 | Top | 7-20 | Loss | -104 | 9 h 11 m | Show |
Total of the Month - Rickenbach CFL Rotation #681 Friday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs Toronto Argonauts @ 8:30 ET - The early line on this total was a 47.5 and it dropped to a 46.5 but where it goes from there is a big question mark as the odds makers have been slow putting up numbers on CFL action early this season. In any event, I am going big on the over here as both teams are off victories last week in which they each received strong QB play. Also, Blue Bombers still missing RB Andrew Harris which could make them pass even more which is good for an over. Toronto was a pass-heavy team last week and that should continue here. Winnipeg off big win in a Grey Cup rematch and Argonauts off big upset road win. That sets this one up well for a bit of a letdown for each defense and we have good value with the early line movement on an already low total. I know we have seen a lot of unders so far in this young season but this one should play out much differently. 10* OVER the total in Winnipeg |
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08-13-21 | Indians v. Tigers OVER 9 | Top | 7-4 | Win | 100 | 13 h 48 m | Show |
Divisional Dominator – Rickenbach MLB Friday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Detroit Tigers vs Cleveland Indians @ 7 ET – The Tigers scored 6 runs yesterday but the game just stayed under the total. Detroit has been piling up hits lately and also should have no trouble with the offering of a struggling Zach Plesac. The Indians just got hammered 17-0 yesterday and now send Plesac to the hill likely to see more big runs scored. Plesac has a 7.71 ERA in his last 3 starts and all went over the total. The Tigers are 3-1 to the over in Tyler Alexander’s home starts this season. The fact that Cleveland just saw him is likely to help the hitters too. Alexander did enjoy some surprising success in that start but this is still a guy that is getting hit at a .284 clip at the MLB level. Alexander is a lefty and the Indians are 3-1 to the over in last 4 road games against a left-handed starter and they scored an average of 6.3 runs in those 4 games. More of the same expected here. 10* OVER the total in Detroit |
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08-13-21 | Titans v. Falcons -115 | Top | 23-3 | Loss | -115 | 13 h 27 m | Show |
Situational Slaughter – Rickenbach NFLX Rotation #107 Friday 10* Top Play Atlanta Falcons (Pick) vs Tennessee Titans @ 7 ET – I like that fact that new Falcons head coach Arthur Smith was most recently the offensive coordinator for Tennessee the past two seasons and, overall, had spent the past decade coaching in the Titans organization. The Falcons do not have a good history in pre-season recently but keep in mind the Titans are only 2-6 in preseason under Vrabel. Also, Atlanta should be the hungrier team here with a new coach and ready to turn things around after a 4-12 season. The fact he is facing his former team sweetens this one. There is a reason the normally better regular season team in this match-up is actually the dog. Do not let the line fool you. Grab the home team. 10* ATLANTA |
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08-13-21 | Arsenal -116 v. Brentford | Top | 0-2 | Loss | -116 | 9 h 8 m | Show |
NBCSN Daytime Rout – Rickenbach EPL Friday 10* Top Play Arsenal Money Line -115 vs Brenford @ 3 ET – Brentford had the better preseason results but, just as in other sports, one must be careful to not put too much weight into preseason results. Also, Brentford just got elevated to the Premier League for the first time ever but none of the 9 London teams before them to accomplish the feat have ever won their first fixture in EPL regular season action. I look for that trend to continue here and we have enough line value with Arsenal being the road team in this match that we are able to go with a top play here. For the first time in 25 years Arsenal, in excruciating fashion on the last day of last season, did not qualify for European competition. I fully believe we are going to see some extra hunger here from the visitors as a result and they are the more talented club and will spoil the home opener for the Bees. Brentford has waited 74 years for this chance at top flight league action but are facing a very tough opening match and the hunger will be there for the road team to take the full 3 points in this one. 10* ARSENAL -115 |
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08-12-21 | BC v. Calgary -7 | Top | 15-9 | Loss | -106 | 11 h 9 m | Show |
ESPN+ Smash Pass - Rickenbach CFL Rotation #680 Thursday 10* Top Play Calgary Stampeders (-) vs BC Lions @ 9:30 ET - The early line on this game was a 6.5 but where it goes from there is a big question mark as the odds makers have been slow putting up numbers on CFL action early this season. In any event, I am going big on the Stampeders here as they blew a 20-12 lead in the 4th quarter to lose their opener to Toronto. Calgary is well aware of the fact that BC rallied from a 31-0 deficit to put a scare into the Roughriders last week at Saskatchewan. The Riders appeared to let up with a big lead and the Stamps will not make the same mistake here and should prove to be the better team on the ground in this one as well. 10* CALGARY |
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08-12-21 | Steelers v. Eagles | Top | 24-16 | Loss | -107 | 14 h 3 m | Show |
PA Dominator - Rickenbach NFLX Rotation #106 Thursday 10* Top Play Philadelphia Eagles (PK) vs Pittsburgh Steelers @ 7:30 ET - The Eagles had a horrible season last year and are likely destined for another rough one this year. However, Philly does have a new coach and a young one at that. Nick Sirianni will be hungrier than most in the preseason and is going to demand a high compete level from his team even in a meaningless game. This Eagles team is going to struggle in the regular season barring a miracle turnaround because they need to time to jell and have had major roster turnover in recent seasons. However, in the preseason they could be a bit of a surprise given all of the above factors. The Steelers do have a solid preseason history including going in recent seasons but still went just 1-1 on the road in each of the last two preseasons. Coming off a win over the Cowboys in the HOF Game last week makes this road game even less important for the Steelers. As for the Eagles, new head coach Sirianni and company will be desperate for something to latch onto early in the year and that includes preseason where many roster battles are going on. 10* PHILADELPHIA pick'em |
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08-12-21 | Tigers v. Orioles OVER 10.5 | Top | 6-4 | Loss | -101 | 9 h 14 m | Show |
Daytime Dominator - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #967 Thursday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Baltimore Orioles vs Detroit Tigers @ 4:05 ET - The Tigers and Orioles combined for 20 hits in yesterday's game after combining for 19 hits in Tuesday's game. Even though there were more hits yesterday there were only 7 runs scored after the teams combined for 13 runs on Tuesday. The fact is the teams are swinging hot bats and that should continue here and this one should make up for yesterday's shortfall of runs. The Orioles are starting John Means and he has been a little harder in each of his last two home starts and overall the over is 4-2 in his home starts this season. The Tigers are starting Matt Manning and he is 0-4 with a 9.13 ERA in his road starts this season. Manning has a 7.36 ERA in his last 3 starts and that includes getting hit hard by the Orioles but 3 of the 5 runs were unearned. In other words, his ERA last 3 starts could easily be higher. Look for plenty of runs here as these are also two of the worst bullpens in the league too. 10* OVER the total in Baltimore |
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08-12-21 | Cardinals -120 v. Pirates | Top | 7-6 | Win | 100 | 6 h 24 m | Show |
ACTION on pitchers: Earliest Cash - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #953 Thursday 10* St Louis Cardinals Money Line (-) @ Pittsburgh Pirates @ 12:35 ET - It is not pretty but LeBlanc continues to find a way to have some success on the mound and he faces a Pittsburgh team that has lost 7 straight games and 9 of 10. It is just too much to ignore especially with the Pirates starting JT Brubaker in this one. Pittsburgh is 5-15 in his starts this season and he is coming off an ugly one and he is 0-3 with a 5.68 ERA against the Cardinals this season. 10* ST LOUIS -120 |
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08-11-21 | Marlins v. Padres OVER 8 | Top | 7-0 | Loss | -103 | 12 h 48 m | Show |
NL Total of the Year - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #901 Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER the total in San Diego Padres vs Miami Marlins @ 4:10 ET - The Padres have the best bullpen in the majors on the season and the Marlins are not far behind. I say this based on ERA on the season. However, if you look at those same rankings over time periods like last 7 days, last 15 days, last 30 days then you will find the Padres ranking only in the middle of the pack while the Marlins are near the bottom. That said, and with the recent high-scoring trending of these two teams as well as two starting pitchers likely to struggle and the fact this is a day game at Petco Park all factors are combining to suggest an over in this one. I also like the early line move which was from an 8.5 down to an 8. The Marlins are 8-1 to the over last 9 games. The Padres are 8-1-1 to the over last 10 games. Miami's Sandy Alcantara is off a disastrous road start at Colorado and has struggled more on the road than at home this season. The over is 4-0-1 in games between these teams this season and the Padres start a struggling Randy Weathers here. The southpaw has allowed 14 earned runs in 7 innings spanning his last two starts and both of those were at home where he has worse numbers than on the road this season. As you an see, all signs pointing to a high-scoring game here and yet we have a low number to work with. These teams each pounded out a dozen hits yesterday and the Padres continue to score quite well even without the injured Fernando Tatis. 10* OVER the total in San Diego |
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08-10-21 | Rockies v. Astros OVER 8.5 | Top | 0-5 | Loss | -115 | 15 h 32 m | Show |
IL Dominator - Rickenbach MLB 10* Top Play OVER 8.5 runs in Houston Astros vs Colorado Rockies at 8:10 ET - The Rockies have been hitting quite well and no it has not just been at Coors Field either. That said, I look for the bats to stay hot here as Houston's Jake Odorizzi has an 8.31 ERA in his last three starts and all 3 starts went over the total. The key to an over here is that, though Jon Gray has pitched well for the Rockies, I expect to struggle with this potent Astros lineup as they are at home for this one. Houston is getting a 2nd look at Gray as they faced him earlier this season. The right-hander has a 4.40 ERA in road starts this season and allowed 3 homers in his last 2 road starts plus is coming off a home outing in which he allowed 8 hits in 6 innings. The Astros have had only 4 unders in their past dozen games. Houston has scored an average of 5.8 runs per game during this stretch. The Rockies are 9-3 to the over in past dozen games and have scored an average of 7.4 runs per game during this stretch. As long-time followers know I like to take overs when a home team has a struggling hurler on the mound. That means the road team should get their fair share of runs and I have no question the home team should get their fair share as well as the Astros are a strong team at home. 10* OVER 8.5 in Houston |
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08-10-21 | Dodgers v. Phillies +1.5 | Top | 5-0 | Loss | -110 | 15 h 37 m | Show |
PA Dominator - Rickenbach MLB 10* Top Play Philadelphia Phillies Run Line +1.5 -110 vs Los Angeles Dodgers at 7:05 ET - Without a shadow of doubt the Dodgers are a strong team and Max Scherzer is a great pitcher. However, the Phillies have won 8 straight games and are at home and have Aaron Nola on the mound. To get Philadelphia in this situation at +1.5 runs and a pick'em price range is too strong of a value to pass up on. Keep in mind, the Phillies are very familiar with Scherzer as up until just recently he was pitching for the division rival Nationals. That said, even though he has had success against them this season, this Phillies lineup has a ton of confidence right now and are familiar with his offerings. As for the Dodgers, they are not as a strong of a team when on the road and have lost 7 of last 13 away from home. The Phillies have won 6 of 9 Nola home starts this season and he has a 3.18 ERA at home and this is his first start against the Dodgers in over two years and that is an edge for him. This should be a tight ball-game and having the extra run and half on our side could prove to be the difference but I would not be surprised to see the Phillies win outright either. We'll grab the added insurance with hottest team in baseball. 10* PHILADELPHIA Run Line +1.5 -110 |
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08-09-21 | White Sox v. Twins OVER 9.5 | Top | 11-1 | Win | 101 | 11 h 23 m | Show |
Bullpen game likely for Minnesota. We will play the over regardless of the pitching match-up in this game. Divisional Dominator - Rickenbach MLB 10* Top Play OVER 9.5 runs in Minnesota Twins vs Chicago White Sox at 8:10 ET - Minnesota is off a 7-5 win and the White Sox off a 9-3 win. Just like those games yesterday for each respective club, do not be surprised if this game also gets into double digits in runs scored. The over is 8-3 with one push in the last dozen Twins games. Minnesota has scored an average of 5.5 runs per game during this stretch and now face Chicago's Lucas Giolito. The White Sox right-hander just allowed 6 earned runs in four innings and note that the over is 8-3 in his road starts this season. Though Beau Burrows is getting the start for the Twins here as an opener, or at least expected to, note that Charlie Barnes is actually expected to be the long guy in this one. Barnes allowed 5 earned runs in just four innings in his most recent start and the White Sox have hit Minny really well this season. Prior to a 7-2 loss in most recent meeting, Chicago had scored 6.6 runs last 9 meetings. The over is 10-5-1 in the 16 meetings between these teams this season. By now, the hitters have a lot of familiarity with the respective relievers for each team too. Look for the over to improve to 9-3 in Giolito's road starts this season as this one gets into double digits in runs scored. 10* OVER 9.5 runs in Minnesota |
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08-08-21 | Mets v. Phillies OVER 8.5 | Top | 0-3 | Loss | -100 | 8 h 52 m | Show |
PA Dominator: 10* OVER 8.5 in Philadelphia - The Phillies have now won 7 straight games and scored an average of 7.4 runs per game in the process. I know the Mets have not been scoring well but they have seen former Met Zack Wheeler plenty this season and he enters this game after allowing 7 earned runs in his last two starts combined. Something tells me he will struggle some today. Speaking of struggling having allowed some runs of late, New York's Taijuan Walker is 0-3 with a 9.20 ERA in his last three starts. Walker allowed multiple homers in each of the three starts. Walker allowed four earned runs the last time he visited Philly. Wheeler allowed four earned runs the last time he hosted the Mets. The Phillies bullpen is still quite shaky too but their lineup remains hot. Look for the finale of this 3-game set to find its way over the total. 10* OVER 8.5 in Philadelphia |
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08-08-21 | Mariners v. Yankees -128 | Top | 2-0 | Loss | -128 | 6 h 12 m | Show |
ACTION on the pitchers as this is all about the HOT team and the HOT bats with this play: Game of the Week: 10* New York Yankees Money Line -128 - The Yankees apparently have no chance to win this game. The line opened up as high as -162 and is now down to as low as a -128 as of about 7 AM ET. Of course I am kidding about the lack of a chance to win as truly these are the spots I love as we are getting much more line value than we should so I will not hesitate to step in here. Note that the Mariners have lost four straight and eight of eleven games. Conversely, the Yankees have won five straight and ten of twelve games. Not only are the Yankees the much hotter team, Seattle will be seeing Luis Gil for the first time and I like the fact that his MLB debut was also here at Yankee Stadium and he pitched very well and had good command. That was really the only issue that got him in the minors at times was too many walks but he has proven to be tough to hit. Coming off a confidence-boosting blowout win in his first ever MLB start, I look for Gil to build off the momentum here. As for the Mariners Yusei Kikuchi, I know he has decent numbers this season including solid strikeout numbers. However, he has allowed 5 earned runs each of the last two times he has faced the Yankees and that includes once this season. Also, I know New York has some injury issues right now - including effecting their bullpen too - but they are still the better overall team right now. Speaking specific to the hitters with experience against Kikuchi, note that Gallo, Gardner, and Judge are only hitting .250 against him but the 4 for 16 includes ALL FOUR hits being homers. Also, LeMahieu Stanton and Torres all hitting .333 against Kikuchi with 6 hits in 18 at bats. 10* New York Yankees Money Line -128 |
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08-07-21 | Ottawa +7 v. Edmonton Elks | Top | 16-12 | Win | 100 | 11 h 27 m | Show |
ESPN2 Game of the Week - 10* OTTAWA +7 - I know QB Matt Nichols is questionable for this game but I doubt he'll miss it and they do have some options behind him. That being said, I also feel - though it is hard to fully judge early in the season - the Redblacks could very well have the better defense in this match-up. That said, there is a reason why this line is below a full TD as it opened up. Edmonton was only an 8-10 team last season and thy have some question marks, particularly on defense, entering the new season. That said, I really like the defensive coordinator - Benevides - for Ottawa here and feel the defensive schemes could be a difference in this game. He used to be with Edmonton and knows them well. Whether that leads to an outright upset remains to be seen but I do feel it means that if the Elks do prevail here it will be by the slimmest of margins. Good value with the points in this one. 10* OTTAWA +7 |
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08-07-21 | Tigers v. Indians OVER 9.5 | Top | 2-1 | Loss | -112 | 14 h 16 m | Show |
AL Central Total of the Month 10* Top Play OVER 9.5 in Cleveland - The Tigers are on a long under streak. However, the Indians were on a 5-2 run to the over before back to back unders and this game has the makings of a crazy one. Detroit, before being held to a single run yesterday, had scored an average of 5.8 runs last ten games. Cleveland has had some duds in 3 of their last 9 games but has averaged 6.7 runs in the other 6 games and not scored less than four in any of those six games. This certainly looks like a good game for the bats to be very much alive again - 15 hits for the Indians in yesterday's game - as Tyler Alexander has a 5.30 ERA on the season and has been roughed up in each of his past two starts. Eli Morgan starts for Cleveland here and he gave up 4 earned runs in 5 innings in a start versus the Tigers two months ago. Overall, Morgan has an 8.81 ERA in his four home starts this season and the O/U is 3-1 in those. The O/U is 4-2 in all of Alexander's starts today. Detroit has scored at least 5 runs each of the last 3 times they were off a game in which they were held to 2 runs or less. At the same time, the Indians should definitely have another big game at the plate here. 10* OVER 9.5 in Cleveland |
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08-07-21 | Mets v. Phillies -104 | Top | 3-5 | Win | 100 | 11 h 23 m | Show |
ACTION on the pitchers as this all about the HOT team and the HOT bats with this play: PA Dominator 10* Top Play PHILADELPHIA -105 - There is an aura about this Phillies team right now. They are riding a 6-game winning streak and you can see with the way they are playing on the field that they have a certain confidence and swagger right now that is certainly tough for opponents to overcome. Speaking of overcoming, the Phillies took over first place in the division from the Mets with yesterday's key win and I just don't see them slowing down. Suarez had been a reliever all this season, and a great one at that, but now has moved into the starters role. He may again only go 3 innings like he did in his first start but the key to this play has much more to do with overall team play right now. The Mets have lost 7 of 9 games and Megill is winless in his 3 road starts and coming off a rough one at Miami. Pitching against a red hot Phillies team in their own yard is unlikely to help matters for the New York right-hander. 10* PHILADELPHIA -105 |
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08-06-21 | BC v. Saskatchewan -6.5 | Top | 29-33 | Loss | -107 | 12 h 16 m | Show |
ESPN+ Top Play - Rickenbach CFL Rotation #674 Friday 10* Top Play Saskatchewan Roughriders -6.5 vs BC Lions @ 9:30 ET - I know that hope springs eternal at the start of a season but I just do not think the Lions have what it takes and there are going to be some growing pains as they look to rebound from last year's poor season. Not only did BC go just 5-13 last season they were 0-10 in divisional games. Conversely, Saskatchewan is known for being tough to play at home annually and last season was no different. The Roughriders were a fantastic 8-1 in home games last season. With a raucous sold out crowd likely - the prairie region of Canada is where CFL is most popular - look for the home team to roll by a big margin in this one. The average margin of loss was 15.4 in the Lions 5 road losses to divisional opponents last season and this included 4 of the 5 by at least points. BC lost all 3 games with the Roughriders and those defeats were by margin of 16 points per game. The Lions offense might keep them in this game a little bit early on but eventually the home team should pull away in this game and win by a double digit margin. 10* SASKATCHEWAN -6.5 |
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08-06-21 | Red Sox v. Blue Jays OVER 9 | Top | 4-12 | Win | 100 | 12 h 9 m | Show |
AL East Total of the Month - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #967 Friday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Toronto Blue Jays vs Boston Red Sox @ 7:07 ET - The Red Sox only scored 1 run yesterday but pounded out 9 hits but left 11 men on base thanks in large part to going 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position. All of this is serving to give us some line value here as Boston should have scored much more yesterday. Now they face Alek Manoah who has great numbers so far in his rookie season. The key here, and I have used this angle with great success through the years in terms of rookie pitchers, he will be facing Boston for the 2nd time now. This season, there are two other teams he faced twice and, in both cases, one was a solid outing and the other one was not. This is a normal trending with young pitchers and I expect it to continue with Manaoh here. Two months ago he was successful against the Red Sox and now Boston will get to him in the rematch. The good news for Manoah is he should get plenty of run support from his teammates here. Boston's Nathan Eovaldi has struggled in 3 of his last 4 road outings. The Blue Jays enter this game having won 7 of 8 games and playing with a lot of confidence as a result of that plus finally being back at their true home at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. The Jays have scored an average of 6 runs per game in these 8 games. The over is 4-1 this season in games in which the Blue Jays were the host and that trend should continue here now that they are back north of the border too. Excellent line value with this total dropping to a 9 and I won't hesitate to go to my highest level with this play. 10* OVER the total in Toronto |
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08-06-21 | Mets v. Phillies -101 | Top | 2-4 | Win | 100 | 13 h 4 m | Show |
ESPN PA Dominator - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #952 Friday 10* Top Play Philadelphia Phillies Money Line -101 vs New York Mets at 7:05 ET - The Phillies keep finding a way as they have had some big rallies including the 9th inning variety during their current 5-game winning streak. While they have been rolling the Mets have been scuffling and I look for Philadelphia to make the most of this opportunity to take over first place in the division with a win tonight. Recently acquired Kyle Gibson makes his home debut with the Phillies. He is off a strong debut in a Phillies uniform on the road and now will be pitching as the host. That is a role that saw him go 5-1 with a 1.77 ERA in his 9 home starts for Texas and the Rangers went 8-1 in those games. The Mets have not faced him in the starting role in over two years. Conversely, the Phillies are very familiar with Marcus Stroman as they have already seen him three times. Though he enjoyed success in the first two starts the third time was the charm for the Phillies hitters and they got to him in that outing. Now he enters this start having given up 16 hits in less than 11 innings spanning his past two starts so this looks like the ideal spot for the Phillies roll to continue. The Mets are 5-9 last 14 games and have scored an average of just 3 runs per game during this rough stretch. The Phillies have scored an average of 8.6 runs per game during their red-hot 5-game winning streak and are loaded with momentum right now. 10* PHILADELPHIA -101 |
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08-05-21 | Phillies -139 v. Nationals | Top | 7-6 | Win | 100 | 11 h 40 m | Show |
PA Dominator - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #907 Thursday 10* Top Play Philadelphia Phillies Money Line -140 @ Washington Nationals @ 4:05 ET - There are not many streaks going in the majors right now but, after back to back wins so far in this series, the Phillies 4-gamer is the longest win streak and the Nationals 3-gamer is the longest losing streak. Overall Washington has been on a long fade while the Phillies have been building up momentum and are staying in striking distance of the Mets for the top spot in the division. Joe Ross starts for Washington and the bad news for him is that this start at home! Seriously though Ross has been struggling at home with 15 runs (14 earned) in 22 and 1/3 innings spanning his last 4 home starts. He has allowed 5 homers in those 3 starts. I know he has had some success against the Phillies this season but, right now, he is facing a confident group that has scored a ridiculous average of 9 runs per game during this 4-game streak. This line opened up in the -165 range for a reason and early action brought it down to the -140 range. I will fade the early move and it is go time now with this one as Aaron Nola has been fantastic in his last two starts plus has a 2.14 ERA in his last 3 starts against Washington. Road rout likely here as the struggles of Ross continues and Nola continues his sharp form and piles up the strikeouts when he needs them here even if Nats do threaten a time or two in this game. 10* PHILADELPHIA -140 |
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08-03-21 | Red Sox v. Tigers OVER 10 | Top | 2-4 | Loss | -100 | 15 h 54 m | Show |
Rickenbach MLB Rotation #919 Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Detroit Tigers vs Boston Red Sox @ 7:10 ET - The over is 8-2 in last 10 games between these two teams. Boston is 8-4 to the over in Garrett Richards road starts this season. Richards has a 6.75 ERA in his last 3 starts and has allowed 5 homers in his last two starts. The Tigers start Wily Peralta here and he has allowed 4 homers in his last two starts while compiling an 11.00 ERA in these two outings! Red Sox bats come back to life here and the over improves to 4-1 their last 5 games with a high-scoring battle here. The Tigers have been trending under but have scored an average of 6 runs per game last 11 games and I am expecting both starters to struggle here. Also, Detroit's bullpen has a 5.00 ERA this season and the Boston pen has a 4.85 ERA last 30 days. Don't be surprised if plenty of runs early, often, and throughout this contest as a result. 10* OVER the total in Detroit |
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08-03-21 | Phillies -1.5 v. Nationals | Top | 5-4 | Loss | -102 | 15 h 12 m | Show |
PA Dominator - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #901 Tuesday 10* Top Play Philadelphia Phillies Run Line -1.5 runs -105 @ Washington Nationals @ 7:05 ET - As mentioned right here in yesterday's write-up, the Phillies certainly proved that they are "going for it" this season with all the moves they made at the trade deadline. With newly acquired starting pitcher Kyle Gibson coming up big for them, the Phillies rolled 15 to 4 Sunday. They had a hugely productive day at the plate as that was the first time in 80 years a Phillies team had scored 15 runs in a game without even a single homer. In other words their run production without home run power was huge in that game. Now bolstered by a huge 5-run 9th inning yesterday and an eventual 7-5 win, they now are just 2.5 games out of 1st place in the division and this is with 2 months of baseball left. Of course the Nationals still have life in the division too but Washington has been going the wrong direction. After yesterday's defeat, the Nats have lost 19 of 28 games. Zach Wheeler starts for the Phillies and he has a 2.45 ERA on the season and has deserved a much better won-loss record. The fact is that he has been fantastic and the Phillies are big road favorites here for a reason. We get value by avoiding laying the big juice and playing Philadelphia on the run line. Wheeler should get plenty of run support as his teammates should pound Patrick Corbin. The Washington left-hander has seen the Nationals lose each of his last 3 starts as he has compiled an 8.05 ERA and has a 1.85 WHIP in those 3 outings. Corbin allowed 3 homers against the Phillies in his most recent start. To put that in proper perspective, Wheeler has allowed only 2 homers total in 8 road starts this season! He also is likely to work deeper into this game than Corbin and that minimizes the bullpen usage. Neither pen has been impressive this season but the Phils pen was bolstered at the trade deadline and overall they have been the better team over the past month in comparison with the fading Nationals. Lay the small price on the RUN LINE with the road team in this one. 10* PHILADELPHIA -1.5 runs -105 |
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08-02-21 | Phillies -121 v. Nationals | Top | 7-5 | Win | 100 | 15 h 28 m | Show |
ESPN PA Dominator - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #951 Monday 10* Top Play Philadelphia Phillies Money Line -120 @ Washington Nationals @ 7:05 ET - The Phillies certainly proved that they are "going for it" this season with all the moves they made at the trade deadline. With newly acquired starting pitcher Kyle Gibson coming up big for them, the Phillies rolled 15 to 4 yesterday. They had a hugely productive day at the plate as that was the first time in 80 years a Phillies team had scored 15 runs in a game without even a single homer. In other words their run production without home run power was huge in that game. They now are just 3.5 games out of 1st place in the division and this is with 2 months of baseball left. Of course the Nationals still have life in the division too but Washington has been going the wrong direction. Before eking out a 6-5 win yesterday, the Nats had lost 18 of 26 games. I know Josiah Gray was a key prospect for the Dodgers but he is still a young unproven hurler (at the MLB level) and don't be surprised if he struggles some here. He has hardly pitched above the AA level of minors and struggled in spring training action at the MLB level too! As for Phillies starter Ranger Suarez he may not work deep in this game either but the Phils bullpen is ready here and Suarez has a 1.12 ERA and a .152 BAA this season. He has been fantastic and the Phillies are road favorites here for a reason. Neither pen has been impressive this season but the Phils pen was bolstered at the trade deadline and overall they have been the better team over the past month in comparison with the fading Nationals. Lay the small price. 10* PHILADELPHIA |
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08-02-21 | Indians v. Blue Jays OVER 9 | Top | 5-2 | Loss | -115 | 12 h 26 m | Show |
MLB Network Day Game - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #959 Monday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Toronto Blue Jays vs Cleveland Indians @ 3:07 ET - The Blue Jays are on an under trend but a lot of that had to with the opposition they were facing. Toronto has been scoring just fine with an average of 7 runs scored during their 4-game winning streak. Now instead of hosting a Royals team that is again on the fade, the Jays are hosting an Indians team that has an O/U record of 29-10-1 in their 40 games against left-handed starters this season. Yes the Indians lost a low-scoring 2-1 game yesterday but they have still averaged scoring 6 runs per game last 4 games. Cleveland will be facing Robbie Ray. The Toronto left-hander has seen the over go 2-0 in his last 2 home starts and he allowed 3 homers in his most recent start as a host. A big key to this over today is that the Blue Jays should pound the Indians Eli Morgan. The Cleveland right-hander has a 7.47 ERA this season and the over is 5-2 in his 7 starts. This included Morgan getting rocked for 6 earned runs in less than 3 innings of work in his lone start against the Jays this season. The Blue Jays hit will here again as they ride the momentum of happily playing their home games in the Rogers Centre again. At the same time, note the Indians are 3-0 L3 games against a left-handed starter and scored 7.7 runs per game in those victories. With this total dropping from a 9.5 to a 9 it is go time with this one. 10* OVER the total in Toronto |
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08-01-21 | Red Sox v. Rays OVER 8.5 | Top | 2-3 | Loss | -105 | 15 h 33 m | Show |
Total of the Week - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #923 Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 8.5 runs in Tampa Bay Rays vs Boston Red Sox @ 7:05 ET - With yesterday's 9-5 Rays win the over is now on a 26-11 run in match-ups between these teams including 7-1 this season! I see no reason for this trend to come to a halt here. Yes Nick Pivetta has had success against the Rays but he enters this start in poor current form and the Tampa Bay bats are red hot. Pivetta has allowed 4 or more earned runs in 4 of last 5 starts and has a 7.04 ERA in his last 3 starts. The Rays have won 10 of 15 games and have scored an average of 6 runs per game during this stretch! The Red Sox will be facing Shane Mcclanahan and the lefty is off a very fortunate start. He allowed only 3 earned runs but gave up 9 hits and walked 3 for a WHIP of 2.00 in his 6-inning start versus a Yankees lineup. In other words, that is not a good sign for him here as he now takes on a Red Sox team that ranks 7th in majors for slugging percentage versus lefties this season and 3rd in majors for slugging percentage in road games! Boston has scored an average of 7 runs per game last 4 road games and will be a tough test for Mcclanahan who has a 4.33 ERA in the last two months and that is even with pitching out of some big jams in some recent starts. He could easily be north of 5.00 over the past two months and the potent Red Sox lineup is going to give him trouble here. That said, this turns into another high-scoring game because I expect Pivetta's struggles to continue. 10* OVER 8.5 runs in Tampa Bay |
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07-28-21 | White Sox v. Royals OVER 10 | Top | 2-3 | Loss | -100 | 12 h 23 m | Show |
10* OVER 10 in Kansas City @ 8:10 ET - The Royals fell short 5-3 yesterday but this followed a 6-game winning streak in which they scored an average of 6 runs per game. Kansas City got to Lucas Giolito for 5 earned runs in 6 innings the last time they faced him and he is known for struggling more on the road than at home. KC sends Kris Bubic to the mound and the White Sox are known for pounding southpaws. Chicago is 19-9 against left-handed pitching this season and has scored an average of 6 runs per game in those contests. By the way, the over is 3-0 in Giolito's last 3 starts overall and also 8-2 in his 10 road starts this season! Bubic's most recent start resulted in an under but the over was 6-2 in his 8 prior starts this season. Look for a high-scoring slugfest at Kauffman Stadium on a hot summer night in KC Wednesday. 10* OVER 10 in Kansas City |
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07-26-21 | White Sox v. Royals OVER 9.5 | Top | 3-4 | Loss | -115 | 17 h 46 m | Show |
Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach MLB Rotation #911 Monday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Kansas City Royals vs Chicago White Sox @ 8:10 ET - Both teams are off wins yesterday in which they each allowed just 1 run. Based on this pitching match-up, each of these clubs is going to be giving up a whole lot more on Monday. The White Sox send Dallas Keuchel to the mound. He has a knack for struggling more on the road than at home. Also, he enters this start with a 5.62 ERA in his last 3 starts overall. Keuchel has been getting plenty of run support and the over is 3-0 in his last 3 starts and 6-3 in his road starts this season. Mike Minor starts for the Royals here. The over is 6-3 in his home start this season. Minor has a 5.61 ERA at home on the year. He is off a good start at Milwaukee but the Brewers have been involved in a lot of low-scoring games of late. In his two starts that just preceded that one, Minor allowed 10 earned runs in 10 innings. Also, now he faces a White Sox team that is known for pounding southpaws. Chicago ranks 4th in the majors for batting average versus lefties. The White Sox are 19-8 in games against left-handed starters and should hit Minor well, but I also expect Keuchel to get hit hard. The Royals are a solid hitting team at home and rank 6th out of all 30 MLB teams for batting average at home. KC averages 5 runs per game at home. White Sox average 6 runs per game versus left-handed starters. Minor allowed 5 earned runs in 5 innings in his only home start versus Chicago this season. Hot weather for this game this evening and we should see hot bats as well. Both teams rank in the lower half of the majors for bullpen ERA as well. The Royals have won 5 straight games and averaged scoring 6.2 runs per victory. The White Sox are off a low-scoring series with the Brewers but their bats will heat up against Minor and a Royals pen they are familiar with. The result should be plenty of runs for both teams in this one. 10* OVER the total in Kansas City |
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07-24-21 | Rangers v. Astros OVER 8 | Top | 1-4 | Loss | -106 | 10 h 39 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - 10* OVER 8 in Houston - Great line value here because Kyle Gibson has a low ERA this season but is struggling now and Framber Valdez had great numbers against the Rangers last season but is struggling now. I know Texas has not been scoring well but they can get to Valdez here. He has a 6.46 ERA over his last 3 starts. As for Gibson, he has the impressive full season numbers but has allowed 13 earned runs in 11 and 1/3 innings spanning his last two starts. 8 of the 10 games between these teams have gone over the total including 6 of 7 meetings in Houston. This total is only an 8 and the Rangers have allowed 7.3 runs per game during their current 10-game losing streak. Astros have won 5 of 8 games and scored an average of 7 runs per game in those 5 wins. Again, the low posted total makes sense based on Gibson's full season numbers and Texas struggling to score runs but the key factors here are that Gibson is currently struggling and so to is Valdez. Also, the over is 4-1 in home starts for Valdez and 7-2 in road starts for Gibson this season. 10* OVER 8 in Houston |
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07-23-21 | Angels v. Twins OVER 10 | Top | 4-5 | Loss | -102 | 13 h 58 m | Show |
Rickenbach MLB Rotation #967 Friday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Minnesota Twins vs Los Angeles Angels @ 8:10 ET - As long time followers know, I like to play overs in particular when I feel the home team pitcher will get hit hard. That is because the home team lineup usually hits the ball better when at home than on the road generally speaking so I am confident they will get their runs and the concern usually has more to do with the away team. As road teams struggle sometimes to hit as well, the confidence level rises when that road team lineup is facing a sub-par pitcher. That said, this one fits the bill perfectly because JA Happ is likely to struggle. The southpaw has a 6.15 ERA on the season and a 7.36 ERA in his last 3 starts. The O/U is 12-5 in his starts this year. The Angels have an O/U record of 21-9 this season in games against left-handed starters and have averaged 5.6 runs per game in those outings. Alex Cobb gets the start for the Angels and, though he has pitched better of late, he has a 6.37 ERA on the road this season and the O/U is 10-4 in his starts this year. He has allowed 14 earned runs in less than 12 innings in his last 3 starts against the Twins and the O/U is 6-1 in Cobb's 7 career starts against Minnesota. This total is double digits for a reason and I expect at least a dozen runs in this one. 10* OVER the total in Minnesota |
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07-23-21 | Yankees -102 v. Red Sox | Top | 2-6 | Loss | -102 | 13 h 22 m | Show |
Rickenbach MLB Rotation #963 Friday 10* Top Play New York Yankees Money Line -105 @ Boston Red Sox @ 7:10 ET - I am aware that the Yankees have some injury/covid issues right now which has impacted their lineup. However, New York had won 4 straight games and had averaged 7 runs per game in the 3 most recent victories before they ended up falling short at Boston last night. The last time they faced Eduardo Rodriguez he did get the better of them but he threw 40 balls in less than 100 pitches. In other words, Rodriguez had some good fortune in that start and this followed a start in which he got hammered by the Angels. Also, on the season he has a 5.19 ERA and this includes a 5.16 ERA in his home starts. Gerrit Cole, on the other hand, has allowed just 1 earned run in his last two starts and piled up 23 strikeouts in 15 innings and this included dominating the Red Sox. Cole has a 2.55 ERA in his road starts this season and the Yankees have won 6 of his 9 outings. He has allowed 2 or less earned runs in 7 of the 9 starts. Before a good start against the Yankees in his most recent home start, Rodriguez had allowed 10 earned runs in 10 and 2/3 innings spanning his two prior home starts. The Red Sox had lost 4 of 7 before getting the come from behind win last night. Look for the road team to get some payback here as Cole outduels Rodriguez. 10* NEW YORK YANKEES -105 |
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07-22-21 | Cubs v. Cardinals OVER 8 | Top | 2-3 | Loss | -120 | 12 h 49 m | Show |
NL Central Total of the Year - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #905 Thursday 10* Top Play OVER the total in St Louis Cardinals vs Chicago Cubs @ 7:15 ET - This is a contrarian play as you can see from the recent run of shutout innings for Kwang Hyun Kim. Being a contrarian has been a key for me through the years and I am sensing struggles for Kim in this one. For one thing, these lineups have faced these starting pitchers already as the Cubs have faced Kim and the Cardinals have faced Adbert Alzolay. Adding to the value here is the fact that Kim has nearly as many walks as strikeouts over his last 4 starts. Not only is Kim not a strikeout pitcher, he has walked 11 in his last 4 home starts. In his most recent one he did give up a lot of hard hit balls plus only struck out 1 batter. I think it is all catching up with Kim and that the Cubs will get to him early and often in this one. Yesterday ended up being a low-scoring Cardinals win but the teams did combine for 20 hits! I expect the Cards to get to Alzolay early and often. The Chicago right-hander is 1-6 with a 4.89 ERA in road starts this season. The O/U was on a 5-2 run in meetings between these teams before yesterday's under. The Cubs entered yesterday's game having been shutout once in last 7 games but averaging 5.5 runs per game in the other 6 games. The Cardinals have averaged 5.7 runs their last 3 games. Both teams have more success than most are expecting in this one Thursday. Based on the opening total and what I am seeing with line movement, the sharp money will be on the over in this match-up. 10* OVER the total in St Louis |
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07-22-21 | Braves v. Phillies +127 | Top | 7-2 | Loss | -100 | 13 h 45 m | Show |
Best Bet Blowout - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #902 Thursday 10* Top Play Philadelphia Phillies Money Line +130 vs Atlanta Braves @ 7:05 ET - This all about contrarian line value. The Braves are not what they use to be, especially without Ronald Acuna. Also, the last time Charlie Morton faced the Phillies he did not even make it out of the first inning. The Phillies start Matt Moore here and he allowed only 2 runs while striking out 9 in less than 5 innings in his most recent start. Philadelphia is 6-1 in his starts this season and he has a respectable 3.06 ERA his last 4 starts. The Braves have lost 4 of 6 and were also losing yesterday's Game 2 of a double-header when it was suspended by rain in the 5th inning. The Phillies lost in extra innings yesterday as they lost both games of the series with the Yankees but Philadelphia has not lost 3 straight games in 4 weeks! During this time, the Phillies had gone 13-7 last 20 games before the B2B losses to the Yanks. They bounce back here. 10* PHILADELPHIA |
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07-21-21 | Twins v. White Sox OVER 9 | Top | 7-2 | Push | 0 | 14 h 0 m | Show |
Best Bet Blowout - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #971 Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER 9 runs in Chicago White Sox vs Minnesota Twins @ 8:10 ET - This is another game with an interesting money line. The White Sox are 7-2 in the 9 home starts Dylan Cease has made this season and the Twins Michael Pineda is struggling badly and yet Chicago opened up as a -125 favorite here. This opener is telling me the odds makers feel there is a decent shot at the Twins getting an upset here and the only way I see that happening is if they score a pile of runs. The reason I say that is because Pineda should get rocked here. The Minnesota right-hander is 0-3 with an 8.10 ERA in his last 4 starts. Pineda also has struggled more at night than day games and more on the road than in home games. Specifically against the White Sox he has allowed 8 earned runs on 16 hits in less than 11 innings of work over two recent starts against them. This included 3 homers plus he particularly got roughed up in his most recent start against them which was only two weeks ago. Speaking of familiarity, the Twins lineup has plenty of familiarity with Cease and will be seeing him for the 4th time in a span of about 2 months. Cease has allowed 4 homers in those 3 starts and gave up 6 earned runs at Minnesota about two weeks ago. I know he has good numbers at home but he also has an 8.04 ERA in his 6 career starts about the Twins. Cease struggles here more than you would expect, Pineda's recent struggles continue, and also note that the bullpens allowed 8 of the 13 earned runs in yesterday's game. The over is already 7-2 this season in games between these teams at Chicago and I look for that trend to continue here. 10* OVER the total in Chicago White Sox |
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07-20-21 | Suns +180 v. Bucks | Top | 98-105 | Loss | -100 | 16 h 27 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #511 Tuesday 10* Top Play Phoenix Suns Money Line +180 @ Milwaukee Bucks @ 9:05 ET - The Suns have lost 3 straight games. Phoenix is 3-0 this year when entering a road game on a losing streak of 2 or more games. The Suns did not lose 4 straight games in the regular season and I do not see this happening in the post-season either. Yes we could grab the points here but the strong post-season trend of the points not mattering in almost every single game continues here in my opinion. Outright Suns win. Phoenix shot the ball extremely well in the Game 5 loss and they also were much better with the ball (finally) and did not lose the turnover battle after 3 straight games in which they did. They will call this a shocking upset but really it will not be. Remember Milwaukee went just 16-14 against the West this season. Phoenix went 21-9 against the East this season. The Suns also had the best road record in the NBA this season with a 24-12 mark. I love the huge dog value we are getting here in a must win spot for the road team. Looking forward to Game 7. Indeed I am confident we will see one! 10* PHOENIX +180 |
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07-20-21 | Orioles v. Rays OVER 8 | Top | 3-9 | Win | 100 | 13 h 52 m | Show |
AL East Total of the Year - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #917 Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore Orioles @ 7:10 ET - We get a low total to work with here because both John Means and Shane McClanahan have great full season numbers. The key to the value here is a bit hidden and that is what makes this a special situation the way I see it! The Orioles Means is coming back from a shoulder injury. He was struggling a bit right before he went on the disabled list. Now, in his 3 rehab starts he also struggled. The Rays were 6-0 and had scored piles of runs against the Orioles before losing to Baltimore for the first time this season in yesterday's game. That was also just the 2nd under in 7 games between these teams this season. I fully expect the Tampa Bay bats to bounce back here and take advantage of a pitcher who could be a bit rusty and also not completely trusting in himself just yet. As for the other side of this equation, yes I do expect the Orioles sticks to enjoy success against McClanahan. He is from Baltimore and grew up idolizing Cal Ripken and the Orioles. Don't be surprised if he ends up struggling to harness his emotions in this start and sometimes that leads to mistake pitches. That said, right now the Orioles have been hot at the plate so this could spell trouble. Baltimore has won 3 straight games and scored an average of 6.3 runs per game in those contests. The Orioles had been trending over heavily before back to back unders. The Rays were on a 3-0 run to the over before yesterday's under. I am aware of the fact the TB pen has been fantastic at home in recent weeks but this total is just too low considering all of the above variables and the Baltimore pen is certainly not a strength. With Rays in bounce back mode they should score a pile here but I expect the O's to get to McClanahan early and often as well. 10* OVER the total in Tampa Bay |
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07-19-21 | Rangers v. Tigers OVER 8 | Top | 0-14 | Win | 100 | 16 h 42 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #969 Monday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Detroit Tigers vs Texas Rangers @ 7:10 ET - This is a contrarian play because the over has cashed in only 3 times in the 17 starts Casey Mize has made this season and Kyle Gibson has a 2.29 ERA in his 17 starts this season. How do I get an over based on that? Well, these pitchers just faced these teams so that gives the lineups an edge. Also, Gibson allowed 5 earned runs in that game for one of his worst starts of the season and it was no fluke as he gave up a lot of hard hit outs too and the damage could have been worse. The over is a surprising 6-2 in Gibson's road starts this season and, after the Rangers got hammered 15-0 combined in their double header loss via sweep at Toronto yesterday, I am expecting a big bounce back at the plate for Texas. The Rangers hit two homers against Mize in the same start in which Gibson was hit hard by the Tigers. Gibson actually has allowed at least 4 earned runs in each of his last 3 starts against Detroit and was hit very hard in all 3 of them - 28 hits in less than 17 innings combined! Mize has a 5.14 ERA last two starts and a 4.15 ERA at home this season. Certainly not overly impressive and the Rangers quick second look at him should produce some big results. The Tigers bullpen has been one of the worst in MLB this season and the Rangers bullpen has a 5.51 ERA on the road which is one of the worst marks in the majors. Look for runs early, often, and throughout this contest and we will take advantage of the generously low number. 10* OVER the total in Detroit |
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07-19-21 | Twins v. White Sox OVER 7 | Top | 3-2 | Loss | -105 | 15 h 32 m | Show |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #963 Monday 9* Top Play OVER the total in Chicago White Sox vs Minnesota Twins @ 5:10 ET (Game 1 of Double Header) - I am predicting this is the game where Lance Lynn runs into some trouble that he does not escape from. In his two July starts he has walked 8 in 12 innings but managed to get out of jams. In June he was not as sharp as April or May as he compiled a 3.81 ERA in the month. I just feel he is edging closer to one of those starts where he unravels a bit and this is it as we catch the Twins ready to bounce back big off a shutout loss yesterday. Minnesota is facing Lynn for the 4th time in a span of about 2 months so they are plenty familiar with him. As for the Twins starter, Griffin Jax gets the call and in 5 games at the MLB level this season he has an 8.66 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP. I just do not feel he is quite ready yet for the big show and I look for the White Sox to tattoo him here. Chicago is off a shutout win yesterday and has won 7 of last 8 games and scored an average of 7.3 runs per game in the 7 victories. They hit well here again but the Twins surprise by getting to Lynn early and often and this 7-inning affair goes over the short number. 9* OVER the total in Chicago White Sox |
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07-18-21 | Cubs v. Diamondbacks OVER 9 | Top | 4-6 | Win | 100 | 11 h 8 m | Show |
Total of the Month - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #913 Sunday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Arizona Diamondbacks vs Chicago Cubs @ 4:10 ET - The Diamondbacks continue to find ways to lose and have the worst bullpen in baseball. They gave up 3 runs in the top of the 9th to lose 4-2 to the Cubs. The way I see today's game playing out is that Chicago's Zach Davies is going to get hit so Arizona will get their runs today. I know that Merrill Kelly has decent numbers for the Diamondbacks this season. However, he dealt with leg cramping in his most recent start plus his strikeouts are down recently and his only career start against the Cubs was an ugly one. I am looking for another ugly one here as Chicago has won 4 of 6 games and scored an average of 5.3 runs per game last 7 games and the over was on an 5-0 run in their games before a sudden 3-game under streak which I see ending here. Davies has allowed 3 homers in his last 2 starts and his strikeout numbers are down too. The Dbacks had gone over in 4 of 5 games prior to this series and, after back to back unders, this looks like the right match-up for plenty of runs. This is a bit of a contrarian play and long-time followers know I love looking for contrarian situations. I saw some 9.5 popping up on this game and to Joe Public the total of 9 might have already seemed high. So you know where I am going with this...the odds makers are sharp and this total is set this way for a reason. Look for plenty of runs in this one. 10* OVER the total in Arizona |
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07-17-21 | Bucks +148 v. Suns | Top | 123-119 | Win | 148 | 12 h 2 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher ML - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #509 Saturday 10* Top Play Milwaukee Bucks Money Line +150 @ Phoenix Suns @ 9:05 ET - The Suns had it in their grasp. It was all theirs for the taking. Then they went to Milwaukee and let it slip away. Yes I know there are still games to be played but I now have major concerns about this Phoenix team. Losing Game 3 was understandable. Not bouncing back though and winning Game 4 was unacceptable. The Suns were supposed to be the better team. They had looked like the better team. But now check out some of these numbers as Phoenix has just not been the same team since the Game One win. The Bucks had 97 shots from the field in Game 4. The Suns had 78. Are you kidding me? An NBA Championship caliber team is off a loss and that is how they perform. How about turnovers? The last 3 games the Suns have more turnovers in every single came and this has accumulated to a total of 43 to 23 during this stretch. That means Phoenix has nearly twice as many turnovers! Milwaukee also has 29 more free throw attempts than the Suns in the last 3 games combined. Again, as they saying goes, the game is not played on paper but when you look at these stats in black and white it is very clear that the Bucks could (should?) have won each of the last 3 games and have a 3-1 lead in the series. In fact, one could argue that the only reason Phoenix won Game 2 is they had twenty 3-pointers made compared to just 9 for the Bucks! Will the Suns again make 20 of 40 three pointers in this home game? I highly doubt it! Finally, for the first time in this series, the road team not only covers the game but they get the outright win! Give me the plus money in this one. 10* MILWAUKEE +150 |
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07-17-21 | Rays v. Braves OVER 8.5 | Top | 0-9 | Win | 100 | 11 h 38 m | Show |
Total Annihilation - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #979 Saturday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Atlanta Braves vs Tampa Bay Rays @ 7:20 ET - The Braves blew the lead in last night's loss and their bullpen woes could be an issue tonight. That's because Max Fried has an 8.10 ERA in his last two starts and has lasted only 5 innings in each of his last 3 starts. He is expected to be opposed by the Rays Josh Fleming. The TB southpaw has been working out of the pen but has struggled as a starter with 5 earned runs allowed in each of his last two starts. Also, Fleming has been hit hard and given up a lot of runs in each of his last four road appearances. That said, no matter who Tampa Bay starts, Fleming is likely to get a lot of work here and no matter who the Braves start here, their bullpen has been a mess. So no matter who the pitchers are here, I do like the over in this match-up but do note that the over is 3-0 in Fleming's last 3 starts and 3-0 in Fried's last 3 starts. Look for another high-scoring game in this one. 10* OVER the total in Atlanta |
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07-17-21 | Indians v. A's -1.5 | Top | 3-2 | Loss | -100 | 8 h 28 m | Show |
Daytime Dominator RL - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #968 Saturday 10* Top Play Oakland A's Run Line -1.5 runs +115 vs Cleveland Indians @ 4:05 ET - The A's rallied for the win last night and will build off that this afternoon. Cleveland has lost 10 of 13 games. Prior to last night's defeat, 7 of last 10 Indians defeats by 2 or more runs and this has blowout potential. Cleveland is starting Cal Quantrill and he has a 9.29 ERA on the road this season and the Indians are 0-3 in those starts. Oakland is starting Frankie Montas and he has allowed 2 earned runs or less in 5 of last 6 starts. Montas struck out 10 in his most recent start before the All Star break and now looks to dominate here. The A's have now won 9 of last 13 home games. The line is a little pricey here on the money line but we get plus money on the run line and that is the route to take here. 10* OAKLAND -1.5 runs +115 |
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07-16-21 | Rays v. Braves -124 | Top | 7-6 | Loss | -124 | 14 h 35 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #934 Friday 10* Top Play Atlanta Braves Money Line -125 vs Tampa Bay Rays @ 7:20 ET - Action on the pitchers. Contrarian play all the way. Regardless of who pitches, I love taking the Braves here (with a poor IL record this season) and without Ronald Acuna (out for the season - torn ACL) and fading a Rays team that has a great IL record this season. First off the line value is there with Atlanta as a small home favorite which is certainly partially due to the Acuna injury situation. Secondly, if these pitchers do go (certainly likely), the edges are especially off the charts here. Michael Wacha has had a couple rare quality starts recently but this is still a guy who has a 4.68 ERA on the road this season and generally gives up a lot of contact. Also, Wacha is 0-4 with a 5.16 ERA in his 5 career starts against the Braves. As for Atlanta's Charlie Morton, the 37-year old veteran has found his groove again to say the least. 4 of his last 5 starts have been quality starts and Morton has allowed a total of just 4 earned runs in his last 3 starts against the Rays! He went at least 6 innings in each of those 3 starts. Morton is 8-3 this season including 5-1 in his home starts. Again, even if the start pitchers get shuffled for the opener in this one, the contrarian in me likes the Braves a lot at home and coming off a loss right before the break. The Braves are 8-2 last 10 times off a loss. The Rays are also off a loss and they haven't exactly bounced back lately off a loss. Tampa Bay has had recent 7-game AND 5-game losing streaks! They have not had a standalone loss since June 10th! In other words, another losing streak getting underway would not be a surprise. 10* ATLANTA |
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07-16-21 | Padres v. Nationals OVER 9.5 | Top | 24-8 | Win | 100 | 14 h 3 m | Show |
Total Annihilation - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #905 Friday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Washington Nationals vs San Diego Padres @ 7:05 ET - I like the over here no matter who pitches. Why? Well, these teams have had only 2 unders in their last 11 meetings! The Padres are scheduled to throw Chris Paddack and he has a 12.71 ERA in his last 3 starts. The Nationals are expected to start Erick Fedde and he has a 9.45 ERA in his last 3 starts. These teams just met for 4 games in San Diego prior to the All Star break and not only was the over a perfect 4-0, the games averaged 15 runs each! That said, as noted above, no matter who starts in this one, my play is the over as these teams continue to pound each other in the first game of this 3-game set in DC. 10* OVER the total in Washington |
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07-14-21 | Suns +157 v. Bucks | Top | 103-109 | Loss | -100 | 18 h 11 m | Show |
Money Line Shocker - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #507 Wednesday 10* Top Play Phoenix Suns Money Line +157 @ Milwaukee Bucks @ 9 ET - Giannis had 17 free throw attempts for the Bucks Sunday while Phoenix only had 16 shots from the charity stripe. The Suns Devin Booker averaged 29 points in the first two games but then was a miserable 3 of 14 from the field in Game 3. Those two unusual stat variations will NOT be repeated Wednesday and I love the fact that the Suns, since late January, have gone 15-3 SU when off a loss. No points needed here. The Suns win outright and avoid the pressure of heading home with this series knotted at 2 games apiece. Unlike Milwaukee, Phoenix has shown the ability to win consistently on the road in this post-season. I do not see them losing two straight games. The Suns respond in a big way here and the extra time off between games benefited them as it took away some of the Bucks momentum. 10* PHOENIX Money Line +157 |
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07-11-21 | Suns +168 v. Bucks | Top | 100-120 | Loss | -100 | 18 h 34 m | Show |
Money Line Finals Game of the Year - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #505 Sunday 10* Top Play Phoenix Suns Money Line +170 @ Milwaukee Bucks @ 8:05 ET - The normal reaction is to expect the Bucks to bounce back on their home floor and get a win. Conventional wisdom says that will happen. In typical contrarian fashion though I love to buck conventional wisdom. I know the NBA would love to have a longer series but this is not looking good for the Bucks. What people are forgetting is how Milwaukee got to this point. They beat a Heat team and a Hawks team that play in the weak Southeast Division. They also beat a Nets team that dealt with significant injuries to 2/3 of its Big Three with both Harden and Irving dealing with injuries in that series. I just do not think the Bucks are in the same class as the Suns. They were down double digits entering the 4th quarter of each game in Phoenix. I know Milwaukee is a better team when at home but do you realize that the Suns have won 13 of 15 games including 6 of 7 on the road? Championship teams win on the road. The Bucks? They have lost 6 of last 9 road games and one of the three wins was in OT. I know...I know...Milwaukee is at home here but you get my point...the best teams know how to win on the road and that is a Championship-caliber team. All the pressure here is on the Bucks. They are down 2-0 in this series and, unlike when they faced the Nets in this same situation two rounds ago, the Suns are 100% healthy. By the way Milwaukee scored only 86 points in that game 3 win. Now they face a healthy Phoenix team. Also, the Suns have scored an average of 122 points in their last 3 games including 130 in most recent road game. I am going contrarian here and playing the loose and relaxed team that is playing with confidence and no pressure. No points needed. Upset time. Give me the big plus money return. 10* PHOENIX +170 |
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07-11-21 | Yankees v. Astros OVER 8.5 | Top | 7-8 | Win | 100 | 9 h 22 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #923 Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 8.5 runs in Houston Astros vs New York Yankees @ 2:10 ET - This is contrarian all the way. This total has moved from a 9 to an 8.5 for a few reasons. A big one is that Carlos Correa is likely to again be out of the lineup Sunday for the Astros. Another is that Jameson Taillon is off a strong start for the Yankees. So, weaker Houston lineup, starting pitcher entering off strong start, and you can see why this total made a downward move. In my mind, this is merely serving to give us excellent line value here. The Astros should still hit Taillon well. His last start was a rare successful road outing and the first time he pitched 7 innings this season. After throwing over 100 pitches and also helped by being given a huge early 8-0 lead in that game, Taillon comes back down to earth here. Taillon, even off the great start at Seattle, still has an 8.25 ERA on the road this season. His trending in recent seasons also has shown him to be much better at home than on the road. This season, the O/U in his road starts is 6-0. As for Astros starter Framber Valdez, he has seen the over go 3-1 in his home starts and he allowed 6 runs (5 earned) on 10 hits in just 5 innings in his most recent home start. The last time Valdez faced the Yankees he allowed 5 earned runs in 3 and 1/3 innings. After yesterday's 1-0 game we have seen an over-reaction here particularly because of the Correa situation too. That said, this is not Cole and Greinke today! This total is being kept way too low considering this match-up is Taillon and Valdez. Look for plenty of runs in this one. 10* OVER 8.5 in Houston |
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07-11-21 | Phillies +110 v. Red Sox | Top | 5-4 | Win | 110 | 10 h 35 m | Show |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #929 Sunday 10* Top Play Philadelphia Phillies Money Line (+) @ Boston Red Sox @ 1:10 ET - The Phillies Aaron Nola has allowed 4 earned runs on 8 hits in 11 and 1/3 innings spanning his last two road starts. Overall he has struck out 31 batters in 16 innings spanning his last 3 starts. Yes that is an average of nearly 2 batters per inning! Also, Nola has a fantastic 2.67 ERA in his 4 career starts against the Red Sox. Boston will start former Phillie Nick Pivetta in this one. This will be his first start against his former team. Sometimes the pressure of facing a former team can be tough on a hurler and Pivetta also has struggled at home in recent starts. His last 4 home starts have seen him allow 18 earned runs in 20 innings! That is an 8.10 ERA. Not only that, Pivetta has allowed 22 hits in his last 14 innings at home. The Red Sox are a great team so far this season and they would love to bounce back after yesterday's ugly loss. However, this is too much value on a surging Phillies team with a strong pitcher on the mound. The Red Sox are 3-4 last 7 games and only have had one big game at the plate in their last 8 games. In the other 7 games Boston has averaged scoring only 3.4 runs per game. The Phillies enter this game having won 7 of 11 games and have scored an average of 9 runs per game last 6 games! 10* PHILADELPHIA +110 |
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07-10-21 | Yankees -106 v. Astros | Top | 1-0 | Win | 100 | 12 h 28 m | Show |
Earliest Cash EVE - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #975 Saturday 10* Top Play New York Yankees Money Line -105 @ Houston Astros @ 7:15 ET - I know Gerrit Cole's numbers have been off a little of late. But the Yankees right-hander is going against his former team again and I expect this to bring out the best in him. Cole gave up 2 solo homers against the Astros on May 6th but otherwise was rock solid against the Astros in that one and still deserved better than a no decision. Cole has a 3.00 ERA on the road this season. Houston is starting Zack Greinke here which is why we are getting such a favorable line on Cole and the Yankees. While the Astros Greinke certainly deserves some respect he has a 5.26 ERA in his home starts this season. Greinke has walked 8 plus given up 4 runs on 6 hits in 8 and 1/3 innings spanning his last two starts against the Yankees. Greinke lost his most recent home start and was hit hard in that one by the Orioles. Cole will bounce back from a loss in his most recent road start as he was 5-1 in road games on the season prior to that one. He had been solid on the road all season while Greinke has had some issues in home starts this season for sure. Overall, with yesterday's big Yankees win, New York has won 4 of 5 and allowed only 2.2 runs per game in the 5 games! The Astros have lost 5 of last 7 home games. 10* NEW YORK YANKEES -105 |
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07-10-21 | Phillies v. Red Sox OVER 11 | Top | 11-2 | Win | 100 | 11 h 52 m | Show |
IL Total of the Month - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #979 Saturday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Boston Red Sox vs Philadelphia Phillies @ 4:10 ET - This IL (InterLeague) match-up totaled 16 runs yesterday and I expect another wild one today. We get some excellent value here because it looks like Martin Perez has been throwing well but, the fact is, he has not. Perez has a 1.88 ERA his last 3 starts but he has been very fortunate. Perez has allowed 21 hits in just 14 and 1/3 innings. Also, Perez has allowed 7 earned runs in 11 innings in his two most recent starts against the Phillies and he walked 6 in one of those outings so the damage could have been much worse. Matt Moore gets the start for the Phillies here. The southpaw is off a tough start against the Cubs at Wrigley Field and the damage could have been worse as he allowed 5 hits and walked 2 in just 4 innings. Moore has a 6.30 ERA as a starter this season and Boston could pound him here. The Red Sox have won 11 of 14 games and Boston has averaged scoring 6 runs per game during this stretch. The Phillies have seen the over go a perfect 6-0 in last road games. Philadelphia has scored an average of 8 runs per game in those contests. On a very pleasant afternoon at Fenway Park with great weather expected, look for plenty of runs in this one. 10* OVER the total in Boston |
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07-09-21 | Royals v. Indians -134 | Top | 1-2 | Win | 100 | 14 h 3 m | Show |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #920 Friday 10* Top Play Cleveland Indians Money Line -135 vs Kansas City Royals @ 7:10 ET - The Indians are bringing back Triston McKenzie from a stint in the minors and I expect his stint at the AAA level to pay off big. Though he had a high ERA this season it is a bit deceiving. McKenzie held opposing hitters to a .188 batting average and struck out 59 hitters in 42 and 1/3 innings. He is 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA in his 3 career starts against the Royals. I am well aware that the Indians have been on a losing streak but welcoming KC to town could surely be a good thing that snaps the trend. Sure enough yesterday Cleveland got the win to end their losing streak. The Royals are 15-29 on the road this season and 18-33 against teams with a winning record. The Indians are 28-17 this season in games against teams that do not have a winning record and I look for them to build off yesterday's win. Kansas City sends Brad Keller to the mound. Keller lost his most recent start at Cleveland and allowed 5 runs (4 earned) in that one. Also, he enters this start with an 0-3 mark, 6.61 ERA, and 2.14 WHIP in his last 3 starts. Keller has a 6.39 ERA on the season. This series is a great opportunity for the Indians to get back on track before the All Star break and I look for them to build off yesterday's win with another victory this evening as McKenzie comes up big and Keller struggles. 10* CLEVELAND -135 |
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07-09-21 | White Sox v. Orioles OVER 10.5 | Top | 12-1 | Win | 100 | 16 h 35 m | Show |
1st Half of the Season Total of the Year - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #915 Friday 10* Top Play OVER 10.5 runs in Chicago White Sox vs Baltimore Orioles @ 7:05 ET - The over is 8-2 in Chicago's last 10 games. The White Sox should pound Jorge Lopez but they have concerns on the mound of their own here as Dallas Keuchel gets the call in this one. Keuchel has allowed 13 runs (10 earned) in 6 and 2/3 innings spanning his last two starts. Both of those outings were on the road where he has a 5.12 ERA on the season. The White Sox southpaw allowed 3 homers among 8 hits in just 5 innings in his prior start against the Orioles this season and that was at home. Now he faces them at Baltimore where the O's are known to hit better. Baltimore starts Lopez here and he has allowed 9 earned runs on 17 hits and 8 walks in 9 and 1/3 innings in his last two starts overall. Also, seeing the White Sox may not help matters as he has allowed 22 hits including 5 homers in 16 and 1/3 innings spanning his last 3 starts against them. The over is on a 14-5 run in Orioles games and as mentioned above Chicago has been trending over as well last 10 games. Look for plenty of runs in this one as a result. 10* OVER 10.5 runs in Baltimore |
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07-08-21 | Bucks +189 v. Suns | Top | 108-118 | Loss | -100 | 18 h 40 m | Show |
Money Line Mauling - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #503 Thursday 10* Top Play Milwaukee Bucks Money Line +190 @ Phoenix Suns @ 9:05 ET - The Bucks are a perfect 4-0 SU the last 4 times they were off a loss. Milwaukee has played great defense after a game in which they tasted defeat as the Bucks allowed 91 points or less in 3 of those 4 victories. I expect a very strong effort from a hungry Milwaukee team and note that the Suns had alternated wins and losses in their 5 games prior to the victory to open up this series. The Bucks were outscored by 16 points at the free throw line in Game 1 but otherwise won the game by 3 points. There is great value here in my opinion. I know we could take the points at +5.5 as added insurance but as we have seen throughout this post-season, there have hardly been any games where the point-spread has matter. Since late May, as an example, the SU winner has also been the ATS winner in 14 of 15 Bucks games and 13 of 14 Suns games. I will grab the big plus money here. 10* MILWAUKEE +190 |
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07-08-21 | Phillies +103 v. Cubs | Top | 8-0 | Win | 103 | 15 h 51 m | Show |
Game of the Week - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #957 Thursday 10* Top Play Philadelphia Phillies Money Line +105 @ Chicago Cubs @ 8:05 ET - The Cubs had lost 11 straight games before yesterday's win and one game certainly does not change everything. Also, the Phillies have not lost back to back games in 2 weeks as they have gone 5-0 L5 when off a loss. I know Philadelphia has a bad record in Zach Eflin's road starts but he has been very strong in his last two outings entering this one with just 3 earned runs allowed in 12 innings of work. Also, Eflin has pitched very well at Wrigley Field with just 2 earned runs allowed in 13 and 2/3 innings. I look for a very strong start from him here and I expect the Phillies to pound Adbert Alzolay. Philadelphia had averaged 14 runs a game in the first two games of this series and will bounce back here. Alzolay has seen the Cubs go 0-3 in his last 3 starts while he has compiled a 6.13 ERA plus allowed multiple homers in each start. More of the same expected here. The wind will be blowing in so not many homers expected in this one but look for the Phillies to outhit the Cubs. Big road win expected here. 10* PHILADELPHIA +105 |
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07-08-21 | A's v. Astros OVER 8.5 | Top | 2-1 | Loss | -116 | 10 h 36 m | Show |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #963 Thursday 10* OVER the total in Houston Astros vs Oakland A's @ 2:10 ET - The A's .429 slugging percentage in road games this season ranks as one of the best in the majors. The Astros overall .444 slugging percentage on the season also ranks as one of the best in the majors. After yesterday's low-scoring under featured very few hits, I look for the bats to come back to life in this one. Houston's Lance McCullers has great numbers on the season but he did walk 4 in his most recent start and was lucky to get out of numerous jams as he allowed 10 baserunners in that start. The right-hander also walked 4 in his most recent home start. The A's have already seen him twice this season and, likewise, the Astros hitters have already seen Oakland's Frankie Montas twice this year. Montas has allowed 20 hits (including 4 homers) in less than 15 innings in his last 3 starts against Houston. The over is 9-3 in the 12 games between these divisional foes so far this season. The over is 8-4 in McCullers starts this season and 4-2 in Montas road starts this season. Also, the A's righthander has allowed 10 earned runs in less than 11 innings of work spanning his last two starts. 10* OVER the total in Houston |
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07-07-21 | Canadiens +199 v. Lightning | Top | 0-1 | Loss | -100 | 16 h 21 m | Show |
Situational Slaughter - Rickenbach NHL Rotation #31 Wednesday 10* Top Play Montreal Canadiens Money Line (+) @ Tampa Bay Lightning @ 8:05 ET - The Lightning have nothing to worry about, right? They are back on home ice, had won the first 3 games of the series, and they have the championship pedigree. While certainly Tampa Bay could finish this series off tonight, I feel there is a ton of value with the big road dog in this one. The Lightning had 5 power play opportunities compared to just 1 for the Canadiens in Game 4 and the Habs still got the win. Montreal killed off all 5 power plays and their penalty kill has been the best of all playoff teams in this post-season and is a big part of the reason they are still standing. I also like the fact that the Canadiens outshot the Lightning 43 to 23 in the most recent game at TB but lost the game. The Habs are a confident bunch as a result of that huge effort here. They know they can win here and should have won that game. Prior to this series the Canadiens were on a red hot run on enemy ice. Don't be surprised if they get the shocking upset win here and force a Game 6 back in Canada. Carey Price was huge in goal in Game 4 and certainly capable of helping the Canadiens steal a game on the road here. 10* MONTREAL |
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07-07-21 | Phillies -135 v. Cubs | Top | 3-8 | Loss | -135 | 16 h 43 m | Show |
PA Dominator - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #907 Wednesday 10* Top Play Philadelphia Phillies Money Line -135 @ Chicago Cubs @ 8:05 ET - The Phillies beat the Cubs in a wild 15-10 final and that was the 11th straight loss for Chicago. Struggles for the Cubs likely to continue here as they face the Phillies most consistent hurler. Zack Wheeler had a 2.92 ERA last season in his first year with the Phillies. He has been even better this season with a 2.05 ERA and a .200 BAA and he also enters this start in top form. Wheeler has allowed just 8 hits while striking out 17 in 14 and 2/3 scoreless innings spanning his last two starts! The Cubs Alec Mills is off a rare solid start to open up July. Keep in mind he was hit at a .339 clip (mostly as a starter) in June and he also got hit at a .381 clip (all out of the bullpen) in May. I look for him to get hit hard here and for Wheeler to continue to dominate. The result should be a road rout. 10* PHILADELPHIA -135 |
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07-07-21 | Braves v. Pirates OVER 9 | Top | 14-3 | Win | 100 | 8 h 54 m | Show |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #901 Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Pittsburgh Pirates vs Atlanta Braves @ 12:35 ET - I used this play yesterday and it never had a chance. That will not stop me from coming right back with it today. That was just the 3rd under in the last 13 games between these teams. Also, I know Drew Smyly has been fantastic his last 3 starts but 2 of those were at home. The over is 6-2 in his road starts this season and he has a respectable, but not great, 4.22 ERA on the road this season. Smyly has allowed 7 earned runs in 12 and 2/3 innings spanning his last 2 starts against the Pirates and he allowed 2 homers in EACH start and that includes one this season in Atlanta. The Pirates counter with William Crowe in this one. He has an 8.59 ERA in two starts versus the Braves this season and both went over the total and that includes being matched up with Smyly on May 20th in Atlanta. That one totaled double digits in runs and this one should too. Crowe is 0-4 with a 5.66 ERA in his 5 home starts this season. Look for this one to be the complete opposite of yesterday's low-scoring duel. We'll see a surprising early afternoon slugfest in this one. 10* OVER the total in Pittsburgh |
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07-06-21 | Bucks v. Suns -6 | Top | 105-118 | Win | 100 | 14 h 47 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #502 Tuesday 10* Top Play Phoenix Suns (-) vs Milwaukee Bucks @ 9:05 ET - Giannis Antetokounmpo is doubtful for this game. The line still may look a little steep to most considering the Bucks have been winning some games without him. However, in typical contrarian fashion, I am on the other side of that thinking. I look for Phoenix to win this game by double digits. This is the toughest team the Bucks have faced in the post-season and they are on the road and they are not at full strength and likely without their best player. Blowout home win in the forecast here to get the finals underway. Suns on 10-3 ATS run. Milwaukee off a rare road win and cover and had been on 2-4 ATS run in road games. 10* PHOENIX |
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07-06-21 | Phillies -132 v. Cubs | Top | 15-10 | Win | 100 | 11 h 57 m | Show |
Situational Slaughter - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #957 Tuesday 10* Top Play Philadelphia Phillies Money Line (-) @ Chicago Cubs @ 8:05 ET - The Cubs have now lost 10 straight games. Chicago has scored an average of only 2.5 runs per game in those 10 games. In fact, taking out the one good game at the plate, the Cubs have averaged only 2 runs per game in the other 9 games. Aaron Nola should dominate here. Yes he fell apart late in his most recent start but his prior start was a gem and, overall, he has recorded 23 strikeouts in 10 innings spanning his last 2 starts. The way the Cubs are slumping he should dominate here. As for Chicago starter Jake Arrieta, he would love to come up big against a former team but he has an 8.38 ERA and a 2.28 WHIP his last 3 starts. He has walked 7 while striking out just 6 over his last two starts. The Phillies have won 6 of 10 games and will build off the momentum of yesterday's big win with another big game at the plate in a match-up that certainly has the look and feel of a complete mismatch. 10* PHILADELPHIA |
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07-06-21 | Braves v. Pirates OVER 8.5 | Top | 1-2 | Loss | -125 | 11 h 32 m | Show |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #951 Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Pittsburgh Pirates vs Atlanta Braves @ 7:05 ET - I know that Ian Anderson has great numbers for the Braves this season and his road starts have trended under. However, the Pirates have seen him once already this season and do tend to hit better at home and showed that tendency with yesterday's 11-1 win. They should do enough here with the bats for us to get the over because the Atlanta bats should absolutely pound Chad Kuhl. The over is 8-2 in the Pirates right-handers 10 home starts this season and it will be a very hot day in Pittsburgh today so still very warm in the evening too. Kuhl has a 5.16 ERA on the season and has had some command issues in recent starts. I know he has some good numbers at times this season but he looks a little "off" in recent outings and this is not a good match-up for him with the Braves hungry to bounce back off yesterday's shellacking. 10* OVER the total in Pittsburgh |
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07-05-21 | Lightning v. Canadiens +142 | Top | 2-3 | Win | 142 | 11 h 52 m | Show |
Contrarian Game of the Month - Rickenbach NHL Rotation #21 Monday 10* Top Play Montreal Canadiens Money Line +140 vs Tampa Bay Lightning @ 8:05 ET - The Canadiens can rise up and win a game here. They should have won Game 2. Of course blowing that game despite a 43-23 edge in shots on goal is why they are on the brink of elimination now. The Habs have outshot TB by 25 shots on goal the past two games combined. However, that does not change the fact that it is the Lightning that are still winning the games. I see that changing tonight as professional pride kicks in at its highest level for this proud, resilient home dog. Remember they were left for dead when they were down 3 to 1 in the opening round series with the Maple Leafs. Montreal then won 3 straight and never looked back as they got on a major roll. I am not saying they win this series of course, I am just saying they win at least one game and avoid the sweep and that "must win" happens tonight as Montreal staves off elimination with another very valiant effort like they had in Game 2 that, this time, also translates to victory on the scoreboard. 10* MONTREAL +140 |
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07-05-21 | Indians v. Rays OVER 8.5 | Top | 8-9 | Win | 100 | 9 h 19 m | Show |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #915 OVER 8.5 runs in Tampa Bay Rays vs Cleveland Indians @ 7:10 ET - Logan Allen starts for the Indians and is 1-5 with an 8.85 ERA as a starter this season. The over is 6-2 in Rich Hill's 8 home starts this season. Though he has pitched fairly well overall this season, he has allowed 5 homers in his last 3 starts. I know Cleveland is off back to back unders but this followed a streak of 7 straight games without an under and I expect Allen to get pounded and for Hill to continue to have some long-ball troubles in this one. The Rays have averaged scoring 5.8 runs per game last 14 home games. Tampa Bay is off back to back unders but this followed a 4-1 stretch to the over. This is a bit of a contrarian play based on recent results but I like having the over here based on all of the above and with each club off B2B unders but now enjoying a change of scenery to begin this series. 10* OVER 8.5 runs in Tampa Bay |
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07-05-21 | Braves -1.5 v. Pirates | Top | 1-11 | Loss | -113 | 9 h 43 m | Show |
Run Line Rout - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #905 Monday 10* Top Play Atlanta Braves Run Line -1.5 runs -115 @ Pittsburgh Pirates @ 7:05 ET - The Pirates are off a surprising 2-0 win yesterday as they had lost 6 straight games. Even with the win, note that Pittsburgh has not scored more than 2 runs in any of their last 7 games. That said, the Braves Max Fried should have a great start here. Fried has been rounding back into top form and has a 3.00 ERA his last 3 starts with a 0.89 WHIP. Chase De Jong of the Pirates will be his counterpart tonight and he is struggling badly. De Jong is winless with a 5.65 ERA in his 6 starts this season and has taken the loss in each of his last 3 starts. Each of the Pirates last 7 losses have been by a margin of 2 or more runs. Admittedly, the Braves have had a lot of tight one-run wins lately but, based on all of the above, this one has the makings of an absolute road rout. The Braves 3 wins over the Pirates this season have been by an incredible combined score of 33 to 3. Another blowout here. 10* ATLANTA -1.5 -115 |
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07-04-21 | Rangers +127 v. Mariners | Top | 1-4 | Loss | -100 | 6 h 16 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #977 Sunday 10* Top Play Texas Rangers Money Line +125 @ Seattle Mariners @ 4:10 ET - You look at this line and something looks funny, right? In typical contrarian fashion, I am playing the side most will not want here. Flexen is 6-3 with a 3.97 ERA and Foltynewicz is 2-7 with a 5.17 ERA and the Mariners are at home and laying a rather small price. Looks easy to ride Seattle here does it not? Well the old saying "looks too good to be true" is what I expect to play out here and I am rolling with the Rangers. Foltynewicz is off back to back strong outings and really appears to be turning the corner plus he had a strong start in his most recent outing at Seattle and has allowed 12 in 13 and 2/3 innings spanning his two starts against the Mariners this season. Flexen had a solid start against the Rangers the last time he faced them but this followed 10 hits in 6 and 1/3 innings in prior start against Texas. The fact is that Flexen has been fortunate this season and that good fortune will run out soon. It is not normal to be getting hit at a nearly .300 clip like he is for the season and yet have a below 4.00 ERA. I also like the fact that Flexen struggled badly in his most recent start and was fortunate the damage was not worse in that one at Toronto. The Rangers bullpen, over the last 15 days, also has a lower ERA than Seattle's does and that has helped key an 8-4 run for Texas which I fully expect to add another W here with the road upset for the Rangers. 10* TEXAS +125 |
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07-04-21 | Padres v. Phillies OVER 9 | Top | 11-1 | Win | 100 | 5 h 43 m | Show |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #955 Sunday 10* OVER the total in Philadelphia Phillies vs San Diego Padres @ 1:05 ET - The over is 6-2 in Blake Snell's road starts this season. The Padres are 0-8 in Snell's outings away from home this season where the lefty has a 10.36 ERA in his starts. I simply do not trust Vince Velasquez or the Phillies bullpen enough to play against him however. That said, I like the over a lot here! Look for Snell's road misery to continue. He missed his last start in the rotation due to illness and now faces a Phillies team which has won 5 of last 8 games and starting to build some confidence again. As for Velasquez, he is off a great start versus Miami but had been struggling heading into that outing. The Padres have now lost 3 straight but had been red hot, including at the plate, and their big hitters bounce back large in this one. 10* OVER the total in Philadelphia |
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07-03-21 | Bucks v. Hawks -2.5 | Top | 118-107 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 31 m | Show |
Game of the Month - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #562 Saturday 10* Top Play Atlanta Hawks (-) vs Milwaukee Bucks @ 8:35 ET - Giannis is more likely to miss this game than Trae Young. I just can't see Young missing a win or go home game while Giannis has the luxury of knowing there would still be a Game 7 at home in Milwaukee he can rest up for if the Bucks lose this game. Subconsciously, the Bucks could have a letdown here. They rallied the troops in the first game without Giannis on Thursday but I just don't see them again shooting 50 percent from the field without him like they did in Game 5. That said, regardless of who plays, I like the Hawks to get a big win here at home in Game 6. They did win Game 4 convincingly here without Young and even before Giannis got hurt in the 3rd quarter of that game, the Bucks were down by double digits for most of that game. Milwaukee has lost 4 of last 6 road games. The home team has won 4 of last 6 games between these teams and the Hawks held the Bucks to 39% from the field and 20% three pointers the last time these teams met in Atlanta. The home team, after being embarrassed at Milwaukee in Game 5, will respond big here in Game 6 regardless of who is on the floor. But, in that regard, the odds favor that it will be Young coming back for this one and not Giannis. Either way, the play here is the home team in a blowout. 10* ATLANTA |
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07-03-21 | Astros v. Indians OVER 9.5 | Top | 3-2 | Loss | -115 | 9 h 52 m | Show |
Earliest Cash Eve - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #921 Saturday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Cleveland Indians vs Houston Astros @ 7:15 ET - The Indians Eli Morgan is struggling badly and has a 10.32 ERA in his 3 home starts and all went over the total. The Astros Jake Odorizzi is coming off back to back strong outings but faced the Orioles and Tigers. He faces a much tougher test here and Odorizzi was not exactly on fire this season prior to these last two starts. I expect his struggles to resume here as the Indians bounce back from a couple recent sub-par performances at the plate. Odorizzi has seen the over go 5-2-1 in his 8 starts for Houston this season. The Indians have seen the over go 6-1-1 in their last 8 games and they'll get their bats going again here but I expect Morgan's struggles to continue so the Astros likely pound the ball too. Over the last 30 days the Houston production at the plate has been phenomenal with a .297 batting average and .498 slugging percentage. The over is on a 5-1 run in the Astros last 6 games. More of the same expected here. 10* OVER the total in Cleveland |
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07-03-21 | Mets v. Yankees UNDER 8.5 | Top | 8-3 | Loss | -100 | 4 h 36 m | Show |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #930 Saturday 10* Top Play UNDER the total in New York Yankees vs New York Mets @ 1:05 ET - The Yankees Jordan Montgomery may not have flashy overall numbers but he has been rock solid at home where he has a 2.61 ERA and has held opponents to a .212 batting average. Last season he was also much better at home than on the road. The Mets Taijuan Walker has been fantastic in day games this season with a 1.89 ERA and a .190 batting average against. Overall he is having a very strong season and has a 3.26 ERA in his 4 career starts against the Yankees. Montgomery was solid in his lone career start against the Mets. This total has moved up to an 8.5 and only 7 of the Mets last 29 games have totaled 9 or more runs. The Yankees are off back to back high-scoring games but had averaged scoring only 2.5 runs per game in the 4 games immediately prior to those. 10* UNDER the total in New York Yankees |
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07-02-21 | Lightning v. Canadiens +119 | Top | 6-3 | Loss | -100 | 13 h 37 m | Show |
Playoff Game of the Year - Rickenbach NHL Rotation #12 Friday 10* Top Play Montreal Canadiens Money Line +120 vs Tampa Bay Lightning @ 8:05 ET - Montreal dominated Game 2 and outshot the Lightning by a margin of 20 shots on goal. The Canadiens, however, still lost the game. Suffice to say it was a brutally bad beat for Montreal and I expect another determined effort from the Habs here. Being on home ice is certainly a big plus. Also, Tampa Bay's Andrei Vasilevskiy has been superb between the pipes but when he does slip up it has tended to be on the road. His home numbers were much better than his road stats this season. The Canadiens will be absolutely relentless here as they fight hard to get back into the series in what is, for all intents and purposes, a must win game. They did not look in Game 1 but they looked the better team in Game 2 even though they lost. That is saying a lot about how well the Habs are capable of playing against this solid Tampa Bay team and I expect to see their best again tonight and, this time, it translates to a win. The Bolts power play has been great in the playoffs but the Canadiens penalty kill has ranked #1 throughout the post-season! Carey Price in goal for the home team comes up huge in this one too he has allowed more than 2 goals just once in 8 starts on home ice in this post-season. 10* MONTREAL |
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07-02-21 | Cardinals v. Rockies OVER 12.5 | Top | 9-3 | Loss | -109 | 11 h 54 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #961 Friday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Colorado Rockies vs St Louis Cardinals @ 8:10 ET - This total was as low as an 11.5 when it opened up and now it is a 12.5 as of early morning Friday. The Rockies have stayed under the total in 5 straight games and the Cardinals have had just 1 over their last 7 games. In other words, the old saying of "someone knows something" holds true here. Indeed I expect the sharp money to line up on the over in this one and am expecting a wild game at Coors Field. I know the recent games there have not lived up to the billing of the usual high-scoring slugfests we see there but this one has all the right ingredients. The Cardinals Johan Oviedo has been hit hard in each of his last two starts and went 0-2 in them. He is winless with a 6.91 ERA on the road this season and the over is 4-0 in those outings. The Rockies Chi Chi Gonzalez is off a rare good start at Milwaukee but he allowed 10 earned runs in 11 and 1/3 innings spanning his two outings prior to that one. Both of those were at home and he struggled at Coors Field and I expect more of the same here. Gonzalez faced the Cardinals at St Louis in May and he allowed 7 earned runs in 4 innings! The Cards will be on him early and often again in this one. As for Oviedo, it will be his first ever start at Coors Field and that typically does not go well for pitchers and especially those in poor current form like he is. 10* OVER the total in Colorado |
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07-02-21 | Padres v. Phillies -118 | Top | 3-4 | Win | 100 | 9 h 29 m | Show |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #952 Friday 10* Top Play Philadelphia Phillies Money Line -120 vs San Diego Padres @ 6:05 ET - The Phillies game versus the Marlins yesterday was rained out but Zach Wheeler was already slated for tonight's start. Matt Moore was going to get yesterday's start and, arguably, the rain out was a good thing as they can now skip him. Wheeler has been nothing short of phenomenal. Also, he has improved with each month. Wheeler is coming off a season that saw him compile a 2.92 ERA in his first year with the Phillies. Then this season his month to month ERAs have been 3.13, 2.08, 1.44 for April, May, June respectively. Now he makes his first start of July and he is at home where he went 4-0 with a 2.38 ERA last season and this season he has a 2.05 ERA at Citizens Bank Park where Wheeler loves to pitch. Chris Paddack starts for the Padres and certainly has some impressive numbers of his own but he enters this start off a very rough outing in which he allowed 5 earned runs in just 2 and 1/3 innings. Though he has been decent on the road this season he went 1-3 with a 6.85 ERA in road starts last season and getting hit hard at home by the struggling Diamondbacks in most recent start is also a concern. San Diego has been hot but the Phillies are a solid home team and have a dominating starter on the mound and are the favorite here for a reason. 10* PHILADELPHIA |
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07-01-21 | Hawks +126 v. Bucks | Top | 112-123 | Loss | -100 | 9 h 26 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #541 Thursday 10* Top Play Atlanta Hawks Money Line +125 @ Milwaukee Bucks @ 8:35 ET - Highly doubtful that Giannis Antetokounmpo will play here and the news gets even worse. The Bucks had him up until he got hurt about 5 minutes into the 3rd quarter. Even with him they were down 10 points at that point in the game AND the Hawks were playing without Trae Young. The fact that there is a decent chance Young will be back tonight really makes this situation tough on Milwaukee. This is particularly true because Cam Reddish is now back for Atlanta and playing well also. The Hawks now have a ton of confidence, are the healthier team, and this line is VERY small on the Bucks at home for a reason. The odds makers are enticing the betting public with the idea of taking a traditionally great home team, Milwaukee, at a number as low as -2 this morning. In my opinion the sharps will be on the Hawks here and the public will be on the Bucks at home. That said, give me the Atlanta money line as we have just not seen many games at all in this post-season where the spread has mattered so I will grab some plus money with the Hawks to win SU. Look for Atlanta to continue their ultra impressive playoff run. The Hawks got embarrassed in their last game here at Milwaukee but this followed 3 straight road wins and they will get payback after being completely obliterated in Game 2 of this series. 10* ATLANTA +125 |
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07-01-21 | Astros v. Indians OVER 8.5 | Top | 7-2 | Win | 100 | 9 h 48 m | Show |
Earliest Cash EVE - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #925 Thursday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Cleveland Indians vs Houston Astros @ 7:10 ET - Something funny going on with this one. Total opened up as high as a 9.5 but has dropped to an 8.5 as of game day morning. I know that the wind is expected to be blowing in at Progressive Field for this one but the odds maker had this total right in my opinion and now we're going to take advantage of value on the other side of the line move as I fully expect double digits here. The Astros are off a 3-game sweep at the hands of the Orioles and this was at home. That said, going on the road and getting refocused with a change of scenery in a new venue should be a great thing for Houston. The Astros went 5-2 on most recent road trip and averaged scoring 6 runs per game. The Indians are off a home double-header sweep at the hands of the Tigers yesterday. That double-header was because Tuesday's game got rained out and that pushed JC Mejia's start back from Tuesday to Thursday. Anything that throws off a pitchers routine can be tough on them and this is particularly true of a rookie. Also, Mejia has struggled since moving into the starting role in June. He is winless in his 5 starts and has compiled a 6.27 ERA. He'll be opposed by Framber Valdez of the Astros. I know the Houston southpaw has been pitching well but he does tend to struggle more on the road than at home and the Indians have a .448 slugging percentage in last 12 games at home and had won 9 of 10 at home prior to yesterday's double header sweep. In those 10 home games the Indians averaged 6.2 runs per game. 10* OVER the total in Cleveland |
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07-01-21 | Royals v. Red Sox OVER 9.5 | Top | 1-15 | Win | 100 | 4 h 42 m | Show |
Earliest Cash DAY - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #919 Thursday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Boston Red Sox vs Kansas City Royals @ 1:10 ET - Rainy weather moving into the Boston area but it should be after this one is already in the books and I look for plenty of runs here after yesterday's game was 5-2 in the top of the 6th but then saw only 1 more run scored the rest of the way. The Royals Kris Bubic has a 7.36 ERA on the road this season and a 9.49 ERA in his last 3 starts overall. Bubic had been working out of the bullpen most recently but struggled in 2 of those 3 appearances as well including a rough outing versus the Red Sox. Boston starts Nathan Eovaldi here and he has solid overall numbers this season but just recently faced the Royals and struggled in that outing with 7 hits allowed in only 4 innings on the mound. Kansas City now gets another look at him here and I expect more success for them at the plate in this one. 10* OVER the total in Boston |
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06-30-21 | Suns +1 v. Clippers | Top | 130-103 | Win | 100 | 12 h 42 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #531 Wednesday 10* Top Play Phoenix Suns (+) @ Los Angeles Clippers @ 9 ET - As you know, I am not fond of laying big juice or big points and, that said, this the perfect spot to take Phoenix to finish this series off. Since the Suns are on the road, we get great line value here with this line right around a pick'em and even available at +1 for Phoenix in some spots this morning. The Suns had won 10 of 11 prior to Monday's loss and I look for them to improve to 3-0 the last 3 times they were on the road and coming off a loss. The Clippers made 54.8% of their shots from the field and I certainly do not expect that to be repeated. In fact, LA made just 32.5% of their shots in the last game here. Considering that as well as the Suns being fired up off a loss and Los Angeles still without Kawhi Leonard, look for this series to end tonight. 10* PHOENIX +1 |
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06-30-21 | Canadiens +180 v. Lightning | Top | 1-3 | Loss | -100 | 10 h 19 m | Show |
NBCSN Blowout Rout - Rickenbach NHL Rotation #81 Wednesday 10* Top Play Montreal Canadiens Money Line +180 @ Tampa Bay Lightning @ 8:05 ET - The Canadiens got blitzed in a Game 1 loss. They struggled to get many scoring chances, especially in the first period and a half of the game. At the same time, they allowed the Lightning far too many chances, especially from the slot area and TB made them pay. There was traffic in front of Montreal's fantastic goalie, Carey Price, and that made it a very difficult game for him. The loss certainly can not be blamed on him. Overall though, Montreal will make adjustments. After losing 5-1 in Game 1 Montreal would have been expected to be an even bigger dog here in Game 2. Of course the reason they are not is that the odds makers know the same things that the sharps do about this one. That is that the Habs have a great shot at the upset win here. Montreal has been playing the "us against the world underdog mentality" very well and they have been a resilient bunch ever since down 3-1 in the opening series versus Toronto. Ever since then, the Canadiens have won 11 of 14 games and they are 3-0 the last 3 times they have entered a game off a loss. As impressive as Tampa Bay has been, this is a team that is just 1-4 ATS the last five times when off a game in which they allowed 1 goal or got a shutout win. Too much big dog value to pass up on here as the road dog will make adjustments and will also come out with a lot of fire for this one - ready both mentally and physically. 10* MONTREAL +180 |
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06-30-21 | Pirates v. Rockies OVER 11 | Top | 2-6 | Loss | -115 | 5 h 46 m | Show |
Daytime Dominator - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #955 Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Colorado Rockies vs Pittsburgh Pirates @ 3:10 ET - This total opened up at an 11.5 and has dropped down to an 11 as of 5 hours prior to game time. The Pirates have been shutout by the Rockies in back to back games and almost got no-hit in last night's 8-0 loss as they only managed a 9th inning single. However, in typical contrarian fashion, I am on the over here and happy to fade the line move. The over is 8-1 in Chad Kuhl's starts this season including a perfect 6-0 in his road starts. The Pirates right-hander has a 6.04 ERA on the road this season and also was hit very hard in his lone career start at Coors Field. The Rockies Jon Gray is off a great start at Milwaukee but that was preceded by two very rough outings and that included a tough one against Pittsburgh. Something about the Pirates is probably what Gray has to be thinking as he has a 7.94 ERA in his career against them and the over is a perfect 5-0 in those 5 starts as he has complied a 1.94 WHIP too. Despite all the recent unders, this is an afternoon game at hitter-friendly Coors Field and the weather will be warm and I expect the bats to be hot. Don't be surprised if the Rockies again get to 8 runs here but, this time, the Pirates finally join the party after being shutout in the first two games of this series. Keep in mind, Pittsburgh had entered this series averaging a respectable 5.3 runs per game last 9 games. Their sticks get back on track here as they continue to give Gray trouble. 10* OVER the total in Colorado |
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06-29-21 | Bucks v. Hawks +7 | Top | 88-110 | Win | 100 | 10 h 6 m | Show |
Money Line Mauling - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #522 Tuesday 10* Top Play Atlanta Hawks Money Line +230 vs Milwaukee Bucks @ 8:30 ET - Of course you can grab the Hawks at +7 if you prefer but I am grabbing the money line. I am glad we won with the Clippers last night as a plus points underdog but still kicking myself for not using their big plus money line like I did on Atlanta in Game 1 of this series when they won outright at nearly +300 odds. The fact is that the Hawks are off back to back losses now and they are 5-1 SU the last 6 times they have entered a game off consecutive losses. We are getting extra line value here because of the Trae Young injury situation but I would be shocked if he did not play and/or was not effective. Either way though I expect a huge response from the Hawks here and certainly do not expect the Bucks to shoot better than 50% from the field for a 3rd consecutive game either. Milwaukee has a solid home record but Atlanta's home record even better. Also, the Hawks were the better team for the first 3 quarters of Sunday's loss before blowing the game in the 4th quarter as they were flustered by the Young injury situation. That will not impact them here as it known he has a bone bruise and he and the Hawks rally the troops for this one. 10* ATLANTA Money Line +230 |
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06-29-21 | Diamondbacks +139 v. Cardinals | Top | 2-3 | Loss | -100 | 8 h 23 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #909 Tuesday 10* Top Play Arizona Diamondbacks Money Line +140 @ St Louis Cardinals @ 8:15 ET - The Diamondbacks have been on a horrific run. I am well aware of this. However, this team has a huge pitching edge in this match-up based on current form and also the Cardinals have not exactly been setting the world on fire. St Louis got the big 7-1 win yesterday but previously had lost 8 of 10 games. Speaking of losing stretches, the Cards Carlos Martinez is 0-5 with a 13.73 ERA in the month of June and opponents hitting .352 against him. The Dbacks Caleb Smith moved into a starters role this month and, in his 5 starts, he has a 2.73 ERA and has held opponents to a .172 BAA. The Cardinals, prior to yesterday, had only 1 big game at the plate last 15 games. In the other 14 games St Louis scored an average of just 1.8 runs per game! The Diamondbacks had averaged 5 runs per game last 7 games prior to yesterday's disappointing loss. Arizona bounces back here plus gets a dominating start from Smith in this one while St Louis sees the struggles of Martinez continue here. 10* ARIZONA +140 |
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06-29-21 | Padres v. Reds OVER 10 | Top | 5-4 | Loss | -108 | 8 h 27 m | Show |
NOTE about pitching change. This is still a play for me. Craig Stammen had an ERA north of 5.00 the only two seasons he was used as a starter in his MLB career. Though he has pitched well this season out of the bullpen, he averages only 1 and 1/3 innings per outing and only 2 times in 33 appearances has he pitched more than 2 innings. Though the Padres bullpen has great numbers on the season, they have a 4.42 ERA last 15 days and opponents batting average of .292 last 7 days. Both of those numbers are poor as San Diego's pen has been trending the wrong direction as you can see. So this is still a play for me. ORIGINAL write-up: Earliest Cash - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #903 Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Cincinnati Reds vs San Diego Padres @ 7:10 ET - The over is on a 10-2 run in Padres games and that includes 3-1 when they recently hosted the Reds out west. Now this game is in Cincinnati where it will be steamy and hot on Tuesday and the ball should be flying out of hitter friendly Great American Ball Park. Blake Snell starts for the Padres and the over is 6-2 in his 8 road starts this season and he is winless in them with a 10.36 ERA on the year away from home. The Reds start Tony Santillan and he has some respectable numbers since moving into the rotation but the worst of his 3 starts was at San Diego and the Padres are expected to get to him again here. Early and often plenty of runs in this one based on the pitching match-up and the weather conditions and the recent history between these teams. Reds averaging 5.8 runs per game at home this season and the Padres averaging 5.5 runs per game last dozen games. 10* OVER the total in Cincinnati |
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06-28-21 | Clippers +5.5 v. Suns | Top | 116-102 | Win | 100 | 15 h 33 m | Show |
Western Conf Finals Game of the Year - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #511 Monday 10* Top Play Los Angeles Clippers (+) @ Phoenix Suns @ 9:05 ET - This series has featured tight games and I am expecting another one here. The Clippers lone win was by 14 points but their 3 losses were by a total of only 11 points! That said, we have some value with the 5.5 points being offered here as the Suns, despite going against an LA team playing without Kawhi Leonard, has struggled to put them away in each game. Phoenix has made just 20 of 78 three pointers in the last 3 games in this series and that included one at home of course. The Clippers actually have shot better at Phoenix from downtown in this series as they have made 33 of 81 three pointers in the 2 games played here. That said, don't be surprised if Los Angeles finds away to stay alive in this series with an upset win here in Game 5. However, if LA does fall short, look for the points to be enough for the all-important cover in this one. 10* LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS |
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06-28-21 | Canadiens +177 v. Lightning | Top | 1-5 | Loss | -100 | 13 h 43 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach NHL Rotation #61 Monday 10* Top Play Montreal Canadiens Money Line +175 @ Tampa Bay Lightning @ 8:05 ET - Just too much value to pass up on in my opinion here. The Canadiens have had plenty of doubters in each series and yet they continue to defy logic and get the upset wins. I am not saying they will win this series and win it all. But I do sense an upset in Game One. The way Carey Price is playing, the Habs are a tough to beat right now. That does not mean the Lightning also are not a tough team to beat with Andrei Vasilevskiy between the pipes. I am just saying that the value here is in going against the defending Stanley Cup Champs as the element of surprise is at its biggest in Game One of a series and there is just something special about this Canadiens team this season that has them winning many match-ups in which they appear outclassed in terms of the way the teams match up. Having Price in the crease is a big key in that regard. I fully realize just how good this Tampa Bay team is but Montreal just beat a very good Vegas team to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. The Lightning are laying a -200 price here against a team that has won 11 of 13 games. Tampa Bay is off a hard-fought 7-game series against the Islanders and the Canadiens have an extra day of rest and have won 4 of 5 while the Lightning were just 3-3 last 6 prior to beating the Isles in Game Seven. 10* MONTREAL +175 |
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06-28-21 | Pirates v. Rockies OVER 11 | Top | 0-2 | Loss | -119 | 8 h 54 m | Show |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #951 Monday 10* Top Play OVER 11 runs in Colorado Rockies vs Pittsburgh Pirates @ 5:10 ET - Kyle Freeland gets start for Rockies and has a 10.38 ERA at home this season and a 9.39 ERA in day games (3 pm local time start here). Last season he got hit at a .295 clip in home games. In 2019, Freeland had a 9.25 ERA and was hit at a .337 clip in home games. You can see where I am going with this and the Pirates are off a 7-2 win and have now won 6 of 9 games and scored an average of 7 runs per game in the 6 victories. The Pirates issue today will be their own pitching. Tyler Anderson used to pitch for the Rockies and was drafted by them and certainly does not have fond memories of pitching here. He regularly got crushed at Coors Field and he has struggled in road starts since leaving Colorado after a 2019 season in which he went winless with an 11.76 ERA in five starts. With the Giants in 2020, Anderson went 1-2 with a 6.00 ERA in his six road starts. This season he is 2-4 with a 6.06 ERA in his 6 road starts. Anderson has been crushed in his last two road starts and Freeland has been hammered in his only two home starts this season. More of the same expected here. Prior to a shutout loss staying under the total yesterday, the Rockies were on a 7-2-1 run to the over and should resume that trending here. Colorado has averaged nearly 7 runs per game last 6 home games and the weather will be excellent for an over in Denver today. 10* OVER the total in Colorado |
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06-27-21 | Bucks v. Hawks +165 | Top | 113-102 | Loss | -100 | 13 h 44 m | Show |
Money Line Mauling - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #502 Sunday 10* Top Play Atlanta Hawks Money Line +165 vs Milwaukee Bucks @ 8:35 ET - The Hawks did not just lose at Milwaukee in Game 2, they got absolutely annihilated in an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Bucks. That said, the set up here is ideal as Atlanta is back at home and in response mode. Remember that, entering March, the Hawks were just 14-20 on the season. That means they wrapped up the regular season on a 27-11 run. In fact, when at home off a loss, Atlanta is 7-1 the last 8 times. Just like I did in Game 1 when we cashed with the big dog Hawks on the money line at nearly a 3 to 1 payback, I am shunning the points again for the bigger payout with the money line. The ATS winner has also been the SU winner in 12 of last 13 Bucks games. The ATS winner has also been the SU winner in 13 straight Atlanta games. The point is that if you like the Hawks to get the cover here, the odds strongly favor that you play the money line for the bigger payout as any ATS win also likely to be a SU win. This has actually been a strong pattern throughout this post-season in nearly all the series. More of the same here and I look for the hosts to improve to 8-1 SU the last 9 times they were at home off a loss. 10* ATLANTA money line +165 |
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06-27-21 | Indians v. Twins OVER 9.5 | Top | 2-8 | Win | 100 | 5 h 39 m | Show |
Daytime Dominator - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #925 Sunday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Minnesota Twins vs Cleveland Indians @ 2:10 ET - Yesterday's game was rained out so Sam Hentges gets the start today for the Indians but the Twins decided to hold Kenta Maeda off until Monday. That means Sunday the start goes to Minnesota's originally scheduled starter which was JA Happ. That is good news for over players as the over is 10-3 in his starts this season. Happ is having a very rough time of it this season with a 6.09 ERA on the year and a 7.90 ERA in his last 3 starts. Hentges is off a rare solid road outing as his first two road starts both went over the total. Even after a good start in his last outing, the Indians southpaw still has a 6.94 ERA on the road this season. The over is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings between these teams and I look for a wild one early Sunday afternoon as both these pitchers get roughed up and we could see something similar to an 8-7 final like we saw Friday. 10* OVER the total in Minnesota |
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06-27-21 | Yankees v. Red Sox OVER 8.5 | Top | 2-9 | Win | 100 | 5 h 47 m | Show |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #921 Sunday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Boston Red Sox vs New York Yankees @ 1:10 ET - Hot afternoon at Fenway Park with the wind blowing out. Yet we get a low total because Gerrit Cole is on the mound for the Yankees. As fantastic of a hurler as he is, Cole has allowed 2 homers in each of his last 2 road starts. Also, he is facing a Red Sox team that is now 5-0 against the Yankees this season and has scored an average of 5.4 runs per game in those 5 victories. So I do fully expect Boston to get their fair share of runs but finally, today, the Yankees bats should come back to life. They will take advantage of facing a struggling Eduardo Rodriguez. The Red Sox southpaw has a 7.98 ERA in his last 3 starts. All 3 of those starts went over the total and I fully expect this one to do the same. 10* OVER the total in Boston |