Cappers Sports Picks

Ricky’s 1* FREE PLAY on the over Cubs/Giants.

These are two of the hottest teams, not only in the National League, but in all of MLB right now. The Cubs are 7-2 since the Break, while the Giants are 9-2. The reason for the turnaround? Mostly because of a breakout at the plate for each club. And that doesn’t bode well for Chicago starter Alec Mills (0-1, 4.50 ERA) and San Francisco’s Shaun Anderson (3-2, 4.87) in my opinion. Mills hasn’t even started a game on the road in his entire career, while Anderson has been the beneficiary of some unreal offense of late, as he’s given up 13 runs over his last 13 1/3’s innings of work spanning three starts (all Giants wins, 7-5, 10-7 and 11-8.) 

Key Trends:

- Chicago has seen the total go over the number in 24 of 41 on the road already this season.

- San Fran has seen the total eclipse the posted number in 18 of 29 at home this year when the money line in the contest is set between +125 and -125.

The verdict: So what do you think? I think that these suspect starters will get chased early and I believe this total will sail over sooner, rather than later. Consider the over in this one!

Ricky’s 8* play on the under Rangers/Mariners.

The Rangers have lost seven in a row after Sunday’s 5-3 defeat at Houston. The Mariners have lost ten of their last 11 and have been out of the playoff picture for a long time. Two teams with more questions than answers collide on Monday night and in my opinion, I think runs will be at a premium. Adrian Sampson (6-6, 4.92 ERA) toes the slab for the Rangers and he’s 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA in four career appearances vs. the Mariners. The home side counters with Marco Gonzales (10-8, 4.48), who is 4-3 with a 3.35 ERA in eight career starts vs. Texas. 

Key Trends:

- Texas has seen the total go under the number in 28 of 35 already this year vs. clubs with losing records.

- Seattle has seen the total go under the number in six of its last eight vs. clubs with winning records.

The verdict: I think these starters “battle deep.” This number is a little high, play the under!

Ricky’s 6* play on the Arizona Diamondbacks.

I think that Robbie Ray (8-6, 3.92 ERA) and the home side are well worth the price of admission in this spot, with the “toothless” Orioles countering with the erratic Aaron Brooks (2-3, 4.69). Ray enters on top form, having won three straight, conceding a combined six runs over 19 innings of work (eight walks and 23 K’s in that span.) Brooks has been used primarily as an “opener” and I think he’ll be on a “short leash” in this difficult National League format/venue tonight as well.  

Key Trends:

- The Orioles are a poor 13-25 this year as a road dog of +150 or higher.

- The D-Backs are 11-4 (+8.2 units) in interleague games this year.

The verdict: Ray is reportedly on the trading block, so look for the veteran to keep his focus on the field of play tonight; lay the price!

Ricky’s 8* play on the under A’s/Astros.

Homer Bailey (1-0, 3.00 ERA for the A’s) beat the Mariners 10-2 in his Oakland debut and I think he’ll carry that momentum over here. Bailey would go on to give up two runs over six innings, walking none and striking out six. The home side counters with Gerrit Cole (10-5, 3.12), who has conceded more than one run just once in his last six starts. 

Key Trends:

- Oakland has seen the total go under the number in 16 of 26 this year as a road dog.

- Houston has seen the total go under the number in 23 of 34 this year when the total in the contest is set at either 8 or 8.5.

The verdict: Additionally note that Bailey is 3-0 with a minuscule 1.46 ERA in eight career starts vs. Houston, while Cole is 3-1 with a 3.30 ERA in seven career starts vs. the A’s. This one has “duel” written all over it; play the under!

Ricky’s 8* play on the under Yankees/Twins.

It’s a battle of division leaders in Minnesota on Monday night and while both teams are known for their offensive prowess, I believe that the starting pitchers will be the main story lines in tomorrow’s summaries. New York sees CC Sabathia (5-4, 4.06 ERA) toe the slab, while the home side counters with Martin Perez (8-3, 4.10). Sabathia is 20-9 with a 3.09 ERA in 39 career starts vs. the Twins. Perez has had issues with the Yanks over the years, but he’s been at his best at home this season, going 4-2 with a 3.19 ERA.

Key Trends:

- New York has seen the total go under the number in ten of 14 so far in the second half of the season.

- Minnesota has seen the total go under in six of nine as a home underdog this year.

The verdict: Note that Sabathia is also 12-1 in his last 16 starts vs. the Twins. 

Ricky’s 8* play on the Cleveland Indians.

Cleveland’s been the hottest team in the entire league since early June and I think it’ll keep the foot on the gas here in this favorable matchup. Toronto returns home dejected after going 4-6 on a road trip, including losing 4-3 in ten innings to the Tigers yesterday afternoon. The visitors see Mike Clevinger (3-2, 3.57 ERA) toe the slab, while the home side counters with Ryan Borucki (making his season debut.) Clevinger enters off his best start of the year, giving up on run over six innings while also striking out 12 in a win over the Tigers on Wednesday. 

Key Trends:

- Cleveland is 21-10 (+8 units) this year vs. southpaws.

- Toronto is just 22-42 (-19.2 units) vs. right-handed starters.

The verdict: Clevinger is also 2-0 with a minuscule 1.06 ERA over his last three starts overall and 2-1 with a 3.56 ERA in four career appearances vs. Toronto. Borucki was 4-6 with a 3.87 ERA in 17 starts last year as a rookie. This one has “blowout” written all over it; lay it!