Cappers Sports Picks

Ricky’s 10* TOTAL OF THE WEEK on the under Marlins/D-Backs.

A couple of capable hurlers go head-to-head in this one and in my opinion, runs are definitely going to be at a premium after yesterday’s 7-5 win by the D-Backs. The visitors go with Caleb Smith (8-10, 4.13 ERA), while the home side counters with Alex Young (7-4, 3.38). Smith already has 160 K’s over 139 1/3’s innings of work this season, while rookie Young has 61 K’s over 69 1/3’s innings. 

Key Trends:

- Miami has seen the total go under the number in 20 of 29 this year as a road dog in the +150 to +200 range.

- Arizona has seen the total dip under the number in nine of 14 this year as a home favorite in the -150 to -200 range. 

The verdict: Look for these two hungry starters to battle deep into the latter frames and for this total to stay well under once it’s all said and done!

Ricky’s 10* GAME OF THE WEEK on the New York Mets.

I think that Marcus Stroman (8-13, 3.35 ERA) and the Mets will find a way to get the job done here on the road vs. Tim Melville (2-2, 5.16) and the Rockies after last nigh’s 9-4 series opening loss. Now five game sback in the NL Wild Card race, if not now for the Mets, when?! Stroman is 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA since coming over from the Jays and the Mets are 5-3 in those starts. Stroman comes in off his best start as a Met as well, allowing one run over six innings in an 11-1 win over the D-Backs on Thursday. Melville was destroyed in his latest outing by the Cards on Thursday, allowing five runs off five hits (four were home runs) over three innings. 

Key Trends:

- The Mets are still 18-8 (+7.7 units) in their last 26 vs. teams with losing records.

- The Rockies are just 6-10 this season as a home dog in the +125 to +175 range.

The verdict: Stroman’s on a mission to prove he belongs and the Mets are absolutely desperate for a victory; all things considered, I feel this is a great price!