Cappers Sports Picks

Ricky’s 8* play on the St. Louis Cardinals.

Key Angle: It's important to remember that Ricky never makes a bet on any game based on just one angle. In order to make the grade, all his premium picks must meet several important criteria. He doesn't share all his secrets within his analysis, instead he chooses to reveal only the angle that he feels is the most significant. 

- Overnight pitching change. The over night change because of yesterday’s cancellation favors the home side here. Both teams are struggling with offensive consistency, but I think Michael Wacha (3-1, 4.93 ERA) has a sizeable advantage over his counterpart Brad Keller (2-5, 4.66) this afternoon. 

Key Trends:

- Kansas City is a poor 5-14 as a road dog this year

- The Royals are 16-27 the L2 years in all interleague contests.

- St. Louis is still 8-5 this season vs. clubs with losing records.

The verdict: The Royals have to deal with the interleague rules, and with shifting things around after yesterday’s cancellation. It’s a perfect storm of factors working in favor of the home side and Wacha and it makes this a price in which I have no issues at all in laying. Lay it!

Ricky’s 10* play on the under Twins/Angels.

Marin Perez (6-1, 2.89 ERA) has been a pleasant surprise for the Twins this year and I don’t think there’s any reason not to believe that he can’t carry over his recent momentum. Matt Harvey (2-3, 6.35) has been a disappointment for the Angels, but he enters off his best start of the year in a win over the Royals. I think these two will throw deep into the latter frames.

Key Trends:

- Minnesota has seen the total go under in 12 of 19 already this year after having won three of its last four games.

- The Angels have seen the total go under in six of their last seven after allowing eight or more runs in their previous contest.

The verdict: I think the writing is on the wall and a classic “duel” is in the cards. Play the under!

Ricky’s 8* play on the White Sox on the run line.

The Astros improve to 9-1 in their last ten without slugger Jose Altuve in the line-up after yesterday’s 5-1 win. I simply feel though that Gerritt Cole and the home side are over-priced here and I think grabbing the hungry Sox and Ivan Nova at “plus money” on the “run line” is a savvy investment. Nova is 2-2 with a 4.71 ERA over seven road starts, compared to 0-2 with a 16.36 ERA at home.

Key Trends:

- Chicago is 13-9 (+7.2 units) in all “night” games this year.

- Houston is just 2-3 (-3.6 units) this season after allowing four runs or less in five straight games.

The verdict: I’m grabbing the 1.5 runs and expecting a much tighter affair than what this lien would suggest. Play on the White Sox on the run line!

Ricky’s 8* play on the under Nats/Mets.

Yesterday’s game flew well above the posted number in the Mets much needed 6-5 victory, but I think runs will be much harder to come by with Max Scherzer (2-5, 3.72 ERA) and Jacob DeGrom (3-5, 3.98) on the mound on Wednesday night. Scherzer is 10-5 with a 2.59 ERA in 10 career appearances vs. the Mets. DeGrom is 8-4 with a 2.50 ERA in 16 career starts vs. the Nationals. These two faced off on Opening Day and the Mets won 2-0. 

Key Trends:

- Washington has seen the total go under in interestingly four of its last five off two consecutive close losses by two runs or less to a division rival.

- New York has seen the total go under in four of five after two or more consecutive victories.

The verdict: Everything points to a classic “duel” after yesterday’s slug-fest. Play the under!

Ricky’s 8* play on the Baltimore Orioles

Yes the Yanks won 11-4 yesterday, but I still think that veteran pitcher CC Sabathia is overpriced in this particular matchup. Baltimore has lost nine straight at home in this series, so it won’t be lacking for motivation. Dan Straily (1-3, 8.51 ERA) has clearly been a disappointment, but he too won’t be lacking for motivation. Ultimately I believe that Sabathia’s numbers are unsustainable over the long-term and I expect regression sooner, rather than later. And that leaves the door open for the hungry dog in this matchup. 

Key Trends:

- New York is already only 4-5 (-1.4 units) this year after three or more straight victories.

- Baltimore is already 3-0 (+5.2 units) this season off a loss by six runs or more to a division rival.

The verdict: I’m expecting the Yanks to have a letdown here. Play on the O’s!

Ricky’s 8* play on the San Diego Padres.

The Padres look to sweep this series from the Diamondbacks, who continue to struggle with offensive consistency. Eric Lauer (2-4, 5.24 ERA) goes for San Diego, while Merrill Kelly (4-4, 4.21) gets the nod for the visitors. Lauer is 1-2 with a 3.38 ERA in four career starts vs. Arizona. He’s struggled twice against them this season, but he enters off his best start of the year by allowing two runs over six innings vs. the Pirates on Thursday. Kelly has also struggled in two starts vs. the Padres with a 5.73 ERA and 1.46 WHIP.  

Key Trends:

- Arizona is just 2-5 (-2.7 units) this year already off a one run loss vs. a division rival.

- San Diego is still 4-0 this season after scoring four runs or less in six straight games.

The verdict: I like San Diego to keep the momentum rolling here and give the slight nod to Lauer on the bump. Lay the short price!

Ricky’s 8* play on the St. Louis Cardinals.

Key Angle: It's important to remember that Ricky never makes a bet on any game based on just one angle. In order to make the grade, all his premium picks must meet several important criteria. He doesn't share all his secrets within his analysis, instead he chooses to reveal only the angle that he feels is the most significant. 

Key Trends:

Analysis posted shortly.

Ricky’s 8* play on the under Reds/Brewers.

This one’s a “no brainer” in my opinion. These aren’t only two of the best in the NL on the mound this afternoon, it’s two of the best in all of MLB. Luis Castillo (5-1, 1.90 ERA) of the Reds goes against Zack Davies (5-0, 1.54) of the Brewers. Cincinnati came out on top in yesterday’s series opener, but everything points to a classic “duel” on Wednesday afternoon. 

Key Trends:

- Reds have seen the total go under the number in 16 of 23 on the road overall.

- Cincinnati has seen the total go under in 11 of 16 vs. the division already.

- Milwaukee has seen the total go under in 22 of 32 this year when the money line in the contest is set between +125 and -125.

The verdict: I have no reason to believe that either of these “locked in” hurlers will falter here. Expect each to battle into the latter frames and play the under!