Cubbies Caving

No Letdown For the Stros

Is it a possible trap game for Boston in Denver on Monday? ...

Can SMU start their first season as a Power 4 program off with a bang?

Northwestern plays at a temporary field when it opens vs. Miami of Ohio. ...

Here are the early bets I made after the NFL schedule release ...

The A’s have now won five in a row against the Angels after the Angels swept them three games in June. But the bats are hot now, they've got two of the top four hitters in baseball in the last 2 weeks. They're putting up big numbers collectively. And it's started before taking two of three from the Phillies. The offense has really come together in July. A's to win.

Rubber match in Cleveland. Both pitchers have a sub-three ERA in their home/road splits, Michael King owns a 2.74 road ERA while Ben Lively owns a 2.55 home ERA. San Diego has been hitting .217 with a .632 OPS over their last seven days while the Guardians are hitting .203 with a .492 OPS. The under has hit in four of San Diego’s last six games following a road victory.

As long as the Bosox decide to show up tonight and overlook the frustrations of twice blowing a lead late in the game on Saturday, the dynamics suggest they can salvage the final game of this weekend set at the Ravine. At the moment, the hottest pitcher in the AL is Kutter Crawford, who has been lights-out the past couple of weeks--try an 0.45 ERA (!) and 0.55 WHIP (!) across his last three starts, all Bosox wins. Meanwhile, James Paxton has been laboring for this jerry-rigged Dodgers rotation, with a 10.21 ERA across his last three starts. Starting pitching isn't the only factor, but it at least indicates a big edge for the Bosox tonight. Play Bosox on Money Line

With yesterday’s victory the Houston Astros took over first place in the AL West for the first time this season. Seattle’s struggles at the plate have been inexplicable as they were shutout Friday, and had just three hits yesterday. Look for an early run to possibly spark this Mariner’s team out of their rut, as Ronel Blanco did concede two runs in the first inning his last start. Play the under valued Mariners Sunday.

The Cleveland Guardians prior to All Star break were shutout in two of three games. Yesterday they had a rare home shutout loss, 7-0 against the San Diego Padres. Cleveland had just one hit as a team, and that’s going to be tough to snap out of in an early Sunday game. Michael King has been strong on the road with a 2.74 ERA. Take the Padres.

Ryan Feltner has a 6.75 ERA at Coors Field this season with a brutal 1.65 WHIP, allowing a .325 BA. The Rocks have lost his last 4 starts to the tune of 7 RS, 24 RA. He got crushed in his earlier start vs SFG (7 H and 5 ER in 4 IP). Hayden Birdsong has presented himself well beyond his 22 years with Los Gigantes and I like him in this spot. SF 5-3 vs COL this season.

If Colorado's Ryan Feltner at 1-9 with a 5.36 ERA isn't the worst current starting pitcher in the majors, I'm not really sure who is. He's 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA at home. Rox closer Victor Vodnik is likely unavailable. Giants rookie Hayden Birdsong has been very solid through four big-league starts and Colorado hasn't seen him. Perhaps some desperation here for SF to avoid an embarrassing sweep considering it has wild card hopes.

We are sticking with this approach even as Trevor Rogers has performed less miserably the last few starts. The Fish stink when he starts. They are 4-15 in his starts. And they are 1-9 in his home starts with a -37 run differential in those starts. Rogers has a 5.06 ERA at home. Mets are the better team. Christian Scott has been plenty serviceable for them on the mound. Mets are 17-13 in the NL East and Fish are 8-20 in the division. This is a must-win series for Metropolitans if they are going to make the playoffs. I expect the bats to break out today