*****SPECIAL NOTE BEFORE YOU MAKE A BET IN M.L.B. TONIGHT
(* Most Starting Pitchers still only going 5 to 6 innings max so you might want to look at Betting only the FIRST 5 INNINGS if you are making your bet solely off that Starting Pitchers stats so far.)
BET VEGAS “SPOTLIGHT” STARTING PITCHER OF DAY – FRIDAY MAY 13TH
NY YANKEES (R) GERRIT COLE
He had tough start to season in first 3 starts allowing 3 earned runs in each of first two games going only (4) innings and (5.2) innings and then lasting only (1.2) innings in Start #3. He failed to command his pitches in all 3 and just never looked comfortable or anywhere close to his CY Young type form. But in his last 3 starts he has been spectacular and his fastball has been “deadly”. Once that happens his second tier pitches all click into solid form too. His slider also returned to form and so he’s in a serious groove right now. His last starts he’s gone (6.1), (6.0) and (6.2) innings allowing a total of only 14 hits and 1 earned run with 25 K’s and only 4 walks. With the way the Yankees hitting is crushing it scoring runs aplenty every night he could go on a 10 game winning streak if he stays healthy.
FRIDAY NIGHT IS “ACES” ACROSS BOARD – LOADED BOARD OF ELITE STARTING PITCHERS FOR FRI 13TH
Elite Pitchers Duel Game #1
SD PADRES DARVISH: Last 4 starts were all Padres wins. I worry though that his Road starts have been brutal. His 2 Road starts lasted 6 innings and only (1.2) innings allowing 8 hits in each and allowing 3 and 9 earned runs. On Road he’s walked 4 and K’s were 7.
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ATLANTA BRAVES FRIED: He has been solid all year with (4-2) record and (2.68) ERA on season. In his past 3 starts he has gone (19) innings and (1.37)ERA and a strong WHIP (.068). He has 18K’s and only allowed 1 walk. His new changeup looked awesome and his slider was in total command in his last start. He’s a look to “Bet ON” right now as he’s in Top form.
Elite Pitchers Duel Game #2
MILWAUKEE BREWERS BURNES: His record (1-2) doesn’t look good but he’s been fantastic all season. He struggled in his first start on a freezing cold day but since then his past 5 starts were “lights out”. He’s allowed only 1, 2, 0, 2 and o earned runs and he’s a workhorse so you get 98-107 pitches, unlike many Starters still only last 65 -75 pitches. In the past 5 starts he has 45K’s and only 5 walks allowed. I love this guy. He’s still somewhat under radar but he’s top 10 in MLB. He’s in Ace form and has solid command of all his pitches.
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MIAMI MARLINS LOPEZ: This guy has been very good to me this year as he’s still under radar and his odds keep coming up at great and affordable low risk prices. He struggled for first time 2 starts ago (I lost that one..my only loss betting Lopez) but he rebounded right back to his elite form of his first 5 start last game on Saturday. He went (8) innings and allowed only 5 hits and 0 earned runs and 5K’s and 2 walks. He really uses just two pitches: Fastball and changeup for most part but both have been really fantastic all season (again except one little below average start). Once again due to facing a stud in Burnes, he is (+133) tonight. Total for this Brewers/Marlins matchup is set low at (6 1/2) OVER/UNDER = TOTAL RUNS.
HERE’S THE REST:
COLORADO ROCKIES FREELAND: He really got on solid track last 3 starts going (18) innings and (1.00) ERA with 16K’s. His whip is solid in those 3 as well at (1.08). His only blemish in the past 3 starts is he allowed two homers.
KC ROYALS GRIENKE: Being a Royals fan I’ve watched all his starts and don’t look at his (0-2) record as his problem is he has weakest scoring lineup in MLB. But he’s allowed only 2, 1, 3, 1, 2, 1 earned runs in his 6 starts this season. He has walked only 3 batters all season but he has only 10K’s. I’ve only seen 5 hard hit balls off him this season as he throws hitters off with some pitches in 60’s. His balls are brass but he’s a guy you only want to bet FIRST 5 INNINGS as he’s gone solid 5-6 innings so far and not likely to go much deeper as he doesn’t give in to hitters and gets pitch count up. Interesting to see how things play out in Coors Field tonight. Hard to bet Greinke as this team simply struggles to score run with 6 guys hitting atrocious right now.
MINNY TWINS SONNY GRAY: Well he came off injury list and threw a nice 4 innings of shutout ball last start out allowing just two hits and no hard hit balls really. Three or 4 years ago this guy was in my Top 5 “Bet ON” almost every game but now he’s really a 5 inning guy only and I’d stay away til he proves the injury is in the past.
CLEVE GUARDIANS CIVALE: This guy has had a really rough start to the season and his ERA (9.45) is near the Moon. His starts have gone 4, 3, 4, 3.1 and then 5.2 innings his last start. The numbers for the last start weren’t juicy good but he switched to 60% curves and cutters and had some success there. It’s something to build on but he needs his fastball to locate better and until that happens he’s a NEVER EVER “BET ON” guy.
PHILLIES GIBSON: This guy is #3 on the Phillies staff but for many teams right now he’d be closer to #1 then #3. He is steady and keeps Phils in games but he’s not going deep. He’s only struck out 19 and walked 12 his past 5 starts so he’s gotten himself out of a ton of jams. Facing Dodgers off two straight losses isn’t a good spot for any Pitcher and instead of some luck with Kershaw scratched he get Buehler…Ouch!
BOSTON RED SOX PIVETTA: His team has lost all 6 of his starts this season. But there is somewhat encouraging news he went 6 innings last start and allowed only 5 hits and 0 earned runs and he walked nobody and struck out season high 8(K’s). His fastball velocity is still down this year (94-95mph last year) as he’s in range of 91MPH right now and he’s topped out at 93MPH on the fastball this season. Last game he learned quickly curve wasn’t there and wasn’t the entire game but his slider was filthy and just unhittable. He’s not a guy I would look to bet “ON” right now and more of a “BET AGAINST” guy. He does have a change to get on a little roll facing a weaker Texas lineup tonight.
Enjoy the games tonight on the Diamond and have a great and WINNING weekend ahead.
Gary Greene