PDS Sports Blog

The Oakland Athletics and the Chicago White Sox will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at U.S. Cellular Field.

The Athletics will give the ball to starter Dallas Braden in this one. Lefthander Braden is 5-7 this season with a 3.77 ERA.

It’ll be John Danks toeing the rubber for the White Sox in this contest. Lefthander Danks is 11-7 with a 3.23 ERA so far this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the White Sox listed as 160-moneyline favorites versus the Athletics, while the game’s total is sitting at 7½.

Gordon Beckham drove in a pair of runs and the White Sox cruised to a series-opening 6-1 victory over the A’s on Friday. The White Sox won that game as +105 underdogs, while the seven runs went UNDER the posted over/under (9) set by sportsbooks.

Lucas Harrell earned his first big league win, allowing four hits and one run over six innings of work for the White Sox. Brett Anderson was tagged with the A’s loss, giving up 10 hits and five runs over 5 1-3 innings.

My handicapping software predicts that Chicago will win.

Current streak:
Oakland has lost 2 straight games.
Chicago has won 5 straight games.

Team records:
Oakland: 51-51 SU
Chicago: 58-44 SU

Oakland most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 8-2
Before playing Chi White Sox are 6-4
After playing Chi White Sox are 7-3
After a loss are 6-4

Chicago most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Oakland are 5-5
After playing Oakland are 4-6
After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
Oakland is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games
Oakland is 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Chi White Sox
Chi White Sox are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games
Chi White Sox are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home
Chi White Sox are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against Oakland

Stats courtesy of Chalk

The division rival Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals are set to renew hostilities on Saturday when they meet at Busch Stadium.

The Pirates will trot Daniel McCutchen out to the mound in this one. Righthander McCutchen has a 1-4 record and a 8.89 ERA this season.

The Cardinals will counter McCutchen with Jeff Suppan. Righthander Suppan has a 5.56 ERA to go along with a 0-5 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Cardinals listed as 210-moneyline favorites versus the Pirates, while the game’s total is sitting at 9½.

Brendan Ryan drove in the only run in the 10th inning as the Cardinals defeated the Pirates 1-0 on Friday. The Cardinals won that game as -320 favorites, while the teams played UNDER the posted over/under (7.5) set by sportsbooks.

Ryan Franklin tossed just over one inning of relief and picked up the win for the Cardinals. Javier Lopez gave up the winning run in suffering the loss for the Pirates.

One my sports picks for today is for St. Louis to win.

Current streak:
Pittsburgh has lost 2 straight games.

Team records:
Pittsburgh: 36-66 SU
St. Louis: 57-46 SU

Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing St. Louis are 2-8
After playing St. Louis are 3-7
After a loss are 3-7

St. Louis most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Pittsburgh are 5-5
After playing Pittsburgh are 6-4
After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
Pittsburgh is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
Pittsburgh is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games when playing St. Louis
Pittsburgh is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
Pittsburgh is 4-21 SU in its last 25 games on the road
St. Louis is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games at home
St. Louis is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
St. Louis is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing Pittsburgh
St. Louis is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games

Stats courtesy of Chalk

The Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at PETCO Park.

Vicente Padilla will be the starting pitcher for the Dodgers on this day. Righthander Padilla is 4-3 this season with a 3.41 ERA.

It’ll be Mat Latos toeing the rubber for the Padres in this contest. Righthander Latos is 11-4 with a 2.48 ERA so far this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Padres listed as 155-moneyline favorites versus the Dodgers, while the game’s total is sitting at 6.

Jerry Hairston Jr. drove in three runs in helping the Padres defeat the Dodgers 6-1 on Wednesday, as a -110 pick’em. That game’s seven runs made it OVER the posted over/under (6.5) set by sportsbooks.

Clayton Richard scattered four hits and one run over six innings with six strikeouts for the Padres victory.

Hiroki Kuroba gave up four hits and three runs over six innings in the loss.

One of my sports picks for today is that San Diego will win, and the total score will go OVER 6 runs.

Team records:
Los Angeles: 54-47 SU
San Diego: 59-40 SU

Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
Before playing San Francisco are 5-5
After playing San Diego are 6-4
After a loss are 5-5

San Diego most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Florida are 5-5
After playing LA Dodgers are 4-6
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
LA Dodgers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against San Diego
LA Dodgers are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games
LA Dodgers are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing San Diego
LA Dodgers are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games on the road
San Diego is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
San Diego is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
San Diego is 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing LA Dodgers
San Diego is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers

Stats courtesy of Chalk

A winning streak will be on the line for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday when they battle the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park.

The Dodgers will give the ball to ace starter Chad Billingsley in this one. Righthander Billingsley is 8-5 this season with a 4.22 ERA.

The Padres will counter Billingsley with Jon Garland. Righthander Garland has a 3.61 ERA to go along with a 9-6 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Padres listed as 120-moneyline favorites versus the Dodgers, while the game’s total is sitting at 6½.

Russell Martin drove in the only run in the eighth inning as the Dodgers beat the Mets 1-0 on Sunday. The Dodgers won that game as -180 favorites, while the teams played UNDER the posted over/under (6.5) set by sportsbooks.

Clayton Kershaw tossed eight scoreless innings for his 10th victory of the season, and Kenley Jansen turned away the side in the ninth for his first career save.

Chris Denorfia homered and drove in three runs to lift the Padres to a 6-3 win and a sweep of the Pirates on Sunday, as -141 favorites. The game’s nine runs made it OVER the posted over/under (8.5) set by sportsbooks. Wade LeBlanc allowed eight hits and three runs over six innings for the Padres victory.

One of my sports picks for today is that San Diego will win.

Current streak:
Los Angeles has won 2 straight games.
San Diego has won 3 straight games.

Team records:
Los Angeles: 53-46 SU
San Diego: 58-39 SU

Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 2-8
Before playing San Diego are 6-4
After playing NY Mets are 4-6
After a win are 4-6

San Diego most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing LA Dodgers are 5-5
After playing Pittsburgh are 5-5
After a win are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Dodgers’s last 5 games when playing on the road against San Diego
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of LA Dodgers’s last 8 games when playing San Diego
LA Dodgers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Dodgers’s last 5 games
San Diego is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Diego’s last 5 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of San Diego’s last 8 games when playing LA Dodgers
San Diego is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

Stats courtesy of Chalk

A winning streak will be on the line for the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday when they battle the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park.

Rodrigo Lopez will be the starting pitcher for the Diamondbacks on this day. Righthander Lopez is 5-9 this season with a 4.58 ERA.

Meanwhile, it’ll be Cole Hamels who starts for the Phillies. Lefthander Hamels is 7-7 with a 3.40 ERA so far this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Phillies listed as 240-moneyline favorites versus the Diamondbacks, while the game’s total is sitting at 8½.

The Diamondbacks were defeated 3-2 by the Giants last time out, as +130 underdogs. The teams played UNDER the posted over/under (8) set by sportsbooks.

Esmerling Vasquez surrendered the winning run in relief and was tagged with the loss.

Brian Schneider knocked in two runs in the Phillies’ 5-4 win over the Rockies on Monday. Philadelphia won as -140 home favorites, while the game played OVER the 8.5-run total set by oddsmakers.

My handicapping software predicts that Philadelphia will win.

Current streak:
Arizona has lost 4 straight games.
Philadelphia has won 5 straight games.

Team records:
Arizona: 37-62 SU
Philadelphia: 53-46 SU

Arizona most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing Philadelphia are 3-7
After playing San Francisco are 3-7
After a loss are 3-7

Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing Arizona are 8-2
After playing Colorado are 7-3
After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Arizona’s last 6 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona’s last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Arizona’s last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona’s last 6 games on the road
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Philadelphia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Arizona
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia’s last 6 games when playing at home against Arizona

Stats courtesy of Chalk

The Tampa Bay Rays and the Cleveland Indians will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Progressive Field.

Wade Davis will be the starting pitcher for the Rays on this day. Righthander Davis is 7-9 this season with a 4.41 ERA.

The Indians will counter Davis with Justin Masterson. Righthander Masterson has a 5.25 ERA to go along with a 3-8 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Rays listed as 150-moneyline favorites versus the Indians, while the game’s total is sitting at 9.

Ben Zobrist belted a three-run homer and the Rays defeated the Indians 6-3 on Saturday, as -178 favorites. The game’s nine runs made it OVER the posted over/under (8.5) set by sportsbooks.

David Price improved to 13-5 with the victory, allowing just three hits and three runs over his seven innings of work. Mitch Talbot gave up seven hits and five runs over 5 2-3 innings in the loss.

One of my Sports picks for today is for Tampa Bay to win.

Team records:
Tampa Bay: 58-38 SU
Cleveland: 41-56 SU

Tampa Bay most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Detroit are 1-9
After playing Cleveland are 6-4
After a win are 5-5

Cleveland most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing NY Yankees are 4-6
After playing Tampa Bay are 4-6
After a loss are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
Tampa Bay is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Cleveland
Tampa Bay is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games
Tampa Bay is 1-18 SU in its last 19 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland is 18-1 SU in its last 19 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
Cleveland is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Cleveland is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
Cleveland is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Tampa Bay

Stats and article courtesy of Chalk

The division rival St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs are set to renew hostilities on Sunday when they meet at Wrigley Field.

The Cardinals will trot ace Chris Carpenter out to the mound in this one. Righthander Carpenter has a 11-3 record and a 3.05 ERA this season.

Meanwhile, it’ll be Ryan Dempster who starts for the Cubs. Righthander Dempster is 8-7 with a 3.70 ERA so far this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Cardinals listed as 130-moneyline favorites versus the Cubs, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.

Starlin Castro had three-hits including a two-run homer as the Cubs got by the Cardinals 6-5 on Saturday. The Cubs won that game as 132 favorites, while the 11 runs went UNDER the posted over/under (12) set by sportsbooks.

Tom Gorzelanny allowed seven hits and three runs over six innings for the win, while Carlos Marmol turned away the side in the ninth for his 18th save.

Blake Hawksworth surrendered seven hits and six runs over 4 1-3 innings in taking the loss for the Cardinals, who were +112 underdogs.

My handicapping software picks the St. Louis Cardinals to win, even though I am a staunch Cub fan.

Current streak:
St. Louis has lost 3 straight games.
Chicago has won 2 straight games.

Team records:
St. Louis: 54-44 SU
Chicago: 45-53 SU

St. Louis most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing NY Mets are 5-5
After playing Chi Cubs are 6-4
After a loss are 5-5

Chicago most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Houston are 5-5
After playing St. Louis are 6-4
After a win are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
St. Louis is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
St. Louis is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing Chi Cubs
St. Louis is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Chi Cubs are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games
Chi Cubs are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games at home
Chi Cubs are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing St. Louis

Stats and article courtesy of Chalk

The Boston Red Sox and the Seattle Mariners will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Safeco Field.

The Red Sox will give the ball to starter Jon Lester in this one. Lefthander Lester is 11-4 this season with a 2.81 ERA.

The Mariners will counter Lester with David Pauley. Righthander Pauley has a 3.27 ERA to go along with a 0-2 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Red Sox listed as 210-moneyline favorites versus the Mariners, while the game’s total is sitting at 7½.

Bill Hall went deep for a solo shot and the Red Sox defeated the Mariners 2-1 on Friday, as -118 favorites. That game’s three runs went UNDER the posted over/under (7.5) set by sportsbooks.

Scott Atchison pitched just over one inning of relief for the win, and Jonathan Papelbon collected his 22nd save.

Jason Vargas allowed eight hits and two runs over seven innings in the Mariners loss.

One of my sports picks for today is for Boston to win.

Current streak:
Boston has won 2 straight games.
Seattle has lost 2 straight games.

Team records:
Boston: 55-42 SU
Seattle: 37-60 SU

Boston most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 10-0
Before playing Seattle are 5-5
After playing Seattle are 6-4
After a win are 4-6

Seattle most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Boston are 5-5
After playing Boston are 3-7
After a loss are 3-7

A few trends to consider:
Boston is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Seattle
Boston is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing Seattle
Boston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Seattle is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games when playing Boston
Seattle is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Boston
Seattle is 3-13 SU in its last 16 games
Seattle is 2-11 SU in its last 13 games at home

Stats and article courtesy of Chalk

The Colorado Rockies and the Philadelphia Phillies will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Citizens Bank Park.

The Rockies will give the ball to ace starter Ubaldo Jimenez in this one. Righthander Jimenez is 15-1 this season with a 2.38 ERA.

It’ll be Kyle Kendrick toeing the rubber for the Phillies in this contest. Righthander Kendrick is 5-4 with a 4.96 ERA so far this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Rockies listed as 150-moneyline favorites versus the Phillies, while the game’s total is sitting at 8.

Roy Halladay tossed a five-hit shutout with nine strikeouts on Friday, and the Phillies defeated the Rockies 6-0. The Phillies won that game as -220 favorites, while the six runs went UNDER the posted over/under (7.5) set by sportsbooks.

Ross Gload hit a two-run dinger and Raul Ibanez also drove in a pair of runs for the Phillies. Halladay improved to 11-8 with the win.

Aaron Cook surrendered nine hits and five runs over 4 1-3 innings in the Rockies loss.

My handicapping software predicts that Colorado will win.

Current streak:
Colorado has lost 3 straight games.
Philadelphia has won 2 straight games.

Team records:
Colorado: 51-45 SU
Philadelphia: 50-46 SU

Colorado most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Philadelphia are 3-7
After playing Philadelphia are 3-7
After a loss are 5-5

Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Colorado are 7-3
After playing Colorado are 7-3
After a win are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
Colorado is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Colorado is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Colorado is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
Colorado is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Colorado
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Colorado
Philadelphia is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games

Stats and article courtesy of Chalk

The Oakland Athletics will be trying to extend a winning streak on Friday when they take on the Chicago White Sox at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

Ace lefthander Mark Buehrle will take the mound for the White Sox to start this game. Buehrle is 8-8 this season with a 4.18 ERA.

The Athletics will counter Buehrle with Trevor Cahill. Righthander Cahill has a 3.19 ERA to go along with a 9-3 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Athletics listed as 145-moneyline favorites versus the White Sox, while the game’s total is sitting at 7½.

The White Sox were defeated 2-1 by the Mariners last time out, as +115 underdogs. That game’s three runs went UNDER the posted over/under (6.5) set by sportsbooks.

Bobby Jenks gave up three hits and two runs in relief and was saddled with the loss.

Jack Cust hit a two-run homer and Rajai Davis drove in a pair of runs as the A’s defeated the Red Sox 6-4 in the series rubber match last time out. The A’s won that game as -110 pick’em, while the 10 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (7.5) set by sportsbooks. Gio Gonzalez improved to 9-6 with the victory, allowing seven hits and four runs over his six innings for the A’s.

My baseball handicapping software predicts that Oakland will win.

Current streak:
Oakland has won 2 straight games.

Team records:
Chicago: 52-42 SU
Oakland: 48-47 SU

Chicago most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Oakland are 6-4
After playing Seattle are 4-6
After a loss are 7-3

Oakland most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Chi White Sox are 6-4
After playing Boston are 6-4
After a win are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi White Sox’s last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi White Sox’s last 5 games on the road
Chi White Sox are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Oakland
Chi White Sox are 11-4 SU in their last 15 games
Oakland is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oakland’s last 5 games
Oakland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Oakland’s last 7 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox

Stats and article courtesy of Chalk