In this daily edition of the MLB tip sheet we’re going to take a look at some slumping clubs. The New York Yankees entered the season with higher expectations then a 20-24 record, placing them in last place in the AL East (New York hasn’t seen their Pinstripes produce like this since owner George Steinbrenner illegally funneled money into the Nixon campaign).
And need we discuss the ugly situation that has matured in Detroit. The Tigers finished last week off with another 3-7 slump in the last 10. But the main fact still hovers over head; can these organizations get their act together and is there any value in involving these teams in your bets?
Seattle (C. Silva) at Detroit (J. Verlander) – 7:05 p.m. EDT
The Tigers entered this weekend’s interleague play on a four-game losing streak only to emerge from Arizona with only one win in the three-game series. “We have a lot of issue to deal with and that’s why I’m meeting with Dave,” said Detroit’s manager Jim Leyland on his planned conference with general manager Dave Dombrowski.
Where to start with the Tigers? How about a 26th worst .236 BA with runner in scoring position while brining in just 136 RBIs? Mix in more losses then wins tagged to Detroit’s starters Kenny Rogers (3-4, 6.65 ERA), Jeremy Bonderman (2-4, 4.76) and Nate Robinson (1-5, 6.08) and the recipe for disaster on defense is taking its toll.
For Justin Verlander (1-7, 6.05), the planned starter for Tuesday’s contest, four straight losses in his last four starts adds insult to injury. In fact, Verlander’s last win (and only win at that) came in a 10-2 rout over Texas back in April. Since that victory the fourth year slinger has gone on to surrender an average of 4.3 runs per game, while eclipsing the 100 pitch count in only the sixth inning of most of his starts.
It’s plain and simple; the Tigers must continue to be faded on your card (or just stay away completely). With a money line deficit of -1477 and a run line loss of -950, this is a club that can rob you of your cash faster then a stock market crash.
With the Mariners coming to town for the first time this season, bettors could be swayed into backing Detroit. Seattle is 1-7 in its last eight road games and a 7-14 record when designated as the visiting team adds more fuel to this fire.
Total player might want to research the possibilities of cashing in on a low scoring affair. The M’s are 12-6-2 away from home on the ‘under’ this season, while Detroit is 22-18-4 on the ‘under’.
Seattle starter Carlos Silva (3-2, 4.17) will be taking the mound for Game 1 of this series. In his last two starts, total players have witnessed the ‘under’ cash dollars. With the exception of getting lit up by the Yankees for eight runs earlier this month, Silva has maintained an average of giving up only 2.9 runs per game in his last 10 starts.
Philadelphia (C. Hamels) at Washington (J. Bergmann) – 7:10 p.m. EDT
Washington may have started the season with three straight wins but since then it’s been a slip and slide ride. Books have swallowed their losses, installing Washington as a favorite 11 times this season only to see Nats go 3-8 as the fave.
Washington has been especially poor with a 4-11 record when playing in Game 2 of a series. But the numbers that truly surprise (and have been the main culprit to another disappointing season) are a .206 BA versus righties and a .216 BA versus southpaw pitchers in the last 10 days. About the only positive coming out of D.C. is a bullpen that has maintained a 2.83 ERA in the same 10-day stretch.
Right-hander Jason Bergmann (1-1, 7.45) will make his fourth start for the Nationals. His last outing resulted in 1-0 skunking over the Mets this past Thursday. In seven innings of work, Bergmann was spot on with zero runs and three hits surrendered in seven innings. An Apr. 3 pairing against the same Philly team this year witnessed Bergmann getting smacked around in 5.1 innings for seven hits and five runs.
The Phillies haven’t been playing the most inspired ball in the last 10 games, going 4-6. But with a good effort from the rotation and pen in addition to uninspired offense the ‘under’ has been golden with a 4-1 run in the last five. It’s still perplexing how the once locked on Ryan Howard is batting .191 this season (although he’s been steadily raising his average this month).
While Philadelphia is 13-7 in the last 20 head-to-heads, Washington has thus far emerged in 2008 with a 2-1 record versus the Phillies.
San Francisco (T. Lincecum) at Colorado (A. Cook) – 8:35 p.m. EDT
Expectations for the Giants were modest at best during spring training analysis, but many believed Colorado could only build upon its success from last season. Well, predictions for San Francisco were right. However, the story surrounding the Rockies has been a horror.
Colorado has been swept in four series (versus Arizona twice, Philadelphia and the Dodgers), is ranked at the bottom in both offensive and defensive statistical categories and isn’t getting the production expected from players like reliever Manuel Corpas, starter Jeff Francis and Brad Hawpe.
To begin the season the Rockies were installed as favorites eight out of nine times, but boy have things changed. Making adjustments for the here and now, most books have now listed Colorado as the ‘underdog six out of the last nine games. In a three-game series in San Diego, the Rockies were listed anywhere from a $1.31 to $1.40 ‘dogs.
The Rockies were finally able to debunk a six-game slide with two straight ‘W’s’ against Minnesota over the weekend. With the Twins handing the ball off to Kevin Slowey on Sunday and the relative absence of solid swings from the plate, most books finally decided to give Colorado the respect of a favorite. The Rocks cashed tickets as $1.30 faves on Saturday followed by taking Sunday’s contest with a -142 price tag attached (bet $142 to make $100).
Colorado has been able to string together three or more wins consecutively only three times this season. Don’t be surprised if the Rockies will be in look ahead made as the Mets, Phillies and Cubs are next up on the May docket.
Extra Bases
-- The Padres are currently the leading club in terms of money line losses, accounting for a -1569 deficit. A run line record of -1477 has been double trouble for backers (if there’s even any out there).
-- San Diego is the lowest scoring team in both league. Crossing the plate for just 3.3 runs per game, the Pads have complimented their ineptness inside the batter’s box for a league, second to worst .236 BA.
-- The Padres are 2-5 in their last seven, but have supplied total players with a steadfast income on the ‘under’. Seven ‘under’ games have cashed in during the last 10.
-- St. Louis will make the trip into San Diego for a 10:05 p.m. EDT start time. The Cardinals are 12-8 in their last 20 versus the Padres and ended last season’s matchup by taking two straight. The ‘under’ has also gone 3-0 in the last three head-to-head games and 11-7-2 in the last 20.
-- In those last 20 played, most books have labeled St. Louis a favorite 11 times.
-- While it won’t reflect on tomorrow’s game in relation to the starting pitchers (the Cards will start right-hander Joel Pineiro and the Pads will go with veteran Greg Maddux), San Diego has struggled against southpaws for a seasonal .212 BA.
-- If there’s one weak spot that the Padres can capitalize on it’s the Cardinals 5.97 bullpen ERA in the last 10.
Joshua Jacobs can be reached at jacobs@vegasinsider.com.
