Taking the DODGERS, on the RUN LINE. The Blue Jays bullpen will be their undoing. LA has stable of starters and relievers that are all ready to come in and shut things down. 6 innings. 4. 8. 1. It doesn't matter. Their sheer depth is why they were favored in March. It is why they cruised to regular season NL West title. Talk about flipping a switch in the playoffs. Maybe this series go 5. Shocked at anything longer. 4* RL Money LA DODGERS 

Taking the DODGERS, on the RUN LINE, again. Brewers bats continue to not deliver. That's that. LA heading back to the World Series to defend their title. 4* RL Money LA DODGERS 

Taking the DODGERS on the RUN LINE. Brewers have 5 hits in 18 innings against LA so far. This isn't the Cubs staff. Glasnow looked sharped vs Philly in his lone start striking out 8 in 6 innings of work allowing 2 hits (3 walks though). The guy is basically a ringer at this stage of his career. I mean seriously. 18 starts this year. 22 last year. Never healthy. Takes 2 months off. Comes back to be the king of 6 inning baseball. I love looking at this minor league numbers. Just incredible. BAA and WHIP. That has carried to the pros though. Toss out his 2nd year (really 1st full year) in MLB and every year since. is basically a sub .200 BA Against and a 1.00 WHIP. Guy is good. I think he shuts down the Brewers while he is out there. Bullpen will do its job. The bats will get their 4/5 runs across the plate. 4* RL Money LA DODGERS 

Taking SEATTLE. Here come the Mariners. Taking the first 2 in Toronto. Swinging the bats well. Timely hitting. Good to great pitching. Kirby dealing right now. Blue Jays celebrating beating the Yanks like they won the World Series. Maybe they get a game in this series to make it respectable. We had Seattle in Game 1. Passed Game 2. But will be on them from here on out. 4* Money Maker SEATTLE MARINERS 

Taking the DODGERS on the RUN LINE. Quintana? Really? Hasn't pitched in nearly a month. And those last 4 starts he gave up 17 runs in 20 innings - 20 hits 11 walks. LA clubs this guy like a baby seal and take Game 1. 4* RL Money LA DODGERS

Taking SEATTLE. Miller had a great 2024. Not so much in 2025. One start vs the Jays, and they hit him hard. Gausman had a good outing in his lone start vs the Mariners. Huge win for Seattle to close out the Tigers. Extra innings. Might be thinking. This team is tired. Bullpen overworked. Eh. Maybe. But this is the ALCS. All hands on deck in this puppy. Weakest link of both teams is the Blue Jays bullpen. At this price, count me on in on the Mariners. 4* Money Maker SEATTLE MARINERS 

Taking the DODGERS, going RUN LINE. That was the series for Philly the other day. Took you till the bottom of the 9th to finally start hitting and it was against one of the worse LA bullpen guys. Nola was a gas can this year. Not expecting him to slow down the Dodger hitters tonight. Will also be on the Over 7.5 in this one. LA moving on. (Brewers, for me in the next round) 4* Money Maker LA DODGERS 

4* Total Money OVER Phillies/ Dodgers

Going OVER the total here, thinking about taking Seattle also. Look - I have been down on Flaherty for most of the season now. I thought this was a great pick up based on his history, and he has just been bad. Mariners should get to him for at least 4 runs in his 5+ innings of work that he will contribute tonight. He went 4+ vs Cleveland - who, I have said on many occasions, had worse batting statistics than the Pirates. So, not impressed with 4 innings of 1 run, 3 hit ball (2 walks 4 Ks) - I think Gilbert will give up a couple runs himself. A step back this season for the 28 year old with some road woes. A 261 BA Against compared to .158 at home. 2.24 home ERA, 4.74 on the road. Basically same amount of games + innings. Just less effective. Tigers have to feel like they let one slip away losing with Skubal. Sitting up 2-0 at home would really crank the pressure up on Seattle. But, here we are 1-1. Seattle stars are hitting - Raleigh .444 . JRod .444 Polanco .375.. Give me that middle of the order to put up runs vs a struggling starter. 4* Total Money OVER Mariners/ Tigers 

4* Money Maker MILWAUKEE BREWERS

4* RL Money SEATTLE MARINERS

4* Total Money OVER Yanks/Blue Jays

4* RL Money MILWAUKEE BREWERS 

Taking CLEVELAND, again. Give me Cecconi over Flaherty. This just has not been his year. Guy has been hittable all season. 5.27 road ERA in 14 starts, 1.36 WHIP, .260 BA Against away from home. Back in May 6.2 innings 3 hits 3 earned vs Cleveland. Then, a pair of b2b starts to end the year. 4.1 innings 5 hits 3 earned and 5 innings 3 hits 1 earned. 0-3 in all 3 games. Cleveland broke through late yesterday - they close it out today. 4* Money Maker CLEVELAND GUARDIANS 

4* RL Money LA DODGERS

4* Total Money OVER Reds/ Dodgers

Taking CLEVELAND. Bibee has been rock solid in his starts vs the Tigers this year. We saw it in his last 2 that ended the season. 6 innings 5 hit 1 run ball 5 Ks on Sept. 24 - then on September 18th in Detroit he went 6 innings allowing 4 hits 1 run striking out 8. Way back in May, in Detroit, 7 innings of 3 hit ball zero runs allowed and 8 Ks. He wrapped up a solid 4 start September posting a .170 BA Against and .76 WHIP. Tigers needed near perfection today from Skubal, plus an error to score a pair of unearned runs, and still barely pulled it out. Cleveland had tying run on 3rd with 0 outs bottom 9. Home team wins this afternoon. 4* Money Maker CLEVELAND GUARDIANS 

Taking the PADRES. Oh the Cubbies. Lose a good pitcher for their playoff run. This is a team that I think, peaked a bit early. Not as bad as the Tigers fade, but still, not a good run the last 2 months. Both teams come in on 3 game win streaks, but I prefer the way San Diego ended their September compared to the Cubs. Nick Pivetta wrapped up a solid season as the Padres best starter. He did face Chicago way back in April - 9 innings 10 hits 4 runs 10 strikeouts and a 1-1 record. Nothing too bad or good. I think we see Matthew Boyd in this spot. A nice run at home 12-1 in 15 starts (2.51 ERA 209 BAA and a .90 WHIP) - That being said, down the stretch. Not good. 6+ ERA -- 4-5-4-2-4-4-2 runs scored last 7 games. So 4 or more runs in 5 of 7, yeah. Not playoff ready. I think he's tired. Last year - 8 games 39.2 innings. in 2023 15 games 71 innings. 2022 10 games 13 innings. -- 113 innings in 3 years prior - 179.2 this year. Tiring down the stretch. Give me the small dog here. 4* Money Maker SAN DIEGO PADRES 

Taking CLEVELAND. Indians take 5 of 6 down the stretch here in September vs the Tigers. What a comeback. Skubal is great. I will back the under here also. But at this price, and the way Cleveland has played. Can't go against the home team.  2-11 run last 13 for Tigers down the stretch, Guardians 17-3. 4* Money Maker CLEVELAND GUARDIANS  

Going UNDER the total. Cleveland 13-2-1 to the Under closing out the season. This is not a fluke. This team is worse at the plate than the Pirates. I bring that up because, oh, Skenes is Cy Young - not his fault his team can't hit. Well this that can't hit hosting 3 playoff games and won 88 games this year! Anyway 85-71 to the under on the year for Cleveland. The series has gone under in 7 of the last 10 games. No reason for it to be any different this afternoon. 4* Total Money UNDER Tigers/ Cleveland 

Taking the RANGERS on the RUN LINE. Straight fade of Taj Bradley. This kid was a top prospect of the Rays. He's 24. He's 24 and they gave up on him. That is all you need to know. 7-1-4-3-7 runs allowed in his 5 Twins starts. 25 innings 23 Ks 10 walks 30 hits! deGrom with a .95 WHIP at home and a .203 BA Against. Can't see Minny putting up much of a fight here. A solid outing will get him to 13-8 with a sub 3 ERA. Sometimes a little motivation goes a long way in your final home start. 4* RL Money TEXAS RANGERS

Going UNDER the total. Talk about playoff atmosphere. Tigers about to choke away their entire season with this freefall. Gavin Williams dealing right now. Last week vs Detroit 9Ks in 5 innings of work allowing 3 hits in a 4-0 Cleveland win. Skubal. Uh. Cost me a Strikeout +950 prop with 2 bad games his last 3 outings. But, vs the Tribe - oh, there will K's a plenty. CGSHO back in May 2 hits 13 Ks -- 7 innings of 3 hit 0 run 10 strikeout ball on July 6 in Cleveland. Last week 6 innings 7 hits 1 run (HR) 9 more Ks. 3-1 - 4-1 - 7-2 - 5-0. Those are the Skubal / Williams games this year - (7-2 was Skubal beating Williams) Series has gone 7-3 to the Under last 10 this season. Cleveland 1-8-1 to the Under their last 10. How about this - I was into with someone about Skenes not being Cy Young Winner this season. They said, oh Pirates can't hit. Well - hello. WORSE team average in all of MLB - Cleveland .226 (tied with Angels). Worse average at home. Cleveland! 2nd worse OBP .297 (.295 Rockies) 3rd worse slugging (Pitt/White Sox) 2nd worse OPS (Pitt). I don't think we see 5 runs tonight. 4* Total Money UNDER Tigers/ Guardians 

4* RL Money ATLANTA BRAVES

Taking the RANGERS on the RUN LINE. Leiter has been solid at a home with a .216 BA Against and a decent 3.27 ERA. Rangers 6-2 in his 13 home starts. Texas is all but out of the wild card, so they are playing for pride in themselves and their stats. Leiter is looking to get to double digit wins and over .500. A little extra motivation can't hurt this last in a season when there isn't a lot to play for. Marlins send Adam Mazur to the mound. The former 2nd rounder is still trying to find his stuff. He is off a nice start vs Detroit going 6 innings giving up 1 hit and 2 UnEarned runs with 2 walks. That is a tough way to take a loss. But, his previous to September starts - 6 innings 10 hits 5 runs, 4 earned and 4.1 innings 8 hits 6 runs 4 earned - those are how you lose games. What is also crazy looking at those 3 starts. 4 Unearned runs. Bad defense helps Rangers bats!  Look, he has given up at least 4 runs in 3 of his 5 starts. I mentioned the tough loss - his other game 4 innings 4 hits 2 runs. So, not expecting much from him. Rangers one of the better home teams at 47-29 on the season. 47 wins trail the big boys at 51 Phi,Mil,LAD (50 Jays 49 Mets) Look for Texas to bounce back after last nights extra innings loss. 4* RL Money TEXAS RANGERS 

Taking the METS, going RUN LINE. Mets found some bats lately with Alonso HRs and Soto hitting jacks and stealing bases. 6-4-8-5 runs their last 4 games at home. They welcome the Nats just playing out the string, and doing it poorly losing their last 4 in a row and 5 of 6 and 7 of 9. Mets fighting for their playoff lives.  4* RL Money NEW YORK METS

Taking the ORIOLES. Rogers has been fabulous this year. Baltimore showing a little fight at the end of the winning 3 in row (before the Thursday Fried game). Maybe they want to catch Tampa and get out of last place. Maybe they are just playing stress free. I have the better pitcher and a team with no pressure. 4* Money Maker BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Taking the BRAVES. Tigers in a total free fall right now. We missed Cleveland today, but had them the other days. Will fade Detroit all weekend long. Braves winner of 5 in a row. 4* Money Maker ATLANTA BRAVES

Taking the BREWERS, going RUN LINE. Milwaukee needs to keep winning to stay ahead of the Phillies. Kikuchi has been terrible on the road with an ERA of 5.15 - worse though. A .282 BA Against. Teams are just raking. A 1.61 WHIP. Not good vs a team that is looking to lock down the most wins in MLB this season. Kikuchi followed a poor July with a worse August - and even after allowing 1 run in his last start, he still has a 8.56 ERA in September. That happens when you give up 12 runs in 7.2 innings (14 hits 5 walks and a hit batter) of work in your other 2 starts. Brewers have won 18 straight games that Quinn Priester has started. 4* RL Money MILWAUKEE BREWERS 

Taking the YANKEES, again, 3 straight on the RUN LINE. Gill has been great since his return. Oh yes, in that first start Miami tagged him for 5 runs in 3+ innings of work. But that is not shocking. We always fade guys making their return from IL stints. Since then - at least 5 innings in every start and 2-1-2-1-2-1-0 runs allowed across 7 starts. I would like for him to curb his walks a bit. 23 in 38 innings - 31 strike outs. I guess we take that as he's around the plate. I can swallow the walks because Taj Bradley has been just bad since coming over from the Rays. 15 runs in 21.1 innings of work - 22 hits 7 walks 19 K.s A 6.33 ERA, .272 BA Against. Not good - As I said yesterday in the write up about the Twins --  Twins come in dropping 4 of their last 5 and 7 of their last 10. How about 4-13 their last 17 home games  -- So they won Game 1 of the series - As I write this, Game 2 is 2-1 Yanks end of 1.  -- No matter the outcome, we will be Gill in this spot vs Bradley. 4* RL Money NEW YORK YANKEES

Taking CLEVELAND, again. Had them yesterday, back on them here. Same thoughts here as yesterday. Go Tribe. 4* Money Maker CLEVELAND GUARDIANS 

Taking the YANKEES, on the RUN LINE. We had RL last night with New York, we will run it back again. If the Yanks want any shot of over taking the Blue Jays (and ruining my Under 93.5 wins) then they must continue their domination of the Twins. Schlitteler looks like a nice find this season. Not as great as Gill last year, but I would put him in the Michael King/ Clarke Schmidt category of we needed someone to step up. Now. If you want to take a flyer on Zebby Mathews here as a dog, I really can't blame you. The guy has been solid at home. What sticks out is his strikeouts. Here is a bonus play to jump on - this kids Strike Out Prop. No clue what is it. But he struck out 9 Yankees in NY back in August over 5.2 innings of work 6 hits and 3 runs allowed - 3 solo HRs in the loss. The kid challenges hitters for sure. Again - he has 10 Ks in 10 innings of work here in September and the Angels just raked him for 7 hits and 5 runs in 4+ innings of work. Yanks have won 9 of the last 10 vs Minny going back to last year. And the lone win, Joe Ryan beating our guy Schlittler 4-1 on August 13th. Twins come in dropping 4 of their last 5 and 7 of their last 10. How about 4-13 their last 17 home games. Yikes 4* RL Money NEW YORK YANKEES

Taking CLEVELAND. Oh boy. Tigers looked to have peaked totally too soon. 5-7 here in September and 7-12 their last 19 games. Add the proverbial insult to injury, their ace left his start early. Cleveland comes in hot. 4 straight wins, and 9 of their last 10. Now knocking on the door of the Wild Card just 2.5 games out as I do this writing. Cantillo off a great 8 innings of shut out ball vs the Royals. But his 3 starts before that also pretty good giving up a run in each - 16.2 innings 13 hits 3 runs 15 strikeouts. Tigers feeling the pressure as home field slips away. Mize nearing career highs that he set back in 2021 before losing a year + to injury. Fatigue looks to be setting in with several ho-hum August starts. He is off a nice win over the Yankees though. I can't just mention the bad. But we put everything all together and Cleveland will be a nice dog to play here. 4* Money Maker CLEVELAND GUARDIANS 

4* RL Money NEW YORK YANKEES

4* Money Maker ATLANTA BRAVES

Taking the ANGELS here. Thought about RL (+155), especially after how LA cashed our Game Total Over last night all by themselves. But we will straight fade Taj Bradley today. This kid was hyped up coming up in the Tampa system. Not sure why. 5th rounder. I guess a great year in A Ball gets you fast tracked up the ladder. Ok. Enough. Taj is bad. Twins are bad. Two game win streak snapped, 3-8 now the last 11. How about losing 8 of 20. Golf anyone. Soriano has been flip flopping good and bad start. Off a baddie, I think he bounces back today. 4* Money Maker LA ANGELS 

4* Total Money OVER Twins/ Angels 

Going OVER the total. Yanks can hit. Mize hittable. Opened September with a good start, but August was bad - A 5.81 ERA. And July, even with 7 shutout innings in his first start that month, a 6.30 ERA! Now he has the hot Yankees to deal with while the Tigers have been in a bit of freefall or at least flat spell the last month or so.  I will also be on Yanks RL in this one. 4* Total Money OVER Tigers/ Yankees

Taking YANKEES on the RUN LINE. Will fade Mize who has been terrible the last 2 months. Warren has been pitching well. Yanks, also playing well right now. i thought they would hit a little speed bump vs Houston and the Jays, but they recovered to win some games. Tigers are beatable when it is anyone but Skubal. No Skubal. No chance. Also like the Over in this one. 4* RL Money NEW YORK YANKEES

4* Money Maker NY METS

Taking the BRAVES. Seattle in an absolute free-fall right now. 4 straight losses. 7 of 10. Miller has been terrible lately (a 7.68 ERA last 7 starts). Forget the 7 - let's just look at what he has done since returning from the injured list. He came back in June for 5 innings of 7 hit 5 run ball. Then, poof. He reappears like magic in August only to give up 10 runs in 16 innings on 12 hits while giving up 6 HRs. Half his hits allowed were Homers! Waldrep has been terrific in 2 home starts and all his games this season in limited action. Guy averages 5.2 innings of work and has given up 4 runs in 6 games and 35 innings of work.  4* Money Maker ATLANTA BRAVES

4* Money Maker TEXAS RANGERS

Taking the ROYALS. Twins trotting out Pablo Lopez for his first start off the IL. 4 games in Triple A 16 innings 17 hits 18 Ks 2 Walks 5 runs. The hits, I can live with it. The guy just wants to get back in sync. Still, just a little over 2 months since he has seen an MLB mound. Will back Wacha in this spot - solid at home with a 3.01 ERA. Wrapped up August in 6 starts with again, solid 3.50 ERA -- 1-2-2-2-3-4 runs allowed (3+4 in b2b starts vs 1st place Tigers)  8 innings 1 run ball in Toronto. 6 innings 2 run ball in Boston. Guy is a gamer. Royals 2 back in the Wild Card clinging to life. Let's grab them vs the free falling Twins, losers of 3 straight, 7 of 10, 11 of 15 and 16 of 22. 4* Money Maker KANSAS CITY ROYALS

Taking the BLUE JAYS. Yanks coming back from a nice road trip and a wild one on Thursday night vs the Astros. Rested Jays ready to defend the top spot and best record in the AL tonight. Don't let the Gausman road ERA spook you. A .195 BA Against on the road, 1.01 WHIP - he'll shut down the Yanks tonight. 4* Money Maker TORONTO BLUE JAYS

Taking the WHITE SOX. Flaherty with mixed results in his starts vs Chicago this year. A 5.2 innings 3 hit 1 run 7 K performance back in April - 6 innings 4 hits 1 run 4 K ball in June - And on August 12, 4.1 innings 8 hits 5 earned and 6 Ks. And that is his up and down August. 3 games of 6-5-8 runs. 3 games of 1-9-1 run ball. Flaherty has not been able to go deep into games. Since June, half of his starts he can't make it through 5 innings. I think the Tigers peaked early. Not enough starting rotation help, and people are getting tired down the stretch. Youngers for the White Sox showing some heart lately with 4 straight wins. Visitors worth a shot at this price. 4* Money Maker CHICAGO WHITE SOX

4* Total Money UNDER Phillies/ Brewers 

Taking the METS, again. Cashed RL last night - nearly went RL again today. My hold back - Holmes. I'm going to say nearly identical things about Mize here. Holmes was saving 54 games the last 2 years. 126 innings the last 2 years combined. He's at 142 this year. I would be looking to not play him if the line was higher. Mets though, better bullpen, better lineup, just playing better ball right now. In a groove. Casey Mize a great story. Finally delivering on his 1st Pick Overall potential. At least Holmes has been fairly consistent down the stretch here. 11 starts 2-5-2-4-1-2-2-5-1-2-2 runs allowed. A couple hiccups. Mize though - 120 innings (102 LY after 0 in 2023 and 10 in 2022) might be tiring out. His run of games starting with his last outing 5-3-5-2-3-2 (1.2 innings) 5-6 runs allowed. 35 innings 46 hits 30 runs. Mets one of the hottest teams at the plate .311 BA (3rd best) last 7 games. Tigers staff a 5.88 ERA 4th worse their last 6 games - Mets at 9th worse 5.29, but are hitting the cover off the ball. This is me, fading Mize and the Tigers. I think Detroit peaked a bit too early and the pitchers have run out of gas. 4* Money Maker NEW YORK METS

Taking the METS on the RUN LINE. Mets looking to keep Detroit reeling a bit. A nice win last night for New York, looking to make it 2 in a row with their young arm, Nolan McLean on the hill. Kid has looked great telling hitters - Welcome To The Party Pal - (that's a quote from his Dad NYPD Detective John McClane, Nakatomi Christmas hero). Expecting him to take care of the Tigers hitters tonight. And Detroit pitching, struggling a bit the last week with an ERA approaching 5. We'll grab the Mets in this spot. A little birdie told me to check out Stolen Base Props for Lindor + Soto with some personal goals in reach. 4* RL Money NEW YORK METS

Taking the ORIOLES. Alright. O's just got hammered by the Giants, lost 2 of 3. 13-2, 15-8 and a win 11-1. A 2-8 run is not pretty.  Now they travel down the coast to face San Diego who started a 6 game road trip in Seattle, headed to Minnesota and now returns home. Cease has been better at home than on the road on the season. But lately, it doesn't matter. 4-4-3-2 runs allowed his last 4 starts. 13 walks in 18.2 innings is the stat that sticks out to me. You cant do that, and allow 16 hits and not expect to give up runs. That's 29 baserunners in basically 19 innings of work. Padres 23rd in runs scored at home this year. Orioles send out Bradish who looked sharp in his first start back and is looking like the guy who in his 38 previous starts, looked like a legit #2 or possibly a #1 starter. 4* Money Maker BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Going UNDER the total. I know this will be a tough one to swallow for some. Both Manaea and Morton have ERAs over 5 on the season. Both have not been sharp the last month. And I would totally understand if you blindly jump on an over in this spot. Seems easy enough right? Mets on a 7-3 over run. Tigers hit at home,4th in all of MLB. #3 BA vs lefties. What could possibly go wrong? Well thanks for asking. 4 straight unders for Detroit and coming home after a 6 game road trip where they went 2-4, and have lost 5 of 7 overall. Struggling. But, with a 9 game lead, Tigers could very well be cruising into September and the playoffs. Now. For the 2nd straight year I d0 have a Detroit win ticket for Over 83.5 wins (sitting at 80). Mets had swept Philly and won 5 of 6 before a let down series in Miami. Nothing went right. This team has won with pitching all year long. I expect both starters to give up a couple, but the bullpens to close the door and keep this one in 6-8 run range. 4* Total Money UNDER Mets/ Tigers

Taking the RED SOX on the RUN LINE. Time for Giolito to step up and be the ace. Stop the slide vs the Pirates. A couple so so starts from him lately, but, no buts - get it done! Mitch Keller comes in in worse shape lately than Giolito. This guy has an ERA approaching 8 (7.88) in August along with 1.71 WHIP and .316 BA Against. We add his last 2 July starts and we now have 27 runs in 32 innings of work and 18 walks. Oh sorry - left out the 42 hits he allowed too. 50 runs in 32 innings. Boston scoring 7 vs this guy today. 4* RL Money BOSTON RED SOX 

Taking the DODGERS, going RUN LINE. Gallen pitching for a contract. But honestly, I don't think it matters. He can have a solid outing here and the bullpen will come give up 4. Snell will go 5/6 innings, give up a run, maybe. Strike out a couple cats and call it a night. 5-6-7-8 runs their last 4 games. Dodgers beat Gallen 8-1 already this year. He comes in with a 5+ Road ERA. Season, and probably his career in Arizona is over. They couldn't find a team that wanted him at the trade deadline! 4* RL Money LA DODGERS

Taking the PADRES. This is me just fading the Twins off their road trip. And why wouldn't I? 8-7-10-8-7-7-8 runs allowed in their last 7 games. They did pull out a 7-5 and 9-7 win in 2 of those. Cortes has been decent in his return to the mound for Padres. Twins trade deadline fire-sale would catch up to them. 3-7 last 10. 7-2-1 to the over last 10 with bad pitching. Padres still fighting. Will lay the short number. 4* Money Maker SAN DIEGO PADRES

Taking the BREWERS. Can we get a little Cy Young lover for Peralta? I mean. Maybe people have already been talking about him. Guy has been so reliable the last few years. Good for him. Great job Brewers with their pitcher development. Look. You know I am big BA Against/ WHIP guy. Solid numbers for our guy .195/1.20. ERA a bit high with the road split, a couple 5 inning 3/4 run games bump that up. I'm not worried here though. Bieber looked excellent in his return from IL going 6 innings and striking out 9. Blue Jays still in a playoff race here trying to hold off Boston and the Yanks. I didn't think Bieber would go 6 last game - but, Miami, He was cruising. Milwaukee a bit tougher team, and just lost 2 straight at home to Arizona after taking the first two. So a little angry bunch hitting the road. Sometimes good to get away from home. Jays have been hitting the ball pretty well lately. I think their weak spot is their bullpen, while Milwaukee again, churns out really strong bullpen arms. Going small dog here. 4* Money Maker MILWAUKEE BREWERS 

Taking SEATTLE here. How can we not back Woo at this price? Guy is nearly unhittable at home. Forget a 2.28 ERA. Really - it should be 1.18! The cat is pitching to a .80 WHIP. A .169 BA Against. Somehow 7-2 in 11 home starts. Should probably be undefeated with those numbers. And I get a Happy Belated 39th bday to Yu Darvish on the hill for the opposing team? Sign me up. 7 starts since returning to the rotation. Improving sure. From 4 innings to 6. He is off a gem vs the Dodgers. But the game before vs the Dodgers he gave up 4 runs on 3 hits in 4 innings of work. As good as the Padres bullpen is, they need a lead to be their most effective. Not happening in this one. A 7.66 road ERA. 22.1 innings 23 hits 19 runs. As much as Suarez and Naylor have yet to really contribute to Seattle, Cal + JRod as hitting. This is a sneaky deep lineup. We have the clear edge on the hill. Laying a short price. Mariners get the call. 4* Money Maker SEATTLE MARINERS 

4* RL LA DODGERS

4* Total Money OVER Nats/ Yanks

Taking the RED SOX. In what has been a season long winning bet, we look to fade Kyle Bradish making his first start of the season. Time and time again we see these guys get their first start - limited innings no matter how well they are pitching. And honestly, at this price, we would probably have been on Boston anyway. 2nd place in the AL East. First Place in the Wild Card. Just playing some really good ball while the Orioles sit in last place trying to over take the Rays and get out of the basement. Giolito having a solid season. Decent road splits - .215 BA Against 1.20 WHIP not terrible. Went 7 innings of 6 hit shutout ball vs Baltimore back in May. Come in off a 4+ innings 3 run game vs the Yanks. Not concerned. Orioles a money burner all season. 69-57 to the under. They have not hit all year. Just looking over this line up and thinking where they were 2 years ago. Teams have to go for it when that window is open. No guaranteed next year will be the same. Red Sox looking to improve their playoff positioning get it done here tonight. 4* Money Maker BOSTON RED SOX 

Taking the BREWERS, going RUN LINE. I've been really reigning in the MLB this past month. Something along the lines of 34-23 (60%) for August. May we had 170 MLB games, 90 in June. Football has arrived and with the money lines growing, football picks will be ramping up. Let's look at why I like Milwaukee to get it done. First. No shame losing 2 games to Robbie Ray and Logan Webb. A pair of pretty good pitchers. Lose 3 vs Cubs. Hello. You have been battling the Cubs for 1st place all season. Can't win every game when you had previously won 40 of 45 or whatever run they were on. Now they get the Diamondbacks who raises the White Flag at the trade deadline. On top of that, they are talking about trading another star in Marte this offseason. The roll out Eduardo Rodriguez to the mound today. Guy has a 5.40 ERA in 22 starts this year. 1.61 WHIP. Come on. How about a .309 BA Against on the road this year? Good grief. I guess that is how you get a 5+ road ERA and a 1.65 road WHIP. Just terrible. How about this last fun fact. Last start, 6.2 innings 5 innings 4 earned - yet he lowered his season long BA Against to .296! Rodriguez is just what the doctor ordered for the Brewers. Woodruff will be making his 9th start since coming back July 6. .167 BA Against .85 WHIP 2.47 ERA. Solid numbers. Has walked a few though the last couple games. But we know we will get 6 innings of 3 hit 1 run ball from the guy. 4* RL Money MILWAUKEE BREWERS 

4* Total Money UNDER Royals/ White Sox

4* Money Maker MIAMI MARLINS

Going OVER the total here. Was thinking about taking Tampa Bay here. Liberatore has been a less than 5 inning guy the last 2 months. So, we are good for 3 runs in 4+ before the 1st pitch is thrown. What took me off the Rays was Pepiot lately. Total gas can. Now - Tampa on a 8-2 Over run their 10. Cards 7-2-1 themselves. So the bats and poor pitching has been on full display lately. Back to Pepiot's recent run. Yikes- Runs allowed since mid-July in his 7 starts - 4-5-2-7-3-4-4. So we get 4 runs in 6 innings from Pepiot. That is 9 innings just looking at the score card! After a day off yesterday, both pens might be rested. I don't think it matters. The bats are hot. Tampa's last 4 home games. 16-11-10-16 runs scored.  St Louis on this State of Florida road trip. Well you know 16-11 in Tampa - but 8-11-11 in Miami. 4* Total Money OVER Cards/ Rays

Taking the METS here. I am old enough to remember when the Braves actually had some good pitchers. Fedde, Cookie Carrasco, Didier Fuentes, even Strider with an ERA over 5. Bryce Elder has been terrible lately. An ERA over 7 the last 2 months. 55 hits in 43 innings and 19 walks! . A .349 BA Against and 2.12 WHIP in July. Can't get worse, so a bit better in August (.272/1.36). 7 of his last 11 starts 4 or more runs. We go 8 of 11 if we drop it to 3 or more runs. Not good enough to fade Atlanta - how about Elder home splits of 7.43 ERA in 11 starts a .327 BA Against and a WHIP of 1.91. The Mets should score 4 runs before the end of the 2nd inning! Going back to last year we know exactly what we will get from David Peterson 55 starts of being consistent. Braves tagged him 2 weeks ago in 3+ innings of work. I think we get more of his first appearance vs the Braves where he was a bit better. Mets need every game. With Wheeler out for Philly, New York has to take advantage of playing bad teams and rake up some 'easy' wins. They should get it done this afternoon. 4* Money Maker NEW YORK METS

Taking the PIRATES. Pittsburgh can trot out 1992 Tim Wakefield and I would take them in this spot. I thought Skenes was going to start here, but maybe he gets pushed back because, hey, we are the Pirates. We don't want to pay Andrew Heaney a 150K bonus for innings pitched! On a side note - they want to add more teams. Has anyone at MLB HQ caught a Rockies game this season? 16-48 on the road. Unbelievable. 4* Money Maker PITTSBURGH PIRATES

Taking the REDS. This is all about Abbott at this price. Won't be shocked to see this line go up. Kid is just building off his first two years, and continues to get better. Everything lower. ERA, WHIP, BAA, walks, hits, strike outs up. - Now. He is closing in on his career high innings from last year. So maybe we look at that as we head into September. He did have 'bad', by his standards 2 starts to begin August. 7 runs in those 2.. But 6 in the other 5 surrounding those. Road WHIP of .96. Pretty good. Arizona dealt Naylor and Suarez. Marte is a clubhouse headache who will be dealt in the offseason. Diamondbacks just playing out the string while Cincy is just a half game out of the wild card with the Mets in a slide. 4* Money Maker CINCINNATI REDS

Going OVER the total. Now. I sorta wanted to take Holmes here. But I can't. I think the innings are catching up with him after being a reliever for so long. Thought about RL vs Cal Quantrill who shows up to the park and has already given up 4 runs in 3 innings. I don't like betting on guys after they hammered out 20 hits or whatever. But Mets do have bats, and can hit a gas can like Cal. Back to Holmes real fast though. 3 starts vs the Braves. In Atlanta back in June 4.2 innings 4 hits 3 Earned Runs 6 walks 5 strikeouts. Next start a 6 days later at home. 5 innings of 1 run ball. August 12th at home vs the Braves. 3.2 innings of work 6 hits 5 Earned Runs 5 walks 4 strikeouts. Since the start of July he seems to be rotating good and bad starts - Runs allowed -- 2-5-2-5-1-4-2-5-1. Also, on the road - a .283 BA Against and a 1.48 WHIP. Braves do have some hitters. I think we see a balanced attack of runs today. But - I will not be shocked if the Mets get double digits themselves. 4* Total Money OVER Mets/ Braves

Taking the RED SOX. Crochet got hit in Houston 2 starts ago. But the 6 other starts since start of July - a total of 8 runs. 47 strike outs in 40 innings. Tough lefty. Should be able to handle this free swinging Yankees lineup. His road splits as good as his home. Not much of a difference. Will Warren has pitched well lately. He has pitched well at home. I cannot come in here and knock him. I can knock the Yankees bullpen where I think this game will be decided after the starters are gone. New York made some moves, but the guys have just not responded as of yet. Like last night, that is where the game will be won or lost. 4* Money Maker BOSTON RED SOX 

Taking the ROYALS. So - I was starting to do a write up on why I like the under here. I knew I liked Bergert to keep Detroit in line. 10 starts, 14 games on the year - road splits with a .161 BA Against and .90 WHIP in 6 starts, 9 games total. Look, Bergert will go 5 here, maybe 5+. So his 4 relief appearances 4 innings 0 runs 1 hit 2 Ks. Not much to see. 10 starts. Not bad - gave up 3 runs twice. 2-0-0-2-1-2-2-2 (1 Unearned) 4 games with strike outs of 7-8-7-8. Detroit 3rd most Ks in MLB. I'll take it. Casey Mize. More wins this year than his previous 4 combined. A nice breakout. But - always a but - already more innings this year than last. Maybe that is why we see him giving up runs in his last 7 starts. Getting a little tired perhaps. 5.45 ERA in those 7 games. 34 hits 10 walks in 33 innings. 44 guys on base in 33 innings, some will come around to score. As much as an under team KC has been this year, they have been hitting lately. 5 or more runs in 7 of their 10 games. 3-3-4 in the others and they won 2 of them. Both teams winners of 8 of their last 10. But this number is too good to pass up. 4* Money Maker KC ROYALS 

Taking the RED SOX. Giolito with better numbers on the road then at home this season. .211 BA Against is solid. 1.16 WHIP not bad. In 3 of his last 4 starts, 1 run allowed - 3 total in 20.1 innings of work. Had a little hiccup in San Diego 2 starts ago. Not worried. Yanks counter with Luis Gill. A guy I was looking to fade the minute he came back to the majors from his DL stint. You can say his last start was good - 5.1 innings 4 hits 1 run 4 strikeouts. But, 3 walks. That is playing with fire putting 7 guys on base in 5 innings. That was the Cardinals. Red Sox 7th in the league in HRs and Runs scored on the road this season. This lineup will find success vs Luis Gill. 4* Money Maker BOSTON RED SOX 

Going OVER the total here. Might be a bit of a square play tonight. Alcantara not in Cy Young form all season long. More like Anthony Young for you older Mets fans out there. An ERA over 5 at home. An ERA of 6 here in August. July he gave up 5-6-4 runs before settling down in his last 2 starts. In 14 of his 24 starts, he has give up at least 4 runs. Cards have had no problems scoring runs the last 2 nights vs the Marlins. I don't think that changes here. Mr. Pallante enters tonight with an ERA of 7.60 his last 7 starts, 5.63 the last 15 and 5.04 on the year. I guess the road numbers of .262 BA Against, 1.37 WHIP and 4.73 ERA are slightly better than what he does at home. Some runs allowed his last 7 starts - 7-6-5-0-2-6-4 .. The Zero, vs this Miami Team!  I am not expecting a repeat performance of his 7-1 gem nor do I expect Alcantara to reprise his 5-0 win a night later. Much has changed since the end of those end of July games. Take the OVER and be a winner. 4* Total Money OVER Cards/ Marlins 

Going OVER the total. Now - Tampa has been an Under team most of the season (67-51) but have gone 6-3-1 to the Over their last 10. Yanks, 56-63 to the Under on the year themselves. End of July saw these 2 combines for 11-9-12 runs in their 3 game set. I see more of the same this evening. Rodon has put together another solid season. Yanks have to be happy at the returns on their contract here. Road numbers a bit worse, but going from a 2.84 to a 3.67 ERA or .150 BAA .86 WHIP to .218 BAA 1.26 WHIP are not all that drastic. We did see him struggle at Citi Field vs the  Mets giving up 6 runs in early July. He gave up 4 in Toronto. 3 more home vs Philly. Followed by 4 in 4+ innings of work in Miami. Last 2 starts vs Texas and Twins have been 12 innings 3 runs. Tampa though a feisty club. I think they get 4 off a, perhaps, tiring Rodon. As much as I like the youngster Baz, he isn't that young anymore. At 26, the former 1st rounder is struggling. Last 7, a 6.51 ERA and 1.55 WHIP. At home, a 6.54 ERA and 1.50 WHIP, along with a .274 BA Against. We do know the Yanks can hit - and bad pitching is just what the doctor ordered. Baz has given up 5-4-5-2-8-1-3-3 runs in his 8 starts since July. The guy has is about to double his pitch load from last year. A kid who has had Tommy John surgery already. This game should be going Over the Total around the 5th/6th inning tonight. 4* Total Money OVER Yanks/ Rays

Taking the ROYALS tonight. KC has been an Under team the entire season 70-53 (home 38-24). You have probably heard, or have seen it here. Royals team win total ticket holder (Over 82.5 risking 588 to win 500), need 20 the next 38. If this team could hit a bit more, I would be a bit more confident. Wacha has been great the last 6 starts. And even with a bad 7th start (4 runs in 4 innings) he is still posting a .90 WHIP and 2.70 ERA. Helps when you are holding batters to a .183 batting average on the year. And the home splits for him are favorable. Jack Leiter has been no slouch in his second year improving dramatically. He has been decent the entire year. Nothing to great or too bad. Now - he did give up 6 runs to this KC team back in June at home. 3 HRs in 5 innings will do that. We couple that and the fact that the Royals playing the better ball right now winning 7 of their last 10. While the Rangers, sitting now 5.5. back in the Wild Card, have dropped 8 of 10. We will ride the ol' momentum train with KC as they try to creep back into the Wild Card hunt sitting 4 games out. 4* Money Maker KANSAS CITY ROYALS

Going OVER the total. Huge offensive outburst from both clubs yesterday with much better pitchers on the hill. I expect more of the same this afternoon. Will Warren a gas can on the road in his 12 starts. Just a 1-2 record but a robust 6.48 ERA. When opposing hitters are raking you at a .284 clip and a WHIP of 1.64, runs will be scored by the opposing team. 36 Year Old Miles Mikolas ERA continues to grow as the season goes on, and the weather gets hotter. 4.97 on the year (23 starts) 5.29 ERA last 15 starts -- 5.45 ERA last 7 starts. Are we seeing a trend? Although he does pitch better at home, a tough task at hand. The Yankees are a Top 7 hitting team on the road. They lead the league in HRs overall, tied for 4th (90 hrs) on the road. Should we add in that New York is tops in OPS away from the Bronx? 4* Money Maker OVER Yanks/ Cards

Taking the ATHLETICS on the RUN LINE. Big 10-3 win last over the Angels and I think we get some more offense tonight from the A's. This is a nice young lineup coming together after 'Oakland' traded away their pieces over the years. Pitching has some growing to do. That being said, they will be able to get to Tyler Anderson tonight, who, at 35 is wearing down here in the 2nd half. Thought about a big RL play, but let's get a win. 4* Money Maker ATHLETICS 

4* Money Maker TAMPA BAY RAYS

4* Money Maker DETROIT TIGERS

4* Money Maker BALTIMORE ORIOLES 

Taking the TIGERS on the RUN LINE. This is about as far as I go with a RL laying -120. Start with Ober. Guy has been terrible the last 7 starts. ERA approaching 8. He gave up 1 run in his last start. Great! 4-7-7-4-7-5 the other 6! A .284 BA Against on the season. And good. The Tigers can use facing a bad pitcher - especially when you have your ace on the hill. Skubel very Un-Skubel-like giving up 3 and 4 runs in his last 2 starts.  He went 7 innings of 1 hit ball striking out 13 Twins back on June 29th. I'm expecting a big bounce back from Skubel and some Tiger offense tonight in Minnesota. 4* RL Money DETROIT TIGERS

Taking the METS on the RUN LINE. No way you can talk me into Carrasco at any price. New York lumber alive and well. Peterson has been consistent the entire season - can't see it changing vs a Braves team that is out of it, even vs a heated rival. Mets are 10-2 in Peterson's home starts this season. Not overthinking this one. 4* RL Money NEW YORK METS

Going OVER the total. So, we saw 7-6 last night. I think we see more of the same tonight. Arrighetti was blitzed in his first start back going 3.2 innings giving up 11 hits and 5 runs. May a little bit better going 3.2 innings in his Boston debut while giving up 6 hits and 3 runs. Astros just continue to be a team that knows how to win game. Line up starting to heat up a bit. Dangerous team down the road. But for tonight, we see runs o'plenty. 4* Total Money OVER Red Sox/ Astros 

Taking the BLUE JAYS. Cubs reduced to Ben Brown on the hill. A 33rd pick. 19 games 15 starts. An ERA over 6.50. This is what happens when you trade for Mike Soroka, a guy who has been injury plagued. You get lapped by the Brewers. 48 innings 34 runs. You think will win you games? I know Berrios is off a bad July. But 5 of those 6 were on the road. Short price, I expect a good performance from Toronto here off a Chicago team, I see in a little slide. 4* Money Maker TORONTO BLUE JAYS

Taking the RED SOX. Boston in off a tough series loss to the Padres, Astros come home after beating the Yanks in New York. Crochet having a great year. This line, to me, says bad travel for Boston. That might be the case, honestly, won't matter in my eyes. We have Christian Javier making his first start since May of last year. You know say all the time in Mid Day Money how I like fading pitchers coming back off the injured list. He gave up some runs in his rehab assignment in them in the minors. Now. If the guy looks sharp, I'd say, ok, he has a little something to build on. But I see 10 walks and 10 strikeouts at Triple A in 9.2 innings - uh. This isn't Spring training and working in a new pitch. This is a guy who hasn't pitched in a year. Have to go with Boston and the edge in starters tonight. 4* Money Maker BOSTON RED SOX

Taking the BREWERS on the RUN LINE. Milwaukee just keeps on winning. Heaney with a terrible 6+ ERA in 11 starts on the road this year. He had a nice April, and it has been downhill since. 14 runs in 14 July innings - though August's 5 runs in 8 innings I guess is alright in today's MLB. Alright won't cut it against Milwaukee who just find ways to win. Best record in all of MLB. A 12-1 run for the Brew Crew. Pirates can't stop it. 4* RL Money MILWAUKEE BREWERS 

Going UNDER the total. Not in love with the Sunday slate, but I really like this one. Glasnow looks pretty good since his return. This guy. I mean, go look at his minor league numbers. No clue how he was a 5th rounder. Well - maybe because he is frail and gets hurt every single year. Last year was a career high 123 innings. Most in Minors was 124! In 2023 he threw for 120 in Tampa. Again. When this guy is out there for 20 games, he is more than solid. The guy really has had 2 bad starts. His first, and 2 starts ago. Walks got him 5 in each. I'll take out that Cincy game. His other 4 starts since coming back. 4 starts 25 innings 12 hits 3 runs 30 strikeouts. Jays looked great whipping the Rockies. Good luck repeating those numbers vs the Dodgers. He will hold Toronto down. Eric Lauer is a former 1st round pick. Good things come to those who wait apparently. Hurt in 2023, out all of 24, he has upped his game from his numbers of 2021/22. He's given up 3 runs exactly twice in his 18 games (12 starts). As good as the Dodgers are, I just think this game has 4-1, 5-2 type of feel to it. 4* Total Money UNDER Blue Jays/ Dodgers  (If we get a Yamamoto start, we are still ON THE UNDER. Just another LA arm who is posting a .94 WHIP his last 7 starts.)

4* RL Money SEATTLE MARINERS

4* Money Maker BOSTON RED SOX 

Taking the CUBS RL. There are a couple teams that I want absolutely nothing to do this and St Louis is one of them. I do not think they are good. Pitchers, Relievers, hitters. The fact that this line is this low actually concerns me. I know Carlos Rea is a back end guy. But I am seeing -108 out of the gate. I have to go RUN LINE. There is zero way I want the Cards at +100 or -102 or whatever. Who likes trying to catch falling knives? Or dropping eggs from a 2nd floor window and having them not crack on the ground! Cubs are 4-3 vs Cards this year. I am looking for a big night from the Chicago bats. 4* RL Money CHICAGO CUBS

4* Money Maker MILWAUKEE BREWERS

Taking the ASTROS, again. Gill in his 2nd start. Framber just doing what he has done the last 5 straight years. I do worry a bit with his road splits. That is why we will also be on the OVER this afternoon. 4* Money Maker HOUSTON ASTROS

4* Total Money OVER Astros/ Yankees

4* RL Money ARIZONA CARDINALS 

4* Total Money OVER Rockies/ Diamondbacks

4* RL Money SAN DIEGO PADRES

4* RL Money CHICAGO CUBS

4* Money Maker MILWAUKEE BREWERS

4* Total Money UNDER Phillies/ Rangers

Taking the MARLINS, again. The Marlins are 10 games better than the Braves and are still being treated like 2nd class citizens. Atlanta is going on some crazy run to make the Wild Card. That crazy run might be Miami! I like Edwin Cabrera. Though he not 23 like Perez, the 27 year old is finally healthy and the flashes he showed before getting hurt in 2022, are not flashes. It's how he pitches. Bryce Elder has ERA over 6 and a BA Against of .290. This is who he is. Last year. 10 starts 6.52 ERA and a .311 BA Against. Elder at home this year. A 322 BA Against and 1.92 WHIP. Are you shocked at his 6.54 ERA? Miami wins again.  4* Money Maker MIAMI MARLINS

Going OVER the Total. Orioles Sugano is doing exactly what I thought a 35 year old who never pitched in the majors before would do. An ERA approaching 7 the last 2 month. A WHIP of 1.76. And I have an A's team that has teed off on bad pitching. And we can not discount the Orioles offense, who a week ago was dropping 16-11-8 runs on the Blue Jays before the Cubs/Phillies slowed them down a bit. 4* Total Money OVER A's/ O's 

Taking the ASTROS. Will again look to fade the Yanks. Houston the favorite, but a huge edge with Hunter Brown on the hill tonight. He had a couple so so outings in July. I just look at that as a hiccup for a guy who has been really good all season long. Pitching to a 1.80 ERA for a season would have put him in legendary status. He is still 40 innings away from last year total, so I am not worried about fatigue. Cam Schlittler has pitched exactly like a guy is a 7th round pick would pitch. All over the place. Give me Houston tonight. 4* Money Maker HOUSTON ASTROS

Taking the MIAMI MARLINS. Carlos Carrasco? Is this 2008? 2015? - This 'Cookie' will crumble. Marlins have won 6 of the last 10 in the series. 3 of 5 this year. After a year out injured, Eury Perez is showing you what he was when he debuted in 2023. Kid is good. Yeah Kid. He's 22! And he's dealing. Hasn't given up more than 2 run in any of his last 6 starts. Half NO Runs 0-1-2-0-1-0. Now. Does he go about 6 most games? Yes. Wil it matter vs Atlanta. No. The Braves are 49-34 to the Under this year. They can't hit. And won't hit who is sporting a .73 WHIP the last 7 starts. Perez has road splits of .172 BA Against and .95 WHIP in his 6 road starts. Marlins win this and we'll be looking for some Stowers Run/RBI Props also. 4* Money Maker MIAMI MARLINS 

Going UNDER the total. So - some days I like the card and we will fire 5-6 games, and today, I am not really in love with a lot of these games. We will hit this UNDER though. Gavin Williams his last 16 starts (all the way to back May 3rd) has been showing why he was a 1st round pick. A 5.14 ERA .275 BA Against in April -- down 4.27 and .255 in May -- down to 3.68 and .232 in June -- down to 3.51 and .224 in July.  -- Let's start August with 6 innings of 4 hit shutout ball. Nice - Mets counter with their own former 1st Rounder in David Peterson who has shown last years 21 start 10-3 2.90 ERA was no fluke. Now. Like his rotation mate Holmes, I do worry about Peterson's innings mounting. He is already past his career high. He had a couple poor starts end of June. I want to blame it on a CG and then a 7 inning affair. He rebounded nicely in July with a 1.05 ERA in 5 starts with 22 hits allowed in 25+ innings and had a decent 1st a start here in August. Cleveland with the 4th worse road BA in MLB and 9th worse vs lefties. In a get-away early afternoon window, I am expecting something in the 4-1 range and, at worse, a grand total of 7 runs to be scored. 4* Total Money UNDER Cleveland/ Mets