Alex Smart

Alex Young (7-4, 3.38 ERA, 61 SO) was roughed up by the Mets in his last start, allowing six runs (one earned) over 2 2/3 innings and looked a little fatigued in that game and very much looks like fade material here tonight in the favorite role. Yes even vs the lowly Marlins.

SMITH the Marlins stater vs Arizona tonight  is 9-3  against the money line against NL West opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

ARIZONA is 5-10 against the money line as a home favorite of -150 to -200 this season.

Play on the Miami Marlins to win on the ML

Brewers Brandon Woodruff (11-3, 3.75 ERA, 136 SO)The All-Star right-hander will be on a limited pitch count in his first start since he strained his left oblique pitching at Arizona on July 21. Veteran left-hander Gio Gonzalez will follow. Im betting on Woodruff and Gonzalez having the edge over what has looked like a fatigued Padres pitcher in Paddock  who is expected to be shut down following Tuesday's start. He has already thrown 45 2/3 more innings than he did last season between Class-A and Double-A.

Padres are 0-5 in their last 5 overall.Padres are 0-7 in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.Padres are 0-6 in their last 6 games vs. a right-handed starter.

Brewers are 12-1 in Woodruffs last 13 home starts.Brewers are 8-1 in Woodruffs last 9 starts during game 2 of a seriesBrewers are 5-0 in their last 5 during game 2 of a series.Brewers are 4-0 in their last 4 home games.Brewers are 10-1 in their last 11 vs. a team with a losing record.WOODRUFF is 10-0  against the money line as a home favorite of -110 or higher this season. (Team's Record)WOODRUFF is 10-0  against the money line at home when the total is 8.5 to 10 this season. (Team's Record)

Play on the Milwaukee Brewers to win on the ML

The As were upset yesterday by the Royals and will be ready for big bounce back here today. Note: The Athletics have won 7 straight as a 140-plus favorite after they lost by one run, winning by an average of 8.43 runs per game qualifying as a strong runline situation. 

OAKLAND is 31-7 against the money line vs. teams outscored by opp by 0.5 or more runs/game in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons with the average rpg diff clicking in at +3.3 rpg. 

MLB Road underdogs against a 1.5 run line. (Money Line +100 or higher) (KANSAS CITY) - poor hitting team (AVG .260 or less) against a good starting pitcher (ERA 4.20 or less ) -AL, with a starting pitcher whose lasts less than 5 innings per start are 15-43 L/22 seasons for a go against 79% conversion rate for bettors.

Play on the Oakland As on the runline -1.5

Rays starter Blake Snell 6-7, 4.28 ERA, 136 SOSnell will make his first start since undergoing arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow on July 25. The expectation is for Snell who will obviously be rusty to pitch two to three innings in his return which could make him easily susceptible  to being banged around by a sometimes potent LA batting order. The Dodgers will counter with right-hander Ross Stripling (4-4, 3.40), whose spot on the postseason roster is not yet secure. The Dodger have an opening for a No. 4 starter if they can advance to the National League Championship Series and Stripling could get consideration with a strong close to the season. This Im betting  will motivate him to a top tier performance . 

Dodgers are 7-1 in Striplings last 8 starts during game 1 of a series.

The Rays are 0-15 on the ML in the first game of a series with rest when their line is within 20 cents of pickem off a game as a favorite in which they had six or fewer hits.

MLB favorites with a money line of -125 to -175 (LA DODGERS) - with a team slugging percentage of .440 or better on the season (NL), with an on base percentage of .300 or worse over their last 15 games are 72-19 L/22 seasons for a 79% conversion rate for bettors.

Play on the LA Dodgers to win on the ML

WNBA Playoffs - Semifinals - Best of 5 - Game 1

This matchup features two of the best front courts in the league, but Im betting what I believe is the superior D, to win this series and game 1.  Sparks have my support getting points. Note:  Sparks are one of the league's original franchises and  have garnered three WNBA titles , and have been to the Finals five times and have an overall culture of winning, and obvious play off experience which gives them in an edge in this environment vs a Connecticut side, that just cant matchup to those numbers, 

WNBA team (CONNECTICUT) - after going over the total by more than 12 points in two consecutive games, a good team (60% to 75%) playing a team with a winning record after 15 or more games are 4-26 ATS L/22 seasons for a go against 87% conversion rate for bettors.

Play on the LA Sparks to cover