I've been traveling for a couple of days - but now back to normal - whatever that is. Maybe calling NCAAB players out on Twitter, you just never know. To those that signed up early for NFL/CFB, thank you - I'll put the free play here _____ at some point and add some additional thoughts as well as some Thursday NFL ramblings.
Nats/Rockies: There's a good reason why Strasburg is -160 on the road. In part it's because he's good, but more importantly because Gray has started to show signs of cracking. Back to back terrible outings, not pitching deep at all, and throwing 111 pitches last game.
Pirates/Giants: There was a time when getting Matt Cain at home at -120 was GOY material - he hasn't thrown six innings since May. The good news for Giants backers is that the Pirates have seen very little of him. I thought perhaps Nova would fare better in the NL without a DH, and the Pirates have won his first two starts. The bad news is that against the Dodgers he might have been fortunate rather than good. In five innings he had 4 ground ball outs and 18 fly ball outs, allowing nine hits - so some deception there. Better bullpen wins.
Jays/Yankees: Like Matt Cains' situation, there was a time that Sabathia at +140 at home just wouldn't happen. Often times it's an over reaction. Not having Bautista in is actually a positive in this situation because he's all of 4-37 against CC. I've been waiting for Happ to implode all year, and except for a couple of starts, it hasn't happened. I like the under here, and depending on how the bullpens are used (or not) on Tuesday, I might make a case for the Yankees RL.
Boston/Baltimore: I know we're always going to pay a premium for David Price, but with the high-pitch-count game he just had combined with how many times the Orioles have seen him (when he was in Tampa Bay) there is no chance I'm backing him on the road. With as well as Tillman has been at home, that's a fairly easy bet (RL at least) to make for me, barring whatever happens Tuesday night that effects Wednesday.
Oakland/Texas: So on Tuesday night Harrell opens at -160 and closes near -120 to the A's and Triggs. On Wednesday Darvish opens at -215, or almost $1.00 higher. With the ineptness that the Rangers pen has been known to display, the only way I could bet the Rangers is F5 - and if the total in scorching hot Texas in August is ONLY 9 - I could perhaps make the case for both the under and the A's RL for the game.