Top Shelf Sports Pick
MLB MINNESOTA TWINS ‑140
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Shadow Sports Syndicate
MLB HOUSTON ASTROS ‑1.5 ‑160
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Donny action
mlb atlanta braves +115
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Mikey Money
MLB OAKLAND ATHLETICS/CHICAGO WHITE SOX under 9
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ERIC SCHROEDER
The free pick run continues tonight, as I take this 16-6 win streak into Cincinnati, where I like the Reds to get things done against the Chicago Cubs for a third straight night.
I told you the Reds were a value at +155 on Thursday night, and I liked them at +130 on Friday night. Tonight I'm on them again.
While I know the Cubs own Cincinnati, they're not undefeated in the series, they're just 43-21 over the last four seasons. So that's about 2 out of every 3 games. Why not take the streaking Reds, with plenty of value while riding a five-game win streak?
While the Cubs are battling the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the National League Central, the Reds are fighting their way out of the cellar. They're 15 back of the Brewers, but only six back of fourth-place Pittsburgh.
The Reds have won eight of 12 after taking a 6-3 win over the Cubs on Friday, and are riding some offensive momentum with the seventh-best batting average (.254) in baseball. This month, Cincinnati is hitting a league third-best .281.
And if you look deeper, the Reds are not overpowering teams with power hitting or a lot of runs. They're simply finding ways to win, by manufacturing runs.
That could be troublesome for the Cubs if they overlook Cincinnati's tenacity a third straight night. Chicago has struggled to plate runs this month, with just 74 across, 21st in the league.
Let's take a shot here, as Cincinnati aims for the win.
5* REDS
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JACK BRAYMAN
My free winner for tonight is on the Cleveland Indians on the Run Line, against the Detroit Tigers.
Though pitchers are automatically listed when making Run Line wagers, I am insisting you DO NOT worry about who the scheduled starters are. In the event of a scratch, you MUST re-wager the game with the new pitcher(s) who are scheduled. This play will stand no matter who pitches for either team.
We have the top two teams in the American League Central, but only one of them has a better-than .500 record. The Indians (41-33) lead the division by six games, while the Tigers (36-40) are in second place, just in front of the Minnesota Twins.
Cleveland has won five straight and is 25-13 at home this season.
The Tigers, who have lost three in a row and are 13-23 on the road, have been less than impressive this month, hitting just .229 in June. Their run production is significantly lower than they'd like, with just 73 runs scored in June.
They won't be able to contend with the red-hot Indians, who should win this by a few runs.
3* INDIANS RUN LINE
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CHRIS JORDAN
My free play tonight resides in Anaheim, where I'm playing the Angels against the Toronto Blue Jays. It's a cheap price to lay on a streaking team that has its sights set on earning a wild-card spot before the All-Star Break.
The Angels (41-35) took the first two games of this series and have closed to within five games of the Seattle Mariners for the second wild-card spot in the American League. The Halos have made up 3 1/2 games since Tuesday. as the Mariners have lost a season-high five straight games.
Toronto, which has lost two straight, is now 14-21 on the road after last night's disappointing 2-1 loss to the Angels. The Blue Jays are playing poorly this month, and dipped to fourth place in the A.L. East.
Let's play the cheap price on the Halos in this one.
2* ANGELS
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ROSS BENJAMIN
MLB | Jun 23, 2018
Orioles vs. Braves
UNDER 8½ -114
Play On: Under 8.5 (-114)
Dylan Bundy has exhibited excellent form during his previous 3 starts by posting a 1.71 ERA and 0.86 WHIP in that span. Baltimore has collected a paltry .216 team batting average during its previous 10 games when facing right-handed pitching.
Julio Teheran has shown good form over his last 3 starts while compiling a 3.18 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. Atlanta has a dismal .203 team batting average when go against right-handed pitcher thru its last 10 games.
This one has the earmarks of a low scoring affair. Bet on this game to go under the total for my Saturday 6/23 MLB free pick.
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