Ricky’s 8* play on the under Yanks/Royals.

Last night’s game was postponed due to inclement weather. JA Happ gets the nod for the visitors in the opener of this double-header, while Jakob Junis gets the nod for the home side. Junis is 3-5 with a 5.69 ERA, while Happ is 3-3 with a 5.16 ERA. Happ though is 4-3 with a 3.99 ERA lifetime vs. KC. Junis enters off his best star of the year, giving up four earned runs over seven innings with six K’s vs. the Angels on Saturday. I think these hungry starters are going to battle deep. 

Key Trends:

- New York has seen the total go under in seven of its last ten road games following a three games or more unbeaten streak.

- The Royals have seen the total dip under in nine of their last 12 home games as an underdog in the +125 to +200 range.

The verdict: I think the shift to the double-header today is a distraction and I believe these hungry starters will take advantage. This number is a little high, play the under!

Ricky’s 10* play on the under Braves/Cards.

The Braves go with rookie Mike Soroka (5-1, 1.01 ERA) and the Cardinals go with Dakota Hudson (3-3, 4.40). Atlanta won the series opener 5-2 last night and I think that with these two hungry “studs” squaring off on Saturday, that runs will once again be at a premium.

Key Trends:

- The Braves have seen the total go under in 20 of their last 32 vs. right-handed starters.

- St. Louis has seen the total go under in 40 of its last 60 at home when the money line is set between -125 and +125.

The verdict: Expect these two young starters to throw deep into the latter frames. Play the under!

Ricky’s 8* play on the Houston Astros. 

Houston held on for a 4-3 win last night and I think it carries that momentum over here. The Astros go with Brad Peacock (5-3, 3.59 ERA), who posted a third straight victory on Monday by going five scoreless vs. the White Sox, giving up two hits and recording nine K’s (note that Peacock definitely comes in on top form, posting a minuscule 0.53 ERA and 24 K’s compared to only five walks over his past three starts.) The Red Sox go with David Price (2-2, 3.29) who has been a bright spot on the pitching staff this year. It’s difficult to say anything negative about Price, I just think he’s in the wrong place at the wrong time here. 

Key Trends:

- Boston is just 3-6 (-3.5 units) this season when the money line in the contest is set between -125 and +125.

- Houston is 14-5 (+6.4 units) as a favorite in the -125 to -175 range this year.

The verdict: Peacock is arguably the best pitcher in all of MLB right now and at this price at home, I think he’s the correct call in this matchup. Lay the short price!

Ricky’s 8* play on the Seattle Mariners. 

The Mariners welcome back slugger Kyle Seager to the line-up and I think they’ll find a way to pull off the minor upset on Saturday night. The M’s come in focused after losing four straight. The A’s come in complacent after winning seven straight. Seager though will help an infield that’s made a league worst 57 errors, as he’s already a two-time gold glove winner. The M’s go with Yusei Kikuchi (3-1, 3.43 ERA), while the home side goes with Mike Fiers (3-3, 5.05). Note that Kikuchi is 0-0 with a 3.38 ERA in two starts vs. Oakland, while Fiers is a terrible 2-2 with a 6.36 ERA in ten starts vs. Seattle.

Key Trends:

- Seattle is still 8-4 (+4.4 units) in its last 12 off two straight road losses vs. a division rival.

- Oakland is only 2-5 (-3.8 units) in its last seven after six or more straight victories.

The verdict: I like Kikuchi to get the better of his volatile counterpart. Play on the Mariners!

Ricky’s 8* play on the Cubs.

After last night’s crushing ninth inning loss, I think the home side bounces back here. The Reds hand the ball to Tyler Mahle (1-5, 3.51 ERA) and clearly he’s thrown a lot better than what his win/loss record would indicate. Note though that Mahle was just 7-9 with a 4.98 ERA last year, including just 5-5 with a 5.01 ERA on the road. Yu Darvish (2-3, 5.06) gets the call for the Cubs and he’ll be looking to get back on track after allowing five runs over four innings vs. the Cards on Saturday. Darvish has traded good starts with horrible ones this year. 

Key Trends:

- The Reds are just 4-10 (-4.8 units) this year as a road dog in the +100 to +150 range.

- The Cubs are still 9-2 (+6 units) this season as a home favorite in the -125 to -175 range.

The verdict: I think Mahle finally takes a step back and I like the veteran Darvish to get back on track in front of the home town crowd. Lay the price with confidence!

Ricky’s 8* play on the under Yanks/Royals.

Key Angle: It's important to remember that Ricky never makes a bet on any game based on just one angle. In order to make the grade, all his premium picks must meet several important criteria. He doesn't share all his secrets within his analysis, instead he chooses to reveal only the angle that he feels is the most significant. 

Key Trends:

Analysis posted shortly.

Ricky’s 10* play on the over.

Key Angle: It's important to remember that Ricky never makes a bet on any game based on just one angle. In order to make the grade, all his premium picks must meet several important criteria. He doesn't share all his secrets within his analysis, instead he chooses to reveal only the angle that he feels is the most significant. 

- Do or die. I think that the fact the Bucks are facing elimination will push the visitors to push the pace from the opening tip until the final horn. The Raptors have been exceptional defensively over the last three games, but if Milwaukee has any hopes of pushing this series to a decisive Game 7, it’ll have to take Toronto out of its “comfort zone.” I think Game 6 finally sets up as a “shootout.” 

Key Trends:

- Milwaukee has seen the total go over the number in seven of its last nine road games following a two games or more SU losing streak.

- The Raptors have seen the total go over the number in ten of their last 16 home games following a two games or more SU/ATS win streak.

The verdict: With the visitors setting the early tone, I definitely am expecting a faster paced, higher-scoring affair in Game 6. Play the over!