MLB Sharp Action
1:10 p.m. ET: Los Angeles Angels (61-61) at Detroit Tigers (58-64)
The Angels have won the first two games of this series, taking the opener 8-2 as + 130 road dogs and then winning again last night 3-1 as -130 road favorites behind a stellar two-way performance by Shohei Ohtani, who is now -1200 to win the AL MVP at BetMGM (92.3% implied probability). In tonight's rematch, Los Angeles hands the ball to lefty Jose Quintana (0-3, 6.12 ERA) and Detroit counters with righty Matt Manning (3-5, 6.10 ERA), who was selected 9th overall by the Tigers in 2016. This line opened with the Angels listed as a -125 road favorite and the Tigers a + 115 home dog. The public is riding the Angels to complete the sweep, yet we've seen Los Angeles fall from -125 to -110. This signals some sharp reverse line movement on the Tigers (+ 115 to + 110). Essentially, the game is moving toward a pick'em. Home teams receiving 10-cents of steam or more are 214-129 (62.4%) this season. Detroit also has value as a short dog with a high total. Historically, high totals have benefited dogs as the more expected runs scored leads to more variance and upset opportunities.
2:10 p.m. ET: Oakland Athletics (68-53) at Chicago White Sox (71-50)
The White Sox have dominated the Athletics so far this series, going a perfect 3-0 and outscoring Oakland 17-4 along the way. In this afternoon's series finale, the Athletics start lefty Cole Irvin (8-11, 3.52 ERA) and the White Sox trot out righty Dylan Cease (9-6, 4.04 ERA). This line opened with the White Sox listed as a -135 home favorite and the Athletics a + 125 road dog. Wiseguys are riding the hot hand and backing the White Sox to complete the sweep, steaming Chicago up from -135 to -160. Non-division home favorites are 381-239 (61.5%) this season. Sweet spot non-division home favorites between -150 and -175 are 86-45 (65.5%). Chicago is 37-19 (66.1%) as a home favorite. The White Sox have also mashed lefties this year, going 21-12. Chicago is 61-33 as a favorite. Oakland is 15-20 as a dog. The Southsiders will once again lean on their offense. Chicago is hitting .251, which ranks 6th-best in MLB. Oakland is hitting .237, which ranks 21st. We could also be looking at a lower scoring game. The total is 9 with the under juiced to -115, signaling a possible drop to 8.5. The forecast calls for low 80s with 7-10 MPH winds blowing in from left center. The under is 2-0-1 this series.
7:45 p.m. ET: Milwaukee Brewers (74-47) at St. Louis Cardinals (61-58)
The Brewers have taken the first two games of this series, winning the opener 2-0 as -160 road favorites and winning again on Wednesday 6-4 as -125 road favorites. Milwaukee has now won four straight and eight of their last nine. The Brewers are tied with the Rays for the 3rd-best record in baseball, trailing only the Giants and Dodgers. Milwaukee is + 350 to win the National League and + 900 to win the World Series. In tonight's series finale, the Brewers send out ace righty Brandon Woodruff (7-6, 2.18 ERA) and the Cardinals counter with veteran lefty Jon Lester (4-6, 5.32 ERA). This line opened with Milwaukee listed as a hefty -177 road favorite and St. Louis a + 162 home dog. Wiseguys aren't outsmarting themselves on this one. They're backing the better, hotter team with the glaring starting pitching advantage, steaming Milwaukee up from -177 to -200. Teams coming off a win receiving 15-cents of steam or more are 212-139 (60.4%) this season. Big favorites -200 or more coming off a win are 115-39 (74.7%), Milwaukee is 56-36 as a favorite. St. Louis is 24-35 as a dog. The Brewers are + 117 in run differential. The Cardinals are -25.