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MLB BETTING CHEAT SHEET

By CE Manager | Jul 6, 2015

Covers Expert Jesse Schule presents his comprehensive look at betting notes for the mid-week major league schedule, including L.A.'s Zack Greinke who has been lights out. Check out the keys to this week's action.

Sale Goes For Strikeout Record

White Sox ace Chris Sale is coming off eight consecutive starts with 10 or more strikeouts, tying him with Pedro Martinez. He can set a new standard for consecutive games with double-digit Ks on Monday at home versus the Blue Jays. The southpaw is 1-1 with a 2.57 ERA in two career starts versus Toronto, but both of those came at Rogers Center. The Jays aren't an ideal opponent though, leading the major league in runs scored, and batting a major league best .307 versus left-handers. 

Tigers Over Trend at 16 and Counting...

Detroit has now seen the total go over in 16 straight, and given the way they've been playing, there may be no end in sight. Their starting rotation is struggling, and the bullpen has been a complete disaster over the past few weeks. The defense has been brutal as well, evidence by two more errors in Sunday's loss to Toronto. On a positive note for the Tigers, their bats have been hot, scoring 28 runs in five games in July, and they led the majors batting .281 in June. 

Greinke Working On 27 2/3 Scoreless Innings Streak

While Clayton Kershaw continues to struggle, Zack Greinke is stealing the show out west in LA. He's leading the major leagues with a 1.48 ERA, and he's now gone 27 2/3 innings without surrendering a run. He'll have an excellent chance to extend that run at home against the Phillies on Thursday. 

Pitching Notes

- Hisashi Iwakuma will come off the DL on Monday to start in the series opener versus the Tigers. The 34 year old hasn't pitched for Seattle since April, but his performance at Triple-A was quite encouraging. He was 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA in three starts, pitching a total of 13 1/3 innings. Iwakuma is 20-12 with a 2.82 ERA in 42 starts at Safeco since 2012.

- Yovani Gallardo has quietly been dominating out in Texas. The right-hander has not allowed a run over 26 1/3 innings in his last four starts, and the last three came on the road. His numbers at home aren't too shabby either, going 4-2 with a 2.23 ERA in seven starts in Arlington. He should have an excellent chance to continue his success in his next start at home versus Arizona, he's 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in his last five starts versus the Diamondbacks.

Hitting Notes

- Last year's AL batting champ Jose Altuve sat out seven games due to injury in mid June, but he's riding a 13 game hitting streak since returning. He could be gearing up for another strong second half, as he hit .349 after the All Star break in 2014.

- Cubs Rookie Kris Bryant was benched for the first time in his career on July 2nd, and he's responded well going 5-for-15 with a pair of home runs and six RBIs in three games since.

Totals Streak

The Tigers as I already mentioned have been trending toward the over, and they head out on the road to face the Mariners in their pitcher's park on Monday. They've seen the total go over in nine straight road games, and 22-5-1 in their last 28 overall. The bookmakers are expecting this trend to cool off at Safeco, with a total of O/U 7 in Game 1 of the series. 

Injury Notes

- The Nats have placed Stephen Strasburg on the 15 day DL with a strained oblique. The 26 year old has had a nightmare of a season posting a 5-5 record with a 5.16 ERA in 13 starts. 

- For the first time in his career, Miguel Cabrera will go on the DL with a strained calf. He's expected to miss at least six weeks. It's a huge blow for the Tigers, as the 32 year old was batting a major league best .350.