Today the week comes to a close with 15-MLB games. Let's discuss a trio of Sunday matchups receiving notable sharp action...
1:05 p.m. ET: Baltimore Orioles (42-92) at New York Yankees (78-57)
These AL East rivals are at opposite ends of the playoff spectrum. The Yankees currently occupy the first AL Wild Card spot and are within shouting distance of the first-place Rays for the division lead (7.5-games back). Meanwhile, the Orioles have the worst record in baseball. However, Baltimore has been competitive in this series. After New York won the opener 4-3 as -220 home favorites, Baltimore bounced back with a 4-3 win on Saturday as juicy + 280 road dogs. In this afternoon's rubber match, the Orioles hand the ball to lefty Keegan Akin (2-8, 6.90 ERA) and the Yankees counter with veteran righty Corey Kluber (4-3, 3.61 ERA). This line opened with New York listed as a hefty -285 home favorite and Baltimore a + 250 road dog. Wiseguys aren't outsmarting themselves on this one. They're laying the big chalk on the Bronx Bombers, steaming New York up from -285 to -300. Big home favorites -200 or more are 172-66 (72.3%) this season. Jeff Nelson, the home plate ump, is 55% to the home team historically. The Yankees are 63-45 as a favorite and 40-26 at home. Baltimore is 38-84 as a dog and 23-48 on the road. The Yankees are 9-6 against the Orioles this season.
1:07 p.m. ET: Oakland Athletics (74-62) at Toronto Blue Jays (72-62)
Both of these non-division foes are vying for a postseason berth, with the Athletics 4-games back of the 2nd AL Wild Card spot and the Jays right behind them at 5-games back. Toronto has taken the first two games of this pivotal series, winning the opener 11-10 as -145 home favorites and then winning against yesterday 10-8 as -175 home favorites. The red-hot Jays are now 6-1 over their last seven. In this afternoon's series finale, Oakland sends out lefty Cole Irvin (9-12, 3.74 ERA) and Toronto rebuttals with lefty ace Robbie Ray (10-5, 2.71 ERA). This line opened with the Jays listed as a -185 home favorite and the Athletics a + 170 road dog. The public is split and is leaning on the A's to avoid the sweep at a big juicy plus-money price. But pros are riding the hot hand, steaming Toronto up from -185 to -200. Big favorites -200 or more coming off a win are 137-51 (72.9%). Non-division home favorites are 437-269 (61.9%). The Jays will lean on their bats in this one. Toronto is hitting .263, which ranks 2nd-best in MLB. Oakland is hitting .237, which ranks 22nd. Toronto is 4-2 against Oakland this season. The total is 9 with the over juiced to -115, signaling over liability. The over has hit in four straight matchups between these teams and 5-1 overall.
1:10 p.m. ET: Detroit Tigers (64-73) at Cincinnati Reds (73-64)
This Interleague series has been back-and-forth through the first two games. The Tigers stole the opener 15-5 as big + 160 road dogs. Then the Reds bounced back with a 7-4 victory on Saturday as -190 home favorites. In this afternoon's rubber match, Detroit gives the ball to righty Casey Mize (7-7, 3.59 ERA) and Cincinnati taps fellow righty Luis Castillo (7-14, 4.30 ERA). This line opened with the Reds listed as -205 home favorite and the Tigers a + 185 road dog. Sharps aren't scared off by the expensive price on the Reds, steaming Cincinnati up from -205 to -230. Teams receiving 15-cents of steam or more coming off a win are 232-154 (60.1%) this season. Interleague favorites -200 or more are 22-8 (73.3%). Non-division home teams receiving 10-cents of steam or more are 240-158 (60.3%). Cincinnati is 38-32 at home and 55-50 against righties. Detroit is 29-38 on the road and 39-52 against righties.
Remember to check the VSiN Betting Splits every day for money and ticket counts so you can tell who the public is betting on.