Handicapper Ben Burns

I'm playing on Chicago/Pittsburgh OVER the total. The bats have been quiet in this series but I expect that to change this evening. Keller has an ugly 7.94 ERA and 2.00 WHIP through four starts. All four produced a minimum of nine runs, the OVER going 2-0-2. The Pirates saw Quintana twice in July. While he was relatively solid, both games still produced double-digits in runs, an 8-3 final and an 11-3 final. Including those results, the OVER is a healthy 21-9 when the Pirates have faced a southpaw starter. Overall, even factoring in the past couple of low-scoring games, excluding pushes, the OVER is still 69-47 in Pittsburgh games overall. Both previous "Little League Classics" produced a minimum of nine runs. I expect this one to hit double-digits. 

I'm playing on TEXAS. The Twins took yesterday's game but I expect the Rangers to respond this afternoon. Lynn has allowed just one earned run in three straight starts, good for a sparkling 1.42 ERA. While Perez did bounce back with a strong start last time out, he's still got a poor 5.82 ERA his past three. Its also worth mentioning that he walked more (4) than he struck out (3) last time out. While Lynn, a former Twin, will start against Minnesota for the first time, the Rangers already had a look at Perez last month. The Rangers have thrived as favorites. No sweep here!

I'm playing on TORONTO. The Mariners may have won (4-3) yesterday but this young Bluejay team has been playing well for some time now. Facing a struggling southpaw, I expect the Jays to bounce back and close out the homestand with a win. Note that Kikuchi has an ugly 8.76 ERA and 2.109 WHIP his last three. In fact, he's now 1-7 with a 7.50 ERA his last 14 starts. During that span, he's served up 23 home runs in just 66 innings, opposing batters hitting .346 overall. Font won't be going deep but that doesn't mean that the Jays won't get good pitching. Last time out, Font went two scoreless innings and was followed by Pannone, who went four more scoreless innings. Toronto won 3-0. The Jays have faced just four left-handed starters since late July, winning three of those games. Expect them to finish on top. 

I'm playing on CHELSEA. Leicester won here last season. Don't expect it to happen again. Losing Harry Maguire (transfer to Man Utd) was a huge loss for Leicester. Even last year's win here was a bit fortunate for Leicester. Chelsea had a signifcant edge in shots (17-8) and corners (9-5) as well as a 73% to 27% edge in terms of possession. Off an embarrassing 4-0 loss last week, expect Chelsea to be all business here, bouncing back with a much-needed win.