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00:00Yeah, now playoff picture here coming into focus. Why? Well, we're heading into the middle of the month of August. Only a month and a half left to go in a Major League Baseball season. That seems like a marathon, which is now seemingly, Joe, turning into a sprint. And why? The Philadelphia Phillies have opened up a five and a half game lead over the New York Mets in the NL East. The Milwaukee Brewers have opened up a six game lead over the Chicago Cubs. And now you see the Los Angeles Dodgers losing yesterday. The Padres winning two games in a row. The Padres now within two games of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
00:28If we're looking at the division leaders right now, the Dodgers, we still think are going to win it, but it's only two games. Can you call the series already? Or should I say the season already for the Phillies and the Brewers as they are going to win those divisions because the leads they have in mid-August?
00:44Well, no, we might get a little more clarity. But again, keeping in mind, the Dodgers and the Padres have two series coming up here over the next seven weeks.
00:53So to me, Donnie, that could determine whether or not we stick a fork in one of these teams and your division winner is going to be, I think, whoever ends up showing up and showing out in dominating those two upcoming series between them.
01:09That's where it's going to be decided. The same thing, by the way, the Cubs and the Brewers also have a big series coming up.
01:17So a lot to be determined in his final seven weeks. But I'm telling you, that division between the Dodgers and the Padres, far from over yet if you're just handing it to the Dodgers.
01:28It's going to be a lot of fun to watch, too. And rightfully so.
01:31Like we were thinking that maybe four teams would be battling once we got to the mid-month of August into September.
01:37But of course, you know, the San Francisco Giants has a little bit to be desired there.
01:40There's a lot to be desired of the Arizona Diamondbacks at this point.
01:43We thought both of those teams probably factoring into at least a wild card race, which we'll get to right now.
01:49If the season ended today, Joe, in the National League, the Chicago Cubs, 67 wins and 50 losses.
01:54They hold a four and a half game lead in the wild card standings.
01:57The Padres, if the season ended today, Joe, would be in the playoffs, 66 and 52, a three-game lead in the wild card race.
02:03Then followed up by the New York Mets. Here's the issue now.
02:07We probably thought like we knew who the six teams would be in Major League Baseball's National League to make the playoffs.
02:13But now the Reds only sit a game and a half back of the New York Mets.
02:16The St. Louis Cardinals, three and a half games back of the Mets and four games back is the San Francisco Giants.
02:21Once was one thought to be like ironclad these teams are getting in.
02:25And we still have six weeks left to go in the season.
02:27But the New York Mets, man, the pressure is really going to start to ramp up soon.
02:32Yeah, it is. But the good news is they've got, well, the Reds chasing them.
02:37And anybody who watched that series this past weekend against Pittsburgh, I mean, every time they tried to pull away,
02:46the bullpen managed to figure out a way to get the worst hitting team in baseball, the Pittsburgh Pirates,
02:51an opportunity to get right back into it.
02:54So, listen, we all thought the Reds would be maybe a team that could surprise everyone.
03:00It's not like they don't have a shortage of talent.
03:02But when you score two runs or less in 40 games so far this season,
03:08in one of the most ridiculous hitter-friendly ballparks in all of Major League Baseball,
03:13we have a problem.
03:14Mix in a bad bullpen, and again, I think they have breathing room, the Mets, when it comes to them versus the Reds,
03:22but they've got to play better baseball.
03:24That's the bottom line.
03:25It's not a lack of talent.
03:27They've just got to start playing smarter baseball.
03:30Yeah, for me, like just lining up that division and saying, all right, well, the Reds,
03:34they'll probably get left out at this point, maybe not enough excitement there from the bats.
03:37And as you pointed out, you're playing one of the best hitters' ballpark in Major League Baseball.
03:41Hitting should not be the issue, and always in the past, hitting wasn't the issue for the Reds.
03:44It was getting enough starters in there to sort of hold down the fort.
03:47But now if we do take a look at the National League winner, which would be the pennant,
03:50the Dodgers still have a comforting lead here in the odds market at plus 150.
03:54The Phillies, though, closing that down at a plus 350 price.
03:57The Brewers 5-1, the Padres 8-1, the Cubs plus 850,
04:00and then there sits the New York Mets at a plus 950.
04:03And the thing that's fun about that is we just talked about the Mets are a game and a half up
04:07in the wild card race from the Cincinnati Reds.
04:09But the Cincinnati Reds are 60, not 16-1, Joe, 60-1 to win the pennant here.
04:16But I do find myself looking at the New York Mets saying,
04:18there's too much talent on that team.
04:20And we know how things work out, even with the Philadelphia Phillies in the playoffs last year.
04:23Hey, we're a good baseball team.
04:24Mets get hot at the end of the year.
04:25Mets knock the Phillies out of the playoffs.
04:27We've seen that happen before.
04:29Instead of taking the favorites like the Dodgers at a plus 150 price,
04:32the Mets will rebound.
04:33The Mets will play lower competition.
04:35The Mets will win four to five games in a row and close it.
04:37Are they worth a plus 950 price for you right now, Joe?
04:41Yeah, well, and you're right, Donnie, because looking at what they have the rest of this month,
04:44they got the Braves twice, the Nationals, the Marlins.
04:49Outside of the Mariners and the Phillies, every other series there is very winnable.
04:54A lot of winnable games on this schedule the rest of the month for the Mets today.
04:58No doubt about that.
05:01And also, like, it is going to be fun to watch.
05:03In Major League Baseball, the cream usually rises to the top in the summer months,
05:06because it's six months here that you have to go into Major League Baseball season.
05:09But all you got to do is sprint to that finish line, be the hot team you can make your way to a World Series.
05:13The Diamondbacks did it.
05:14Why can't the New York Mets?
05:15More talk, top of the hour next.
05:17Major League Baseball's American League.
05:20It's a Monday here on the Early Line on the Sports Grid Network,
05:22and we were getting the people ready for this week,
05:25but also taking a look back at what happened this past weekend,
05:27because a lot of stuff happened here.
05:28Take the knowledge, Joe, from the weekend and play it forward to this week
05:32and put more money in your pocket.
05:33It was a fun weekend in Major League Baseball,
05:35a nice card setting up here on a Monday.
05:37And by the way, too, if you guys were paying attention on Friday's show,
05:40we like to go buy-buy-buys, which will happen at the end of this hour.
05:43Think about Best Bets, Joe.
05:44Friday's payday, we like to say.
05:46How about 2-0 on our buy-buy-buys this past Friday?
05:48How about that?
05:50Yeah, it went back to the well again, right?
05:52If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
05:53We went with the Milwaukee Brewers,
05:56and, well, we know they haven't lost in about a month.
05:59But your prop was pretty impressive, though.
06:01A couple of guys looking for a hit on the athletics,
06:04and voila, we end up sweeping the board on Friday.
06:08Every which way possible is how we like to get it done.
06:10But at this time of the show, we like to reach out to the people, Joe,
06:13when you're in, tell them, or I should say ask them,
06:15their opinions on some certain things that we need to know.
06:18So here is our public poll here.
06:19Fade it.
06:26Joe, and I read Donnie Wright's out here,
06:29and you know the easiest way to get a hold of this poll.
06:31Go on our X account here at SportsGrid.
06:34The question that was asked today, very simple, very straightforward.
06:38Who is the best bet to win the American League pennant?
06:40We have you four options here.
06:41Three with teams, and one you could fill in the blanks with, as we like to say.
06:45Team number one, the Detroit Tigers at a plus 390 price.
06:48Team number two, the Seattle Mariners at a plus 410 price.
06:51Team number three, the Toronto Blue Jays at a plus 430 price.
06:56So essentially teams at the top of the standings in the American League.
06:59The other is a reply, which we're getting a lot of Houston Astros action.
07:03But how it breaks down right now, for me, Joe, I voted for the Mariners.
07:06They currently sit in first place with the people as well at 33.3%.
07:10Second place, slightly ahead of the other replies, is the Blue Jays at about 26%.
07:17Other replies at 24% and then the Tigers, who nobody respects at 16.7%.
07:22The disrespecting of the Tigers right now, even though they have the best price to win the pennant here.
07:27How about that?
07:29Which is crazy because they may not get past the Guardians in that division to win it.
07:34So I am fading the public here, Donnie, because I think the winner of the American League is coming out of that other category here.
07:45It is far too close in across the board here, even the teams battling for the three wildcard spots.
07:52With seven weeks to go, there is a lot of firepower in that other category that can put it together and make a run, including the Rangers, including the Guardians, including the Yankees, including the Reds.
08:05I mean, you just go right down that list.
08:07I don't trust either of those top four teams to maintain over the next seven weeks that they're going to be one of the favorites to win it in the American League.
08:17I think the other category has got a better shot.
08:20Yeah, how about this, too?
08:21If we look at the American League teams, right, that are leading the divisions, and we're going to go with like an order, like the Blue Jays, the Tigers, and the Astros.
08:28If you had to just pick one of those three teams that you figure can advance the farthest year and maybe win an American League pennant, of those division leaders, who would be on your card today?
08:39Yeah, well, the Blue Jays have certainly been impressive here, and I love, I don't love the starting rotation, but I love the bullpen, and the bats are there.
08:50But if it ain't broke, Donnie, don't fix it.
08:52How many times do we really want to be sitting here in two months and be like, how do we not see the Astros?
08:58Like, how did we not bet the Astros to once again do it and drive everyone crazy?
09:02So today, I would still go with the Astros.
09:05Experience matters.
09:07How about if we take a look at the wild card race?
09:09Because in the National League, again, just thinking a week ago, it was a closed-case scenario.
09:12Yeah, either the Mets or the Phillies, and, you know, they'll get in here.
09:15Now the Mets struggling and giving an eye-opening response here to the Reds.
09:19It's like, look at the Reds.
09:20Can the Reds even jump anybody at this point?
09:21We'll find out, but we've got some teams here in the American League that are going to make a run.
09:25First place right now, if the season ended in the wild card run, will be the Seattle Mariners.
09:2966 wins, a three-and-a-half-game lead here cushion.
09:32Number two is the Boston Red Sox.
09:3465 wins, and a two-and-a-half-game cushion.
09:36Then the New York Yankees.
09:38Okay, if the season ends today, all is well.
09:40New York's in the playoffs.
09:41But look just behind them.
09:42The Cleveland Guardians, like that zombie squad that didn't get any help at the deadline and traded away pieces,
09:48now playing some really good baseball winners of eight of their past 10 games.
09:51They're only a half-game back from the Yankees.
09:52The Texas Rangers, who were right in it, they just tussled with the Philadelphia Phillies
09:56and just couldn't get in enough base hits there.
09:58They get swept, but they're only two-and-a-half games back.
10:00The Kansas City Royals lost a devastating game, which I'm still angry about yesterday.
10:04They're four games back.
10:06If we just look at that final wild card spot with the Yankees,
10:08the Guardians, I just don't know if they have enough,
10:12but the Rangers would be my spotlight team right now outside of currently being in the wild card race.
10:18Well, listen, the Rangers, they've lost four in a row,
10:22but they're playing some quality competition here.
10:25I think the Rangers set up to, when they're playing 500 or less than 500 teams,
10:30advantage Rangers for sure.
10:32But can they compete with the upper echelon here, teams that are better than that?
10:38I think that remains to be seen.
10:40But the Yankees, listen, it's not a shortage of talent.
10:43The Yankees have, they just have to put it together.
10:47And right now, Donnie, are we getting the Yankees at the bottom of the price point here?
10:53Should we be buying low on the Yankees to make a run at this?
10:57Is that a, at six to one, did we ever think we'd get them at six to one
11:01as a possible wild card team to win it all?
11:05It's pretty crazy, right?
11:06No, like you're trying to extrapolate what you were getting at the beginning of the season
11:10to what you're getting now.
11:11And also, hey, Aaron Judge, you want to wake up and start hitting some home runs here
11:14to try to help out that lineup?
11:15It could happen.
11:16And the one thing we do know is this is a game of streaks.
11:18Like, why are the Mariners only a half game out of first place
11:21and in the lead now in the wild card race?
11:23Well, winners of seven straight games, nine of their last 10 games.
11:26The Boston Red Sox, yes, they've lost two in a row,
11:28but they still won seven out of their past 10.
11:31The New York Yankees, winners of three games over their past 10.
11:34That's not going to work out.
11:35And then the Guardians, who did lose yesterday,
11:37but winners of eight of their past 10 games.
11:39Ebbs and flows of Major League Baseball.
11:41Buying low is the key.
11:42Like, nobody wanted to buy, you know, let's just say Shoya Otani today
11:45at a minus 20,000 price to win MVP.
11:48Same way as nobody wanted to buy minus 20,000 when Aaron Judge was that high.
11:51But just a week and a half, two weeks ago, Aaron Judge was sitting there.
11:54Joe, what?
11:55A plus money number against Cal Raleigh.
11:57That's buying low at that point.
11:59And now he's back to being the favorite.
12:00So I agree with you.
12:01Like, both New York teams, right?
12:02If we could look at the National League and the American League,
12:04you say, if you were buying in on the Yankees and the Mets right now,
12:07you're getting much better price points than you would have just a few short weeks ago.
12:10And nobody has an easier remaining schedule than the New York Yankees here.
12:17I mean, we're talking Twins, Cardinals, Nationals, White Sox.
12:22The series, August 21st through the 24th at home against the Red Sox, Donnie,
12:27could be what determines between those two teams what happens from there.
12:33So the schedule lines up great for the Yankees,
12:37but they're going to have to get through the Red Sox in a four-game series there in the middle of August.
12:44We'll find out.
12:46We're in those dog days right now into the teams.
12:48People shift that focus over to the NFL.
12:50But you better be paying attention to the American League standings here,
12:53and particularly who's going to win the pennant because it is up in the air.
12:56The Tigers right now.
12:57The darlings of Major League Baseball until what?
12:59The past two weeks where it feels like their league goes from 12 games down to six games.
13:03There's still a plus 390 price here to win the pennant in the American League.
13:06The Seattle Mariners, a plus 420 price, along with the Blue Jays tied at a plus 420 price.
13:11Astros, plus 450.
13:12Yankees, 6-1.
13:13Red Sox, 7-1.
13:15The Astros are one of those teams that you just can't kill.
13:17They're supposed to be dead last year.
13:18They came back from the dead.
13:20They're supposed to be dead this year.
13:20They came back from the dead.
13:21They have so many injuries on that baseball team,
13:24and yet they are still in first place just ahead of the Seattle Mariners.
13:27Why don't we take a look at that Astros lineup here
13:29at a plus 450 price?
13:30Do they have enough staying power to get back in business here
13:34and maybe win the American League?
13:36Yeah.
13:37Again, it's so hard to bet against them, Donny,
13:41because nobody thought they'd be at this particular spot, yet here we are.
13:45Plus, they went out and upgraded, so they got a little more pop.
13:49Yordan Alvarez, by the way, is swinging now.
13:52He's got rehab stint coming up.
13:54They're about to become healthy at the right time,
13:58so very hard to look against the Houston Astros.
14:01Good starting pitching as well.
14:02Like, Javier back into that lineup now as a starting pitcher.
14:05I like what I see here.
14:06I just need to see that complete package.
14:08Like, can we get the boys back in business by early September
14:11to get that true look at what the Astros can be?
14:13Because one thing I do know is when they get to the playoffs,
14:15they certainly win baseball games.
14:17They're not the darlings of Major League Baseball for other reasons,
14:20like asterisks there, on winning World Series and banging trash cans.
14:23But the one thing you can't deny is once they get to the postseason,
14:26cheating or not, they're in it to win it.
14:28No doubt about it.
14:29Let's get back on track and handicaps Major League Baseball.
14:32What up next?
14:33Come on down, people.
14:35Let's watch a little Major League Baseball action
14:36and handicap it along the way.
14:38Here, you got games that start today.
14:39No afternoon action, Joe.
14:40First game's going to start at 610.
14:42You got a nice little night capper out there in Sacramento at 1005.
14:44So a nice night of baseball,
14:45which I don't think we have any NFL preseason action.
14:48So we'll focus on the majors here.
14:50And by the way, focal point, big series in Houston today.
14:54Boston and Houston opens it up.
14:56Garrett Crochet, the lefty, is going to be on the mound
14:57for the Boston Red Sox.
14:59Christian Javier back to the mound here for the Houston Astros,
15:02adding in some intrigue and fortifying
15:04that really good starting pitching staff.
15:06963, 964 on the rotation.
15:08810 start tonight.
15:10Look at that side.
15:11Boston on the road as a minus 175 favorite.
15:14A total that's listed at 7 1⁄2.
15:17Houston at home getting that much.
15:19Why is that, Joe?
15:20Best pitcher rated on my card today.
15:22Garrett Crochet, 277 ERA over the past 45 days
15:25and a 2.42 XFIP number.
15:27But should that number be that high for Boston on the road?
15:32Yeah, that's the problem is, I mean, yes,
15:34it's great to have Christian Javier back if I am the Astros.
15:38But the problem is he's making his season debut.
15:41He hasn't pitched in 14 months.
15:43He's coming off of Tommy John surgery.
15:48Okay, not sure exactly how much we're going to get of him,
15:51which means we're going to need that bullpen of Houston
15:54to get involved here.
15:55But the good news is because the Yankees are horrific,
15:59they didn't have to use any of those high leverage guys.
16:02So I think Hayter only pitched in one game there
16:05in that series against the Yankees.
16:07So they're going to be in pretty good shape there.
16:10I think any time you can give me in what I think is going to be
16:13a low-scoring game, you want to give me a run and a half, Donnie?
16:16You want me to give me the home team here in Houston
16:19and spot them a run and a half?
16:21I'll do it.
16:22I'll take it all day long.
16:24I think Houston is very competitive in this game.
16:26Yeah, Crochet's got really, really good numbers here.
16:29But also Houston, who doesn't really hit left-handed pitching all that well.
16:32Correct me if I'm wrong.
16:33Yesterday was a lefty on the mound in New York by the name of Max Freed.
16:36They did well against him.
16:37Crochet, better pitcher right now, obviously, than Max Freed.
16:39But lefties back-to-back days, we'll see if Houston can certainly
16:42come up with some base knocks.
16:43The one thing we never doubt on a day-to-day basis anymore
16:46with the Boston Red Sox show is how good their lineup actually is.
16:49Just projecting against right-handed pitching,
16:51I have eight of nine batters with positive ISO power numbers,
16:55and it looks like six of nine batters with positive
16:57weighted-on-base percentages here.
16:58So if that lineup comes to town, starts hitting and going away,
17:01that's going to be a tough number.
17:02But the Houston Astros, they're built for this.
17:03They're at home.
17:04They're getting a big price now.
17:05They're not going to shy away from competition, certainly tonight,
17:07even if it is.
17:08Garrett Crochet looks like a very good pitcher right now.
17:11Let's keep it moving and take on the New York Yankees.
17:13Staying in the Bronx, just dropped the series to those Astros
17:16we just talked about.
17:18Minnesota's headed to town.
17:18Not a very good team, but picked up a victory yesterday.
17:20Against the Kansas City Royals.
17:22That'd be Matthews on the mound going up against Will Warren.
17:24959-960 on the rotation, a 705 start.
17:27Heavy favorite for the Yankees.
17:29Overnight, Joe?
17:30Minus 150s.
17:30Where does it stand now?
17:32Minus 172s, minus 184s, minus 185s in the marketplace.
17:36And a total that's listed at nine at most outlets here.
17:39Runs possibly expected, but when is that Yankees lineup
17:42just going to break through and pound out some runs?
17:45Three hits yesterday, Joe.
17:46Unacceptable.
17:48No, not.
17:49I mean, a no hit through five innings.
17:50If it wasn't for Ben Rice getting a single in the sixth, my goodness here.
17:54So, yeah, I do like the Yankees in this spot.
17:59I'm not running through the window to lay this number by any stretch of the
18:02imagination, but Will Warren has shown that, yes, he can be a pretty good
18:09starting pitcher here, especially at home against a weak Minnesota lineup that
18:14has a lot of young guys that are all fired up here.
18:17But the reality is, I think the Yankees get this thing turned around, and I think they
18:23do it against sub-500 teams.
18:25And it starts with Minnesota at 56-61.
18:29No back end of the bullpen.
18:31I'll back the Yankees in this spot to get it done.
18:34And by the way, watching a lot of Minnesota baseball over the weekend here, because I like
18:38to bet baseball, obviously, and Kansas City should have had more runs yesterday.
18:41Kansas City lost yesterday, Joe.
18:43They had 15 runners left on base and one for 15 with runners in scoring position.
18:48Yesterday, Urania was on the mound.
18:49He's a bad starting pitcher, and their bullpen is bad.
18:52I was talking to Tom Vecchio yesterday on Pro Baseball today, right?
18:55Like, Colon was a very good reliever for them.
18:57He pitches for Texas Rangers now.
18:59Maybe the best closer in baseball, Johan Duran.
19:01He's in Philadelphia now at this point.
19:03They have nothing.
19:04So now they're using pitchers.
19:05Once you can get them out in the fifth inning, six, seven, eight, and nine, just tomato cans
19:09across the board.
19:10So when you look at a Yankees lineup today and you see that price point, it's like,
19:13ooh, I struggle here.
19:14You shouldn't struggle.
19:15Now, the one thing you like about Zebby Matthews is, analytics love him.
19:18He's a strikeout pitcher and doesn't walk a lot of guys.
19:21His last 45 days, his X-fit numbers are 299.
19:24That's really good.
19:25Only 19 and a third innings pitch, because he's a young guy without a lot of starts here.
19:28But his ERA, Joe, is a 5.12.
19:31He falls off in the Bronx.
19:32You should be able to hit him.
19:33But also understand this again.
19:34The handicap is not go toe-to-toe with Zebby Matthews.
19:37Knock him out in the fifth inning, which means you get sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth,
19:40if needed, against a horrendous bullpen that you should tattoo with a lot of those big
19:45bats, Joe.
19:46That's probably the angle I look at.
19:47You see the totals in this game, the sides in this game.
19:49I'm looking more at the Yankees themselves.
19:51Maybe they don't hit all that much in the first three to four innings.
19:54But sooner than later, you got to catch up to Zebby Matthews and that terrible bullpen.
19:58Yeah, and we saw the Red Sox light him up a couple of starts ago, right, for a 13-1 win
20:06there.
20:06And yes, and sometimes he loses the strike zone a little bit.
20:11But you're not going to be blowing the ball by these Yankees hitters.
20:15I do like the Yankees' chances of getting this done.
20:18And I like Will Warren much better in this spot at home.
20:21He's the last guy to actually go six innings for the Yankees starters.
20:24By the way, what's up with the Yankees' bats anyway, too?
20:28Like Aaron Judge comes back.
20:29You're supposed to dominate.
20:30If we go back to the second game of the Marlins series, shut out.
20:33Third game of the Marlins series, three runs.
20:35You exploded a little bit against the Rangers.
20:37That was an 8-5 loss.
20:39You scored five runs.
20:40Then you back it up against the Rangers and don't even score.
20:43You take on the Rangers to end that series.
20:45Three to two, which means you scored three runs.
20:47You lose to the Astros.
20:48Three runs, you score.
20:49You beat the Astros late.
20:51You have that home run there that gives you the five runs.
20:52And then you drop another egg yesterday with one total run.
20:55We shouldn't be looking at this Yankees lineup, one through nine, while they're healthy now,
21:01and really starting to struggle and say, how can they not get hits?
21:04I'm going to take a look at their team total today.
21:05I'm not saying I would play it, Joe, but it's almost like you feel like that demarcation line
21:09of, you don't hit today.
21:11I got a lot of worries and concerns moving forward, to be honest.
21:15Listen, Aaron Judge, seven for 43 in his last 13 games.
21:20That's a 163 average.
21:23That is not good.
21:25So, but good news is, if you can get him going, everything else you're hitting is contagious,
21:31especially when Aaron Judge leads the way.
21:33But you got to get Aaron Judge rolling.
21:36You do got to get him rolling.
21:37337 on the season, which is still a wonderful number.
21:39And by the way, he's in a holding pattern here at most sports books with the MVP.
21:43They're just waiting for him to hit one or two home runs to put that price point back to like a minus 1,000.
21:48But they can't do it because he's not hitting right now.
21:51Let's go to the Philadelphia Phillies and the Cincinnati Reds.
21:53Taiwan Walker's on the mound today, people.
21:55How about that?
21:56Back out of here on the early line.
21:58It's a Monday morning and a nice slate of games here on a Monday.
22:00Don't you remember the times, Joe Ranieri, where we would check in on a Monday,
22:03like you're giving us three games, like one's in the afternoon, one's at 10 o'clock at night,
22:06one's at 8 o'clock.
22:07Like at least Major League Baseball made the smart decision a few years back to say,
22:11hey guys, how about a good schedule all throughout the week
22:13where you can watch a lot of games as opposed to cramming them in?
22:16So I do appreciate it and that takes us, Joe, to Cincinnati for the Philadelphia Phillies
22:20taking on the Cincinnati Reds.
22:21The Reds now looking to fight and get in that wild card spot as long as the Metropolitans keep losing.
22:26But now you got to face the Philadelphia Phillies who are playing their best baseball maybe of the season right now.
22:30I think they're 19 games above .500 for the first time in the Major League Baseball season.
22:35A 6-10 start tonight, 9-51, 9-52 on the rotation.
22:38Taiwan Walker for the Philadelphia Phillies on the mound going up against Andrew Abbott, the lefty.
22:42How about this? The Reds are a favorite today against the Philadelphia Phillies
22:47and a total listed at 9-1⁄2.
22:49Taiwan Walker had a really good start his last time out.
22:51Abbott's a lefty, which can give the Phillies fits at times here.
22:54But are you surprised that the Reds are the favorites here over the Philadelphia Phillies?
23:00Not necessarily because Abbott has been that kind of pitcher here.
23:06And he's looking to bounce back after, which wasn't a great last start here.
23:11But he has actually, I don't think he has any record against the Phillies.
23:16He's only pitched 13 innings against them over the previous starts that he's had against them.
23:23So there's not a lot to go on here except for the fact that the Reds now are home.
23:29And when you look at, the Reds haven't played a home game since August 1st, Donnie, which is kind of crazy.
23:33They've had to go to Tennessee. They had a game.
23:36They were supposed to have a day off, but they had to play because of the rain out at Bristol.
23:40They have been all over the place. Eight games, three cities, nine days.
23:45And they went four and four, which given is pretty impressive here.
23:49So I definitely give them the edge early in this one.
23:53The bats obviously were there yesterday.
23:55They hadn't been there against Pittsburgh prior, but they never play well in Pittsburgh.
24:00If they are serious about catching the Mets, and now it should be very serious given the fact that they just watched Milwaukee beat them again in epic fashion and they gained another game.
24:11And then when your ace is on a mound, you've got to win this game.
24:14So I agree with them being the favorite.
24:17And I'd also agree where I'm looking to back them early with Abbott against Walker here in the first five.
24:25You know, it's interesting about it, too, because Tywon Walker, like the odd man out of the rotation, paid him good money.
24:30But he actually has been serviceable, Joe.
24:31His last three starts at the Yankees, five and two thirds, three earned runs.
24:35Then he went to the Chicago White Sox, five innings and two earned runs.
24:38His last start against Baltimore at home was six innings pitch and no earned runs.
24:42Now, let me ask you this question, too, because that nine and a half is high.
24:45It's a hitter's ballpark. We understand that when the Phillies get going, they can hit.
24:48Same thing with the Cincinnati Reds. They just haven't really gotten going.
24:51Ten runs to beat here. But do you have a different challenge?
24:53Because sometimes in the past, the Phillies like that perfect storm where they can bring the bats, but they can't even shut it down in the seventh, eighth or ninth inning because their bullpen is average at best.
25:02Now you throw a couple more key components back there, including a great closer.
25:06Does that change your outcome?
25:07Like handicappers that look at the Phillies and say, Tywon Walker and Andrew Abbott, I'm probably just going to go first five innings total in that game.
25:13Because if you end up at two to one after five innings, you're not getting 10 runs tonight.
25:18You know what I mean?
25:20Well, both bullpens have, you know, got some work over the weekend, especially yesterday.
25:26Cincinnati's bullpen got a ton of work in that spot there.
25:30And again, we mentioned eight games, nine days, three different cities.
25:34It's been a, it's been a haul here for this Reds team.
25:38And it wouldn't shock me if some guys are starting to wear down here a little bit, but there's no doubt, Donnie, that your hope is fewer runs early.
25:47Keep it close because I think when both bullpens get involved, good luck trying to figure out who to go with at that point.
25:54Hey, by the way, next game we're going to talk about, too, is keep it in the National League.
25:58San Diego and San Francisco here.
25:59Two teams still vying for those wildcard spots right now.
26:02San Francisco can catch them life and knock down a team ahead of them.
26:05That'll certainly help out.
26:05Hugh Darvish going up against Logan Webb, 957, 958 on the rotation, 945 tonight.
26:11Favorite here for San Francisco at a minus 136 price live and a total that's listed between seven and seven and a half.
26:16Here's my question.
26:18Usually I look at Logan Webb and say, I'm not going up against that guy, Joe.
26:21But he still loves him, but his last 45 days in 40 innings pitch, Joe, a 5.18 ERA.
26:27What's up with Logan Webb?
26:30Yeah, well, he's slowing down here a little bit, and he used to be an automatic at home, right?
26:36I mean, this was a guy that was like, yeah, no, I'm not going to go against him.
26:39But even at home, he has now struggled a little bit here when it's all said and done.
26:44Division rivals, they know him.
26:47He knows them.
26:48Feels like an under game to me, Donnie.
26:51Any which way, I caught it.
26:52Not expecting a ton of runs in this one.
26:55Yeah, too.
26:55Like Hugh Darvish.
26:56And again, this is such a big game in that division.
26:58Because if you're trying to track down the Los Angeles Dodgers, you know if you're saying they've got to win this game.
27:02But just coming back from the dead, like San Francisco has talent.
27:06They have decent starting pitching, a decent bullpen, a nice looking lineup that just isn't hitting right now.
27:10If they can get some of those things worked out, maybe they can get a wild card spot.
27:13More Major League Baseball handicapping on the early line.
27:16You watch the early line a lot of times because you love yourself some Major League Baseball.
27:20You want those handicaps.
27:22You want to stew on that information throughout the day.
27:24And by the way, it's Donnie Wright said it's Joe O'Neill right here on the early line.
27:26As we do every Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the Sports Grid Network.
27:31Do you remember this comment, Joe?
27:33This week in baseball.
27:35Did you ever watch that show?
27:36Little twib notes out there in the streets?
27:37Yes, remember it well.
27:40And we've got a few of those notes ourselves here, I think, today.
27:45Yes, by the way, we date ourselves a lot of times.
27:48Like, you have ESPN SportsCenter kids out here.
27:50Lucky you.
27:50You have viral things you can watch.
27:53Like, we used to watch, like, this week in baseball.
27:55Like, oh, man, did you see that home run?
27:56Because we didn't see any home runs.
27:57We've got, like, one game, local broadcast, eat it, and be back in it.
28:00So times back in the 80s certainly changing from times now, as you see in 2025.
28:05But I'll tell you what's not changing right now, the Milwaukee Brewers.
28:08They just continue to win.
28:10They're going to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates.
28:11Say it's Heaney versus Quintana, the battle of the lefties here.
28:139.53, 9.54 on the rotation.
28:16A minus 200 favorite at most books or higher for the Milwaukee Brewers.
28:20So my question to you, Joe, not so much a handicap.
28:22Do you just keep riding this streak out no matter what the score is in the game
28:26or the price point before the game starts?
28:29It's a Brewer's world.
28:30We're all just living in it right now.
28:31Well, you know, again, we've got a situation where the bullpen collapsed for Pittsburgh
28:38in that game against the Reds yesterday.
28:41Not great.
28:42But Pittsburgh is bringing some really good baseball.
28:46I mean, let's be realistic here.
28:48Since the All-Star break, Donnie, they've been way more competitive flying under the radar.
28:53But, you know, are we really stepping in front of this Brewers train who can't do anything wrong?
28:59They handled the Mets, and now they've got to take on a Pittsburgh team that is still awful.
29:05But they're playing better here.
29:07And I don't know that Quintana is the guy that we can expect to go out there
29:11and just shut the Pittsburgh Pirates down.
29:16So I'd be willing to take a shot.
29:19I'd be willing to take the run and a half with Pittsburgh here thinking,
29:23if the Bats can keep going, I think they can keep this one close
29:27and give Milwaukee a run for their money.
29:29Yeah, two questionable pitchers, to say the least.
29:31But the one thing is we take a look at it on a day-to-day basis.
29:33Not so much the Milwaukee lineup anymore.
29:35They'll do their damage.
29:37Pittsburgh's lineup, so hit or miss at times.
29:38That is a heavy favorite in an eight and a half.
29:40But Falter, or excuse me, I shouldn't say Andrew Heaney, bad pitcher.
29:4328 and two-thirds innings pitched over the past 45 days, Joe.
29:475.65 ERA, 5.40 XFIP.
29:49Sounds like he's getting unlucky.
29:50We'll say, boy, his ERA's high, but his XFIP is low.
29:53No, bad ERA matching up with a bad XFIP.
29:55He's deservedly bad.
29:57And that's why you're seeing a guy like Quintana,
29:58who's not even a great pitcher, at a minus 200-plus place point,
30:02depending on where he's shopping at at this point right now.
30:04Let's get out to the West Coast.
30:05The Battle of Los Angeles.
30:06We all can't wait to watch this.
30:08Eh, maybe we can.
30:099.38 p.m. tonight, 9.71, 9.72 on the rotation.
30:13Dodgers with Yamamoto, Angels with Soriano.
30:16Favorite here for the Dodgers, a minus 175, minus 180s in the marketplace.
30:20And a total listed at eight and a half here.
30:22Dodgers taking on the Angels, cross-town rivalry.
30:26Any thoughts on this heavy favorite for the Dodgers?
30:28Well, Angels have always, you know,
30:30seemed to have given the Dodgers a little bit of a run for their money
30:33over the years here.
30:35But Yamamoto and Soriano, I mean,
30:38Soriano is the best pitcher on the Angels.
30:41He's better at home than he has been out on the road.
30:44And we know how good Yamamoto could be.
30:47I mean, I saw eight and a half as a total, Donnie,
30:50and I would almost be willing to say, you know what?
30:53We probably get fewer runs in this game than more runs.
30:56I'd probably be looking to back the under in this one.
30:59Yeah, look at Soriano on the, or excuse me, his last 45 days here.
31:04Seventh on the card today, 20 total pitchers.
31:065.32 ERA, but an XFIP number of 3.52.
31:10Like we just told you about Andrew Heaney.
31:11Bad ERA, bad XFIP lines up here.
31:13This doesn't line up.
31:14Looks like he's getting just a little bit unlucky over the past several weeks of pitching.
31:18And then take a look at Yamamoto.
31:19Six starts in the past 45 days, Joe.
31:2232 and a third innings pitched.
31:23233 ERA, 271 XFIP number.
31:26Not exactly a hitter's ballpark there either in LA.
31:29More of a pitcher's ballpark in Anaheim.
31:31We'll see how that one plays out tonight.
31:33Arizona, they can bring the bats at times here.
31:34Texas desperately needs a victory after getting swept by the Philadelphia Phillies.
31:38969, 970 on the rotation and 805 start.
31:42Favorite for Texas overnight, minus 168.
31:45So you'll see a graphic pop up at minus 172.
31:47Those numbers live here on the show are starting to backtrack, Joe.
31:49Minus 160s, minus 162s out there in the landscape right now.
31:53And a total that's listed at seven and a half.
31:55Eovaldi comes into this one.
31:5741 and two-thirds innings pitched over his past 45 days, which includes seven starts.
32:021.08 ERA.
32:04He's got to be their stopper today, Joe.
32:07Yeah, he needs to be.
32:08And I think you can get him at a pretty good price,
32:10especially if you're willing to lay just one run with the home team and the Rangers here
32:16at a pretty decent price because, listen, both pitchers have been pretty good.
32:20Bryn Nelson has also been really good here for Arizona over the last month, month and a half.
32:27He's had some trouble on the road compared to at home.
32:31But let's not forget, this is a Rangers ballpark and a Rangers team that has been absolute money
32:35to the under.
32:36I just think the Rangers bats will have a better time getting against Nelson than Arizona will
32:43against Eovaldi.
32:44So, I'd be willing to lay just the one run at a pretty decent price here.
32:49And, listen, if they win by one, it's a push, Donnie.
32:52And if they end up blowing them out, they blow them out.
32:55Yeah, if you can navigate Carol, Marte, and Perdomo at the top of that lineup for Eovaldi,
32:59it's pretty much smooth sailing the rest of the way through.
33:01But Nathan Eovaldi's last 100 batters, Joe, that he's faced.
33:05How about an 0-54 ISO?
33:07Spectacular.
33:07Weighted on base percentage, 2-0-2.
33:09Spectacular.
33:10Hard hit contact.
33:11It's a little bit high, which you'll see that in Major League Baseball.
33:13But he's not necessarily a fly ball pitcher.
33:15So, when you're not giving up fly balls and your strikeout rate is 25%, you're usually
33:18keeping that ball in the yard here.
33:20Not a lot of extra base hits.
33:21It's worked out in spades for Eovaldi.
33:23As we just told you, the last 45 days in Major League Baseball.
33:26Come on, man.
33:26A 1 ERA.
33:28Let's see if that ace can hold up tonight.
33:29Because they just got swept by the Phillies.
33:31They desperately need a win tonight to stay in that race out in the West.
33:34And also, more importantly, maybe, that wild card race.
33:37Let's go over to the Detroit Tigers.
33:38Had a nice little appearance yesterday at the plate as they were hammering away.
33:41They're going to take on the Chicago White Sox today.
33:43Paddock going against Peg Arrow.
33:45961-962 on the rotation.
33:47A 740 start tonight, Joe.
33:48Eight and a halfs out here as the total.
33:50A favorite for Detroit, which opened up around that 135 price.
33:54We're now seeing on the graphic at 138.
33:56Live numbers across the board.
33:57142, 148, 152.
34:00Money starting to come on the Detroit Tigers today on a Monday.
34:04Yeah, and listen, it makes sense.
34:06But, you know, what makes more sense is taking the over eight and a half here.
34:10Because I don't trust Paddock as far as I can throw him.
34:13It's not like the White Sox haven't shown their ability to be able to,
34:18especially at home, score some runs.
34:21And I think they'll do just that here against Paddock.
34:24And you got an opener for the White Sox, it looks like.
34:27This kid has been called up from AAA.
34:29So, yeah, there could be a lot of runs in this game.
34:33Eight and a half, I think.
34:34Grab it because it's likely going to go to nine before first pitch.
34:38Yeah, let me see what we got here because I just saw that with you here.
34:41So, it's coming in.
34:42What's it?
34:42Alexander coming in behind him at this point?
34:44Mm-hmm.
34:45Alexander.
34:47Let's see if we have any numbers here.
34:48Tyler.
34:48Yeah.
34:49I mean, the guy's been around for a while.
34:50Not really a great pitcher.
34:51His game log, Joe, last appearance on August the 6th,
34:55which was his last time out there.
34:56Didn't get the start, but a four and one-third innings pitched.
34:59No earned runs here.
35:00The start before that or his appearance before that, you'll like this one, Joe.
35:04Doesn't record an out.
35:05Pops into the game.
35:06Faces three batters.
35:07He has three runs there.
35:08How do you like that?
35:08It's a great play.
35:09Hey, kid.
35:09Hey, kid.
35:10Come in here and get this guy out.
35:11Can't do it.
35:12Three runs.
35:12I'm out of the game already.
35:13You're right about it.
35:14Maybe there are runs.
35:15Because also, keep in mind on this.
35:17The Chicago White Sox might not be a good baseball team.
35:19But I'm telling you, that lineup can provide fruitful appearances at the plate
35:25to give you three, four, maybe five runs.
35:27Something to check in.
35:28Because usually it's like, hey, dead team in the water.
35:30Same thing with the Colorado Rockies.
35:31That team can put up runs.
35:32They'll give up a ton.
35:34But they'll put up runs.
35:35So maybe you're writing on to something here.
35:36The eight and a half.
35:37Ah, don't like that game.
35:39It's the Chicago White Sox.
35:40White Sox hit today.
35:41You got some action.
35:43Yeah.
35:43Well, there's nothing redeeming about the bullpen of the White Sox either.
35:47So you're already, you got a starter.
35:51You got a less than mediocre pitcher.
35:53You're going to have to go to the bullpen, which is even worse.
35:56And Detroit has actually been pretty good on the road scoring runs.
36:01So I think for sure, Paddock is going to give up his fair share here.
36:06I think we can get to double digits in this game as far as scoring goes.
36:09Yeah, I mean, just getting that back here at this point right now, looking at it, because
36:15for my money, and again, looking at the Chicago White Sox, Joe, you look at the last appearance
36:18yesterday, they get a win, six runs.
36:20They only get one run against the Guardians on Saturday.
36:23But after that, Joe, five runs, three runs, six runs, three runs, five runs.
36:28So it's not as if they're dead in the water at the plate at this point, can provide some
36:31fireworks here.
36:32Tom Becchio is coming up next.
36:33What fireworks has Tom V got?
36:36Stay tuned to find out right here on the early line.
36:37Let's get back to the Major League Baseball card today, Tom.
36:40As I take a look, the Red Sox and the Astros is a big-time series that's going to take place.
36:44Could go a long way in winning divisions and also the wild-card race.
36:48What do you have a look in this game with?
36:50So this game's super interesting.
36:51Like I said, it is extremely important in terms of the AL playoff race overall.
36:57Christian Javier is making his first start for the Astros since May.
37:02So obviously, we have to take this with a grain of salt.
37:04It's really about Garrett Crochet on the other side.
37:06It's been absolutely unbelievable.
37:07So I like this game under 7.5.
37:09You know, it is a travel day or a travel from yesterday for both teams.
37:13Obviously, the Red Sox coming from San Diego, Houston coming from New York.
37:16So I like under 7.5.
37:18I don't see this as a high-scoring series overall.
37:21One of the games probably flies over just because that's what's going to happen,
37:25especially in a decent hitter's ballpark in Houston.
37:28But again, with Christian Javier, it's a bit of an unknown.
37:30But this game's really about Garrett Crochet being amazing.
37:33You know, 30-plus percent strikeout, right?
37:35This is what I expect from him to keep this game under.
37:38And frankly, I think the Sox win it 3-1, 4-2 kind of situation.
37:43Yeah.
37:44Gordon was scratched yesterday, and they went with Seinfeld there, Jason Alexander.
37:49So it feels like get a couple innings out of Javier, and then Gordon will probably be the
37:55lower relief.
37:56But the bullpen should be good to go.
37:58And I'm with you on the under here.
38:00Probably not going to get an under with Tampa and the athletics here today in Sacramento.
38:08But what are we thinking?
38:09Pepeo against Springs here?
38:11Yeah.
38:12Yeah, so, you know, Donnie, we know we love this ballpark.
38:15And, you know, obviously with Joe, when we're doing IGLs, we're always talking about live
38:18overs on this spot.
38:19It's in Sacramento, not Oakland, as I was about to say.
38:24But it's in the upper 80s.
38:25We've got wind blowing out.
38:26It's absolutely fantastic.
38:27Yeah, Jeff Springs has been pretty solid, especially over his recent starts.
38:30If you look over the last 30 days, like he actually is a sub-4 XFIP, which is, you
38:34know, pretty solid overall.
38:35But Ryan Pepeo has been pretty terrible.
38:38And with the wind blowing out, I love this spot.
38:40His recent outings have not been good.
38:42So, you know, we have hitters in these lineups.
38:44And that's what it ultimately comes down to.
38:45Brandon Lau, Caminero, you name it on the, Yandy Diaz on the side of the Rays.
38:50And obviously, Nick Kurtz and Landry Lears, who's hitting all his home runs.
38:53Tyler Schultz from Lawrence Butler.
38:55With what we have in this game, I like the over and the bullpens are absolutely terrible.
38:58So give me over 10 scorching hot out in Sacramento with the wind blowing out.
39:02It does make some sense.
39:03And you always get that comforting approach.
39:05Like if you're trying to fade like the Minnesota Twins, they have no back end of the bullpen.
39:08So you love that.
39:09It used to be like, I need one more run against the A's.
39:12And then Mason Miller appears like, just turn the TV off.
39:14I'm not even going to get a base runner.
39:15With those guys not being there, it just adds extra intrigue.
39:18Where it's like, all right, even at the game, Tom, it was 4-3 in the ninth.
39:20Like, yes, we can get a 4-4 game and push this in the extras and see if we can pick up some victories here.
39:25Good Major League Baseball card tonight.
39:27Starts with the Philadelphia Phillies at 6-10 p.m. going up against the Reds.
39:30Again, the Phillies are an underdog after a sweep of the Texas Rangers.
39:34Something certainly to keep an eye on.
39:35But that's Tom Vecchio on a Monday morning bright and early with the boys on the early line.
39:39Tom, thanks for your appearance today.
39:40And by the way, where can we catch you today quickly?
39:42Where can we catch you on the network?
39:44Later.
39:44Later today.
39:46There you go.
39:46Tom Vecchio all over the place here at the Sports Grid Network.
39:49Love to see it.
39:50Thanks, Tom.
39:50Topics, topics, and more topics.
39:53That's what we like to bring to the people out here.
39:54And sometimes we take a look at sports leagues.
39:56I always like to be, Joe, as you know, the commissioner.
39:58I want to be the commissioner of all sports because I think I can make it better for the common man and the viewing public here.
40:03PGA Tour.
40:04I don't like what goes on in the month of August.
40:06They play for a lot of money nobody cares about.
40:07Let me make it more intriguing here.
40:09You want a college football playoff expansion?
40:11You come to me.
40:11I'll lay out the plans here where everybody plays home games except for one championship just like the Super Bowl played in Las Vegas.
40:18But that's not what we're talking about right now.
40:19The UFC has a really big following, Joe.
40:22And the only way to expand that is to bring it to more people.
40:25It's what I've always complained about in boxing.
40:27Boxing used to be the showplace of America.
40:29Everybody wanted to watch fights.
40:30Mike Tyson in the 80s, into the 1990s.
40:33Heck, even back to the 50s, 60s, and 70s.
40:35Boxing was a big sport.
40:36You know where boxing started to die out?
40:38Yes, the corruption, number one.
40:39But number two, put it behind a paywall of 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 bucks.
40:43You're not paying for that here.
40:44But if it was on ABC in the middle of the afternoon on a Saturday or Saturday night, people would watch.
40:49How about this news for the UFC?
40:51Ariel Helwani tweets out, Paramount Plus is the new home of UFC in the United States starting in 2026.
40:57They've acquired the rights for $7.7 billion over seven years.
41:02The best news for fans?
41:03The pay-per-view model is dead.
41:06All events are part of a regular subscription, including numbered shows.
41:10Fantastic.
41:11I love this show.
41:12I would like to watch more UFC.
41:14I'm never paying for it.
41:16But now I have Paramount Plus.
41:17I will watch more UFC.
41:19How about that?
41:21It's kind of crazy when you think about it here because we've never seen this before, certainly with the UFC, who, let's not forget, not only did you have to have a subscription to ESPN Plus, but then you had to pay $70, $80, $90 for any of those premium UFC fights.
41:40So, by the way, that's going to continue through the end of the year.
41:44This won't kick in until 2026, but you're going to have 13 big events, and then you're going to have 30 fight nights, which is less than what they've been running lately or been running during the deal with ESPN.
41:58So, it's a win-win.
41:59It's going to be very interesting to see how many people run to go get, you know, subscriptions to Paramount Plus here.
42:06But, you know, it's interesting.
42:07I'm so glad you brought that up with ESPN Plus because I've always had ESPN Plus.
42:10Like, to go back and watch, like, the smaller, like, you know, college basketball games, the smaller, you know, NCAA football games on Saturdays.
42:16But you're right.
42:18I remember the first time when UFC was coming to that, and I was like, oh, I have ESPN Plus.
42:21This is great.
42:22And I remember going to try to watch a UFC fight, and they still were charging a pay-per-view rate.
42:26It was like, all right, $7.99 a month for ESPN Plus.
42:29Okay, if you buy the pay-per-view, we'll give you, like, $7 off.
42:31I was like, you have got to be kidding me, Joe.
42:34It was ridiculous, man.
42:36Absolutely ridiculous.
42:37But you know what?
42:38Friday Night Sweep on Buy, Buy, Buy, Best Bets.
42:41How about some Buy, Buy, Buy right now, people?
42:42Come on.
42:50Ain't no pay-per-view on these ones, Joe Ranieri.
42:52Where are you going tonight on that Major League Baseball guard?
42:54Give the people a winner on a Monday.
42:57I am telling you.
42:58I'm going to go with a dog here tonight to kick off the week, and I'm going to go with
43:02the Washington Nationals, who will be taking on the Kansas City Royals here.
43:08The Nats are throwing out a pretty darn impressive rookie in Cade Cavalli, who I thought he was
43:14fantastic.
43:15I thought he was really, really good.
43:16Missed a ton of bats in that opening effort of his.
43:20His fastball reaches close to triple digits here.
43:23I love it.
43:24I love it.
43:25And the fact that it going up against a Brady Falter here of Kansas City and the Nats, believe
43:32it or not, have turned it around.
43:33I thought they were pretty impressive against the Giants on the weekend.
43:37They wanted two out of three in that spot there.
43:41Yeah, I think they got a pretty good opportunity, especially after the bullpen got annihilated for
43:46Kansas City.
43:47No Estevez, no Urseg, no Zerpa.
43:50They all had to work consecutive days over the weekend against the Twins.
43:54I think the Nats have some value as a underdog in this spot against Kansas City.
44:00By the way, let Mackenzie Gore go again today.
44:02It was sensational yesterday.
44:03You keep the good vibes going.
44:04Stand them out there instead of even throwing Cavalli or bring them in for a couple innings
44:07here.
44:07For me, I'm going to go with a total to the over, Joe.
44:09Colorado and St. Louis.
44:11The one thing we know about Colorado, every game they play, and they might get killed.
44:14They might win a baseball game, but there will be runs.
44:16And also, when's the last time you've called Miles Michaelis a shutdown pitcher?
44:20Eight and a half are still in the marketplace right now as we sit early in the morning.
44:24I'm taking the over for Colorado and St. Louis.
44:26I don't love St. Louis' bats, but I hate the bullpen for Colorado, and Molina is on the
44:31mound.
44:31Stop the madness.
44:32We've got to have at least a five to four game in this one to get me over that eight
44:35and a half, Joe.
44:36How do you feel about that?
44:37Are we sweeping the card tonight?
44:38Is that what the vibes are?
44:40That's a lot of plus money on the card here tonight for us, which means we'll start the
44:46week off on a profitable foot here, Donnie.
44:50Absolutely.
44:50Just take a look at the Major League Baseball card tonight, just scanning the surface like,
44:53oh, where are those New York Metropolitans at?
44:55Well, hey, they can't lose tonight because apparently they're not playing on the card.
44:59But that's how we get down on a Monday morning edition here of The Early Line.
45:02The best news, as I like to say, we'll be back bright and early tomorrow.
45:05For Donnie Wright's at N. Joe O'Neary, thanks for tuning in to the Sports Grid Network.
45:08Stay tuned for more action right here on The Grid.
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