Sportsline

Will Cristopher Sanchez dominate the Pirates once again?

Martin Perez has a 1.64 home ERA. ...

Mexico is yet to concede at this World Cup. ...

Switzerland are on a six-game unbeaten streak. ...

Croatia's 4-2 defeat to England suggests they struggle against the top teams. ...

Home advantage could be crucial for Team USA. ...

Over 2.5 goals paid off in all three of Senegal’s group stage games. ...

England have covered a 1.5-goal spread in 12 of their last 14 competitive games. ...

Sweden conceded seven goals in the group stage. ...

Haaland will be fresh for this game. ...

Fade Conor McGregor after a 5-year layoff?...

The Athletics off of consecutive losses to the Angels, have now dropped to fourth place in the AL West division. They’ve lost six out of their last eight games, where in five of those losses they have scored two runs or less. Eric Lauer has seen the Dodgers win all four of his starts since coming over from Toronto in early June. Yet, the Athletics saw him to begin the season on March 29th, and have won three straight game one’s at home. Take the Athletics.

DraftKings. It’s pricey, but this is a line that George Kirby’s opponents have cleared this line in 15 straight starts. He’s a contact oriented pitcher that does not walk batters (5.7% walk rate is in the 87th percentile). He’s struggled against righties - .302 average allowed while only permitting a 3.2% walk rate. The Angels, who skew right handed, have handled right handed pitching very well. The Halos have hit .274 against righties over the last month, and have hit .266 against finesse pitchers this season. Playable at over 5.5 for plus odds at a partial unit as well.

George Kirby has tossed three straight quality starts, but he’s allowed 3-5 runs in seven of his last eight. The Angels are hitting the ball well right now and are winning, taking six of their last eight games and scoring 5.8 rpg in their last nine. The Angels’ bullpen ERA the last two weeks is 2.59. Starter Ryan Johnson overall hasn’t been good, but he tossed six shutout frames vs. the Orioles last time out (just one hit). We’ll trust Kurt Suzuki to pull the trigger quick and get to that pen.

The Diamondbacks scored a total of four runs in getting swept at Tampa Bay. Then they had to fly cross-country. But I love this bounceback spot at home against the Giants and Tyler Mahle. Arizona faced Mahle twice in late May, hammering him for two homers and nine earned runs in 10 innings. Mahle is coming off a sterling outing vs. the Athletics, but that was at home. On the road he's 0-4 with an 8.88 ERA. The D-Backs have won 12 of ace Eduardo Rodriguez's last 14 starts.

Generous price in my opinion -- I'd argue it should be around -160. Not that Arizona is all that great, and it enters being swept three at Tampa Bay. But pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez is having an All-Star-caliber season and especially has been good at home (4-1, 1.84 ERA). Start of a trip for the Giants, who are 17-26 away. And they are 0-6 in the season series vs. the Snakes. Tyler Mahle (1-7, 5.49 ERA) has not been good.

This is arguably the best matchup in the Round of 32. Both teams have yet to lose in this competition, and I'm expecting we'll be treated to a back-and-forth affair on Monday. The Netherlands have been prolific in the attacking third, scoring 10 goals in three games, but they've also conceded at least one goal in each match. Morocco are disciplined defensively, but I think the Atlas Lions will have a tough time keeping the Netherlands at bay, which I why I'm backing Over 2.5 goals at plus-money.

DraftKings. Peter Lambert has stayed under this line in 9/12 starts this season. He’s unleashed a new cutter primarily on left-handed hitters, that’s allowed him to keep southpaws to a .143 average (.175 xBA). Paired with a 15.6% walk rate, and southpaws only have 18 hits in 154 plate appearances against Lambert. The Twins are hot, but have six lefties in the lineup today, including five of the first six hitters.

The Twins’ OPS vs. right-handers the last two weeks is .934, best in MLB. It’s even higher on the road. Peter Lambert went seven innings (21 outs) two starts ago vs. the Tigers, but only 4.2 IP (14 outs) in his last one vs. the Blue Jays. He’s hovering around 90 pitches regardless of how well he’s doing. Over his last seven starts dating back to May 24, he’s registered 17+ outs twice.

Robert Gasser in his six starts this year has yet to pitch against a divisional opponent. Today that changes seeing the Cincinnati Reds. He’s also a pitcher that had very few starts the prior two seasons. In fact, his last outing against Atlanta was the most pitches he has thrown in his fifteen career outings with 97 total. That can have an impact on Gasser as a whole today, and Dane Myers does have some experience against Gasser from his Marlin’s days. Take Myers to get at least one hit, something he has done in eight out of his last thirteen games.

James Wood on a daily basis is a popular play in the prop market circles. Over his last twelve games he has not hit a home run, even though he has had many long warning track shots. Today, is a day most will probably avoid as Ranger Suarez has had three strikeouts on Wood in five at bats. On top of that Wood is just 5 for his last 43 at the plate, an average of just .116. Rooting for a Suarez shorter outing here, as the Red Sox bullpen was tested in last night’s extra inning Sunday Night Baseball game against the Yankees. Take Wood’s over on his total bases/prop combination line.

The under cashed for Texas Sunday in Toronto, but the over is 3-1 in the past 4 outings. The game has gone under the total in two of the last three games when the Guardians travel to Texas. Without Jose Ramirez, the Guardians have seen their game go under in the total in four of their last five. Cleveland is hitting .226 over their last seven days and it’s a bullpen day for the Rangers who have a top bullpen in the AL, owning a 3.82 ERA. The public is leaning heavily on the over but the total has continued to drop.

Braxton Ashcraft has allowed two runs or less in six out of his last seven starts. The one bad start during that stretch was against an NL East opponent in the Atlanta Braves. Prior to that it was the Phillies who got to Ashcraft on May 15th, with four runs on seven hits. It was a game the Phillies scored 11 runs, as they scored six runs or more in each game of the first series. Alec Bohm went over his hitting combination line in all three games, and is coming off a multi-hit game yesterday against the Mets. Take his combination/total bases prop over.

Aaron Nola has given up six homers in his last three starts. When he faced the Pirates in Pittsburgh a little over a month ago, they hammered him for six earned runs in 3.2 innings. Pirates starter Braxton Ashcraft brings an expected ERA of 2.88. Look for Pittsburgh to turn the tide in an in-state series that the Phils have dominated lately.

FanDuel (+100). After a dreadful 2025, Aaron Nola is replicating his career-worst year in 2026. Pitching to a 5.58 ERA, Nola has stayed under this outs line in 11 of his last 13 outings, and all seven of his home starts. Since Don Mattingly took over as the Phillies manager, Nola has been limited to only 88.6 pitches per start, with very limited exposure to lineups the third time through the order (only 4.1 batters faced three times per start). The Pirates will be able to throw 5-6 lefties into the lineup today (Nola allows a .905 OPS to southpaws) and are a patient team in general. The Pirates are also a great curveball hitting team (.273 against righties) - and that’s Nola’s best pitch.

Braxton Ashcraft is enjoying a true breakout season, anchored by a stellar 3.07 ERA and 2.84 FIP. Since May 1, he has shown noticeable gain in both his raw stuff and command, with his Stuff+ climbing to 107 and Location+ reaching an elite 108. In contrast, Aaron Nola has struggled mightily, posting a 5.58 ERA and 1.45 WHIP—numbers that reflect his declining pitch quality. Nola’s fastball now ranks among the league’s worst, with a -13 run value that places him in the bottom 1st percentile, and his Location+ on the four-seamer has dropped to 91. Meanwhile, the Pirates lead the majors in hits and are second in batting average. The Phillies swept a three game series in Pittsburgh last month. Payback.