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The Washington Nationals (28-18) and Atlanta Braves (26-22) will close out a three-game National League East series on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball, with the first pitch scheduled from Turner Field at 8:05 ET.

Atlanta opened as a minus-140 home favorite in the betting odds, while the total is holding steady at its opening number of 6.5.

Washington has outscored Atlanta by a 15-8 combined margin in winning the first two games of the series, including an 8-4 victory Saturday afternoon. The Nationals will now try to turnaround their dismal 1-5 record when playing on Sunday.

Let’s take a closer look at this nationally-televised contest from a betting perspective.

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The San Diego Padres (17-31) and New York Mets (26-21) will close out a four-game National League series on Sunday afternoon at Citi Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET.

New York opened up as a minus-130 home favorite in the betting odds, while the total has held steady at its opening number of 7.5.

Mets starting pitcher R.A. Dickey (6-1, 3.45 ERA) has led the club to four consecutive wins, including a 3-2 road victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates last time out, allowing just a single run and five hits over seven frames.

The right-hander has garnered a perfect 3-0 record and 2.33 ERA in four home outings, with opponents hitting just .183 against him. It’s still important to note that the team is just 3-8 in his last 11 starts as a home favorite.

San Diego is set to counter with Edinson Volquez (2-4, 3.49 ERA), who has dropped his last two outings due to receiving just one run of support over that span. He was handed a 4-0 road defeat by the St. Louis Cardinals in his last effort, giving up three runs and five hits over six innings.

Volquez will be making his fourth career start against the Mets, entering with an 0-2 record and 6.06 ERA, which includes a 3-0 loss in his only outing at Citi Field on Sept. 28 of last year as a member of the Cincinnati Reds.

Umpire Tim Tschida could be an added advantage to the Mets in this contest, with the home team posting a 9-1 record in his 10 games behind home plate during the 2012 MLB season.

Weather forecasts suggest partly cloudy skies and game-time temperatures in the middle 70s, with a slight five to 10 mph breeze out of the southeast.

Pick: New York Mets -130

Follow on Twitter: @JeffGrantSports 

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The San Diego Padres (17-30) and New York Mets (25-21) continue a National League series on Saturday afternoon at Citi Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET.

Las Vegas oddsmakers have established the Mets as -160 home favorites, while the total has remained at its opening number of 7.5.

New York came away with a 6-1 win over San Diego in the second game of the series on Friday night, picking up their third victory in four games. The Mets moved their record to 15-9 against the Padres at home since 2005.

Mets starting pitcher Johan Santana (1-2, 3.24 ERA) will be trying to win his first start since May 5, as he’s failed to earn a decision in his last three outings. He has been bitten by the long ball of late, serving up one home run in his last four starts, after not allowing a long ball in his first five appearances.

The left-hander has garnered a 2-3 record and 2.47 ERA in seven career starts versus the Padres, issuing 20 walks and striking out 30 in 47.1 combined innings.

The Mets are 5-0 in Santana’s last five starts versus NL West teams, while the “under” is 5-1-1 in his last seven home starts.

Clayton Richard (2-5, 4.63 ERA) hasn’t fared very well away from San Diego this year, posting an 0-3 record and 6.68 ERA in five road starts, as opposing hitters have hit .305 against him. He didn’t factor into the decision of a 4-3 setback on the road to the St. Louis Cardinals last time out, allowing two runs and even hits over 7.1 frames.

In three career starts versus the Mets, Richard has gone 1-0 with a 2.41 ERA, issuing nine walks and picking up 16 strikeouts in 18.2 combined innings. 

The Padres are 5-23 in their last 28 road games against left-handed starters, with the “under” going 4-1 in the last five games in that situation.

Weather forecasts suggest scattered thunderstorms and game-time temperatures in the low 80s, with a 5-10 mph breeze out of the southwest.

Follow on Twitter: @JeffGrantSports 

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The Detroit Tigers (21-24) and Minnesota Twins (15-30) will continue a three-game American League Central series on Saturday afternoon at Target Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET.

Las Vegas oddsmakers have established the Tigers as minus-130 road favorites, while the total has held steady at its opening number of 9.

Detroit came away with a 10-6 win over Minnesota to open this series on Friday night, as the club is now focused on trying to win back-to-back games for the first time since a four-game win streak from April 15-18. The Tigers have garnered a losing 1-5 record when playing as a road favorite of minus-125 to minus-150 this season.

Max Scherzer (3-3, 5.73 ERA) is seemingly the perfect starter to make this happen for the Tigers, leading the team to victory in his last three starts, including a 4-3 home win over the Pittsburgh Pirates last time out. He allowed two runs and four hits over seven frames in that effort, while striking out a season-high 15 batters.

The Tigers have managed to win 19 of their last 25 games in this series, including nine of 11 at this ball park.

Minnesota will counter with starter Carl Pavano (2-3, 4.91 ERA), who has been dealing with a strain in his throwing shoulder, which could lead to another rough outing in front of the home fans. He has tallied an 0-1 record and 6.65 ERA in four home starts this year.

The right-hander will be making his 12th lifetime start versus the Tigers, going 5-4 with a 4.32 ERA, including an 0-2 mark and 5.95 ERA in three outings a year ago.

Umpire Alan Porter could provide the Tigers with an advantage in this affair, with road teams producing a 6-2 record when he’s behind the plate.

Weather forecasts suggest scattered thunderstorms in the area and game-time temperatures in the upper-60s, with 10-15 mph winds out of the east-southeast.

Pick: Detroit Tigers 

Follow on Twitter: @JeffGrantSports

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The Los Angeles Angels (15-19) and Texas Rangers (22-12) will close out a three-game American League West series on Sunday night at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Las Vegas oddsmakers have established the Rangers as slight minus-125 home favorites, while the opening total of eight is facing upward pressure in the betting market.

Los Angeles evened the series with a 4-2 victory on Saturday, improving to 3-2 on its current six-game road trip against the Rangers and Minnesota Twins. The Angels are still a disappointing 6-11 away from Southern California this season.

First baseman Albert Pujols continues to struggle at the plate, hitting .195 with just a single home run and 11 RBI in 33 games played. He will have a hard time improving those numbers against Rangers starter Neftali Feliz, who has limited right-handed batters to a .194 average over the course of his career.

Feliz (2-1, 3.37 ERA) has not allowed an earned run in his last 12.1 innings against the Angels, as he comes off a 10-3 road win over the Baltimore Orioles. He gave up just a single run and four hits over six frames in that effort.

The right-hander has failed to record a decision in 22 career relief appearances in this rivalry, surrendering just four runs (three earned) and nine hits in 22.1 frames. Not a single player on the Angels roster has hit a home run when facing him.

Jered Weaver (5-0, 1.60 ERA) has been tremendous through seven starts this season, but he’ll need to be careful against one of baseball’s most explosive lineups, especially when pitching to Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton.

The 2010 AL MVP launched his ninth home run in six games on Saturday, giving him a major league-leading 18 on the year. He has nine hits in 34 career at-bats (.265) against the Angels right-hander, but has left the yard just once. 

Weaver has not fared well in 13 lifetime outings at Rangers Ballpark, entering with a 2-6 record and 4.55 ERA, including a 1-2 mark and 5.14 ERA in three outings in 2011.

Sports bettors will find that the Angels have still managed to win six of his last eight starts versus the Rangers, while the “under” has cashed in four of the last five opportunities in that situation.

Weather forecasts suggest clear skies and game-time temperatures in the mid-70s, with a 5-to-10 MPH breeze out of the north-northeast (left to right).

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New York Yankees fans will have a renewed enthusiasm about the 2012 MLB season on Sunday afternoon, as veteran Andy Pettitte will return to the mound at Yankee Stadium after a brief retirement came to an end by signing a one-year minor league contract on March 16. 

Las Vegas oddsmakers are expecting the betting public to hammer the Bronx Bombers, opening them as minus-200 home favorites against the Seattle Mariners, while the total sits at 10.

Pettitte hasn’t been seen at the major league level since suffering an 8-0 home loss to the Texas Rangers in Game 3 of the 2011 American League Championship Series, giving up two runs and five hits over seven strong innings in that effort.

The left-hander posted an 0-2 record and 3.71 ERA in four minor-league starts, while giving up eight runs (seven earned) and 14 hits over 10.2 combined innings in two outings at the extended spring training level.

In 23 career starts versus the Mariners, the 41-year-old has gone 11-11 with a 4.33 ERA, including an 8-4 mark and 4.29 ERA when pitching at home.

Sports bettors will likely lay the number due to the Yankees being 87-40 in day games since the start of the 2010 campaign.

Mariners starting pitcher Kevin Millwood (0-4, 5.88 ERA) has also been around the block a few times, as he looks to snap a personal four-game losing streak. He has allowed 17 runs (15 earned) and 30 hits in 24 innings over that span.

Millwood enters with a 2-6 record and 5.12 ERA in 13 career starts against the Yankees, which includes a 1-1 mark and 8.74 ERA in two outings inside this ball park.

It should be a memorable day in the Bronx, but everyone involved is hoping that the 39-year-old southpaw can solidify a starting rotation that has been shaky at best to start the year.

If not—Yankees general manager Brian Cashman will need to actively pursue a front-line pitcher before the trade deadline on July 31, or the club will likely be watching the postseason from home.

Follow on Twitter: @JeffGrantSports 

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The Philadelphia Phillies (13-15) and Washington Nationals (18-9) will close out a three-game National League East series on Sunday night at Nationals Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:05 ET on ESPN.

Las Vegas oddsmakers have established the Phillies as +105 road underdogs, while the total has held steady at its opening number of 6.

Philadelphia has dropped the first two games of this series, including a 7-1 setback on Saturday afternoon, which moved the club to 4-6 in day games this year. The Phillies will be glad to be facing a right-handed starter in this contest, as they’ve dropped six consecutive games against southpaws.

Cole Hamels (3-1, 2.78 ERA) is definitely a nice option to have on the mound when looking to snap a losing streak, leading the club to four consecutive wins since suffering a 6-2 home loss against the Miami Marlins in his season debut on April 9.

The left-hander boasts a perfect 2-0 record and 2.25 ERA in three road starts, issuing four walks and striking out 17 in 20 combined innings. Tonight will be his fourth straight outing away from Citizens Bank Park.

In 20 career games versus the Nationals, Hamels has compiled a 10-4 mark and 2.71 ERA, including a 2-0 record and 2.05 ERA in four career efforts at this ballpark. He has not surrendered a hit to former teammate Jayson Werth in six at-bats against him.

The Phillies are 9-1 in Hamels’ last 10 starts in this series, while the “over” is 22-7-1 in the last 30 meetings overall in the nation’s capital.

Washington is 8-1 in nine series this year, and is led by a starting rotation that has allowed one or fewer earned runs in 18 of 27 games. The group leads all of baseball with a 2.09 ERA.

Jordan Zimmerman (1-2, 1.89 ERA) has been a key member of the staff, as he looks to bounce back from his worst effort of the 2012 campaign, giving up four runs (three earned) and eight hits over 6.1 innings in a 5-1 home loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The right-hander is searching for his first win of the season in front of the home crowd, going 0-1 with a 2.21 ERA in three starts at Nationals Park, as he’s received just six runs of support in those contests.

Zimmerman will also look to notch his first victory against the Phillies, coming in with a 0-2 mark and 6.60 ERA in three outings. 

The Nationals are 5-12 in Zimmerman’s last 17 starts versus divisional foes, while the “under” has cashed in six straight games when he’s a home favorite.

Weather forecasts suggest clear skies and game-time temperatures in the mid-60s, with a slight 5-10 mph breeze out of the southeast (right to left).

Follow on Twitter: @JeffGrantSports

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The Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians will close out a three-game American League series on Sunday afternoon at Progressive Field, with the first pitch scheduled 1:05 p.m. ET.

Las Vegas oddsmakers have established the Rangers as -150 road favorites, while the total stands at 8.5, but is facing downward pressure in the market.

Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish (4-0, 2.18 ERA) has led the club to victory in all five of his starts, including a 4-1 road win over the Toronto Blue Jays last time out. He’s 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA in three road outings this year.

The right-hander was recently named Major League Baseball’s Rookie of the Month for April earlier this week, as he’s allowed just three earned runs over his last 31 innings of work. He will be facing the Indians for the first time in his career.

Sports bettors will find that the Rangers are 19-7 in their last 26 games as a road favorite of -110 to -150, while “under” has cashed in their last five Sunday contests.

Ubaldo Jimenez (2-2, 5.02 ERA) will be looking to snap a two-game losing streak, as the Indians’ starter has allowed 11 runs (eight earned) and 14 hits over 10.2 innings over that span. He suffered a 7-2 setback on the road to the Chicago White Sox last time out.

The right-hander is 0-1 with a 4.15 ERA in two home starts, as opposing hitters are hitting just .156 against him, but has struggled with his control in issuing six walks and striking out five in 13 frames.

Jimenez made his only career start against the Rangers after being acquired from the Colorado Rockies, not factoring in the decision of an 8-7 road loss on Aug. 5, giving up five runs and seven hits in five innings.

Weather forecasts suggest partly cloudy skies and game-time temperatures in the upper60s, with 10 mph winds out of the northeast (in from right).

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The Washington Nationals (14-6) and Los Angeles Dodgers (14-6) continue a three-game National League series on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 9:10 p.m. ET.

Las Vegas oddsmakers have established the Nationals as -125 road favorites due to ace Stephen Strasburg making his fifth start of the year, but the betting odds may be further inflated due to rookie outfielder Bryce Harper making his major league debut.

Harper is getting thrown into the fire due to the lack of offensive production the Nationals have received from a group of left fielders this season, as Michael Morse has sat out the opening month with a shoulder injury.

Fans should have realistic expectations with the call-up, especially considering that the 19-year-old out of Las Vegas was hitting just .250 with a single home run and three RBIs in 20 games at Triple-A Syracuse.

Strasburg (2-0, 1.08 ERA) has led the club to victory in his first four starts, including a 3-2 home win over the Miami Marlins last time out in a no-decision effort, tossing six shutout frames and allowing four hits.

The hard-throwing right-hander is 1-0 with a 0.69 ERA in two road starts, surrendering just one run and seven hits over 13 combined innings. He has registered a 5-1 mark and 1.74 ERA in eight career starts away from the nation’s capital.  

Washington dropped a 7-3 home decision in Strasburg’s lone career start versus the Dodgers, as he tallied five shutout innings and allowed just two hits. The 23-year-old managed to retire Los Angeles outfielder Matt Kemp in both of his at-bats.

The Nationals are 7-0 in his last seven starts as a road favorite, while the “under” is 27-10 in their last 37 games overall.

Los Angeles will counter with Chad Billingsley (2-1, 3.04 ERA), who will look to bounce back from his first rough outing of the year, allowing nine runs (five earned) and four hits over 3.1 innings in a 12-0 road loss to the Houston Astros.

The right-hander is 4-1 with a 3.21 ERA in seven lifetime outings versus the Nationals, including a 1-0 mark and 4.82 ERA in two starts last year.

Weather forecasts suggest clear skies and game-time temperatures in the mid-60s, with a slight breeze out of the southwest. 

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The Boston Red Sox (2-5) continue a four-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday afternoon inside Fenway Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET.

Las Vegas oddsmakers have established the Red Sox as -130 home favorites after snapping a two-game losing streak, and the total stands at nine.

Boston started the season 0-4 during day games before Friday’s 12-2 matinee victory, but the club also suffered a devastating blow to its starting lineup. Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury is expected to miss six to eight weeks with a shoulder injury after trying to break up a double play at second base.

Clay Buchholz (0-0, 15.75 ERA) may provide a lift for the club due to his career numbers versus Tampa Bay. Bucholz has a 4-2 record and 1.81 ERA in eight starts against the Rays. The right-hander has managed to allow three earned runs or less in each of those outings.

The Red Sox are 11-4 in Buchholz’s last 15 starts as a favorite of -110 to -150, while the “under” is 16-5-1 in that situation.

Tampa Bay has dropped three of four games on its recent road trip, which immediately followed a three-game sweep of the New York Yankees at Tropicana Field. The Rays have managed to score just eight combined runs away from the Sunshine State, with the “under” going 2-1-1 over that span.

Jeremy Hellickson (1-0, 0.00 ERA) is coming off a brilliant performance against the Bronx Bombers, tossing 8.2 shutout innings and scattering just three hits in a 3-0 win on April 8. He will be closely monitored on the mound in this one after throwing 118 pitches in that effort.

In five career appearances (four starts) versus the Red Sox, Hellickson is 2-1 with a 4.21 ERA, including a perfect 2-0 mark and 4.26 ERA in three outings at Fenway Park. Sports bettors will need to be cautious, though as the Rays are 1-4  in his last five starts as a road underdog.

Weather forecasts are calling for mostly cloudy skies and game-time temperatures in the mid to upper-60s, with 10-15 mph winds out of the southwest (out to center).

Total players will find that the “over” was 9-3 and games averaged 11.67 runs in those conditions inside this historic ballpark last year.

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