Stephen Nover’s Free Sports Handicapping Picks

Doug Fister had a decent eight-year big league career pitching from 2009-2016. Oh wait. Fister is still pitching. That's a mistake.  Fister goes for the Red Sox today and that puts me on the underdog Blue Jays. Boston made a leap of faith picking Fister up from the waiver wire. They should have left him there. Fister has made four appearances for Boston, including three starts. The results are an 0-3 record and 6.75 ERA. Fister has lost eight consecutive decisions. That's Charlie Brown type stuff.  Three of Toronto's big bats - Jose Bautista, Josh Donaldson and Kendrys Morales - are a combined 19-for-48 against Fister.  Now to get an underdog price we have to deal with a few facts. Boston is 29-17 at Fenway for the best home mark in the American League. The Blue Jays aren't playing well either. They also are pitching Francisco Liriano. The only consistent thing about Liriano is his inconsistency.  However, the Blue Jays have scored at least four runs in eight of their last 12 games. They do figure to put up a good share of runs against Fister.  Liriano certainly is capable of big games. He actually has a great record in stopping a losing streak. Toronto is 8-1 the past nine times Liriano has pitching following a loss. The Blue Jays also are 8-3 during Liriano's last 11 starts.  The spot is good, too, for the Blue Jays. The Red Sox have to be a little fatigued and distracted. This marks their seventh game in six days with two of those games going 15 and 16 innings. Following this game, the Red Sox head out to the West Coast for six games.  So given these circumstances and pitching matchup, I'll take a shot with the Blue Jays at a plus price.  (Editor's note: Stephen Nover is 16-7 on his last 23 overall premium/free plays and has his baseball Game of the Week going today in addition to this free selection.) 

The Orioles have outscored the Rangers, 25-4, in winning the first three games of this home series.  That's why the Orioles opened a favorite today against Texas. They shouldn't have. Not with Cole Hamels going for the Rangers and Wade Miley pitching for Baltimore. Hamels has it all over Miley in this battle of southpaws.  The Orioles have a losing record versus lefty starters. Now they have to deal with Hamels, the hottest pitcher in baseball. Hamels hasn't allowed a run in 21 straight innings. The Rangers are 19-9 in his past 28 road starts.  Miley began the year with a 2.82 ERA in his first 11 starts. The career journeyman was in line for a serious regression - and it has happened. During his last eight starts, Miley has posted a 10.19 ERA. He has a 1.80 WHIP on the season and a bad track record against the Rangers with a career mark of 1-5 and 5.75 ERA.