Ricky's 1* play on COL.

Key Angle: It's important to remember that Ricky never makes a bet on any game based on just one angle. In order to make the grade, all his premium picks must meet several important criteria. He doesn't share all his secrets within his analysis, instead he chooses to reveal only the angle that he feels is the most significant. Here in this game the recent history of these two teams is particularly significant.

- The Rockies are 8-3 in their last 11 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.

- The Royals are 1-5 in their last 6 interleague home games.

- The Royals are 1-10 in their last 11 games following an off day.

Verdict: The value is on the road underdog.

The Diamondbacks have averaged a solid 5.40 runs per game through a five-game winning streak.

Atlanta right-hander Charlie Morton (5-5, 3.59 ERA) has an ERA of 4.01 through 12 career starts against Arizona.

Arizona right-hander Merrill Kelly (6-3, 2.83 ERA) is 0-2 with a 4.05 ERA in three career starts against the Braves

Over is 20-7-1 in Braves last 28 games following an off day. Over is 15-5-3 in Braves last 23 Friday games. Over is 18-7-1 in the last 26 meetings in Arizona.

8* FREE PICK ON OVER.

1* FREE PLAY Pirates.

We think that the home-field advantage will prove to be the difference today for Roansy Contreras (3-4, 4.33 ERA) and the Pirates. He'll be opposed by Jack Flaherty (3-4, 4.81.) Each starter has had success against his opponent in the past, but note that Pittsburgh is 3-1 in its last four as a home dog in the +101 to +118 range. Good overall value makes Pittsburgh worthy of a "second look" on Friday night!

AAA Sports

It's chalky. But I'm going to ride a hot pitcher, Michael Wacha, against one of the more overpaid, bad starters in the league, Jameson Taillon.

The Padres have been one of the biggest underachievers in baseball. Lately, though, they are showing signs of getting their star-studded offense turned around. San Diego is 4-3 in its last seven games. The Padres are averaging 5.9 runs in their last 10 games.

The Cubs have to be regretting spending $68 million to sign Taillon to a four-year deal. He's been terrible with a 8.04 ERA in eight starts. The Cubs have lost in every one of his starts. Taillon was especially bad in May with a 10.90 ERA and 1.96 WHIP in five starts.

By contrast, Wacha was 3-0 in five May starts with a 0.84 ERA and 0.72 WHIP.

The Cubs are not playing nearly as well as they did early in the season. They have dropped five of their last seven games.

Play - San Diego w/Wacha vs. Taillon (Game 960).
Edges - Padres: Wacha 0.84 ERA with 0.72 WHIP last five starts, with 19 Ks and 2 BBs in his last three efforts … Cubs: Taillon 0-8 with 8.04 ERA and 1.69 WHIP starts this season … With both pitchers in opposite end of the ladder current form, we recommend a 1* play on the San Diego. Thank you and good luck as always.

> On the heels of his huge Big Ugly Dog winner when Milwaukee cashed as a +150 dog against Toronto, Marc’s hot hand in the diamond rolls on Friday night with another Top Live Dog Play in a 100% winning situation! And it’s only $25. Get it now - you’ll be glad you did!

* Pitchers’ W-L records are team-starts (the record of the team in games he started) unless indicated otherwise.

**Selection ratings are:
1* free play,
2* quality opinion play,
3* top quality selection,
4* top quality strong selection,
5* top quality exceptional selection,
10* top quality highest rated selection.
Note: the majority of top selections appear on Marc’s Preferred Picks Executive LTS Service.

Chip’s MLB Triple-Play of Best Bets
Chip Chirimbes Las Vegas Hilton Champion and Big Game Player and FIVE-time Major League Baseball Handicapping Champion was 1-0 in MLB action Thursday winning his Power Play Minnesota 7-6 over Cleveland and is a ‘Documented’ 34-18 65% (+1765) with his MLB Highest-Rated Megabucks releases and 19-10 his last 29 overall (+985) in MLB action. Friday, Chip has posted receive his Triple-Play of MLB Best Bet winners including his Highest-Rated MLB Megabucks winner between the Seattle and Texas, his Money Game winner between San Francisco and Baltimore and his Power Play winner between St. Louis and Pittsburgh for just $69.

Chip’s FREE MLB Winner
Colorado at Kansas City 8:10 ET
Royals over Rockies- I have been told a number of times from my old friends back est insist that Kansas City is as bad as the Athletics but I beg to differ as I have seen this version of Oakland and they are of lower Double-A ball (really, that bad). But, the Rockies are not that much better...Take KANSAS CITY!

Can't trust Jameson Tallion on the road. Simple as that. Man has 2 strikesouts and 10 runs allowed in the last 6 road innings played. Wacha on the mound for the Padres and he's 5-1 on the season a pitches well on the road to give the batting unit of the Cubs, issues.

Official Play: Padres MoneyLine

The Cubs are expected to start Jameson Taillon while the Padres counter with Michael Wacha. Taillon has failed to complete five innings for five straight starts, and he's allowed four earned runs or more in four consecutive outings. In five starts since returning from injury he has given up 21 earned runs in 17 1/3 innings. Wacha was 3-0 in May to go along with a 0.84 ERA. For the season he has posted a 3.45 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and a 49/14 K/BB. Chicago comes into this game striking out the fifth most in the Majors, and they have not been scoring like they did in April. I like Wacha to have a great game here, and the majority of the runs being generated by the Padres. Take the under here with confidence.


Play on the UNDER