Cubs (23-16) @ Pittsburgh (17-22)
— Steele is 0-0, 0.96 in two starts (9.1 IP).
— Chicago is 0-2 in his starts.
— under 1-1
— allowed run in first inning: 0-2
— record in first 5 innings: 0-0-2
— He is 1-2, 5.40 in five starts vs Pittsburgh.

— Cubs are 4-2 in last six games.
— They’re 10-10 on road.
— under 7-4 last eleven games
— scored run in first inning: 10-39
— record in first 5 innings: 17-13-9
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 3-x-4.1

— Skenes is making his MLB debut.
— He was 0-0, 0.99 in seven AAA starts.
— He threw only 27.1 IP in 7 starts, is likely on a pitch count.

— Pirates are 8-19 in their last 27 games.
— They’re 8-11 at home.
— over 3-2 last five games
— scored run in first inning: 8-39
— record in first 5 innings: 14-18-7
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 4-x-3

Atlanta (23-12) @ NY Mets (18-19)
— Fried is 2-1, 2.54 in his last five starts.
— Atlanta is 5-2 in his starts.
— under 4-0 last four
— allowed run in first inning: 4-7
— record in first 5 innings: 3-3-1
— He is 8-5, 2.65 in 17 starts vs New York.

— Braves won their last three games.
— They’re 2-5 in last seven road games.
— under 14-1 last 15 games
— scored run in first inning: 10-35
— record in first 5 innings: 20-11-4
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 3-x-2

— Scott gave up a run in 6.2 IP (94 PT) in his MLB debut.
— Mets are 0-1 in his starts.
— under 1-0
— allowed run in first inning: 1-1
— record in first 5 innings: 0-0-1
— He hasn’t pitched against Atlanta.

— New York is 6-11 in its last 17 games.
— Mets are 9-11 at home.
— under 6-2 last eight home games
— scored run in first inning: 10-37
— record in first 5 innings: 12-16-9
— bullpen IP last 3 days: x-x-4

Philadelphia (27-12) @ Miami (10-30)
— Walker is 2-0, 6.39 in two starts.
— Phillies are 2-0 in his starts, scoring 13 runs.
— over 2-0
— allowed run in first inning: 0-2
— record in first 5 innings: 2-0
— He is 5-2, 3.41 in 11 starts vs Miami.

— Phillies are 22-6 in their last 28 games.
— Phillies are 12-5 on road.
— over 5-2 last seven road games
— scored run in first inning: 17-39
— record in first 5 innings: 28-8-3
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 3.1-x-2

— Marlins haven’t named a starter.

— Marlins lost six of their last seven games.
— Miami is 5-16 at home.
— over 10-3 last 13 games.
— scored run in first inning: 10-40
— record in first 5 innings: 13-23-4
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 2-x-5.2

St Louis (15-23) @ Milwaukee (23-15)
— Gibson is 1-0, 2.16 in his last four starts.
— St Louis is 3-4 in his starts.
— under 5-0 last five
— allowed run in first inning: 4-7
— record in first 5 innings: 1-5-1
— He is 1-2, 4.97 in nine starts vs Milwaukee.

— Cardinals are 2-9 in last eleven games.
— They’re 9-12 on road.
— under 18-10 last 28 games
— scored run in first inning: 8-38
— record in first 5 innings: 11-22-5
— bullpen IP last 3 days: x-3-3.1

— Peralta is 1-1, 4.22 in his last four starts.
— Milwaukee is 6-1 in his starts.
— over 4-3
— allowed run in first inning: 1-7
— record in first 5 innings: 5-2
— He is 3-6, 5.32 in 12 starts vs St Louis

— Brewers are 3-1 in their last four games.
— They’re 9-7 at home.
— over 9-3 last 12 home games
— scored run in first inning: 14-38
— record in first 5 innings: 19-13-6
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 3-5-3

Los Angeles (26-14) @ San Diego (21-20)
— Paxton is 2-0, 3.31 in his last three starts.
— Dodgers are 5-1 in his starts.
— over 3-3
— allowed run in first inning: 1-6
— record in first 5 innings: 4-2
— He is 2-1, 2.55 in five starts vs San Diego.

— Dodgers won 14 of last 17 games.
— Dodgers are 11-6 on road.
— under 8-4 last dozen games.
— scored run in first inning: 18-40
— record in first 5 innings: 24-13-3
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 2-x-1

— Waldron is 1-3, 8.24 in his last four starts.
— San Diego is 1-6 in his starts.
— under 5-1-1
— allowed run in first inning: 4-7
— record in first 5 innings: 1-5-1
— He gave up a run in 5 IP, in his one start vs Los Angeles

— Padres won seven of last nine games.
— They’re 9-12 at home
— over 5-3 last eight home games
— scored run in first inning: 14-41
— record in first 5 innings: 18-17-6
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 2-x-2

Cincinnati (17-21) @ San Francisco (17-23)
— Lodolo is 3-1, 2.76 in five starts.
— Cincinnati is 4-1 in his starts.
— under 3-2
— allowed run in first inning: 3-5
— record in first 5 innings: 2-2-1
— He hasn’t pitched against San Francisco.

— Reds lost 11 of last 14 games.
— They’re 8-8 on road.
— under 15-7 last 22 games
— scored run in first inning: 8-38
— record in first 5 innings: 13-16-9
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 4-4-4

— Black gave up 5 runs in 4.1 IP in his first ‘24 start.
— San Francisco is 0-1 in his starts.
— under 1-0
— allowed run in first inning: 0-1
— record in first 5 innings: 0-1
— He hasn’t pitched against Cincinnati.

— San Francisco is 5-10 in its last 15 games.
— Giants are 9-8 at home.
— under 7-1 last eight home games
— scored run in first inning: 8-40
— record in first 5 innings: 12-22-6
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 4-4.1-2

Houston (14-24) @ Detroit (19-19)
— Javier is 2-0, 1.93 in four starts.
— Houston is 2-2 in his starts.
— under 3-1
— allowed run in first inning: 0-4
— record in first 5 innings: 3-0-1
— He is 2-0, 1.08 in four starts vs Detroit.

— Houston lost four of its last six games.
— Astros are 7-12 on road.
— under 16-5 last 21 games
— scored run in first inning: 14-38
— record in first 5 innings: 16-19-3
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 3-3.1-2

— Skubal is 4-0, 2.32 in seven starts.
— Detroit is 5-2 in his starts.
— over 5-2
— allowed run in first inning: 3-7
— record in first 5 innings: 5-1-1
— He is 0-0, 2.08 in two starts vs Houston.

— Detroit lost six of last seven games.
— Tigers are 8-10 at home.
— over 3-2 last five games
— scored run in first inning: 14-38
— record in first 5 innings: 16-16-6
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 2-x-3

Bronx (26-14) @ Tampa Bay (19-20)
— Cortes is 0-2, 3.90 in his last five starts.
— New York is 3-5 in his starts.
— under 5-2 last seven
— allowed run in first inning: 2-8
— record in first 5 innings: 2-4-2
— He is 2-3, 3.95 in eight starts vs Tampa Bay.

— New York is 7-2 in its last nine games.
— They’re 13-8 on road.
— over 3-1-1 last five games
— scored run in first inning: 12-40
— record in first 5 innings: 19-13-8
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 2.2-3.1-3

— Littell is 0-2, 3.82 in his last six starts.
— Tampa Bay is 3-4 in his starts.
— under 4-3
— allowed run in first inning: 4-7
— record in first 5 innings: 2-3-2
— He gave up 4 runs in 6 IP in his one start vs New York.

— Tampa Bay won five of its last seven games.
— Rays are 13-11 at home.
— over 10-6 last 16 home games
— scored run in first inning: 10-39
— record in first 5 innings: 15-18-6
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 4.1-x-3

Minnesota (23-15) @ Toronto (17-21)
— Woods-Richardson is 1-0, 2.18 in four starts.
— Minnesota is 1-0 in his starts.
— over 2-2
— allowed run in first inning: 0-4
— record in first 5 innings: 2-2
— He hasn’t pitched against Toronto.

— Twins won 16 of their last 18 games.
— They’re 12-7 on road.
— over 8-4 last 12 games.
— scored run in first inning: 12-38
— record in first 5 innings: 18-17-3
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 3.2-3.2-2

— Gausman is 2-0, 0.73 in his last two starts.
— Toronto is 3-4 in his starts.
— over 5-2
— allowed run in first inning: 2-7
— record in first 5 innings: 4-3
— He is 1-4, 6.35 in 11 starts vs Minnesota.

— Toronto lost 11 of its last 14 games.
— Blue Jays are 8-8 at home.
— over 4-2 last six games
— scored run in first inning: 10-38
— record in first 5 innings: 16-16-6
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 2.2-x-1

Cleveland (24-15) @ White Sox (11-28)
— McKenzie is 1-0, 2.57 in his last four starts.
— Guardians are 5-2 in his starts.
— over 4-3
— allowed run in first inning: 3-7
— record in first 5 innings: 4-2-1
— He is 3-2, 5.01 in ten starts vs Chicago.

— Cleveland is 4-3 in its last seven games.
— Guardians are 12-9 on road.
— under 11-5 last sixteen road games
— scored run in first inning: 8-39
— record in first 5 innings: 18-15-6
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 6-2.1-1

— Clevinger gave up 4 runs in 2 IP in his first ‘24 start.
— White Sox are 0-1 in his starts.
— over 1-0
— allowed run in first inning: 0-1
— record in first 5 innings: 0-1
— He is 2-2, 3.38 in five starts vs Cleveland.
— He pitched for Cleveland from 2016-20.

— White Sox are 8-5 with Tommy Pham in lineup.
— Chicago is 7-12 at home.
— under 5-3 last eight games
— scored run in first inning: 9-39
— record in first 5 innings: 15-18-6
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 3-3-3

Kansas City (24-16) @ LA Angels (14-25)
— Ragans is 2-0, 2.04 in his last three starts.
— Kansas City is 4-4 in his starts.
— under 6-1-1
— allowed run in first inning: 2-8
— record in first 5 innings: 3-3-2
— He is 0-1, 3.95 in two starts against the Angels.

— Royals are 4-1 in their last five games.
— Royals are 9-8 on road.
— under 9-3 last 12 road games
— scored run in first inning: 13-40
— record in first 5 innings: 21-12-7
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 3.2-3-3.2

— Anderson is 0-4, 4.40 in his last five starts.
— Angels are 2-5 in his starts.
— under 5-2
— allowed run in first inning: 1-7
— record in first 5 innings: 2-4-1
— He is 1-2, 4.30 in five starts vs Kansas City.

— Angels are 2-5 in their last seven games.
— They’re 4-13 at home.
— over 7-3 last ten home games
— scored run in first inning: 9-39
— record in first 5 innings: 12-25-2
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 4.1-4-3.1

Oakland (18-22) @ Seattle (21-18)
— Wood is 1-0, 1.72 in his last three starts.
— Oakland is 4-4 in his starts.
— under 3-0 last three
— allowed run in first inning: 4-8
— record in first 5 innings: 4-4
— He is 0-2, 3.38 in 2 games (1 start) vs Seattle.

— A’s lost five of their last six games.
— Oakland is 8-9 on road.
— over 6-1 last seven games
— scored run in first inning: 8-40
— record in first 5 innings: 16-23-1
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 9.2-x-4

— Miller is 3-2, 2.83 in seven starts.
— Seattle is 5-2 in his starts.
— under 6-1
— allowed run in first inning: 0-7
— record in first 5 innings: 3-2-2
— He is 1-0, 2.00 in three starts vs Oakland

— Seattle is 2-3 in its last five games.
— Mariners are 12-8 at home.
— over 5-1 last six games
— scored run in first inning: 8-39
— record in first 5 innings: 17-16-6
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 3-4-4.2

Arizona (18-21) @ Baltimore (25-12)
— Nelson is 2-2, 5.66 in four starts.
— Arizona is 2-3 in his starts.
— under 4-1
— allowed run in first inning: 0-5
— record in first 5 innings: 1-3-1
— He hasn’t pitched against Baltimore.

— Arizona won four of its last five games.
— Diamondbacks are 9-11 on road.
— under 20-9 last 29 games
— scored run in first inning: 15-39
— record in first 5 innings: 16-15-8
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 2-3.1-2

— Means threw 7 shutout IP in his first ‘24 start.
— Baltimore is 1-0 in his starts.
— under 1-0
— allowed run in first inning: 0-1
— record in first 5 innings: 1-0
— He gave up 3 runs in 3.1 IP, in his one start vs Arizona.

— Baltimore is 8-2 in its last ten games.
— Orioles are 13-7 at home.
— under 9-4 last 13 games
— scored run in first inning: 8-37
— record in first 5 innings: 21-12-4
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 4-x-3.1

Washington (19-18) @ Boston (19-19)
— Irvin is 1-2, 7.20 in his last three starts.
— Washington is 2-5 in his starts.
— over 3-0 last three
— allowed run in first inning: 2-7
— record in first 5 innings: 2-4-1
— He hasn’t pitched against Boston.

— Nationals are 9-4 in their last 13 games.
— They’re 12-8 on road.
— over 8-4 last dozen games
— scored run in first inning: 6-37
— record in first 5 innings: 17-18-2
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 3.1-x-4

— Criswell is 2-0, 1.47 in four starts (18.1 IP).
— Boston is 4-0 in his starts.
— under 3-1
— allowed run in first inning: 0-4
— record in first 5 innings: 4-0
— He hasn’t pitched against Washington

— Red Sox are 1-6 in their last seven games.
— They’re 7-10 at home.
— under 13-5 last 18 games
— scored run in first inning: 14-38
— record in first 5 innings: 21-12-5
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 5-x-2

Texas (22-18) @ Colorado (10-28)
— Heaney is 0-4, 5.25 in seven starts.
— Texas is 1-6 in his starts.
— under 3-0 last three
— allowed run in first inning: 3-7
— record in first 5 innings: 0-6-1
— He is 3-2, 3.22 in five starts vs Colorado.

— Rangers are 9-5 in their last 14 games.
— They’re 12-9 on road.
— over 3-1 last four games
— scored run in first inning: 14-40
— record in first 5 innings: 16-15-9
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 7-x-2

— Feltner is 0-2, 7.04 in his last four starts.
— Colorado is 2-5 in his starts.
— over 6-0 last six
— allowed run in first inning: 5-7
— record in first 5 innings: 5-2
— He hasn’t pitched against Texas.

— Rockies are 10-28 in their first 38 games.
— They’re 7-12 at home.
— over 3-2 last five games
— scored run in first inning: 9-38
— record in first 5 innings: 10-19-9
— bullpen IP last 3 days: 6-3-2.1

Umpires
Chi-Pitt- Over is 5-1 in last six Clemons games.
Atl-NY- Under is 5-1 in last six Hoye games.
Phil-Mia- Under is 4-2 in Gonzalez games.
StL-Milw- Under is 2-0 in Wolf games.
LA-SD- Last five Bacchus games went over.
Cin-SF- Favorites are 5-1 in last six Vanover games.

Hst-Det- Favorites won last seven Hamari games.
NY-TB- Under is 5-1 in DeJesus games.
Minn-Tor- Home team is 5-2 in Cuzzi games.
Clev-Chi- Favorites are 6-1 in Barry games.
KC-LAA- Road team is 6-1 in Baker games.
A’s-Sea- Favorite won four of last five Ortiz games.

Az-Balt- Under is 5-2 in Whitson games.
Wash-Bos- Under is 4-2 in last six BRMiller games.
Tex-Colo- Last six Fairchild games went over.

Saturday, 05/11/2024 (927) WASHINGTON vs. (928) BOSTON
Favoring: WASHINGTON on the money line.
WASHINGTON is 12-4 (+18.7 Units) against the money line vs. an AL starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.200 or better over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was WASHINGTON 5.5, OPPONENT 3.4 - (Rating = 5*)

Saturday, 05/11/2024 (927) WASHINGTON vs. (928) BOSTON
Favoring: WASHINGTON on the money line.
WASHINGTON is 15-8 (+20 Units) against the money line vs. an AL starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.300 or better over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was WASHINGTON 4.5, OPPONENT 3.8 - (Rating = 4*)

Saturday, 05/11/2024 (919) CLEVELAND vs. (920) CHI WHITE SOX
Favoring: CLEVELAND on the money line.
CLEVELAND is 31-10 (+25.3 Units) against the money line after 2 or more consecutive losses over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was CLEVELAND 4.6, OPPONENT 3 - (Rating = 4

Saturday, 05/11/2024 (925) ARIZONA vs. (926) BALTIMORE
Favoring: BALTIMORE on the money line.
BALTIMORE is 34-13 (+22.6 Units) against the money line after a 3 game span with an OBP of .260 or worse over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was BALTIMORE 4.7, OPPONENT 3.8 - (Rating = 3*)

Saturday, 05/11/2024 (905) PHILADELPHIA vs. (906) MIAMI
Favoring: PHILADELPHIA against the spread.
MIAMI is 2-18 (-18.5 Units) against the run line after 4 or more consecutive losses over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was MIAMI 3.7, OPPONENT 5.6 - (Rating = 4*)

Saturday, 05/11/2024 (927) WASHINGTON vs. (928) BOSTON
Favoring: WASHINGTON against the spread.
WASHINGTON is 14-2 (+13.3 Units) against the run line vs. an AL starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.200 or better over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was WASHINGTON 5.5, OPPONENT 3.4 - (Rating = 3*)

Saturday, 05/11/2024 (919) CLEVELAND vs. (920) CHI WHITE SOX
Favoring: CLEVELAND against the spread.
CLEVELAND is 37-12 (+26.1 Units) against the run line with double revenge - 2 straight losses vs. opponent over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was CLEVELAND 4.6, OPPONENT 3.3 - (Rating = 3*)

Saturday, 05/11/2024 (929) TEXAS vs. (930) COLORADO
Favoring: COLORADO against the spread.
TEXAS is 6-25 (-21.2 Units) against the run line vs. an NL team with they batting average of .250 or worse over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was TEXAS 3.7, OPPONENT 4.7 - (Rating = 3*)

Saturday, 05/11/2024 (927) WASHINGTON vs. (928) BOSTON
Favoring: Under on the total.
BOSTON is 18-4 UNDER (+14 Units) vs. an NL team with an on base percentage .315 or worse over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was BOSTON 3.9, OPPONENT 4.1 - (Rating = 3*)

Saturday, 05/11/2024 (919) CLEVELAND vs. (920) CHI WHITE SOX
Favoring: Under on the total.
CHI WHITE SOX are 21-6 UNDER (+14.5 Units) after allowing 3 runs or less 2 straight games over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was CHI WHITE SOX 3.2, OPPONENT 4.3 - (Rating = 3*)

The most anticipated pitching debut since Stephen Strasburg in 2010 has arrived, as Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates will make his first MLB start on Saturday May 11 against the Chicago Cubs. The first overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft actually started his collegiate career with two seasons at Air Force, but went 13-2 with a 1.69 ERA and struck out 209 batters in 122.2 innings at LSU over one season to rocket up draft boards.

Along with those eye-popping college numbers, Skenes has worked 34 minor league innings and allowed a total of eight runs (seven earned) with 55 strikeouts against 10 walks. He has a 1.85 ERA across four minor league levels, with the bulk of his work coming at Triple-A Indianapolis this season with a 0.99 ERA over 27.1 innings and 45 strikeouts against eight walks.

Skenes was actually a two-way player at Air Force before shifting exclusively to the pitching rubber. He actually batted .367/.453/.669 at Air Force, so he was a pretty good hitter as well.

His average fastball velocity sits at 99 mph and he’s topped out at 102 this season. Not only is the fastball electric, but his slider is a true money-maker of a pitch. If hitters are somehow able to fight off those two pitches, he throws a “changeup” in the low 90s with a two-seam/splitter hybrid grip to add something with downward movement to his east-west slider and explosive fastball.

Basically, his stuff is Major League-ready.