LATE NIGHT ASTROS @ ANGELS TOTAL

Both the LA Angels and the Houston Astros have been swinging hot bats since the All-Star break, and I think that will continue here when the two teams clash Monday night. 

Angels' righty Griffin Canning (3-5, 4.43 ERA) was tagged with six runs through 3 1/3 innings at Texas last time out while Houston right-hander Josh James will open for struggling southpaw Framber Valdez (3-5, 5.28 ERA). Valdez was also lit up by Texas his last time out, surrendering four runs on just 28 pitches, to make it 15 runs allowed over seven innings in his last three outings combined. 

Over is 6-2 in Astros last 8 road games.  Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Los Angeles. Over is 5-1-2 in the last 8 meetings.

8* play on OVER. 

SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

The Cleveland Indians have won seven of their last nine to move 6 ½ games behind Minnesota Twins who still sit top of the AL Central. Tonight the Tribe host the worst team in the division, and I think they'll handle Detroit with ease. 

Adam Plutko (3-1, 4.95 ERA) will toe the slab for Cleveland. The 27-year-old righty has made just seven appearances (six starts) in 2019, but most have been of the better variety. He fanned six over six solid innings of a 13-4 win over Detroit on June 14 and owns a 26/4 K/BB ratio on the season. 

The Tigers hand the ball to Daniel Norris (2-8, 4.96 ERA). They've lost eight of the left-hander's last 10 starts and he was tagged with six runs in five innings of a 7-5 loss to the White Sox last time out. He also gave up six runs in an 8-3 loss at Cleveland on June 23. 

The Indians are 9-2 in their last 11 games vs. a left-handed starter. The Tigers are 3-9 in Norris' last 12 road starts.

Over is 4-0 in Indians last 4 home games vs. a left-handed starter. Over is 12-3-1 in Norris' last 16 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.

8* play on OVER. 

MONDAY NIGHT NO-BRAINER

The Toronto Blue Jays have been held to two runs or fewer in five of their last six contests, and they should not stand much of a chance here against a high-powered Red Sox team.

Toronto's rookie righty Trent Thornton (3-6, 4.85 ERA) is coming off six scoreless innings of three-hit ball against Baltimore, but he had been tagged with seven runs in just 2 2/3 frames in a 10-6 loss to Boston his last time out prior to that outing.  ''

The Red Sox counter with right-hander Rick Porcello (6-7, 5.33 ERA) who has been knocked around plenty in recent outings, but he should not have much to fear from this weak Toronto lineup.

8* play on Boston Red Sox.

TOP RATED 10* MLB RUNLINE RIPPER

The Cleveland Indians have won seven of their last nine to move 6 ½ games behind Minnesota Twins who still sit top of the AL Central. Tonight the Tribe host the worst team in the division, and I think they'll handle Detroit with ease. 

Adam Plutko (3-1, 4.95 ERA) will toe the slab for Cleveland. The 27-year-old righty has made just seven appearances (six starts) in 2019, but most have been of the better variety. He fanned six over six solid innings of a 13-4 win over Detroit on June 14 and owns a 26/4 K/BB ratio on the season. 

The Tigers counter with Daniel Norris (2-8, 4.96 ERA). They've lost eight of the left-hander's last 10 starts and he was tagged with six runs in five innings of a 7-5 loss to the White Sox last time out. He also gave up six runs in an 8-3 loss at Cleveland on June 23. 

The Indians are 9-2 in their last 11 games vs. a left-handed starter. The Tigers are 3-9 in Norris' last 12 road starts.

10* play on Cleveland Indians.