Wednesday, August 03, 2022 Cincinnati Reds vs. Miami Marlins (MLB) - 6:40 PM EDT Premium Pick Pick: Money Line: -200 Miami Marlins Rating: 8* Mike's Bookies' Analytical Nightmare Play (WIN) The books are scared & running as they've posted an inflated line in hopes of flocking the timid away. Don't fall for it! Yes, the Reds are 15-5 versus Miami their last 20. However, Sandy Alcantara didn't pitch those 20. Digging in much deeper reveals Cincinnati has posted a meek .225 batting average on the road versus your average RHP. Alcantara could hardly be considered average. The numbers speak for themselves as Sandy comes in with an impressive 1.99 ERA overall & an even better 1.92 mark for night games this season. Despite the ole' Red Legs having a better hitting lineup when Alcantara faced them last, he still found no problem dismantled them by recording 12 strikeouts (23 his last 2 starts versus them) & yielded just 1 ER in 7 innings pitched. The only advantages we need to take into account is the consistency & overall early command that Alcantara possesses. Without question, he's been off the charts. Let's gladly go to the pint-sized (37,000 capacity) LoanDepot Park in Little Havana (former Orange Bowl site) to play the CINCINNATI REDS NO SCORE Inning 1 as my 8* Bookies' Analytical Nightmare Play! NOTES: As you see, this past week has been slim pickings due to roster/chemistry changes in MLB. The average bettor must understand & grasp these changes in order to hook up to the right perceptions as we approach the September 1st-expand to 28-man roster deadline. The following is the MLB standings (in morning of August 9th) since the All-Star break that should give you a better indication of what teams to look for down the stretch. AL East: Baltimore 11-6, Toronto 10-6, Tampa Bay 7-9, NY Yankees 7-11, Boston 6-11. AL Central: Cleveland 10-8, Chi. White Sox 9-7, Minnesota 7-7, Kansas City 8-9, Detroit 6-12. AL West: Houston 11-8, Oakland 9-8, Seattle 8-10, LA Angels 8-10. NL East: NY Mets 13-4, Philadelphia 11-5, Atlanta 8-8, Miami 6-11, Washington 5-12. NL Central: St. Louis 10-4, Cincinnati 10-7, Chi. Cubs 9-7, Milwaukee 8-7, Pittsburgh 5-11. NL West: LA Dodgers 15-3, Arizona 9-7, San Diego 9-9, San Francisco 6-12, Colorado 5-13. Mike Handzelek's 2022 MLB Overall Record: 40-13 for a 75% Mike's MLB Record Last 14: 14-0 for 100% & 18-1 his last 19 for a rockin' 94%