Cincinnati Reds at San Francisco Giants (-155, 7.5)
Reds manager Dusty Baker was rightfully offered a contract extension last week but hasn't yet announced if he will sign it. His players are weighing in with their play and voices.
The Reds have won eight of their last nine games and have scored 38 runs during the first six outings of their current West Coast road swing. It's their way of showing support for their skipper.
"Dusty has done a fantastic job this year in a lot of different ways," first baseman Joey Votto told reporters. "I know a lot of people give credit solely to the players. But we've seen the manager's hand on this winning season."
One of the things that makes Uncle Dusty so popular among his players is that they know he has their backs. One of the big advantages of his managerial style is that they return usually the favor.
One of his chief supporters is pitcher Edinson Volquez, who takes the hill tonight. The Reds have won five straight when Volquez takes the mound and the Giants will be seeing him for the first time.
It's hard to pass on the Big Red (Money-Making) Machine at this price.
Pick: Reds
New York Yankees at Toronto Blue Jays (-115, 9.5)
It's not often you find the Bronx Bombers listed as underdogs. But then again, it's not often - as in never - that you see Ivan Nova making the start for the Yankees.
The righthander has made just two relief appearances this season and allowed four hits in three innings of work. How the 23-year-old rookie handles his first start on the road is anyone's guess.
More predictable is counterpart Brandon Morrow, whose last home start saw him lose a no-hitter with only one out to go. The Blue Jays are 6-2 in his last eight starts.
The Jays aren't intimidated by the Yankees by virtue of their familiarity and are 4-3 against their AL East rival this season. Morrow won his last meeting with the Yankees, striking out nine in 5 1/3 innings.
The Jays are six games over .500 at home and might well be a playoff contender if they weren't in the toughest division in baseball. The Yankees suffer their first loss without A-Rod in the lineup.
Pick: Blue Jays
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