Xam’s Daily Gems:
Royals -1 -109 DraftKings 5 Units
The Royals enter play just 1/2 a game back of the Twins for the last Wild Card spot, but the Red Sox are right behind them. The Royals have been playing well lately, winning 7 of their last 10 games. They have carried themselves with a DOMINANT home record, with a 36-22 record at Kauffman Stadium. Tonight, they turn to one of their best young pitchers in Brady Singer. Singer has been really impressive all year, coming into tonight’s start with a 2.88 ERA. That drops to 2.20 at home and 2.09 in his last 7 starts! He’s given up just 3 earned runs over his last 3 starts, all of which he went 7 innings in! The Red Sox counter with southpaw James Paxton, who has been quite bad this year. He’s given up 9 runs in his last 3 starts and on the road has pitched to an unsightly 5.51 ERA. The Royals have quality hitters THROUGHOUT their lineup and SHOULD be able to produce today. The bullpen has been an issue though, and the Red Sox can hit too. If the pitching can get back on track, the Royals SHOULD get this important series off to a good start!
Athletics Money Line -172 FanDuel 5 Units
The White Sox have lost an incredible 20 games in a row and there just seems to be NO END in sight for them. And believe it or not, while they have lost 2 straight games, the Athletics are 5-5 in their last 10 and have played some competitive baseball. They’re also roughly average at home this year, coming into pay with a 27-29 home record. The White Sox are a historically INEPT 10-47 on the road! Southpaw JP Sears goes for the Athletics tonight and he’s coming off his BEST start of the year, pitching 7 scoreless innings on the road against the Giants. The White Sox are barely averaging a woeful 3 runs per game on the road. At 3.09 runs per game, they just aren’t putting themselves in position to win, and they traded away guys that could help, like Eloy Jiminez. That’s bad news for Jonathan Cannon, who’s been AWFUL on the road for the White Sox. His 5.76 road ERA leaves A LOT to be desired! Look for the Athletics to take advantage and for their underrated pitching to keep Chicago at bay.
Patrick Corbin Over 15.5 Outs Recorded +105 DraftKings 5 Units
Patrick Corbin KNOWS how to get outs! He’s coming off an absolutely AWFUL start against his former team that saw him surrender 10 runs in just 3 innings! However, in 10 home starts this year, he’s averaging 5.7 innings pitched. He’s gone over this line in each of his last 2 home starts AND 8 of his 10 home starts overall. ALSO going in his favor is that Washington’s bullpen is simply TERRIBLE. They traded away one of their more reliable relief pitchers at the Trade Deadline and coming into today have the 5th highest ERA among bullpens and are in the Top 10 in WHIP allowed. If Corbin can control his pitch count and attack the strike zone, manager Davey Martinez should give him EVERY OPPORTUNITY to go Over this line yet again!
Twins Team Total Over 3.5 Runs -162 FanDuel 5 Units
The Twins have been a HOT hitting team for much of the season, and that has translated into road success as well. They’re averaging 4.77 runs per game on the road and are quietly tied for the 3rd most runs scored in the American League! Now they face a starting pitcher who has been AWFUL this year! Kyle Hendricks is a SHELL of his former self, pitching to an UGLY 6.86 ERA this year. ON TOP OF THAT, even his ERA at home is awful, at 6.23. He’s given up 3 earned runs or more in EACH of his last 3 starts and has a propensity to give up TONS of runs! The Twins have A TON of confidence and the players that can do MAJOR damage with their bats. Add in that the Cubs are coming off an emotional divisional series with the Cardinals and played on Sunday Night Baseball last night, and the Twins come into play with a rest edge as well! Don’t be surprised to see the Twins score early and often tonight!