Xam’s Daily Gems:
Dodgers -1 -159 DraftKings
The Dodgers getting swept by the Pirates?! Hard to see that. The Dodgers are still a really good baseball team with a DEEP lineup. Walker Buehler has 2 quality starts in his last 3 outings for the Dodgers and the Dodgers will have their elite bullpen arms available. Pirates starter Bailey Falter had over a 5 ERA last year so there should be some regression there for him. If Buehler can contain what is still a weak hitting Pirates lineup, the Dodgers should get it done!
Braves -1 -148 DraftKings
Reynaldo Lopez has been GREAT for the Braves this season and the Nationals just got swept by the Mets. The Braves are still figuring out to how to make it work without superstar Ronald Acuna Jr., but this is still a deep team and they won a World Series without him. They can hit any team at any location. The Nationals simply don’t have the horses and the Braves SHOULD have their elite bullpen arms after getting blown out yesterday.
Reds Money Line -125 DraftKings
The Cubs are coming off a highly emotional, back and forth series against the crosstown rival White Sox, while the Reds took care of business in Colorado. Now, the Cubs travel to their division rival after a late series ending win. The Cubs haven’t been a very good road team this year, coming into play with a 13-18 road record. They’ve scored just 3.8 runs per game in their last 10 road games. Hunter Greene has been solid overall for the Reds this year, despite being better on the road! Javier Assad has been really good this year, but his ERA goes from 1.67 at Wrigley Field to 2.90 on the road. He faced the Reds in his last start at home, going 5.1 innings and giving up 2 earned runs. Greene got blasted in that game, giving up 5 earned runs in 6 innings! The Reds should have their elite bullpen arms slightly more rested given yesterday’s lopsided final score. If Greene can continue his solid season, the Reds SHOULD score enough to take the first game of this series!
Cardinals -1 -189 DraftKings
The Rockies, in case anyone missed it, stink this year. They’re a woeful 21-40 on the year and 8-23 on the road. They have lost 5 straight games and have the 3rd fewest runs scored in the National League! They’re not playing with any confidence right now. Meanwhile, Sonny Gray has been awesome for the Cardinals. The St. Louis ace has been nothing short of electric at home, coming into play with a 0.93 home ERA! If he can continue that effort, the Cardinals should be able to muster enough runs off of Cal Quantrill and a bad Rockies bullpen.
Red Sox -1 -202 DraftKings
Tanner Houck has been Boston’s best pitcher this year, coming into play with a beautiful 1.85 ERA. Now, he gets to face one of the worst lineups in baseball. The White Sox are a miserable 15-47 and haven’t looked competitive for large portions of the season. Jake Woodford will make his 2nd start of the year for the White Sox. He didn’t last long and wasn’t effective in his first start against the Blue Jays, and in 15 starts last year he had a woeful 6.23 ERA. The Red Sox have the better team across the board and should be able to score PLENTY tonight.
Padres Money Line -125 DraftKings
Diamondbacks starter Slade Cecconi comes into play tonight with an ERA of 5.59. Prior to his last start against the Mets, he gave up 6 earned runs in back-to-back starts! He’s actually been serviceable on the road with a horrendous 10.80 home ERA, but that will even itself out as the season goes along. The Padres have lost 4 straight games and NEED a win! They’ll have all of their elite bullpen arms ready for this game. The Padres are too good to have a 13-19 home record. Expect them to play with a sense of urgency tonight to get back to .500 in front of their home fans!