Xam’s Daily Gems:
Yankees Money Line -164 FanDuel 2 Units
The Yankees have lost 2 straight games to their division rival Tampa Bay Rays and need a win just to earn a SPLIT in this series. In fact, they’ve been one of the worst teams in baseball over the last month. They are a woeful 9-20 since June 15th! However, this is still a team with A TON of talent. Southpaw Carlos Rodon takes the bump today. He’s had a terrible stretch of late, posting a 7.94 ERA in his last 7 starts. He also got roughed up in Tampa Bay earlier this month. However, the Yankees will undoubtedly feel the pressure to win this game and act like the more desperate team. Don’t be surprised to see ALL of their premium bullpen arms in this game. Zack Littell goes for the Rays, who’s had his own struggles. His 5.53 road ERA leaves a lot to be desired. If the Yankees can FINALLY get some decent pitching, they SHOULD be able to hit enough to earn a series split.
Pirates Money Line -125 DraftKings 2 Units
The Pirates send well regarded righty Mitch Keller in the first game of a NL Central battle that is lowkey important for both teams. The Cardinals hold the 2nd Wild Card spot right now while the Pirates are just 0.5 games back of a spot themselves. Mitch Keller has been good all year but downright DOMINANT at PNC Park, posting a 2.91 ERA. The Cardinals counter with Andre Pallante, who’s been more inconsistent this year. The Pirates have been hitting their stride offensively recently, averaging 5.2 runs per game over their last 10 games and 4.65 over their last 20. The Cardinals have been hitting in their own right, so Pittsburgh will NEED to score some runs tonight. The Cardinals are coming off playing 3 games in 2 days, and the first game of their doubleheader Saturday in Atlanta went into extra innings, so they certainly may be tired coming into this game. Coming off a loss at home yesterday, the Pirates SHOULD be well rested and ready to go. They have the pitching edge AND the rest edge in this one!
Rangers Money Line -166 FanDuel 2 Units
Stop us if you heard this before…but KEEP FADING THE WHITE SOX! The White Sox just got swept by the Royals and now move on to Texas to continue what is becoming one of the worst seasons in baseball history. At 27-74, they have the WORST record in baseball! They have scored the fewest runs in baseball and given up the most. They’ve lost 7 straight games and are 10-40 on the road! Tonight they turn to righty Erick Fedde, who’s actually having a really nice season with a 7-3 record and 2.99 ERA. However, on the road his ERA jumps to 4.19 and he’s been worse in night games than he has in day games. The reigning World Series Champions counter with Michael Lorenzen. If there was EVER a time for the Rangers to make a run, it would be right now. At 47-52 and the Trade Deadline fast approaching, they’re quickly running out of time. However, they’re reigning champions for a reason, and they have the talent to go on a winning streak. If they can score some runs today, Lorenzen and the bullpen SHOULD be able to shut down the worst lineup in baseball.
Royals First 5 Innings Money Line -176 FanDuel 2 Units
The Royals are sending their ace, southpaw Cole Ragans, to the mound in the first game against the Diamondbacks. Ragans has been solid all year and is coming off back-to-back dominant starts, going 14 combined innings with just 3 earned runs surrendered. Through his last 15 starts, he has an impressive 2.85 ERA! The Diamondbacks counter with one of their top prospects that they recently called up, Yilber Diaz. He’s been solid in the first 2 starts of his career, but he only made 4 starts in Triple A and finished with a 3.27 ERA in that stretch. This will be a tough, raucous assignment for the youngster. The Royals have a great lineup and they’re averaging 5.19 runs PER GAME at home this year. If Ragans can navigate his own tough assignment, the Royals SHOULD be able to get it done early!
Astros Money Line -142 DraftKings 2 Units
The Astros may be the hottest team in baseball right now. They’re playing with A TON of confidence and with their series win this past weekend over the Mariners, they put themselves in a tie atop the AL West after being 10 games back at one point! Now they face one of the worst teams in baseball in the Oakland Athletics. Spencer Arrighetti takes the ball for the Astros in the first game of this series. He got off a terrible start this year, but has slowly improved. He has a 5.05 ERA in his last 15 games, which believe it or not shows improvement. However, he’s given up just 3 runs in his last 2 starts, spanning 11 innings. He’s also been okay against the A’s this season, pitching 10 innings and compiling a 4.50 ERA in 2 starts against them this season. The A’s counter with southpaw Hogan Harris, who’s pitched admirably this year. However, the Astros are just on a mission right now. Coming off a loss, if the Astros can get some decent pitching from Arrighetti, they SHOULD have all of their premium bullpen arms ready to go. The Astros are just on another level than the A’s.
Mariners Money Line -162 FanDuel 2 Units
The Mariners are coming off a tough series loss to the division rival Astros, but they have a soft landing with the Angels coming to town. The Angels are coming off a series loss to the similarly woeful Athletics, and they haven’t been competitive for much of the season. Bryce Miller takes the ball for the Mariners, and he’s been a stud this year. His 3.63 season ERA drops to 2.10 at home! He’s struggled recently, but this is the PERFECT bounce back spot. The Angels are scoring 3.9 runs per game this season when Mike Trout isn’t in the lineup. Hopefully superstar centerfielder Julio Rodriguez can go tonight after leaving yesterday’s game with an injury. X-Rays came back negative which is good! The Mariners need EVERY game they can get, as they’re in a DOG FIGHT with the Astros. If Miller can put up some zeroes, the Mariners SHOULD be able to hit southpaw Tyler Anderson, who has a 4.07 ERA in his last 7 games and has given up 3 runs or more in 3 of his last 4 starts, including 4 runs to the Mariners back on July 12th.