Xam’s Daily Gems:
Diamondbacks Money Line -200 FanDuel 3 Units
The Diamondbacks have lost 3 straight games and NEED to get themselves back on track. They’re facing a good tram to bounce back against, as the Marlins are one of the worst teams in baseball this year. Brandon Pfaadt takes the ball for the Diamondbacks. He’s battled inconsistency for much of the year, but his WHIP is in the top 20 in all of baseball. The Marlins are a weak hitting team that has LONG been looking forward to the offseason. The Diamondbacks got their lineup back on track yesterday despite taking the loss, scoring 7 runs in a close extra inning loss. They have the DEEPEST lineup in baseball and have scored the MOST runs in the entire league! If the Diamondbacks can keep their lineup chugging along, Pfaadt SHOULD be able to contain a weak hitting team like the Marlins. The Diamondbacks SHOULD come into this game mad and ready to go. Their elite bullpen guys should be fully ready to go as well!
Mets Money Line -136 FanDuel 3 Units
Despite losing yesterday, the Mets bounced back with a series win against their division rivals. Now, they embark on a 10-game stretch that will essentially determine their entire season. The Orioles are one of the best teams in baseball and have been really good on the road as well. It’s a pair of dueling southpaws in this one, as Trevor Rogers goes up against David Peterson. Rogers has struggled recently, giving up 5 earned runs in 2 of his last 3 starts and walking multiple batters in ALL of those outings! That’s bad news facing a Mets team that can score runs in DROVES! David Peterson has been a revelation for a Mets rotation beset by injuries. He has a 3.04 ERA and 1.39 WHIP on the year, but that drops to 2.63 and 1.35, respectively, over his last 7 starts! Both teams NEED a win, as the Orioles can jump back ahead of the Yankees tonight with a win in the race for the AL East. However, a Mets loss will drop them 2.5 games back of the Braves for the last Wild Card spot. Expect manager Carlos Mendoza to really have a sense of urgency in this game utilize ALL of his top relievers to secure this win!
Astros Money Line -122 DraftKings 3 Units
The Astros just might be the HOTTEST team in baseball right now. They’re 9-1 in their last 10 games and all of a sudden have a 4-game lead over the Astros for the AL West title. Southpaw Yusei Kikuchi has pitched well for the Astros since coming over at the Trade Deadline. The Astros were at home resting while the Red Sox had to travel after an emotional 4-game series against the Orioles. Tanner Houck has pitched well overall for the Red Sox, but he’s struggled a little bit over his last 7 games. His ERA is up to 3.92 and his WHIP has ballooned to 1.49 in that stretch! The Astros are NOT the team you want to be facing when you’re struggling, and especially so on the road. The Astros couldn’t be playing with more confidence. If Kikuchi can contain a strong Red Sox lineup, the deep lineup SHOULD be able to do enough to keep the good times rolling!
Royals -1 -155 DraftKings 3 Units
Seth Lugo has been one of the best pitchers in baseball recently. After a stretch that’s seen him pitch to a 5.36 ERA, he NEEDS a bounce back start. He gets a VERY favorable matchup when the WOEFUL Angels come to town. They’ve struggled to score runs ALL YEAR LONG! They are averaging just 3.8 runs per game in their last 20 games. It’s been a real struggle for them without Mike Trout in the lineup. They’re just not playing with any confidence right now. Carson Fulmer, the starter for the Angels tonight, has had a ROUGH time of it this year in limited innings. He has an UGLY 5.10 ERA, .286 batting average against, and 1.80 WHIP on the road! That’s tough when you’re going up against the Royals, who have been a really solid hitting team at home. The Royals find themselves 1 game back of the Twins for the last Wild Card spot, so they NEED every win they can get! If Lugo can get himself back on track, the Royals SHOULD be able to keep the good times rolling!
Rays M0ney Line -125 DraftKings 3 Units
The Rays are coming off an EXTREMELY impressive sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and now face one of the WORST teams in baseball. At 53-71, the Athletics are in the midst of another lost season. Taj Bradley looks to keep the good vibes going for the Rays. While he’s been better at home than he has on the road, he’s been impressive overall this season. The Athletics have been one of the WORST hitting teams in baseball. That’s bad news for tonight’s starter, Joe Boyle. To say he’s been bad this year would be a BIG understatement! He has an era of 7.39 and WHIP of 1.83! Incredibly, at home, he’s been even WORSE! His 8.56 ERA, .288 batting average against, and 1.98 WHIP at the Oakland Coliseum leaves A LOT to be desired! The Rays have the momentum AND the better pitcher on the mound. If Bradley can keep his solid season going, the Rays SHOULD be able to extend their winning streak tonight!
Rays/Athletics Over 7.5 Runs -110 DraftKings 3 Units
The Rays are facing a pitcher that has been giving up runs in bunches this season. After they dismantled some quality pitchers on the Diamondbacks, the Rays absolutely should be able to continue their recent run of offensive success. However, the Rays are ALSO going with a pitcher who’s been iffy on the road this year. Taj Bradley has a 4.50 ERA, .255 batting average against, and 1.34 WHIP on the road. These numbers are ALL significantly worse than his home numbers. Furthermore, the Athletics are averaging a respectable 4.33 runs per game at home this year. If the A’s can put some runs on the board, we just might have an underrated slugfest going on in Oakland!
Padres Money Line -156 FanDuel 3 Units
The Padres are back home after suffering an EMBARRASSING series loss to their division rival Colorado Rockies over the weekend. Expect them to come into this game mad. They come into play as the top Wild Card in the National League but are also JUST 3 games back of the Dodgers for the NL West lead! With the Diamondbacks breathing down their necks, these are BIG games. Michael King goes for the Padres tonight. He’s been splendid in his 1st season as a member of the Friars, coming into today with a 3.19 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. However, he’s turned it up recently, coming into tonight with a sparkling 1.94 ERA and 0.91 WHIP over his last 7 starts! Zebby Matthews is set to make his 2nd career start for the Twins tonight. Talk about a BRUTAL matchup! Despite their series loss, the Padres have been on ABSOLUTE FIRE recently with their bats. They’ll come in ready to go and take advantage of a pitcher making his 1st EVER road start!
Twins/Padres Over 7 Runs -122 FanDuel 3 Units
The Padres cooled off a little offensively over the weekend, but they’re still averaging a WHOPPING 5.83 runs per game over their last 24 games! Facing Zebby Matthews, a rookie pitcher making his 2nd career start and first career road start, feels like a GREAT matchup for a Padres team that’s LOADED with hitters! Michael King has been pitching extremely well recently, but the Twins have solid hitters too! The key to this Play will likely be what the Twins do offensively. They are averaging 4.64 runs per game on the road and certainly have the lineup capable of scoring runs. However, with Michael King and an ELITE bullpen waiting to back him up, the Twins will have to earn it tonight. If they can do their part, we SHOULD see PLENTY of offense in San Deigo!
Giants -1 -180 DraftKings 3 Units
Southpaw Kyle Harrison takes the ball for the Giants as they desperately try to stay alive in the National League Wild Card race. It may not feel like it, but the Giants are only 4 games back of the Braves for the last spot! Harrison has pitched significantly better at home than he has on the road. He brings a respectable 3.64 ERA, .249 batting average against, and 1.21 WHIP in starts at Oracle Park this season. As for the White Sox, we all know how historically terrible they have been this year. They’re 30-95 on the year. They are an unimaginable 12-51 on the road. They’ve scored the fewest runs and given up the second most runs. Their starter tonight, Jonathan Cannon, has been BRUTAL on the road. He has a 5.50 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, and a STAGGERING .313 batting average against on the road! He’s been fine overall this year and in recent starts, so the Giants, who don’t always score a lot of runs, will have their work cut out for them. However, IF they can put some runs on the board, Harrison and the bullpen SHOULD be able to lock down the first game of this series!