Xam’s Gem(s):
Mets Money Line -136 (Game 2)
Kodai Senga gets his final start of the year in his rookie season. He has been downright awesome this season, posting a 2.96 ERA. He’s been even better at home this year, with a 2.22 ERA. Johnny Cueto, meanwhile, has the been the exact opposite of good this year. He has a 6.19 ERA on the year, and a 6.92 ERA in his last 7 games. He faced the Mets back on 9/20 and gave up 2 runs in 2 innings. Add in a 9.53 ERA at night, and it’s certainly possible the Marlins will look to create tonight’s game a bullpen game of sorts. It should also be noted that while the Mets are finishing up an incredibly disappointing season, they come into the day 7-3 against the Marlins this year, won 2 of 3 from the Marlins in Miami a couple weeks ago, and have scored more runs than the Marlins this season.
Rangers/Angels Over 8.5 Runs -120
Both starting pitchers coming into this game are susceptible to giving up runs. Overall, Dane Dunning has pitched well this year. However, over his last 15 games (14 starts) he has a 5.05 ERA and in his last 7 games (6 starts) he has a 6.75 ERA. On the other side, you have Griffin Canning, who has been relatively consistent this year with a 4.39 ERA. The Rangers have scored the most runs in the AL this year, and 3rd most in the entire league. The Angels have also surrendered the 4th most runs in the AL this year. The Rangers still have work to do to clinch the division, so expect them to come out heavily motivated.
Astros Money Line -122
The Astros are another team that needs to keep winning. They only have a 1/2 game lead for the last wildcard spot, and the team that wins tonight in Seattle will have control of that wildcard spot at the end of the evening. Fortunately for the Astros, Framber Valdez has been a stud this year, pitching to 3.39 ERA. Bobby Miller, meanwhile, has struggled to find his footing recently. He has given up 5 runs or more in 2 of his last 3 starts. Look for Houston’s championship pedigree to shine through tonight and get the win to stay in that all important 3rd wildcard spot.