Xam’s Daily Gems:
Twins First 5 Innings Money Line -168 FanDuel
The Twins are sending Joe Ryan to the mound to try and themselves back on track. Ryan has been solid, if unspectacular, this season. He comes into today with a 3.53 ERA, a 3.80 ERA in his last 7 games, and 3.81 ERA at home. The Brewers turn to newly acquired righty Aaron Civale. He’s had had his struggles this season, coming into play with a 4.94 ERA and 5.91 ERA in his last 15 games. On the road this year, he’s been even worse, posting an UGLY 6.23 ERA on the road! The Twins are averaging nearly 5 runs per game at home this year AND are averaging 5.3 runs per game in their last 20! If Ryan can put up zeroes early, the Twins SHOULD be able to score enough to get the job done.
Yankees Money Line -148 FanDuel
The Yankees are going for a series win against a division rival, and they are turning to one of their most consistent starting pitchers this season to do it. Marcus Stroman comes into today with a 3.51 ERA, despite having an ugly 5.30 ERA in his last 7 starts. Stroman needs a solid start to return to form, and facing a weak Tampa Bay lineup SHOULD do the trick. The Yankees will be facing righty Shane Baz, who’s struggled at the start of his season. He had Tommy John surgery and then injured his oblique back in March. The Yankees have the better lineup and after no-showing yesterday, will have their premium bullpen arms available. If the offense brings it today, they SHOULD do enough to get the series win!
Blue Jays -1 -121 DraftKings
The Blue Jays turn to their ace Kevin Gausman today in an effort to avoid getting swept at home. Gausman has battled inconsistency this year, but he’s coming off back-to-back quality starts, giving up just 4 runs over his last 13 innings pitched. He’s actually been dreadful at home this year, posting a 7.19 ERA, but FANTASTIC on the road, with a 2.34 ERA. However, overall he’s been better recently, with a 3.91 ERA in his last 15 games. The Tigers counter with young righty Keider Montero, who has a 5.47 ERA through 5 appearances (4 starts). The Blue Jays will surely use all of their premium bullpen arms, as getting swept at home to open the second half of the season would be EMBARASSING! The Blue Jays SHOULD be able to put some runs on the board as well. If Gausman can be like his usual self, the Blue Jays SHOULD be able to avoid the sweep and send the fans home happy.
Royals Money Line -230 DraftKings
The Royals are big favorites in this one, but there’s a reason for that! A lot of reasons, actually. At 27-73, the White Sox aren’t JUST the worst team in baseball. They’re on pace to have one of the worst seasons in baseball history. They have lost 6 straight games, 1-9 in their last 10, and are a woeful 10-39 on the road. They just don’t score many runs as an offense. Seth Lugo has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this year, coming into today with a 2.48 ERA. He’s been equally solid at home compared to on the road, and overall has just been a model of consistency. The White Sox counter with righty Drew Thorpe. His ERA is up almost a full run on the road AND in day games, his ERA is an unsightly 5.28 ERA. The Royals are simply the better teamd and WILL complete the sweep!
Orioles/Rangers Over 8.5 Runs -120 FanDuel
Two powerful offenses are going up against inconsistent starting pitchers. Dean Kremer has given up 7 runs in his last 2 starts, lasting just 8.2 innings. Led by Marcus Semien and Corey Seager, the Rangers have a POWERFUL lineup! They’re averaging 4.7 runs per game and are capable of going off against anyone. The Rangers counter with southpaw Andrew Heaney, who’s had his own issues. Despite a 3.79 ERA on the year, his ERA is 4.31 at home this year. The Orioles have scored the 2nd MOST runs in the league this year, and they SHOULD be able to score today. Don’t be surprised to see a SLUGFEST in the great state of TEXAS!
Mariners Money Line -108 FanDuel
The Mariners have been in absolute FREEFALL and are in DESPERATE need of a win against the division rival Astros. They need this win to avoid being swept and falling 2 games back in the AL West. They send Bryan Woo to the mound, who’s been very impressive so far this year. He has a 2.45 ERA and that goes down to a SPARKLING 0.57 ERA at T-Mobile Park. The Astros counter with righty Ronel Blanco, who has been solid this year. However, he’s been AWFUL against the Mariners in his career, posting an UGLY 5.65 ERA throughout his career. The Mariners are going to do whatever it takes to win and avoid the sweep. Expect to see ALL of their premium relievers. The Mariners need this game MORE and expect that desperation to come through and get the Mariners a win.
Ben Lively Over 3.5 Ks -102 FanDuel
Lively has cleared this number in EACH of his last 6 games in 10 of his last 11 starts! In 6 of those starts, he had 5 ore more strikeouts. He hasn’t pitched since the 14th, and hasn’t gone over 80 pitches in 3 of his last 4 starts. Lively should be very well rested and ready to go deep in this game. The Padres don’t strikeout a lot, but Lively has shown he has the stuff to get it done, and the Padres DID strikeout ELEVEN times yesterday!
Marcus Stroman Over 15.5 Outs Recorded -135 FanDuel
Stroman hasn’t cleared this line in any of his last 3 starts and only once in his last 5 starts. He’s in REAL need for a quality start. In his last start, against the Rays, he lasted just 4.1 innings. However, in his home starts this year, he is AVERAGING 6.1 innings pitched! The Yankees ALSO only got 4.1 innings from starter Nestor Cortes yesterday, so they need some length from their starter. Stroman is known for attacking the strike zone and that is what he needs to do today. He’s shown he can be efficient and he’s well rested!
Padres Team Total Over 3.5 Runs -125 DraftKings
The Padres have scored 90 runs over their last 20 games, and their offense is averaging a respectable 4.68 runs per game on the road this year. Cleveland’s starter today, Ben Lively has been hit in recent starts. He has a 4.58 ERA in his last 7 starts and in July his ERA is 5.94! The Padres have a confident lineup and they scored 7 runs yesterday! They have the lineup to produce yet again against an iffy starting pitcher.
Red Sox Team Total Over 3.5 Runs -160 DraftKings
The Red Sox scored 6 runs last night and both teams used A TON of pitchers in a back and forth 11-inning affair. The Red Sox have ALSO been solid offensively on the road, averaging just UNDER 5 runs per game. Dodgers starter, southpaw James Paxton, is TERRIBLE. He has a 4.38 ERA and that jumps to an unsightly 6.12 in his last 7 games! He’s just not the guy that can contain this powerful Red Sox lineup. Add in that the Dodgers WILL need to use some lesser relievers, and the Red Sox are WELL POSITIONED to score a bunch of runs tonight yet again at Dodger Stadium!