Xam’s Daily Gems:
Orioles Money Line -162 FanDuel
After a day off, the Orioles find themselves atop the AL East by themselves and hosting one of the worst teams in the National League. The Nationals come into play with the 3rd WORST record in the National League and the most runs given up! John Irvin has had some good moments for the Nationals, but he’s really struggled lately. He has a 5.49 ERA over his last 7 starts and has given up 9 earned runs over his last 2 starts! That’s BAD NEWS when facing an Orioles lineup that can mash the baseball, and especially so at home. The Orioles are averaging just under 5 runs per game at Camden Yards this season and average 5.5 runs per game over their last 20! That’s bad news for a terrible Washington bullpen and great news for southpaw Trevor Rogers. It’s all set up to be a BIG DAY for the Orioles. If Rogers can keep a weak Washington lineup in check, their rested bullpen SHOULD care for the rest!
Phillies Money Line -172 FanDuel
Taijuan Walker makes his long-anticipated return to the Phillies’ rotation, and the matchup couldn’t be much better for him. Walker had been out since late June while dealing with a blister on his right index finger. Walker wasn’t pitching well when he went out, but the Marlins have scored the fewest runs in the National League so Walker SHOULD be able to keep them at bay. The Phillies have been scuffling a bit and needed a day off after being swept away in Arizona over the weekend. They’re going to come out MAD tonight! They still have one of the best homefield advantages in the sport, as they come into play with a 38-21 record at Citizens Bank Park. The Marlins have also shown themselves to be one of the WORST road teams in baseball this year, coming into tonight’s game with an UGLY 20-36 record! The Phillies have a rested bullpen as well coming into tonight. Manager Rob Thomson knows his team needs this game and should manage with the URGENCY that this game requires.
Mets Money Line -166 FanDuel
The Mets got certifiably EMBARRASSED by the Mariners over the weekend, getting outscored 22-1 in the uncompetitive sweep. Fortunately for them, after a day off, they come back home to play one of the WORST teams in baseball! The Athletics are a woeful 231-39 on the road, only better than the historically awful Chicago White Sox. The Mets come into play just 1 game back of the last Wild Card spot in the National League, so every single game is important for them. Paul Blackburn will face his former team tonight. He’s been really good for the Mets, going 6 innings and giving up just 1 earned run in each of his 2 starts as a member of the Mets. He SHOULD be able to continue his streak of good pitching as the Athletics have been AWFUL at scoring on the road this year, averaging just 3.68 runs per game. The Mets have a solid lineup despite their poor showing over the weekend. After a day off, expect them to come out ready to go! If Blackburn and the bullpen can hold Oakland at bay, they SHOULD take the first game of a series they REALLY need!
Blue Jays First 5 Innings Money Line -145 BetMGM
Kevin Gausman has a serious case of Jekyll & Hyde going. In 4 of his last 6 starts, he’s gone at least 6 innings and given up 3 earned runs or less 4 times. He’s gone 7 innings or longer in 3 of those starts, a complete game, and his last time out he DOMINATED the Orioles, arguably the best hitting team in the game. However, in 2 of his last 7 starts, both against the Yankees, he failed to make it out of the 5th inning and has given up 4 earned runs or more in 3 of his last 7 starts! Tonight, he faces a much easier opponent, a VERY weak hitting Angels team. The Angels are BARELY averaging more than 4 runs per game at home this season and are averaging under 4 runs per game in games not being played by superstar Mike Trout. The Blue Jays struggle to score themselves, of course, but they SHOULD be able to scratch some runs across against Carson Fulmer. He’s been MUCH better at home than on the road this year, but his issues on the road show he can be hit. If the Blue Jays can get their bats going early, they SHOULD take care of business in the first 5 innings of this game!
Padres Money Line -196 FanDuel
The Padres are an INCREDIBLE 17-3 in their last 20 games after winning yet again last night. Michael King has been EXCELLENT in his first season in San Diego, compiling a 3.24 ERA and 1.18 WHIP on the year. Those numbers are even BETTER in his last 7 starts, as he has a 3.02 ERA and sterling 0.98 WHIP in that stretch! The Pirates counter with Luis Ortiz, who has REALLY struggled over his last 3 starts. He’s given up 13 earned runs in his last 3 starts, a stretch that has seen him pitch just 16.1 innings. His last start, where he surrendered 4 runs over 6 innings at home, was against the Padres. The Padres are surging and the Pirates are in the midst of a WOEFUL losing streak of 8 games! Look for the Padres to come out SWINGING! If the offense can get it going early, Michael King and that shutdown Pirates bullpen SHOULD care for the rest!
Diamondbacks Money Line -240 FanDuel
The Diamondbacks had a come from behind win last night and now look to keep the good times rolling at the expense of their divisional opponent. Not much has gone right for the Rockies this year, who are once again staring a lost season in the face. They’re an awful 44-76 on the year and 17-44 on the road! They have given up over 700 runs which is the most of ANY team in baseball! Southpaw Austin Gomber has had his struggles this year. He has an UGLY 5.37 road ERA on the year, 1.39 WHIP, and opposing lineups are hitting a robust .285 against him. The Diamondbacks counter with their own southpaw tonight in Eduardo Rodriguez. Eduardo Rodriguez got off to a very late start this year as he dealt with a lat injury. However, this is a GREAT matchup for him. The Rockies just don’t score on the road. The Diamondbacks don’t stop scoring at all. They have the MOST runs scored in baseball this year! If Rodriguez can keep a weak Rockies lineup at bay, the Diamondbacks shouldn’t have ANY ISSUES winning this game and continuing their push for a Wild Card spot in the National League!