Xam’s Daily Gems:
Cubs First 5 Innings Money Line -120 BetMGM 1 Unit
The Phillies clinched the NL East last night and partied the night away. This is going to lead to the PERFECT hangover/letdown spot the night after. This presents a good spot for the Cubs to come in and have their way with the Phillies, or at least for the first 5 innings of the game. It’s a pair of southpaws facing off tonight, as Justin Steele faces off against Tanner Banks. Justin Steele has been AWESOME for the Cubbies this season, pitching to a 3.03 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. He’s been better in his last 7 starts though, pitching to a SPARKLING 2.88 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. He’s ALSO been better on the road than he has been at Wrigley Field! On the road this season, he has pitched to a 2.77 ERA, .221 batting average against, and 1.06 WHIP. For the Phillies, Taijuan Walker or Kolby Allard could also see action in the “Hangover Game” for the Phillies. Simply put, the Cubs will be more motivated to win this game and have the better starting pitcher on the mound. If the Cubs can put some runs on the board, don’t be surprised to see Steele pitch like his usual self and help the Cubs win the first 5 innings of this game!
Yankees Money Line -160 BetMGM 1 Unit
The Yankees took care of business on the West Coast, and now need to win 1 game to clinch the AL East. They will have to go through the Orioles themselves as they open a 3-game series together at Yankee Stadium. Despite falling out of contention for the AL East, the Orioles still have some work to do to wrap up the top Wild Card spot in the American League. Clarke Schmidt goes for the Yankees tonight, and he’s been nothing short of BRILLIANT this season. On the year, he has a 2.37 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. However, he’s really stepped it up over his last 7 games, he has a BEAUTIFUL 1.35 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. He’s also given up just 3 earned runs in his last 3 starts, spanning 16.1 innings pitched. Dean Kremer takes the ball for the Orioles. He’s been iffy in his career against the Yankees and faces a REALLY tough matchup here. The Yankees are ready to party and capture yet ANOTHER AL East title. The Yankees have a FIERCE and DEEP lineup, as evidenced by them scoring the MOST runs in the American League! With a day off, the Yankees will have a FULLY RESTED bullpen. If the pitching can keep Baltimore’s lineup, in check, Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and the rest of the Bronx Bombers shouldn’t have ANY ISSUES getting the job done and capturing the American League East!
Royals Money Line -165 BetMGM 1 Unit
The Royals are seemingly doing everything they can to blow a playoff spot. They have lost 7 straight games and 8 of their last 10 games! The Royals NEED Cole Ragans to step up in a major, major way. Ragans has been nothing short of FANTASTIC for the Royals over his last 3 starts. He’s given up just 3 earned runs in that stretch, spanning 19 innings! That’s BAD NEWS for the Nationals, who have struggled MIGHTILY to score runs recently. They are scoring just 3.2 runs per game over their last 20 games. The Royals are averaging a PUTRID 2.9 runs per game over their last 10 games, but we ALL KNOW they are better than that. Nationals southpaw Mitchell Parker has drastic home and away splits, but he’s been AWFUL recently, posting a 6.48 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in his last 7 starts! He’s been pretty bad post All-Star Break, posting a 5.37 ERA, .295 batting average against, and 1.58 WHIP in 11 starts! Neither Kansas City nor Washington has a great bullpen, but coming off an off day, the Royals should have ALL of their premium bullpen arms available! Expect manager Matt Quatraro to manage with the URGENCY that this game requires.
Rangers Money Line -112 FanDuel 1 Unit
Nathan Eovaldi is making what might be his last start of the season for the Rangers, and he will be looking to end the season on a high note. He’s been downright AWFUL recently, giving up 18 hits and 11 earned runs in his last 2 starts alone! That’s not the Nathan Eovaldi we have come to expect. However, despite these two terrible starts, he still has a respectable 3.96 ERA and 1.13 WHIP on the year. He SHOULD have better success against an Athletics team averaging JUST 3.4 runs per game over their last 20 games. Mitch Spence is wrapping up his own up-and-down season for the A’s. He has a 4.30 ERA and 1.36 WHIP on the year, but that WHIP has shot up to 1.49 over his last 7 starts! Despite the disappointing season, the Rangers have enough firepower to score some runs and win the first game of this series. Look for the Rangers to show some pride tonight and beat an inferior opponent.