Xam’s Daily Gems:
Cubs Money Line -130 FanDuel 1 Unit
Jameson Taillon makes his final start of the year for the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Taillon has put together a really nice season for the Cubs, coming into today’s start with a 3.41 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. However, he’s been on ANOTHER level pitching at home this year, pitching to the tune of a 2.37 ERA, .228 batting average against, and 1.08 WHIP! That’s BAD NEWS for a Reds team that’s struggled to score runs recently. They are averaging just 3.68 runs per game in their last 25 games. They have lost 3 straight games and are under .500 on the road. Simply put, this is a TOUGH matchup to get up for. The Cubbies are averaging 5.28 runs per game over their last 25 games and are over .500 at home this year! With their day off yesterday, they’ll have ALL of their premium bullpen arms ready to go for the final series of the year!
Blue Jays -1 -154 DraftKings 1 Unit
The Marlins are fresh off a 13-inning game last night in Minnesota last night, while the Blue Jays had the day off. That fact alone gives the Blue Jays a MAJOR leg up in this matchup. Jose Berrios has put together a fine season for the Blue Jays, compiling a 3.38 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 31 starts. However, he’s turned it up a notch at the Rogers Centre this season. He has been EXCELLENT, pitching to a 2.69 ERA, .210 batting average against, and 1.04 WHIP! Despite scoring 8 runs last night, that’s BAD NEWS for a light hitting and scoring Marlins team. They’re averaging just 3.6 runs per game over their last 15 games and are averaging a WOEFUL 3.44 runs per game on the road! They’re finishing up a miserable season and it’s just hard to see them getting up for this game. Adam Oller has just been BRUTAL for the Marlins this season, coming into tonight’s start with a 5.06 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. The Blue Jays shouldn’t have ANY ISSUES pounding a bad starting pitcher and exhausted bullpen tonight!
Red Sox Money Line -134 FanDuel 1 Unit
The Red Sox turn to Nick Pivetta in the final series of the season. While he’s had an up and down season for the Red Sox, he’s given up 2 or less runs in 4 of his last 5 games. 3 of those starts came at Fenway Park too! Overall, he’s just been a better pitcher at home than he has been on the road. That’s BAD NEWS for a Rays team that’s been ANEMIC scoring runs on the road this season, averaging JUST 3.71 runs per game away from Tropicana Field! They’ve somehow been A LOT worse recently, averaging 2.6 runs per game in their last 20 games. The Red Sox ALSO have a rest advantage coming into tonight, as they were off yesterday while the Rays finished their series with the Tigers. Rays starter Taj Bradley has been BRUTAL recently, pitching to an UGLY 6.38 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in his last 7 starts. It’s all shaping up to be a Red Sox win tonight. If they can put some runs on the board, Pivetta and the bullpen should take care of the rest!
Braves Money Line -174 FanDuel 1 Unit
The Braves come into play tonight fully controlling their own destiny to the playoffs and with a FULLY rested bullpen as they’ve been off the last two days. Southpaw Max Fried takes the ball for the Braves. He’s been fantastic this year but has REALLY stepped up when his team has needed him most. He has a 2.86 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over his last 7 starts. The Braves are a battle tested team that knows how to win at home. The Royals are on the cusp of the playoffs after finishing their series with the Nationals yesterday. However, Royals starter Brady Singer has really struggled lately. He has a 5.21 ERA and 1.47 WHIP over his last 7 starts. Overall, he just hasn’t had the same effectiveness post All-Star Break AND he hasn’t been nearly as good on the road as he has been at Kauffman Stadium this year. All the signs point to a Braves win tonight. If Fried and the bullpen can deliver, the lineup SHOULD care for the rest!
Mets Money Line -116 FanDuel 1 Unit
The Mets come into play tonight NEEDING A WIN! They are facing a Brewers team that simply has NOTHING to play for, as they are already locked into the 3 seed in the National League. Also, due to the rainouts in Atlanta, the Mets had extra time to get superstar Francisco Lindor healthy and get their bullpen fully rested. Southpaw Sean Manaea takes the ball in this all-important first game. He has been nothing short of FANTASTIC for the Mets, and has REALLY stepped it up lately. In his last 7 starts, he has a SPARKLING 2.81 ERA and 0.65 WHIP. Pitching on the road hasn’t impacted him negatively either, as he has a 2.77 ERA, .200 batting average against, and 1.14 WHIP. Frankie Montas is expected to start tonight, but he may not go as far as he normally would and it’s hard to gauge whether or not the Brewers will use frontline relievers. Simply put, the Mets have the better pitcher on the mound and EVERYTHING to play for. Look for them to take advantage of the fact the Brewers will LIKELY be resting some key players tonight.
Rutgers -1.5 -110 FanDuel 1 Unit
Rutgers is looking to move to 4-0 on the year. Rutgers is powered by an elite defense and running game, but transfer QB Athan Kaliakmanis has elevated the quarterback position as well. That’s been the key to Rutgers’s improved play so far this season. It’s A LOT to ask of Washington in this one, as they are travelling across the country on a short week. Running back Kyle Monangai is the focal point of the offense and he’s averaging over 6 yards per carry. The key for Rutgers here will be avoiding the big mistakes, as they have key fundamental advantages here. If Schiano can contain Washington’s offense, Rutgers SHOULD be able to produce enough offensively to get to 4-0!
Twins First 5 Innings Money Line -160 BetMGM 1 Unit
The Twins lost a heartbreaker last night in 13 innings, which all but eliminates them from the playoffs. However, they have a good chance to bounce back tonight. Pablo Lopez is widely regarded as one of Minnesota’s best pitchers, and he NEEDS to step up with the Twins’s season squarely on the line. The Orioles are coming off a slugfest of a series with the Yankees at Yankee Stadium, so a letdown can be expected here. Southpaw Cade Povich goes for the Orioles tonight, and he’s been nothing short of BRUTAL this season. He has a 5.59 ERA and 1.50 WHIP on the season. He’s been FAR WORSE on the road, pitching to a GROTESQUE 9.75 ERA, .283 batting average against, and 1.88 WHIP! Simply put, the Twins SHOULD be able to score some runs. If Lopez can keep a powerful Orioles lineup in check, the Twins SHOULD get it right back in a game they MUST WIN to keep their playoff hopes alive!
Rangers Money Line -154 FanDuel 1 Unit
Jacob deGrom will make his 3rd start of the year for the Rangers. While he’s only pitched 6.2 innings, he’s shown effectiveness in his return from Tommy John surgery. Look for the veteran laden, World Series champion Rangers to play with some pride against a team just playing out the strings of another miserable season. The Angels are trotting out lefty Reid Detmers, who has just been AWFUL this season. He has a 6.67 ERA and 1.54 WHIP on the year. However, he’s actually been WORSE recently. A lot worse. He has a 9.00 ERA and 1.84 WHIP over his last 7 starts. He has 2 straight starts giving up 7 earned runs! That’s not what the Angels lineup wants to see. They are averaging just 3.77 runs per game over their last 30 games. Simply put, the Rangers have a better team and SHOULD have the pride needed to finish the season strong. With a little luck, maybe deGrom will even tally his 1st win of the season!
Mariners Money Line -165 BetMGM 1 Unit
The Mariners will not be going to the playoffs this year, but this is a team that is SIGNIFICANTLY better than the Athletics. The Athletics are coming off an emotional day yesterday, with it being the last home game in the storied history of the Oakland Coliseum. Lefty JP Sears is finishing up what has been an up and down season. He has a 4.79 ERA in his last 7 starts, to go along with a 1.13 WHIP. However, he’s given up 10 earned runs and 16 hits over his last 2 starts, spanning just 11 innings. The Mariners haven’t announced a starter yet, but they SHOULD be able to score some runs tonight. If they can, expect the bullpen, fresh off a day off yesterday, to come out fresh and ready to go!
Padres Team Total Over 3.5 Runs -156 FanDuel 1 Unit
We are right back on this Play with the Padres tonight! They didn’t come through yesterday, but this lineup is simply TOO GOOD to be held down. Merrill Kelly pitches for the Diamondbacks in what amounts to a must win game. He’s been solid in his last 2 starts, giving up 1 earned run over 11 innings. However, he struggled MIGHTILY in his 5 starts before that, giving up 3 earned runs or more in those starts. The Padres NEED a win to lock up the top wild card spot, and they’d of course LOVE to lock that up tonight. The Padres are a team that plays with A TON of confidence and they know how important that first wild card spot is. Don’t be surprised to see them take care of business.
Diamondbacks Team Total Over 3.5 Runs -170 FanDuel 1 Unit
The Diamondbacks have one of the BEST lineups in baseball and have scored the SINGLE MOST RUNS in the entire league! The Diamondbacks are averaging a WHOPPING 5.68 runs per game at home and are AVERAGING 5.75 runs per game in their last 20! All of that is BAD NEWS for Yu Darvish, who has struggled in his last 7 starts. He has a 4.04 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in that stretch. Arizona is going to come into this game MOTIVATED, and they will NEED their offense to get it going! Don’t be surprised to see Arizona get started early in a MUST WIN game!