MLB
6 Picks.
6:40PM EST: Royals ML +110 (2 Units).
KC SP Michael Wacha has a 2.55 ERA in 9 starts since coming off the IL at the end of June. He's allowed 2ER or less in 7 of them and hasn't allowed more than 3ER in any. He's a 12-year Veteran with 270 career appearances and 249 starts. He's made 4 or more starts in 20 different ballparks. Of those parks he has a career best 2.56 ERA in 12 games and 11 starts at Great America Park. CIN SP Nick Lodolo has a 4.99 ERA at Home. He's failed to pitch 5 innings in 4 straight home starts, allowing a combined 18 runs in 18.2 IP. He has a 5.73 ERA over his last 8 starts overall. The KC Offense ranks 5th in OPS in August and scored 7 runs in this park yesterday.
7:05PM EST: Red Sox ML +105 (3 Units)
BOS SP Brayan Bello has allowed 3 runs or less in 6 straight and 7 of his last 8 starts. He's also recorded a quality start in 4 of his last 6. He's coming off his best outing of the last month +, allowing just 1 Run over 6 IP at Home vs Texas. He's allowed 4ER over 10.1 IP in 2 starts against BAL this season. Bello providing length is important with the state of the Boston bullpen. Their Setup/Closer duo has allowed just 1 run this Month but the rest of the bullpen has been poor.
BAL SP Cade Povich has a 6.27 ERA in 8 Big League starts. He wouldn't be in the show if not for a long list of starting pitching injuries. He's gone 6 innings just once and that's an issue for an Orioles bullpen that's been among the worst in baseball for the past Month. He's allowed 17 runs over 10.1 IP in his last 3 big league starts. The Red Sox offense ranks 3rd in OPS in August and scored 12 runs on Baltimore yesterday, including 8 against Cy Young candidate Corbin Burnes.
7:07PM EST: A's ML +105 (4 Units).
SF SP Hayden Birdsong has been hammered in his last 2 starts. He allowed 5 runs over 4.1 IP against the Tigers at the pitcher friendly Petco Park his last time out and 7 runs over 2 IP @ Washington the start prior. He's allowed 2 Homeruns in each of his last 2 starts and that's what Oakland's offense does best, ranking 5th in Homeruns this year. Oakland's offense had been quiet for much of August after a red-hot July, but they've scored 7 or more in 3 of their last 4 games. They're also considerably more productive at home, averaging 4.41 runs per game compared to 3.78 on the road.
OAK SP Osvaldo Bido has a 1.5 ERA, .195 opponent BA, and 1.0 WHIP in 2 August starts. He just rejoined the starting rotation at the end of July. He struggled in a start @ LAA, division rivals, but fired 5 innings of 1 run ball vs Houston in his first start back. The Giants offense has scored 3 runs or less in 5 of their last 7 games and 21 total during that span. SF only has 5 prior at bats vs Bido so he's got that working for him the first time through the order. The A's 6th ranked bullpen is fully loaded after a day off yesterday.
7:15PM EST: Guardians ML +115 (3 Units).
CLE SP Tanner Bibee has a 2.88 ERA in 12 road starts this year and has allowed just 4 combined runs in his last 4 starts. He's allowed more than 3 ER in just 2 of those 12 road starts and it was 4 runs each time. One of those being a 7-inning performance as well. He's been dominant on the road and the Guardians top relievers are fresh and rested. MIL SP Freddy Peralta has a 4.82 ERA over his last 7 starts. He's allowed 4 or more runs in 2 straight and 4 of his last 6 starts. He's also been much worse at Home, pitching to a 4.54 ERA compared to his 3.66 Road ERA.
7:15PM EST: Cardinals ML +115 (2 Units).
LAD SP Bobby Miller has an 8.07 ERA in 7 starts this year and injuries has a lot to do with it. His most recent start came on July 9th @ PHI, and he gave up 9 runs. He's made a few AAA starts since then, allowing 9 runs in 3 starts (14.1 IP). His commands been a major issue, walking 11 in those 3 starts. LA's bullpen has also been struggling. STL SP Andre Pallente has a 3.38 ERA over his last 7 starts. He allowed 1 ER over 5.2 IP @ KC in his most recent outing. The Cardinals top relievers are all fresh and rested after a loss yesterday and day off Thursday.
8:10PM EST: SD/COL First 5 Innings Under 5.5 (2 Units).
SD SP Dylan Cease has a 1.33 ERA over his last 7 starts. He was on an absolute tear before he got thrown out of rhythm. To start August, he pitched 1 inning @ PIT and then a rain delay forced him out of the game. He started @ Miami in his following and most recent start and labored a bit early. He gave up 5 runs, only 2 of which were earned. Some weak contact found holes in the 1st inning and then multiple errors in the 2nd. From the 3rd on he didn't allow a run and left just 1 runner on base. He's a high Velo pitcher and that's what plays at Coors Field. He allowed just 1 hit and 1 run @ Colorado earlier this year.
COL SP Kyle Freeland has had his last couple starts cut short because of finger issues. For that reason, it's just a 2-unit play. Still, he's allowed 3 Runs or less in 8 of his last 9 starts, ever since he came off the IL. He hasn't faced the Padres yet this year and San Diego's 20th in OPS vs LHP this season. They've also scored 3 runs or less in 3 of their last 4 games.
