Best MLB Picks: 8/10
Be sure to check out any relevant information before game time as this article is written the night before and pick may change with new information!
Los Angeles Dodgers at Philadelphia Phillies
This game should be a good one folks! The Dodgers are chasing the Giants for the first spot in the NL West and will have to stop a red-hot Phillies squad to keep pressure on the Giants. The Dodgers (67-45) are on a 2 game win streak while going 6-4 over the last two games.
The Dodgers will see new ace Max Scherzer (9-4) get his second start. No surprise he is having an excellent season. He has pitched 229.0 innings so far with 304 Ks and 58 BB while maintaining a 2.75 ERA and a WHIP of 0.89. Max’s last start with the Nationals came against the Phillies.
The Phillies are the hottest team in the league boasting an 8 game win streak to improve their overall record to 59-53 as they take the Division lead away from the slumping Mets.
Philadelphia will send out ace Nola (7-6) to keep the streak alive. Nola has seen 126.1 innings of action with 152 Ks and 27 BB while averaging an ERA and a WHIP of 4.49 and 1.16, respectively.
The Dodgers are the favorite with a ML of -160 likely due to the pitching advantage and the Phillies maintaining winning streak against a solid opponent is tough. The Dodgers should win but don’t be surprised if the Phillies cover the RL which is likely.
Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox (65-49) remain a few games behind their first-place division rivals, the Rays. They will get a chance to close this gap at Fenway. The Red Sox have been in a slump lately after losing a close one to the Jays 9-8 bringing them to 2-8 in their last 10 games. Not great but the last game proved their willingness to fight back.
To turn things around, Rodriguez (8-6) will get the start. He has pitched 104.2 innings with 131 Ks and 32 BB with an ERA of 5.33 and a WHIP of 1.40. The Rays will send out Patino (2-3). He has 39 Ks an 11 BB through 36.2 innings while averaging an ERA of 4.42 and a WHIP of 1.17.
The Rays (68-44) are still holding up late in the season despite revamping their pitching staff. They currently tout a 4 game win streak while going 8-2 over a 10 game stretch. It appears the Rays are well on their way to go back to the World Series.
The Red Sox is the slight favorite on the ML with a line of -120. Not a lot of faith for the Red Sox by Vegas but I think their slump can’t last forever and the Rays maintaining a winning streak is tough. Boston Red Sox is the play.
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