Los Angeles Dodgers at New York Yankees 8:05 ET

Yankees over Dodgers- There have been a number of occasions that the World Series winner had dropped the first two games and often they had lost two at home. But the Yankees have returned home to Yankee Stadium a place many revere as a cathedral and visitors find daunting. The series has moved around  pair of Aaron’s who have affected both Games 1 & 2. Manager Boon panicked in Game 1 pulling his ace and No. 1 starter after six innings while surrendering just one run and player Judge who is a great hitter overall (.320) but has been totally lost in the post season. Yankees return home to their comfort zone and get the win! Take NEW YORK YANKEES!

NY Yankees and LA Dodgers 8:05 ET

Yankees over Dodgers- For the first in recent memory the two favorites from both leagues made it to the World Series with the Dodgers dominating the NL and the Yankees running away with the AL crown. Pitching is so important in a short series and New York appears to have the edge with Gerrit Cole starting Game 1 over Jack Flaherty. The Dodgers are beset with numerous injuries and they may take there toll here. Flaherty is 1-2 with a 7.01 ERA in three post season starts while Cole is 1-0 with a 3.14 ERA this post season and is 4-2 with a 5.01 ERA lifetime against LA. Take the NY YANKEES!

NY Mets at LA Dodgers 8:05 ET

Mets over Dodgers- I can’t mull this choice or or think twice about it, because if the Mets go on and use their magic and ‘we’ are not a part of it I feel the whole season (and it has been great) will have ended on a sour note. LA is using the All-staff rotation and it has worked like a charm the entire playoffs shutting down San Diego completely and stopping the Mets as well. New York will turn to the man that has been their best when needed most Sean Manaea (2-0, 2.65 ERA) and he held the Dodgers to just two hits in five-plus innings in Game 2. Take NEW YORK METS!

New York Yankees at Cleveland 8:05 ET

Watchdogs over Yankees- For most of the regular season Mike Stanton was not really counted on to do much as his career has waned in recent years. But, the most over-paid play in baseball history has made it all worth the wait as he has delivered big time in the postseason. Carlos Rodon (1-1, 4.66 ERA) gets the nod for the Yankees while the former tribesman will send out Tanner Bibee (0-1, 3.60) who started Game 1 and recorded just four outs before he was removed. This time around he gets the best of New York. Take CLEVELAND!

LA Dodgers at NY Mets 5:05 ET

Mets over Dodgers- It took until Game 5 with New York trailing 3-1 in the first to 4-win series before David Peterson got his first start in the postseason. Peterson was the Mets most consistent hurler in 21 starts this season with only three losses and an ERA of 2.90. He has been used only in relief in the postseason working just 2.1 innings. If they can, the Mets will go as deep with Peterson as they can, and he is capable, having gone 7.0 against the Brewers and 7.2 against the Phillies in late September starts when the pennant pressure was on. The Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty has one no decision start with an ERA of 6.75 in his one appearance surrendering four runs in 5.1 innings. Take NEW YORK METS!

New York Yankees at Cleveland 8:05 ET

Watchdogs over Yankees- After the way this Cleveland played in New York the first two games they looked like they wouldn’t win at Williamsport. Returning home should help and left-hander Matthew Boyd can keep New York’s power players from doing damage. The former tribesman compiled one of the best home records in baseball going 52-31. The Yankees Clarke Schmidt has been a wonderful surprise for New York but since returning from the IL he has surrendered 14 eared runs in his last 23 innings over six starts. take CLEVELAND!

LA Dodgers at NY Mets 8:05 ET

Mets over Dodgers- It doesn’t make sense to play against karma and it appears that the Mets have it. Betting against the team that won the most games in baseball is not something that I look forward to. But with experienced Luis Severino on the hill for New York and with a struggling Walker Buehler pitching for the Dodgers scares me even more. You can see it when they take the field, the Mets just believe that some how, some way that they will end up winning. That is hard to overcome. Take NEW YORK METS!

Cleveland at New York Yankees 7:35 ET

Tribesman over Yankees- New York and Cleveland finished the season with the two best records in the American League and rarely is that the case where the tow best teams end  up fighting for the pennant. Today’s starting pitches have had little success this post-season as Carlos Rodon ( 0-1, 9.82 ERA) was banged around for seven hits in 3.2 innings against the Royals and he is 8-5 with a 2.81 ERA in 21 career appearances. Tribe starter Alex Cobb (0-1, 6.00) is 7-5 with a 3.19 ERA in 20 regular season starts against the Yankees. This time it’s CLEVELAND!

San Diego at LA Dodgers 8:05 ET

Pares over Dodgers- When Los Angeles spent more than 1 billion dollars during the off season signing Ohtani and other including pitchers that have not worked out. Arm trouble have been an issue with the Dodgers the entire season and today it comes to a point. San Diego bats were silent last time out and that will change tonight after LA used eight pitchers to hurl the Game 4 shutout. Yu Darvish get the start for the Padres and he has had elimination game 7 experience. Take SAN DIEGO!

New York Yankees at Kansas City 8:05 ET

Royals over Yankees- The Yankees cashed in from an unlikely source yesterday as Mike Stanton not only hit a meaningful playoff home run but he actually ran the bases and even stole one in his first attempt in five years. Meanwhile, Aaron Judge continues to slump even though he hit the two hardest balls put in play in Game 3 but is still just 1-for-11 in this series and 11-for-81 in postseason action. Gerrit Cole gets the nod for New York but not from me  (since he walked...never mind) and Michael Wacha will start for Kansas City. Cole is 4-1 with an ERA of 2.77 while Wacha is 2-1 with a 2.97 ERA against the Yankees. Royals keep their hopes alive. Take KANSAS CITY!

Philadelphia at New York Mets 5:05 ET

Phillies over Mets- The Amazing Mets keep doing it game after game and most are really shocked at this point because they just don’t have the star studded line up like so others that never go anywhere. But, in the playoffs for the most part it is he pitching that take center stag and here’s where Philadelphia has the advantage tonight. Taking the mound for the visitors will be Ranger Suarez (12-8, 3.46 ERA) and he has been the Phillies most consistent hurler this season and New York will send out Jose Quintana (10-10. 3.75) who defeated the Phils three weeks ago allowing only three hits and no runs in seven innings. With their backs to the wall the Phillies respond. Take PHILADELPHIA!

Philadelphia at New York Mets 5:05 ET

Phillies over Mets- Although the Mets lost Game 2 to the Phillies they are brimming with confidence as they return home knowing they have gotten the best of  series between these two this season. New York will send left-hander Sean Manaea (12-6, 3.47 ERA) and he’s been their best but he is just 2-2 with a 5.19 ERA in six career games against Philadelphia. Aaron Nola ((14-8, 3.75) gets the nod for the visitor and he is 10-9 with a 3.46 ERA in 28 starts. Phillies get the win. Take PHILADELPHIA!

Kansas City at New York Yankees 7:35 ET

Royals over Yankees- A pair of left handed hurlers will oppose each other tonight and it was just a year ago they were both despondent over their situations. Kansas City’s Cole Ragans he was close out a season where his club had lost 106 games and the Yankees Carlos Rodon allowed all eight Royals he faced to reach base and score as he never recorded an out. Rondon has been in and out all season while Ragans has been more consistent. It was the very top and bottom of the Yankees lineup that propelled them on to the win, this time around they won’t be a factor. Take KANSAS CITY!

San Diego at L.A Dodgers 8:05 ET

Padres over Dodgers- Sunday night San Diego will have to answer the question, ‘are they manning up’ against their number one nemesis? Is this year’s version of the Padres different than what we have seen the past decade. I do think that they are more mature and have plenty of talent to give the Dodgers a problems. They will have experience on the hill in Yu Darvish and he is 5-5 with an ERA of 2.27 against his former teammates with 104 strikeouts in 91 innings. Take SAN DIEGO!

San Diego at Los Angeles Dodgers 8:35 ET

Dodgers over Padres- San Diego finished second to Los Angeles by four games but held the season series advantage winning 8 games to 5. That was the first time the Padres captured the season series from LA since 2010...that’s 14 years (Ha what a knack for math). Anyway, even winning this year’s regular season meetings won’t change the ‘Red-headed step child syndrome’ that San Diego faces from Los Angeles, be it in baseball, football or any other sport except maybe sailing, yeah there is something that an Diego can do better than LA. But not baseball. Take LA DODGERS!

New York Mets at Milwaukee 7:05 ET

Mets over Brewers- A seasoned left-handed veteran and a right-handed rookie will start for the Mets and Brewers respectively. New York will send Jose Quintana (10-10, 3.75 ERA) to the hill while Milwaukee will send out Tobias Myers (9-6, 3.00) who held the Mets to one hit in four innings on Saturday. Quintana is 9-7 with a 2.97 ERA in 23 appearances against the Brew Crew and was 4-1 with an ERA of 0.74 in his last six regular season starts. Take the NEW YORK METS!

Kansas City at Baltimore 4:35 ET

Royals over Orioles- The starting pitchers for the AL Wild Card Game 2 for both clubs was not with their of the respective teams last season. Baltimore will start Zach Eflin who was with Tampa Bay until mid-July is 0-1 with an ERA of 5.17 in 11 postseason appearances with the Rays and Phillies. The Royals will send 34-year old veteran Seth Lugo (16-9, 3’00 ERA) to the hill and he is 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA in three appearances against the Orioles. Take KANSAS CITY!

New York Mets at Milwaukee 4:10 ET

Mets over Brewers- The New York Mets started the year 0-5 and their counterpart in the Bronx was setting records for quick starts to a season. The Yankees were 51-20 and didn’t play 500 ball the rest of the season while the Mets were putting it together piece by piece. It all started on June 1 and they have had the best record in MLB since. Milwaukee will start Freddy Peralta (11-9, 3.68 ERA) and he is 0-1 in four postseason appearances with an ERA of 3.68 and was tagged with a loss against Arizona last October. The Mets will start veteran right-hander Luis Severino (11-7, 3.91) whose stuff is so nasty at times catchers have difficulty handling his pitches. Take the NEW YORK METS!

Kansas City at Baltimore 4:10 ET

Royals over Orioles- Baltimore had the best team in baseball in 2023 and believed that they were just a pitching ‘ace’ away and when and got a good one in the off season. The Orioles signed Corbin Burnes (15-9, 2.92 ERA)  and he led a weakened staff in every pitching category and he is 1-1 in playoffs losing to Arizona last season pitching for Milwaukee. For the upstart KC Royals they will send left-hander Cole Ragans (11-9, 3.14) to the mound and in his four September starts he has an ERA of 1.08. He split two starts against the O’s in April allowing just one hit in his first outing and then he was bombed two weeks later. Take KANSAS CITY!

Pittsburgh at New York Yankees 1:10 ET

Yankees over Pirates- The Yankees will get to see Paul Skanes (11-3, 1.99 ERA) up close and personal and I wonder which Yankees will be sitting this one out. Skanes has been phenomenal allowing just 1.3 runs a start and has dominated batter striking out 167 while allowing just 94 hits in 131 innings. New York has had their own surprise on the mound as Luis Gil (15-6, 3.27) has 70 strikeouts more 168 hits allowed. I don’t expect either starter to be around when this game finishes and that give the AL East Division winner a decided advantage. Take NEW YORK YANKEES!

Houston at Cleveland 7:10 ET

Naps over Astros- Remember when guns were popular in Texas (like they aren’t now) years ago, when the Mets held the record for the worst’ won-loss record in baseball history. Well, when the New York Mutts were setting the soon to be broken loss record (although the White Sox are trying hard...they will fall Sunday) the now know Astros were the Houston Colt 45s...’Guns firing was their logo’...I love it but, the fireworks are over and without guns the Indians would have won like they will tonight. Take CLEVELAND!

San Diego at LA Dodgers 10:10 ET

Dodgers over Padres- The ‘Magic’ number for Los Angeles is down to a pair of wins or losses by the Padres and they still have incentive for the best overall record in the NL. It has been over two years since we have been able to see the real Walker Buehler (1-4, 5.67) who has struggled to say the least. But San Diego may just be the opponent he needs to face as he is 6-1 with a 1.80 ERA in 11 starts and the Padres. San Diego’s Joe Musgrove (6-5, 3.95) gets to hurl against the Dodgers and he is 0-7 with an ERA of 4.48 lifetime against LA. Take the LOS ANGELES DODGERS!

Texas at Oakland 9:40 ET

Rangers over A’s- Texas will send out once again Cody Bradford (6-3, 3.59 ERA) against  Oakland ho he mastered on August 31 going seven innings allowing four hits and just two runs. The World Series champs are eight games under .500 and will end up the with one of the more disappointing seasons for defending champions. The A’s have shown great improvement this year and will send out Brady Brasso (1-0, 2.33) a rookie lefty. The Rangers do it right tonight. Take TEXAS!

Chicago Cubs at Philadelphia 6:40 ET

Cubs over Phillies- Philadelphia clinched the NL East Monday with their 6-2 victory over the Cubs but still trail the Dodgers by a half-game for the best overall record in the Senior Circuit. Chicago will start Justin Steele (5-5, 3.03 ERA) for his second start since coming off the IL. Reliever Tanner Banks (2-2, 3.78) and he has an ERA of 5.40 in three appearances against the Cubs and should last too long tonight. Take CHICAGO CUBS!

San Francisco at Kansas City 2:10 ET

Giants over Royals- it has been quite a year for both of today’s starters in a meaningless game for the Giants and a ‘must’ win for Kansas City. San Francisco’s Blake Snell (4-3, 3.31 ERA) started the season surrendering 26 runs in his first six starts covering 22 innings and didn’t pick up his first win until July 9. Since that point of the season he has pitched 74 innings allowing just 32 hits and only eight earned runs. His counterpart today will be Seth Lugo (16-8, 3.01) who is having a career year and who had never won more than eight games (once) in a season in nine pro seasons. Take SAN FRANCISCO!

Arizona at Milwaukee 7:10 ET

Diamondbacks over Brewers- Although these two teams are just two-games apart record wise the Brewers have already clinched the NL Central while Arizona is fighting for a Wild Card spot. The D’backs will start Merrill Kelly (4-0, 4.00 ERA) who is making just his 12th start of the season as they seek their fourth straight victory and have won 12 of their last 17 overall. Kelly is 2-0 in seven starts since coming off the IL and is 3-1 with a 1.64 ERA in his last five starts against the Brewers. The key here is that the Diamondbacks are in need while Milwaukee can think about setting up their rotation for the playoffs. Take ARIZONA!

Cleveland at St. Louis 8:10 ET

Cardinals over Watchdogs- I believe we should follow the same example that happened twice yesterday and this opportunity only comes along a limited number of times at the end of the season. On Wednesday the Yankees and Brewers clinched playoff spots and the following day both clubs lost as their incentive was lacking. Yesterday, Cleveland clinched a playoff spot and I expect them like the others to suffer a letdown of sorts or maybe it’s a champagne hangover. The playoff bound club will start Ben Lively (12-9, 3.87 ERA) who is 1-1 with a 5.87 ERA in three appearances against the Cardinals. St. Louis will start Kyle Gibson (8-7, 4.11) and he’s been at his best of late allowing just two runs in his last 19 innings of work. Take ST. LOUIS!

Arizona at Milwaukee 7:15 ET

Diamondbacks over Brewers- With yesterday’s Megabucks win Milwaukee has clinched a playoff spot and should be a bit hung-over after popping a few bottles of champagne. Arizona on the other hand is still fighting for a Wild Card spot and need wins. The D’backs will send Brandon Pfaadt (9-9, 4.81 ERA) to the mound and the Brewers will counter with Tobias Myers (8-5, 3.07) . Pfaadt was bombed five days ago by Milwaukee surrendering eight runs on seven hits in just 1.2 innings for an ERA of 43.20. He atones here. Take ARIZONA!

Philadelphia at Milwaukee 7:40 ET

Brewers over Phillies- Milwaukee may have lost to the Phillies last night but their ‘magic’ number to clinch is now just one. Philadelphia will send Aaron Nola (12-8, 3.62 ERA) to the hill and he is 7-2,with a 2.76 ERA lifetime against Milwaukee. The Brewers will send Freddy Peralta (11-8, 3.75 ERA) out against the Phillies and he is 0-2 with an ERA of 4.01 against the Whiz Kids. But he has allowed just 139 hits in 163 innings with 184 strikeouts but has surrendered 25 homers. Brewers wrap it up tonight. Take MILWAUKEE!

Boston at Tampa Bay 6:50 ET

Rays over Red Sox- Boston took their fourth loss in their last five games yesterday and are now out of the AL Wild Card chase and below .500 on the season. Tanner Houch (8-10, 3.24 ERA) will start for the Red Sox and he is 1-4 with a 4.45 ERA against the Rays including both a win and a loss in a pair of starts five days apart in May. Tampa’s Ryan Pepiot (8-6, 3.75) is the Rays winningest hurler with eight wins and has just one appearance lifetime against Boston a start this season in May with no decision. Take TAMPA BAY!

Boston at Tampa Bay 6:50 ET

Red Sox over Rays- Both of these also-rans have been playing like what we used to call second division clubs as Tampa Bay has lost five of their last seven and Boston has dropped four of their last six games. Altough just a small favorite on the road the Red Sox will send veteran righty Nick Pevitta (5-10 4.24 ERA) to the mound and he has been anything but stellar against the Rays with a career record of 1-6 with a 4.42 ERA against the Rays. Tampa will send out Shane Baz (1-2, 3.48) who has pitched sparingly this season. Boston swept a 3-game series in Tampa Bay in late May. The beat goes on! Take BOSTON!

San Francisco at Baltimore 6:40 ET

Giants over Orioles- Now let me fully understand what is going on here. The Giants are six games under .500 and are on the road and Baltimore is at home and 18 games over .500. So, how in this world is San Francisco favored when they have already been eliminated from post season play and the Orioles are in a dog fight for the top spot in the AL East. The main reason is Blake Snell (3-3, 3.52 ERA) who has given up 11 runs in his last ten starts after an awful start and is 3-2 4.35 ERA against the O’s. Baltimore will start Albert Suraez (7-5, 3.49) who has surrendered 23 runs in his last 42 innings. Take SAN FRANCISCO!

LA Dodgers at Atlanta 7:20 ET

Dodgers over Braves- The Dodgers trailed late yesterday to the Braves and were about the lose their third straight until the tied it at 2-2 and then exploded for nine runs in the ninth inning. Tonight, Yoshinobu Yamamoto (6-2, 2.92 ERA) will get the nod for he ‘Bums’ and in limited action 74 innings he has surrendered just 62 hits with 84 strikeouts. Atlanta will send out Max Fried (9-9, 3.46) and he is 3-3 with an ERA of 3.02 and received one of those losses this season. Take the DODGERS!

Minnesota at Cleveland 6:40 ET

Twins over Naps- A pair of MLB’s hottest pitchers will face each other in a crucial AL Wild Card game for the Twins. Minnesota will send out Pablo Lopez (15-8, 3.88 ERA) who is 7-1 with an ERA of 2.01 in his last 11 starts and has allowed just five runs in his last six outings. Lopez is 2-2 with a 3.64 ERA against Cleveland. The Former Tribesman will start Matthew Boyd (2-1, 2.18) who is making just his seventh appearance of the season and in six games he’s worked 33 innings allowing just 23 hits. His lifetime record against the Twins is is 9-8 with a 4.62 ERA. Take MINNESOTA!

Kansas City and Pittsburgh 1:35 ET

Pirates over Royals- Kansas City has had a great season led by Bobby Witt Jr. who in almost any other year would receive a boat load of MVP votes if not for the season Aaron Judge is having. The Royals will start Brady Singer (9-10, 3.42 ERA)  who has surrendered 17 home runs this season and 60 in the last four years . The Pirates will send Jared Jones (6-7, 3.82) and he has allowed just 89 hits in 108 innings with 115 strikeouts. Take PITTSBURGH!

LA Dodgers at Atlanta 7:20 ET

Braves over Dodgers- At the season’s onset these were the two clubs that I expected to battle for the NL pennant and I still believe that these will be the last two standing when the playoffs begin. Atlanta has had a year beset with injuries but the healthy return of Chris Sale (16-3, 2.38 ERA) is keeping the Braves alive. Since June 1 Sale has made 17 starts and has not allowed more than two runs in any start. He has allowed two runs seven times, one run six times and shutout the opposition five times. In 88 innings he has surrendered just 71 hits and has 131 strikeouts. Enough said! Take ATLANTA!

San Diego at San Francisco 10:15 ET

Giants over Padres- San Diego is just a half-game behind Arizona for the top Wild Card berth and will send Dylan Cease (12-11, 3.71 ERA) to the bump against the Giants who will start Logan Webb (12-9, 3.46). These two hurlers faced each other last Saturday and San Francisco prevailed for the third time this season against Cease who is 2-2 with an ERA of 3.38 in five starts against the Jints. Logan is 4-2 with a 2.72 ERA in 12 starts against the Padres and gets the win again. Take SAN FRANCISCO!

Milwaukee at San Francisco 9:45 ET

Giants over Brewers- Milwaukee acquired Frankie Montas (6-10 4.69 ERA) and he is 2-2 with a 3.92 ERA in seven starts with the Brewers and he was 4-8 with a 5.01 ERA in 19 starts with Cincinnati. The Giants will start Hayden Birdsong (3-5, 5.19) who started 3-0 and has lost five of his last six starts and in three of those defeats his mates scored 0, 1 and just two runs. He has allowed just 43 hits in 52 innings but has allowed 10 home runs and he has 64 strikeouts but his 35 walks have not helped. Giants have won three of the last four. Take SAN FRANCISCO!

Baltimore at Boston 7:10 ET

Red Sox over Orioles- These two clubs have met five times in the last three weeks and Boston despite Tuesday’s 5-3 loss has won three of the five meetings. The Orioles have dropped three of the past four and four of the last six as the trail the Yankees by a half game in the loss column. Baltimore will start Dean Kremer (7-9, 4.27 ERA) who has struggled against the Red Sox owning a 2-4 record with an ERA of 6.45 ERA while Boston’s Nick Pivetta is 8-3 with an ERA of 3.33. To me once again it is BOSTON!

San Diego at Seattle 9:40 ET

Mariners over Padres- San Diego’s Yu Darvish (4-3, 3.51 ERA) is making just his second start since May 29. In his first start upon his return from the IL and the first didn’t go so well as the Tigers touched him up four three runs and four hits with a pair of walks in 2 2/3 innings. Seattle has won four of five games and will send George Kirby (11-10, 3.61) to the hill and he has won his last two starts. Take SEATTLE!

Baltimore at Boston 7:10 ET

Red Sox over Orioles- It does not seem feasible that Boston will make the AL playoffs but they have won three of its past four games and have moved to within three games of the Twins and the final Wild Card spot. Baltimore has lost four of five scoring just seven runs in those five games. The Orioles are 24-25 since the All-star game and will send Albert Suarez (7-5, 3.49 ERA) and he is 1-0 with a 4.11 ERA in three appearances. Kutter Crawford (8-13, 4.08) gets the nod for the Sox and he is has lost his last four starts and he is 0-3 in six games with a 6.58 ERA. So, why i he favored. Take BOSTON!

Baltimore at Boston 7:15 ET

Red Sox over Orioles- Last season Baltimore was a power packed hitting team and were the highest scoring club in baseball but, this year their bats have at time been quiet. This weekend the O’s hit .163 against Tampa Bay and they are 24-24 since the All-star break. Boston will start Brayan Bello (12-7, 4.75 ERA) who the Red Sox have supported offensively averaging six runs when he starts and he is 3-2 with a 3.71 ERA in five career starts against the Orioles. Cade Povich (2-7, 5.76) is off him best career start against the WhiteSox but these guys in Red are better. Take BOSTON!

Seattle at St. Louis 2:15 ET

Cardinals over Mariners- St. Louis is still live in the NL Wild Card race and have won seven of their last 10 games but have three teams that they they have to pass that are ahead of them in the standings. The Cardinals will send out Miles Mikolas (8-10, 5.27 ERA) and he has been rocked four of the last five start although he is 1-0 with a 2.03 ERA in two starts against Seattle. The Mariners will have Luis Castillo (11-12, 3.60) on the hill and he is 6-8 with a 4.38 ERA in 18 appearances. Take ST. LOUIS!

Seattle at St. Louis 8:40 ET

Cardinals over Mariners- Seattle’s Bryce Miller (10-8, 3.30 ERA) is one of the more difficult pitcher to hit as he has allowed just 119 hits in 155+ innings and this is first start against St. Louis. His only weakness has been the long ball as he has surrendered 20 HR’s. The Red Birds are sending out newly acquired from the White Sox Erick Fedde (7-4, 3.11) who spent six seasons with the Nationals and now here is 1-3 with a 4.23 ER with the Cards. One of his losses this season was  to the Mariners in two appearances allowing four runs in 7.1 innings. Take ST. LOUIS!

Arizona at San Francisco 3:45 ET

Giants over Diamondbacks- I realize how hot the D’backs are right now and I do expect them to make it into the MLB playoffs but today they are facing a Cy Young Award winner that has turned his season around. San Francisco’s Blake Snell (2-3, 3.56 ERA) had a 1.64 ERA in August with 53 strikeouts in 38 innings throwing a no-hitter on August 2. He is 5-2 with a 1.86 ERA in nine appearances against Arizona. Take SAN FRANCISCO!

St. Louis at Milwaukee 7:40 ET

Cardinals over Brewers- Sonny Gray (12-9, 3.98 ERA) has dropped a pair of decisions to Milwaukee already this season and he is now 4-5 lifetime with a respectable 3.31 ERA in 15 career appearances. He has allowed just 127 hits in 148 inning with 179 strikeouts. The Division leading  Brewers will send Colin Rea (12-4, 3.70) to the mound and he is 1-3 against St. Louis lifetime with and ERA of 4.35 including five shutout 3-hit ball this season. Rea has been knocked around in three of his last four starts with seven shutout innings against Cleveland mixed in. The Brewers won the first three meetings this season but the Red Birds have captured three of the last four meetings. Take ST, LOUIS!

Cleveland at Kansas City 7:0 ET

Watchdogs over Royals- Kansas City has surprised most of baseball with their emergence as a contender has fallen back of last and now trail Cleveland by 4.5 games and if Bobby Witt Jr. struggles so do the Royals who has scored just two runs in each of their past four games. The former Tribesman will send Tanner Bibee (10-6, 3.65 ERA) to pitch and he is 1-0 lifetime against the Royals. Kansas City will start Brady Singer (9-9, 3.36) and he is 2-2 with a 4.98 ERA in 12 starts versus Cleveland. Take CLEVELAND!

Philadelphia at Toronto 7:10 ET

Blue Jays over Phillies- Philadelphia rookie right-hander Tyler Phillips (4-1, 5.50 ERA) is getting his seventh start of the year after a recall from the minors. The Phillies have a seven game lead in the NL East while the also-ran Blue Jays are five-games under .500. Veteran Chris Bassett (9-13, 4,27) get the nod for Toronto and he is 4-0 with a 1.86 ERA if five starts against the Phillies. Take TORONTO!

Washington at Miami 6:40 ET

Marlins over Nationals- These are a pair of NL East clubs that are not in the wild card hunt. Miami who qualified for the playoffs last year is 51-86 and in the basement this season. The Marlins will start Max Meyer (3-4, 5.44 ERA) who was the third overall pick in 2020 and he is facing Washington for the first time. The Nationals who are 10-games in front of the Fish will start veteran Pat Corbin (4-12, 5.50) and he is 5-7 with a 4.22 ERA against Miami including 2-4 with a 6.86 ERA when hurling in South Beach. Take MIAMI!

Minnesota at Tampa Bay 6:50 ET

Rays over Twins- Tampa Bay has made the AL playoffs the past five seasons and right now trail the final Wild Card spot by seven full games. The Rays are two games under .500 and have not won three straight since May. Today they will start Zack Littell (5-8, 3.89) who is 0-1 with a 3.21 ERA in five appearances against the Twins and has allowed one run or fewer in his last four starts before going to the IL. Minnesota will start Simon Woods-Richardson (5-3, 3.69) who has no career decisions against the Rays. Take TAMPA BAY!

Cleveland at Kansas City 4:10 ET

Watchdogs over Royals- Kansas City who was tied for the division lead a week ago has lost five straight games since reaching the top spot of the AL Central and will send out veteran Michael Wacha (11-6, 3.50) to the hill. He is 8-0 in his last 10 starts and is 4-2 with a 3.14 ERA in 11 appearances against the former Tribe. Cleveland’s Gavin Williams (2-6, 5,13 ERA) has lost his last three starts and six of his last eight decisions although is 0-5 with a 7.54 ERA at home but on the road he is 2-2 with an ERA of 3.13 allowing only one run or less in four of those five road starts. The price seem a bit shallow. Take CLEVELAND!

LA Dodgers at Arizona 4:10 ET

Diamondbacks over Dodgers- Justin Wrobleski (1-1, 4.68 ERA will be making his seventh start for Los Angeles and he has reach the fifth inning but no further. Arizona will send Brandon Pfaadt (8-7, 4.31) to the bump and had his five game winning streak stopped last time out and has been hit hard in three straight outings. We have posted the Dodgers the last two night winning both games as they were the favorites and today it is Arizona that is favored and it is their turn. Take ARIZONA!

LA Dodgers at Arizona 8:10 ET

Dodgers over D’backs- Los Angeles is starting Gavin Stone (11-5, 3.33 ERA) has started two games in his career against Arizona both this season. The first in late May when he was tagged with four runs, eight hits in six innings and tagged with he loss, he didn’t fare all that much better in early July lasting only three innings and getting smacked for seven hits and once again four runs but received no decision in a 12-4 Dodgers loss. Well, it looks like he has turned it around as in his last three starts lasting 19 innings he has given up only two earned runs on just seven hits with striking out 23. The D’backs are sending Merrill Kelly (3-0, 3.63. who is making his seventh start after beginning the year on the IL. Now, what I tell you next is the truth...in 16 starts against the LA Dodgers Kelly is 0-11 with an ERA of 5.94. I expect the ‘Beat Goes On.’  Take LA DODGERS!

Kansas City at Houston 7:10 ET

Royals over Astros- I try not to let it influence me too much in anyway but I must admit that I like the pitching match-up tonight between these two contenders. Kansas City will start Cole Ragans (10-8, 3.28 ERA) who has 187 strikeouts in just 156 innings while impressively surrendering only 128 hits. Houston will send Blue Jays discard Yusei Kikuchi to the hill and he is 2-0 with an ERA of 2.89 in five starts with the ‘Stros after going 4-9, 4.75. Against KC he is 2-2 with a 5.80 ERA in eight appearances. The Royals had won six straight and 8-of-9 from Houston entering this series. Take KANSAS CITY!

San Diego at Tampa Bay 4:10 ET

Rays over Padres- Either the book-maker is under-rating San Diego or over-rating the Rays because the lines have not shown to be consistent. But, alas we forge ahead. All season I’ve have professed the Tampa Bay’s better days are behind them and their window has closed and yet I find myself using them (to some success) more then I care to. Tonight, the Rays send Shane Baz (1-2,3.48 ERA) out against the hot Padres and he is off his best career showing going 7.2 innings with no runs and just three hits, be known it was against the A’s. Randy Vasquez (4-6, 4.62) gets the start for San Diego and he is their weak link with just one win in his last eight starts. Take TAMPA BAY!

LA Dodgers at Arizona 9:40 ET

Dodgers over Diamondbacks- For three years running Zac Gallen (10-6, 3.65 ERA) clubs that has come a long way and is out to prove that they are under-rated. as been the best and most consistent hurler for Arizona and this is a club out to show 2023 was no fluke. Last season he won 17 games and the year before that his ERA was 2.45. but vs the Dodgers he is 1-4 with an ERA of 3.67 in 12 appearances. LA’s has not yet named starter but it will most likely be Bobby Miller (1-3, 7.49) who has yet to regain his 2023 form which saw him go 11- 4 and he is 1-0 with a 3.18 ERA in three appearances. The Diamondbacks have been the hottest team in baseball since the All-star game and with the pitching stat advantage they are installed as a home underdog. With Betts and others returning the Dodgers are the side tonight. Take LA DODGERS!

San Diego at Tampa Bay 6:50 ET

Rays over Padres- Tampa Bay has lost five of their last seven games coming off a 10-game road trip and will send Tai Bradley (6-8, 3.77 ERA) to the hill. Bradley has lost four straight decisions and was racked by the Dodgers last time out. San Diego will start Martin Perez (3-5, 4.60) is making his third start for the Padres since being acquired from the Pirates. He is 4-7 with a 5.98 ERA against the Rays in 19 appearances. The Rays have won seven of the past 10 meetings and get the cash here. Take TAMPA BAY!

Atlanta at Philadelphia 6:40 ET

Phillies over Braves- Philadelphia’s Ranger Suarez (11-5, 2.82 ERA) is back on top of his game after five straight shaky starts he returned to form last time out at Kansas City allowing only one run ending a four-game losing streaks. Atlanta Reynaldo Lopez (7-4, 2.02) is making his 23 start of the year and that is the most for him in eight seasons and he is 2-0 with a 2.37 ERA lifetime against the Phillies. Today, it’s PHILADELPHIA!

San Diego at St. Louis 2:15 ET

Cardinals over Padres- San Diego who is making a solid run at the NL post-season will start Michael King (11-7, 3.19 ERA) who after coming over from the Yankees has adjusted to the starters role and has been one of the Padres better off-season moves in years. The Cardinals will send out Sonny Gray (11-9, 4.07) who has struggled with the long ball surrendering 20 home runs (last year only 8) but he is 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA against the Padres. Take ST. LOUIS!

Baltimore at L.A. Dodgers 10:10 ET

Orioles over Dodgers- At first glance at the pitching match-up between these two top contenders in each league you would believe that is will be an encounter dominated by the starters. But, both the Orioles starter Corbin Burnes (12-6, 3.28 ERA) and the Dodgers starter Walker Buehler (1-4, 6.09) are struggling. Burnes is 1-2 in his last four starts with an ERA of 8.71 losing his last two decisions and he has yet to lose three Straight decisions in his seven year career. Once one of the most dominating hurlers in the NL has not returned to form since his Tommy John surgery two years ago. Take BALTIMORE!

New York Mets at Arizona 9:40 ET

Diamondbacks over Mets- New York who has had their share of heartbreaking losses bounced back from a devastating loss on Sunday when their questionable bullpen blew a late inning lead against San Diego. Luis Severino (9-6, 3.84 ERA) gets the nod for the Mets and he has been at his best of last winning his past two starts including a complete game shutout the first for the Mutts in four years. The Diamondbacks have won 24 of their last 31 games and will start lefty Eduardo Rodriguez (2-0, 3.94) and he is 1-0 with a 1.64 ERA against New York in two starts. In Severino’s only start  against the D’backs he surrendered five runs in 5.1 innings. Take ARIZONA!

New York Mets at Arizona 9:40 ET

Mets over Diamondbacks- The Mets suffered one of their most devastating losses of the season Sunday as their bullpen imploded in the final two frames giving up a pair of home runs to two of the last three batters. New York will try and rebound with Sean Manaea (9-5, 3.48 ERA) and he is 4-3 with an ERA of 3.91 in 12 appearances against Arizona. On the year he has allowing 30 less hits than innings pitched and averages just over s strikeout per inning. The Diamondbacks will send Eduardo Rodriguez (2-0, 3.94) to the bump nd he has worked only 16 innings this season allowing 16 hits and seven runs. Take NEW YORK!

San Francisco at Milwaukee 8:10 ET

Giants over Brewers- San Francisco has won half of their games to date and that is exactly what was expected of them. Tonight, will they send Logan Webb (11-8, 3.13 ERA) to the mound and he is 3-0 in his last four starts allowing only three runs in 30.1 innings while surrendering just 18 hits. Milwaukee will counter with rookie Tobias Myers (6-5, 2.81) and he is 0-2 with an ERA of 3.90 in his last six starts. Webb is 2-0 with a 1.73 ERA in four appearances against the Brewers striking out 11 in just seven innings. Take SAN FRANCISCO!

Tampa Bay at Seattle 9:40 ET

Rays over Mariners- The Seattle Mariners have one of the better starting rotations in MLB and yet they can not establish themselves as legitimate contenders. At just one-game over .500 they are down $1032 on the season as the book-makers have faith in this club that just struggles to score runs. Currently, they have won 2-of-3 but they had dropped eight of their previous nine and lost six consecutive games while scoring just nine runs in six games. Tampa Bay has virtually the same record but are dead even with the bookmakers as little is expected of them. Bryce Miller (9-7, 3.32 ERA) starts for the Mariners and he is 0-1 with a 7.56 against the Rays while Ryan Pepiot (7-5, 3.65) has no decisions against Seattle but hurled 5.1 innings against them in June allowing just one hit and one run for an ERA of 1.69. Take TAMPA BAY!

New York Mets at San Diego 4:10 ET

Mets over Padres- The Mets are making the most unlikely push toward the playoffs and if they do get there New Yorker’s are claiming that Francisco Lindor should receive consideration for the NL MVP. They are forgetting just one thing and that is simply Shohei Ohtani! But, the point is that they are actually making that Wild Card run and they need Jose Quintana (6-8, 4.26 ERA) to reverse his current trend. He was lost his last three starts allowing 18 runs in just 15 innings of work and maybe paying the Padres is the answer as he is 3-0 lifetime against San Diego. The Padres will start Martin Perez (2-5, 5.20) and he just doesn’t cut it. Take the METS!

Texas at Cleveland 1:40 ET

Rangers over Ohioans- After winning it all last season Texas has struggled to regain the form that they captured last year. One bright spot on what otherwise should be considered a dull season Cody Bradford (4-1, 3.56 ERA) has been one of the lone bright spots in a team of disappointments. Division leading Cleveland will send out Matthew Boyd (0-0, 1.69) who is staring just his second game of the season. The 10-year veteran is 1-7 with a 6.49 ERA in 11 career starts against the Rangers. Take TEXAS!

Arizona at Boston 1:30 ET

Diamondbacks over Red Sox- Who’s pitching...who cares! The way this Arizona has it going the are gong to be tough to beat because they do have the pitching. Sunday the NL defending champs will send Merril Kelly (3-0, 3.63 ERA) to the hill as he makes just his third start since returning from the IL and seventh start overall. Last Sunday, he was bombed at Tampa Bay but received no decision but has alternated winning starts and he is supposed to win here. Boston will send out a tough competitor in Tanner Hough (8-8, 3.01) who has endured his club losing his last six starts while he was 0-2. No matter...this is about ARIZONA!

San Francisco at Seattle 4:10 ET

Giants over Seahawks- The Giants Blake Snell (2-3, 3,67 ERA) has has an absolutely crazy season. He started the year with arm troubles and was just horrid. In his first six starts he last just 21 innings (in SIX starts) and he surrendered 25 runs. Well, talk about a turn-around, in his last eight starts other then one swing when he gave up a 3-run HR he has given up just three runs (eight starts) and 20 hits in 52 innings...that’s 52 innings folks! He is 2-1 with an 0.81 ERA surrendering just two runs in four appearances covering 22.1 innings. Seattle’s George Kirby (9-9, 3.40) is the victim of a team that has trouble scoring runs and they haven’t been so good in his starts. Right now the Mariners are 2-7 in Kirby’s last nine starts. Take SAN FRANCISCO!

Arizona at Boston 4:10 ET

Diamondbacks over Red Sox- Arizona Zac Gallen (9-6, 3.85 ERA) Boy, I just love watching this Arizona club play baseball. They in a way remind me of the former Tampa Bay Devil Rays who were going to fight you down to the last strike. At the plate they are patient and hitting line drives creating base runners and they run the bases very well and they are aggressive. Anyway, I like what I see, they hustle and want to prove that 2023 was no fluke.   

For Boston his counterpart is Kutter Crawford (8-10. 4.21) who since we used him against the Yankees on an ESPN win he has been knocked around to the tune of giving up 29 runs in six starts in just 28 innings. Take ARIZONA!

Houston at Baltimore 4:05 ET

Astros over Orioles- Houston’s Framber Valdez (13-5, 3.20 ERA) is as hot as a pitcher can be. In his last three starts covering 21.1 innings he has allowed only seven hits having gone 8.2 of no-nit ball against Texas two weeks ago. Baltimore will start Albert Suarez (6-4, 3.18) who has had three start shutout starts covering 18 innings surrendering just 13 hits with 17 K’s. The fact that the Astros are favored at Baltimore tell me the bookies believe they are the side. Take HOUSTON!

Philadelphia at Kansas City 7:30 ET
Royals over Phillies-Those dirty rat Phillies are determined to make in a race in th NL East as they lost 2-0f-3 at Atlanta and are trodding along at a snail's pace as Harper continues to swoon and is one-for his last 19 at-bats. The reeling Wiz- Kids will send Taijuan Walker (3-4, 5.69 ERA) and the Phillies are getting a glance as why he is with his sixth team in the last eight seasons.Having won a creer high 15 games last season the regression is heavy he is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in four appearances against the KC. For the Royals it will be Michael Wacha (10-6, 3.33) who is have another solid season and is 3-3 with a 5.15 ERA against the Phils taking a loss last season his first decision against them since 2018. Take KANSAS CITY!

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Texas at Cleveland 7:10 ET
Ohioans over Rangers- The Cleveland ball club leads their division but if they do not start to score some runs soon they may be passed by either the Twins or Royals. This is a big series for them as the return home 1-5 after their trip to Milwaukee and to Yankee Stadium. Two huge factors have me supporting them here and that is they are 38-20 at home while Texas who has taken the year off after catching lighting in a bottle last year is 25-38 on the road. Tanner Bibee (10-5, 3.33 ERA) gets the nod for the Erie Lake Boys and he has been their best all year. The lost Rangers will try and match to Watchdogs with veteran Nathan Eovaldi (8-7, 3.76) who has been the pro that he is but the pressure on pitching for a team with no spirit is dis-hearting and he has started to regress a bit dropping his last three starts while surrendering 12 runs and 19 hits in his last 15 innings. Take CLEVELAND!

Houston at Baltimore 7:05 ET

Astros over Orioles- The main difference between last season and this year for Baltimore has got to be the pitching staff or the lack of one. Injuries have sidelined the Orioles rotation and yet they are hanging on just 1.5 games behind the Yankees. Tonight they send Cade Povich (1-6, 5.77 ERA) to the hill and his numbers speak for themselves. He ha lost his last four starts and has allowed 21 runs, on 23 hits with 13 base-on-balls in 17 innings, hardly impressive. Houston will send out Hunter Brown (11-7, 3.82( who has started to throw the ball the way the Stros envisioned he has won five of his last six decisions and is 7-2 in his last nine starts. Take HOUSTON!!

Philadelphia at Atlanta 7:05 ET

Phillies over Braves- I sure hope that I don’t get caught in what I call the ‘switches’ where I used Philadelphia in the opener of this series when the lost and passed yesterday (used a winner with St. Louis) and they won and I am looking to jump back in with them again here. The timing may not seem like the best way to approach a game but I believe it is the winner here. Atlanta will be starting rookie Spencer Schwellenbach (4-6, 4.04 ERA) who has surrendered 10 homers but has 85 strikeouts in 75 innings. He picked up a 5-1 win over the Phillies early July allowing just one run on seven hits in six innings. Philly should be starting Cristopher Sanchez (9-8, 3.46) who just finished a nine inning two-hit 5-1 win over Washington last timeout but he is 0-2 with 4.73 ERA with both losses coming last year. ‘It’s a new dawn darling’ (a little Janis Joplin and Big Brother and the Holding Co.) and the Phillies get it done. Take PHILADELPHIA!

Milwaukee at St. Louis 2:15 ET

Cardinals over Brewers- The Red Birds had lost 9-of-10 against the Brewers until last night’s Money Game win in extras and are now ready to turn the tide in the series. St. Louis is sending 35-year old veteran Miles Mikolas (8-10, 5.41 ERA) up against Milwaukee who he is 106 with a 4.09 lifetime ERA splitting a pair of decisions this season. Freddy Peralta (8-7, 4.00) has thrown better than his record might show but he has always struggled against the Cardinals going 3-6 with a  5.25 ERA including a pair of six inning no-decision starts. Take ST. LOUIS!

Milwaukee at St. Louis 7:45 ET

Cardinals ver Brewers- The Milwaukee Brewers have dominated the St. Louis Cardinals this season, winning seven of eight meetings. Milwaukee extended its winning streak to six games with good situational hitting and just enough pitching Tuesday. The Brewers will turn to right-hander Tobias Myers (6-5, 2.81 ERA) on Wednesday. Meyers has allowed two or fewer earned runs in each of his past six starts. The Cardinals have lost seven of their past eight games. St. Louis will turn to right-hander Kyle Gibson (7-5, 4.26) on Wednesday. In two starts against the Brewers this season, Gibson is 0-0 with a 2.45 ERA. He allowed just three runs on six hits in 11 innings in those starts, but he walked eight batters while striking out 10. Take ST. LOUIS!

Cardinals over Brewers-  Brewer's Frankie Montas (5-8, 4.86 ERA) he is  0-2 6.00 ERA vs the Cards. St. Louis' Erick Fedde (8-6, 3.55 ERA) is 1-2, 5.66 ERA with Cardinals. Milwaukee had won eight straight in the series between the two before St. Louis upset them 4-3 on May 12. Does it not seem a bit off that the Cardinals who are 11-games to the negative compared to the Brewers be such a strong favorite with a journeyman hurler that has an ERA of 5.65 ERA in three starts while with the Red Birds. Take ST. LOUIS

Philadelphia at Atlanta 7:10 ET

Phillies over Braves- Atlanta just keeps taking hit after hit to their healthy personell as the lost another stellar position player in Austin Riley who is out for at least six if not eight weeks. The Braves have been battered this season and the beat goes on here against Philadelphia. The Phillies have been installed as a favorite on the road against the perennial NL East division leader. The Phils will start Zack Wheeler (12-5, 2.72 ERA) is 12-7 with a 3.07 versus Atlanta including 7-3 with the New York Mets and 5-2 while with the Phillies. Take PHILADELPHIA!

Baltimore at New York Mets 7:10 ET

Mets ove Orioles- Baltimore is in New York and not playing the same hype that they have when playing the Yankees, that makes them like hanging fruit to the other New York club. TheOrioles Dean Kremer (4-9, 4.48 ERA)  has struggled this season giving up 15 HR’s in just 90 innings. The Mets Jose Quintana (6-8, 4.26) has had two straight poor outings while  surrendering nine earned runs in those two starts. He is 2-5, 3.66 versus Baltimore but like the 1969 World Series the numbers that the Orioles present to the Mets won’t matter. Take NEW YORK METS!

Baltimore at New York Mets 7:10 ET

Mets over Orioles- If you are paying any attention to the media it appears that they have the Mets locked into the MLB playoffs. The problem with that right now is that New York is two-games behind Atlanta for the final NL playoff spot. Tonight, they host Baltimore who is batting the other New York club for the top spot in the AL. The Orioles will send lefty Trevor Rodgers (2-11, 4.89 ERA) who is 0-2 with a 7.34 ERA as an O’s starter and is 2-3 with a 3.35 ERA against the Mets. New York will throw their own left-hander in David Peterson (7-1, 3.04) who is 1-1 with a 3.72 ERA in three appearances against the Orange Birds. Baltimore is tied with the Yankees for the top spot on the AL but now face a tough run in their schedule. Take NEW YORK METS!

New York Yankees vs Detroit 7:00 ET

Tigers over Yankees- With this game being played in Williamsport, PA somebody may end up looking like little leaguers if they don’t start playing a more fundamental game of baseball. Mental errors have plagued New York who has a 1-2 punch with Judge and Soto that can not be matched by any other team in MLB. Not since Mantle and Maris have the Yankees had this kind of power and average in the lineup but the rest of their order and defense has too many holes. Tonight they will send Marcus Stroman (8-6, 4.01 ERA) who after a quick start to the season has reverted back to previous his form of inconsistency. The Tigers will send Tarik Skubal (14-4, 2.53) to the mound and he is off back-to-back wins over Seattle and is 6-1 in his last 10 starts. Take DETROIT!

Arizona at Tampa Bay 4:10 ET

Rays over Diamondbacks- Tampa Bay pulled off a most unlikely win last night as Arizona just didn’t make the plays when they counted most in the final two innings. The Rays will send Jeffery Springs (0-1, 4.61 ERA) to the mound for the fourth time this season after returning from Tommy John surgery which was done in the spring of 2023. Arizona will start Zac Gallen (9-5, 3.69) who is 3-0 in his last five starts but in his lone career appearance against the Rays he was knocked around for four runs and five hits in six innings posting an ERA of 6.00 while picking up a victory. Rays broke a 3-game tailspin yesterday and the beat goes on...take TAMPA BAY!

Cleveland at Milwaukee 8:10 ET

Visitors over Brewers- Boy ya know this name change is really starting to bother to the point where I hate giving out Cleveland even when I think they are to be winners. But, so here goes. The former Tribesman are on a five-game winning streak and they lead the division and the Twins by 4-games. Home side Milwaukee is running away with the NL Central with aNnine game lead over the Reds and Cardinals who are both 1-game under .500. Aaron Civale (3-8, 5.01 ERA) is making his seventh start for the Brewers after a disappoint stint in Tampa Bay. In seven MLB seasons Civale has won more than five games once (12). Take CLEVELAND!   

Kansas City at Cincinnati 6:40 ET

Reds over Royals- Cincinnati’s Nick Martinez (6-5, 3.16 ERA) has spent the better part of his last 11 pro seasons at the Big League level and has been quite to journeyman as a semi starter and for the most part long man in the pen. 17 innings against Royals with a 2.08 ERA. Kansas City’s Michael Lorenzen (5-6, 3.81) has had a 10 year career path very similar to Martinez for one no-hit flash in the pan on his resume. Six innings six, hits five earned runs in his one appearance against the Reds. In and unbelievable stat has no had a win since June 11 and this club has lost 15 of the last 18 games that he has appeared in. That’s enough for me. Take CINCINNATI!

Arizona at Tampa Bay 6:50 ET

Rays over Diamondbacks- I just love what I’ve seen with the Diamondbacks the past month. They are displinced and swinging level at baseballs putting the ball in play george brett and Charlie Lau style (look him up). After decades of over-achieving Tampa Bay has finally hit the wall and are ot to be considered contenders as they are selling off their best of late. The Rays will send Ryan Pepiot (5-5, 4.20 ERA) to the hill and he will accept the challenge. In his last five starts he as shutout Cleveland allowed one run to the Yankees and Royals and two runs to the Mariners and Pirates. In other words he’s throwin’ pretty good. 2-0 2.20 versus Diamondbacks while with Dodgers. Take TAMPA BAY!  

Minnesota at Texas 8:05 ET

Twins over Rangers- A pair of brilliant young hurlers will oppose each other as Minnesota will start Bailey Ober (12-5, 3.52 ERA) and Texas will send out Cody Bradford (4-0, 3.60). Both of these youngsters are in the mist of winning streaks with Ober going 7-1 with a ERA of 1.76 over his past nine outings while Bradford is off shutting down the Yankees last Saturday. Ober has put together nine straight quality starts and the Twins are ahead of Kansas City by 1.5-games for the finals Wild Card spot and come to play everyday (something the Rangers haven’t done after winning it all last season. Take MINNESOTA!

Toronto at LA Angels 9:40 ET

Angels over Blue Jays- Both of these clubs are out of the pennant race and are dreaming of hitting the links instead of baseballs but, as my friend Lee would say ‘there’s got to be a winner somewhere.’ With et debut of Billy Wagner who went 3-for-4 Toronto now has four players who fathers played MLB. The Blue Jays will start Jose Berrios (10-9, 3.97 ERA) who is coming off his best start of the season but has struggled against the Angels going 2-5 with a 6.31 ERA in nine career starts. Lefty Tyler Anderson (9-10, 2.99) gets the nod for Los Angeles and tonight he reaches double-digit in wins. Take LA ANGELS!

Chicago Cubs at Cleveland 6:40 ET

Cubs over Watchdogs- Cleveland acquired right hander Alex Cobb (0-1, 7.71 ERA) who made his first start for the former indians Jameson Taillon (8-6, 3.50)  Alex Cobb (0-1, 7.71 ERA) in one start against Minnesota and gave up five runs in 4.2 innings against Minnesota on Friday. He had not pitched since September 2023 because of hip surgery. Chicago will counter with Jameson Taillon (8-6, 3.50) and he is 1-2, with an ERA of 8.40 against Cleveland. Take changes today. Take CUBS!

Pittsburgh at San Diego 4:10 ET

Pirates over Padres- Talk about teams headed in opposite directions San Diego has won 18 of their last 21 games and have moved into the playoff chase while Pittsburgh who looked to be making their own Wild Card drive have now lost nine straight. The Pirates will send Mitch Keller (10-6, 3.56 ERA) out to be their stopper. He is 2-2 with a 3.86 ERA in four starts against the Padres. San Diego will send Matin Perez (2-5, 4.78) and he was acquired from the Bucs just two weeks ago. Take PITTSBURGH!

L.A. Dodgers at Milwaukee 8:10 ET

Dodgers over Brewers- Milwaukee’s Colen Rea (10-3, 3.38)  is 4-1 with a 2.90 ERA in his last seven games, including six starts. He is 1-0 with a 5.32 ERA in six career matchups (three starts) vs. the Dodgers. The Brewers are 14-5 in Rea's starts this year. The Brewers have lost eight of their past nine meetings with the Dodgers, including three of four this season. The Dodgers, who have won four straight games and seven of their past nine. Gavin Stone (9-5, 3.71 ERA) has been hit hard in his  last 27 innings allowing 22 runs and is 0-3 with a 6.91 ERA over his past six starts. The beat goes on...take the DODGERS!

Kansas City at Minnesota 7:40 ET

Royals over Twins- Monday Minnesota was such a heavy favorite that I could only use it as a Free play as I just can’t or rarely allow myself over a dollar-fifty. That happens for the most part during the playoffs and we have done well when having to lay the price. Here, the struggling Royals come up the favorite behind their acquired ace Seth Lugo (13-6, 2.72 ERA) who has finally reached All-star status in his ninth season. This is his first double-digit win season of his career. It should be Joe Ryan or a rookie starter for the Twins as he was removed in the third inning last time out with leg cramps so his status is not certain. But, it is of no matter as tonight is scheduled for Royalty. Take KANSAS CITY!  

Seattle at Detroit 6:40 ET

Tigers over Mariners- Unless the Mariners pull some funny business George Kirby (8-8, 3.13 ERA) should take the hill against the Tigers tonight. Detroit will start All-star Tarik Skubal (13-4, 2.57) who has allowed just 106 hits in 143.1 innings with 171 strikeouts and those are hard number to beat even if you are throwing them for the Tigers. He is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA with a win over Seattle last Wednesday when he gave up only three hits in seven innings. Go again! Take DETROIT!

Atlanta at San Francisco 9:45 ET

Braves over Giants- I know atlanta is tripping over their own feet right now but if a team ever had and ever need ed a stopped it is Chris Sale (13-3, 2.75 ERA) who has had three straight no decisions. He has surrendered just 98 hits i 128 innings with 165 strikeouts. Sa Francisco is giving Ethan Small (0-0, 11.25) his first start after 10 innings of work in two appearances. He will be scalped by the Braves...take ATLANTA

Houston at Tampa Bay 6:50 ET

Rays over Astros- Left-hander Framber Valdez (11-5, 3.46 ERA) flirted with history in his win over the Texas Rangers last Tuesday with two outs in the ninth, Corey Seager hit a two-run homer ending hs bid for a second no-hitter. Valdez is 6-0 with a 2.81 ERA in his past eight starts. The Astros have ended up winning all of those games. The Rays will start right-hander Taj Bradley (6-6, 3.07), who is 1-1 with an 8.64 ERA in two career starts against Houston. Bradley was the AL's Pitcher of the Month for July, when he had a three-start stretch in which he allowed no runs and eight hits over 20 innings. Batters hit just .160 against him for the month, and he struck out 31 in 31 innings. Take TAMPA BAY!

Chicago Cubs at Cleveland 6:40 ET

Cubs over Ohioans- Cleveland leads the Central Division and is 20-games over .500 yet they are a home underdog to the visiting Chicago Cubs who are under .500 just 27-33 on the road. It isn’t like the Eerie Boys are starting some stiff as it is Ben Lively (10-7 3.59 ERA) taking the hill for the home club. Chicago will start their their 30 year old rookie asian import Shota Imanaga (9-2, 3.06) and he must be the key factor as to why the Cubs are favored. Another ‘Don’t Make Sense’ winner...take the CUBS!

New York Mets at Seattle 7:10 ET

Mariners over Mets- New York’s Luis Severino (7-5, 4.06 ERA) is being plagued by a problem that has been with him the past six seasons and it is that he fades in the latter part of the year. It has happened in his last three starts drawing concern. After a great start he is 0-2 in his last three starts lasting 13 innings while surrendering 12 runs on 21 hits. Against the Mariners he is 2-1 with an ERA 3.44 in three starts. Luis Castillo (9-11, 3.48) who always seems to have good stuff with mediocre results is 1-1, 4.44 versus Mets. Take NEW YORK!

Philadelphia at Arizona 4:10 ET

Diamondbacks over Phillies- And hopefully ‘the beat oes on...The Phillies are going through one o those phases that hit the Yankees and is something that is hard to get out of. They need a slump buster and Cristopher Sanchez (8-7, 3.27 ERA) is not it. Arizona’s Merrill Kelly (2-0, 2.19 ) 1-1, 2.75 ERA against Phillie including a 5-1 playoff win last October and is more than capable and the Diamondbacks are out to shown that 2023 wasn’t a fluke. The have been one of the better teams for six weeks now. Take ARIZONA!

Baltimore at Tampa Bay 1:40 ET

Rays over Orioles- Baltimore has had their way in this series having won six straight and nine of 10 meetings. The Orioles starter Albert Suarez (5-4, 3.66 ERA) is 2-3 with an ERA of 5.96 averaging 4.1 innings in his last five starts. Tampa Bay’s Jeffery Spring is 0-1, 6.23 in 2024, but prior to that in his five starts he was 4-1 with an ERA of 2.55. This game on paper looks like the weakest of all plays and that is why I have to have them...Don’t Make Sense Winner.’ Take TAMPA BAY!

New York Mets at Seattle 9:40 ET

Mariners over Mets- The Mets have been making a push for a solid two months now and are a club tht looks forward to coming to the ballpark everyday. The problem for them is that as good as they have been they will regress as the season wears on. Tonight, they send out their biggest ound surprise in Sean Manaea (8-4, 3.30 ERA) who is 8-7 with a 3.73 ERA against Seattle in 17 appearances while with the A’s. The Mariners send Logan Gilbert (6-8, 3.05) who has thrown better than his record show. in 148 innings he had allowed just 105 hits. Too tough for New York’ lineup. Take SEATTLE!

Pittsburgh at LA Dodgers 9:10 ET

Pirates over Dodgers- Everytime I see the line of the Pirates game before realizing that Paul Skanes (6-1, 1.99 ERA) is pitching I’m thinking ‘what’s going n here.’ But, he is worthy of such respect and he capable of turning any eam around because of the confidence that he instills in his teammates. Years ago I saw it happen with a guy named Tom Seaver and the Mets went from last to first. Take PITTSBURGH!