Month: October 2019

Everybody and their mother will be leaning towards the Houston Astros tonight when they try to win Game 5 of the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays at Minute Maid Park. Gerrit Cole will get the nod for Houston and his stats are not necessary to mention. We know what he’s done all year and that is throw flames. The Rays counter with Tyler Glasnow, who can deliver. Glasnow was 4-0 on the road in the regular season, with a nasty ERA of 0.55, and did have a win against the Astros this year at the Trop. Tampa mowed down Verlander and Greinke. Why not Cole, too? Baseball is a streaky sport. The Rays are red hot and have nothing to lose because they are not supposed to be here!!!
TONIGHT’S PICK: TAMPA BAY RAYS

The Atlanta Braves could have wrapped up the NLDS on Monday in St. Louis but they let it slip away. Today the venue switches to SunTrust Park and they will try to win their first playoff series since 2001. Mike Foltynewicz will be on the hill for Atlanta. If he pitches anything like he did in Game 2, the Braves win. He was lights out, striking out 7, yielding just 3 hits and no walks in 7 scoreless innings, resulting in a Braves 3-0 shut out. Jack Flaherty took the loss in Game 2 and will get the nod today for St. Louis. He pitched well in Game 2 but not well enough. He gave up 3 runs on 8 hits and 1 walk. The Cardinals have just 1 win in their last 8 playoff games on the road and are 2-7 in Flaherty’s last 9 starts against the NL East. Fatigue could be an issue for the young right-hander today. Flaherty threw 117 pitches in Game 2 and will be working on 4 days’ rest. The Braves’ middle of the order has been lethargic so they are due, plus with Foltynewicz on the bump, and 41,000+ fans behind them, edge Braves.
TODAY’S PICK: ATLANTA BRAVES

The Tampa Bay Rays were able to force a Game 4 yesterday in the ALDS by routing the Houston Astros, 10-3. It has been a good run for the Rays but they will have to be clicking on every cylinder tonight when they face Justin Verlander, if they want it to continue. Verlander was spectacular in Game 1, holding the Rays to just 1 hit and no runs over 7 innings of work. Verlander has dominated Tampa at the Trop, going 6-3 in his career with an ERA of 2.87. The Rays will play bullpen ball and are expected to go with Diego Castillo as the opener. Castillo did make 6 starts this year but the results were not good, posting a 6.15 ERA. Verlander will be pitching on 3 days’ rest but I don’t see that as a problem. He says he is ready and wants the ball.
TONIGHT’S PICK: HOUSTON ASTROS

In the first two games of the ALDS, the New York Yankees have pounded the Minnesota Twins, outscoring them 18-6. Tonight the venue moves to Target Field and the Yanks can smell blood. Luis Severino will be tapping the rubber for the Yankees. Since his return to the rotation, he has gone 1-1, with a 1.50 ERA, and a 1.00 WHIP. All Star Jake Odorizzi will get the nod for the Twins. He is 15-7, with a 3.51 ERA, and a 1.21 WHIP, but the last time he faced the Bombers, he was lit up. Odorizzi yielded 9 runs in 4 innings of work, resulting in a 10-7 Yankee win. Gary Cederstrom will be calling the shots tonight and Minnesota is just 2-6 in their last 8 games with him behind the dish.
TONIGHT’S PICK: NEW YORK YANKEES

The Tampa Bay Rays will be a big dog tonight when they try to even the score with the Houston Astros. Gerrit Cole will be on the bump for Houston and we know what he can do. Deliver. Cole is 20-5, with a 2.50 ERA, a WHIP of just 0.89, and that is scary. However, Tampa is going to counter with Blake Snell. Let’s not forget, Snell was the AL Cy Young winner last year and the Rays are 4-1 in his last 5 starts against the Astros. Tampa is worth a shot.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TAMPA BAY RAYS

The New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins will square off tonight at the Stadium for Game 1 of the ALDS. To say the Yankees have dominated the Twins in post-season play would be an understatement. New York is 13-2 in their last 15 post-season meetings with Minnesota and will have the southpaw, James Paxton, on the bump. The Big Maple has been throwing flames. He has won 10 straight games with a 2.95 ERA and is 15-6 on the season with an ERA of 3.82. José Berríos will get the nod for the Twins and he has also been delivering. Berríos is 15-6 with an ERA of 3.68 but has struggled at Yankee Stadium. In his career, he in 0-2 in the Bronx with an inflated 9.82 ERA. Paxton is 7-3 at home this year and is 3-1 in his career against the Twins with an ERA of only 2.27. The Bombers get it done.
TONIGHT’S PICK: NEW YORK YANKEES