Author: Roger

The San Francisco Giants are going for a sweep today over the visiting Philadelphia Phillies, but I don’t see that happening. Jeff Samardzija should start for the Giants but once again he is on the DL. What else is new? So today they will send the son of Pudge Rodríguez, Derrick Rodríguez, to the bump. This kid will be making his first Big League start. He has made one appearance in relief but was not very effective, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits in just 3-1/3 innings of work. Philadelphia will counter with the flame thrower, Jake Arrieta. As usual, Arrieta has been delivering with a record of 5-2, a 2.16 ERA, and a WHIP of 1.15 in 58-1/3 innings of work. The Giants will be without Brandon Belt, which will hurt. Chris Segal will be calling the shots and San Francisco is 0-4 in their last 4 games when he is behind the dish.
TODAY’S PICK: PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

The Arizona Diamondbacks showed how much offensive power they possess last night when they smacked 6 homers in a 9-1 trouncing of the Miami Marlins. Tonight they will go for a series win against Miami when they play the middle game of a 3-game set at Chase Field. The Marlins have now lost four in a row and will turn to Caleb Smith to right the ship. Smith’s numbers are not bad, at 4-5, with a 3.51 ERA, and a 1.15 WHIP. Zack Greinke will tap the rubber for the Diamondbacks. Greinke has similar numbers on the season, at 3-4, with a 3.64 ERA, and a 1.04 WHIP, but he has pitched better than his numbers indicate. Greinke has never lost in his career to Miami, with a record of 5-0 in 9 starts. The Marlins have not fared well in the desert, going 1-5 in their last 6 games. Add to that, the Diamondbacks are 20-6 in Greinke’s last 26 home starts. A consideration on Arizona is warranted here.
TONIGHT’S PICK: ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Two of the top gunslingers in the American League will square off tonight at Minute Maid Park when Chris Sale taps the rubber for the Boston Red Sox and Gerrit Cole for the Houston Astros. Both of these guys have been dominating. Cole is 5-1, with a 2.05 ERA, and a 0.83 WHIP, and Sale is 5-2, with a 2.76 ERA, and a 0.96 WHIP. Sale, however, was not Sale-like in his last turn on Sunday. He allowed 6 runs on 5 hits in 4-1/3 innings against Atlanta. Boston has struggled against the reigning Champs, going 1-5 in their last 6 meetings overall and 1-4 in their last 5 at Minute Maid Park. Houston is 5-1 in Cole’s last 6 starts and 4-1 in his last 5 turns at home. Edge Astros.
TONIGHT’S PICK: HOUSTON ASTROS

The Cleveland Indians are on a roll, winning three in a row and during that span they have scored 27 runs. Tonight they will host the worst team in baseball, the Chicago White Sox. Mike Clevinger will get the nod for the Tribe. Clevinger has been getting it done at 3-2, with a 3.32 ERA, and a 1.22 WHIP. He has also been an American League Central killer. Cleveland is 8-0 in his last 8 starts against them. The White Sox will reach into the barrel and send Lucas Giolito to the hill. He is 3-5, with a 7.53 ERA, a 1.71 WHIP, and in his last 3 turns, his ERA has soared to 8.31 – not good. Consider Cleveland tonight.
TONIGHT’S PICK: CLEVELAND INDIANS

The Arizona Diamondbacks snapped their 7-game skid on Friday but have resorted back to what they do best, lose. Today they should be able to right the ship because Homer Bailey and the Cincinnati Reds come to town. Bailey has been terrible, with a record of 1-6, a 6.21 ERA, a 1.69 WHIP, and over the last 4 years he is 9-19, with an ERA of 6.33. How does this guy still have a job? Arizona counters with Matt Koch, who has held his own. He is 2-3, with a 3.77 ERA, and a 1.14 WHIP. The Reds are 19-35 on the season and 10-16 on the road. If the Diamondbacks don’t win this game, it’s time to send Torey Lovullo packing.
TODAY’S PICK: ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

If the New York Yankees keep the best player since Micky Mantle in check, Mike Trout, they should walk down River Avenue with a win. Masahiro Tanaka will take the hill for New York. Tanaka is 5-2, with a 4.96 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP, and the Yankees are 4-0 in his last 4 starts against the American League West. Los Angeles will call on Garrett Richards to throw strikes. Richards has decent numbers, at 4-3, with a 3.31 ERA, and a 1.26 WHIP but the Angels are 0-5 in his last 5 turns against the Yanks.
TODAY’S PICK: NEW YORK YANKEES