Author: Roger

The Colorado Rockies have just a 1-1/2 game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers for the second Wild Card spot, so losing is not an option when they play the rubber game of a 3-game set against the Miami Marlins in an early one today at Coors Field. The Rockies will send Jon Gray to the hill and he will be opposed by Marlins southpaw Adam Conley. Conley has had issues in his last 3 outings, going 1-0, with an inflated ERA of 10.50, a 2.17 WHIP, and was lit up in his last turn, allowing 7 runs on 6 hits in just 1-2/3 innings. Gray on the other hand, has been delivering. He is 2-0 in his last 3 outings, with an ERA of just 1.50, a 0.89 WHIP, and has allowed 3 runs or fewer in his last 12 starts. The Rockies are 8-3 in their last 11 home games against southpaws and should get to Conley today.
TODAY’S PICK: COLORADO ROCKIES

There is a pitching mismatch at Fenway Park tonight when the Red Sox send Drew Pomeranz to the hill to face Toronto’s Brett Anderson. Pomeranz doesn’t get the recognition of the Kershaws and Sales but is one of the best lefties in the business and he has been delivering, going 2-0 in his last 3 outings, with an ERA of 1.47, and a WHIP of 1.04. Anderson is 1-1 in his last 3 turns, with an inflated ERA of 9.26, and a WHIP of 1.97. The Blue Jays are 1-5 in their last 6 meetings with the Red Sox and Boston is 13-3 in Pomeranz’s last 16 home starts. The numbers say Boston in this one.
TONIGHT’S PICK: BOSTON RED SOX

Two flamethrowers will oppose each other in an early one in Queens today when the New York Mets send Jacob deGrom to the hill to oppose the Washington Nationals ace, Max Scherzer. Both of these guys are at the top of their game. DeGrom is 15-9, with an ERA of 3.55, and a WHIP of 1.20. Scherzer is 15-6, with an ERA of 2.59, and a WHIP of 0.91. New York is 5-2 in their last 7 home games and they are 7-1 in deGrom’s last 8 starts against the Nationals. Consider the home dog in this one.
TODAY’S PICK: NEW YORK METS

With a win today over the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, the New York Yankees will clinch at least the second Wild Card spot and I see that happening. The Yanks were drilled by the Jays yesterday, 8-1, but that was due to Masahiro Tanaka giving up the long ball which is something he is good at doing. Sonny Gray will get the nod for the Yankees. Gray is 1-2 in his last 3 outings, but has a respectable ERA of 3.57, and a WHIP of 1.25. The Blue Jays will send Joe Biagini to the hill and he has been erratic. In his last 3 turns, he is 0-2, with a 7.82 ERA, and a 1.66 WHIP. The Jays are 1-6 in Biagini’s last 7 starts and 1-5 in his last 6 starts against the American League East. The Bombers should get to him today.
TODAY’S PICK: NEW YORK YANKEES

After losing four in a row, the Colorado Rockies find themselves just one game up on the Milwaukee Brewers for the second NL Wild Card spot so a win over the San Diego Padres tonight at Petco Park is vital and they know it. The Friars are expected to send the ex-Rocky to the hill, Jordan Lyles. Lyles has been horrendous, with a record of 1-3, an ERA of 7.35, and was lit up by his former team on Saturday, giving up 7 runs on 8 hits over 4 innings in a 16-0 Colorado victory. Bud Black is expected to send Jon Gray to the rubber. Gray has pitched well, with a record of 8-4, an ERA of 3.75, and is 3-2 lifetime against San Diego with an ERA of 2.50. The Rockies have had the upper hand over the Padres, going 7-2 in the last 9 meetings. Consider Colorado in this one.
TONIGHT’S PICK: COLORADO ROCKIES

The Saint Louis Cardinals are 2½ games back of the Colorado Rockies for the second National League wild card spot and will try to inch closer when they go for the series sweep tonight over the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. The Cardinals have had success over the Reds, going 6-1 in the last 7 meetings, and 4-0 in their last 4 trips to Cincinnati. St. Louis is expected to call on Carlos Martínez to throw strikes. Martínez comes into tonight’s contest with a record of 11-11, a 3.57 ERA, and a 1.19 WHIP. Homer Bailey is expected to go for the Reds and he has struggled, with a record of 5-8, a 6.86 ERA, a 1.72 WHIP, and Cincinnati is 2-7 in his last 9 home starts.
TONIGHT’S PICK: ST. LOUIS CARDINALS