Category: Baseball

The Washington Nationals have now lost 3 in a row and were blasted in their home opener on Thursday by the New York Mets, 8-2. Washington will have another shot at New York when they play a matinee today at Nationals Park. The Mets are expected to send Steven Matz to the rubber. Matz has struggled with elbow issues and that was evident in his season debut against St.Louis, where he gave up 3 runs, 2 of which were homers, in just 4 innings of work. That cannot be said about Gio González, who is expected to take the hill for the Nationals. González was on his mark in his season debut against Cincinnati, yielding just 1 run on 5 hits in 6 innings of work. He was 3-0 last year against the Mets, with an ERA of 2.25, and Washington is 16-5 in his last 21 starts against New York. Good spot for Washington to get back on track.
TODAY’S PICK: WASHINGTON NATIONALS

The Cleveland Indians started the season with a 6-game road trip which did not go well. Today they will be glad to be back home at Progressive Field to play their home opener in an early one against the Kansas City Royals. The southpaw, Danny Duffy, is expected to get the nod for Kansas City. Duffy was awful in his season debut, taking the loss in a 14-7 romp at the hands of the Chicago White Sox. He has also struggled against the Tribe. The Royals are 0-5 in his last 5 starts against the Indians and 1-5 in his last 6 starts at Progressive Field. Cleveland is expected to send Carlos Carrasco to the rubber. Carrasco was not at his best his last time out but did get the victory in a 6-5 triumph over Seattle. Carrasco has had success against the Royals. The Indians are 8-2 in his last 10 starts against them and 4-0 in his last 4 starts at Progressive. The Indians’ bats could come alive today. They are 8-2 in their last 10 home games against lefties.
TODAY’S PICK: CLEVELAND INDIANS

The Washington Nationals have lost their last 2 games but will look to get back on track today when they play their home opener in an early one against the New York Mets. Two of the best hurlers in the game will oppose each other today, with Washington sending Stephen Strasburg to the rubber and New York starting Jacob deGrom. Both pitchers are off and running. DeGrom is 1-0 with an ERA of 1.59 and Strasburg is 1-0 with an ERA of 1.42. Strasburg has incredible numbers at home, with a record of 44-19 in his last 63 games, and the Nationals are 6-1 in his last 7 starts against the Mets. Home opener and Strasburg on the hill, the edge goes to Washington.
TODAY’S PICK: WASHINGTON NATIONALS

It took 15 innings to conclude last night’s game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers, with Arizona coming out on top, 8-7. Tonight they will do it again, with Los Angeles sending the best in the business, Clayton Kershaw, to the rubber and Arizona countering with Zack Godley. Los Angeles is 5-0 in Kershaw’s last 5 starts against Arizona and he has a career record of 14-8, with an ERA of 2.55 against the Snakes. Godley was 8-9 in 2017, with a respectable ERA of 3.37, and is 1-1 in his career against the Dodgers, with a 3.38 ERA. Due to last night’s marathon, relief pitching will be an issue, but the Dodgers will have the edge in this one because Kershaw can go deep in games.
TONIGHT’S PICK: LOS ANGELES DODGERS

The World Champion Houston Astros will play their home opener tonight against the Baltimore Orioles. The Champs will send Charlie Morton to the hill. Morton was lights out in 2017, posting a record of 14-7, with a 3.62 ERA. Believe it or not, Chris Tillman is still employed and that is who Baltimore will send to the bump tonight. Tillman was awful in 2017, with a record of 1-7, and a bloated 7.84 ERA. To make matters worse, the Orioles are 3-14 in their last 17 meetings with the Astros and 0-6 in their last 6 trips to Houston. Altuve and company get it done.
TONIGHT’S PICK: HOUSTON ASTROS

The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Detroit Tigers will play a double-header today in the Motor City. Consider Detroit in the first game. The Tigers will send Michael Fulmer to the hill in Game 1. This guy is becoming the next ace of the Tigers. Last year, Fulmer was 10-12, with a 3.83 ERA, but battled arm issues. Fulmer proved there are no lingering arm issues because he was lights out this spring, posting an ERA of 2.12. The Pirates are expected to counter with Trevor Williams. Williams is mediocre at best, going 7-9 in 2017, with a 4.07 ERA, and Pittsburgh is 0-4 in his last 4 road starts.
TODAY’S PICK: DETROIT TIGERS

The Los Angeles Dodgers have yet to score a run in the 2018 campaign but that will change today when they play the third game of a 4-game set at the Ravine against their hated rival the San Francisco Giants. The Dodgers will send Kenta Maeda to the hill. This guy can deliver. Last year he won 13 games and had a great spring, going 2-0, with a 2.60 ERA. The Giants, out of desperation, signed Derek Holland to a 1-year deal. Holland should hang it up. Last year he was live bait for hitters, posting a record of 7-14, with a 6.20 ERA. Dodgers get on track today.
TODAY’S PICK: LOS ANGELES DODGERS