Inside the Chalk

The Baltimore Orioles will go for a series win tonight against the best in the AL, the Detroit Tigers, at Birdland. They had better be clicking on every cylinder because the reigning AL Cy Young winner, Tarik Skubal, will be on the hill for Detroit and the southpaw, as he always does, is delivering. Skubal is 6-2 with a 2.16 ERA and a nasty WHIP of only 0.88. He is also 3-1 in his career against Baltimore with a 1.52 ERA. Baltimore is expected to counter with Dean Kremer who is 5-6 with a 4.98 ERA, a 1.28 WHIP, and in his career against Detroit he is 0-2 with a bloated ERA of 8.44. Prior to last night’s loss, the Tigers had won six straight against the Orioles and they are not in the habit of losing two in a row.
TONIGHT’S PICK: DETROIT TIGERS

The San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers will play the rubber game of their 3-game set in a matinée today at Petco Park. The Padres lost a close one to the Dodgers on Monday, falling 8-9 in extras, but bounced back last night with an 11-1 rout of the World Series champions and they could do it again today. Los Angeles is expected to send lefty Justin Wrobleski to the hill, and he has not looked good. He is 1-2 with a bloated ERA of 7.20 and a 1.40 WHIP. Randy Vásquez is expected to get the start for the Friars. He is 3-4 with a 3.70 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. In his last turn against the Milwaukee Brewers, Vásquez allowed just two hits, no runs, and San Diego went on to win 2-0. The Padres play well at home with a record of 21-11. They are just one game back of the Dodgers for the lead in the NL West so they need to win this home series against their hated rival, and they know it.
TODAY’S PICK: SAN DIEGO PADRES

The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox will wrap up their 3-game set tonight in the Bronx. The Yankees will have southpaw Carlos Rodón on the hill. Rodón is 8-3 with a 2.49 ERA, a WHIP of 0.93, and has won his last 7 starts. The best player in baseball, the Yankees’ Aaron Judge, was 0-4 yesterday and that is a rarity. Judge and company will get to the Red Sox pitcher Hunter Dobbins who has an ERA of 4.06 and a 1.31 WHIP. Judge will have a big night tonight. Count on it. The Bombers are the side to consider.
TONIGHT’S PICK: NEW YORK YANKEES

The Philadelphia Phillies have lost 3 in a row but should right the ship today when they face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the middle game of a 3-game set at PNC Park. The 37-26 Phillies will have Ranger Suárez on the hill and he has been dealing. Suárez is 4-0 with a 2.73 ERA, a 1.22 WHIP, and will shutdown the 24-40 Pirates, who are averaging just over 3 runs per game. Philadelphia has the edge in runs scored, hits, batting average, slugging, OPS, and homers. 
TODAY’S PICK: PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

The Tampa Bay Rays and the Miami Marlins will play an early one today at Steinbrenner Field. Kevin Cash has his team hitting on every cylinder. Tampa has won 3 straight and will have Zack Littell on the hill. The Rays are 7-0 in his last 7 starts and are playing one of the worst teams in the majors. Miami has lost 4 in a row and are just 9-17 on the road. The side to choose is obvious. 
TODAY’S PICK: TAMPA BAY RAYS

The New York Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians will play the rubber match of a 3-game set tonight in the Bronx. The Yankees fell to the Guardians yesterday 4-0 but they will rebound tonight with Max Fried on the hill. Southpaw Fried is 7-1 with an ERA of just 1.92 and a 0.94 WHIP. Cleveland will counter with Slade Cecconi, who is 1-1 with an elevated ERA of 5.28 and a 1.43 WHIP. Aaron Judge is licking his chops.
TONIGHT’S PICK: NEW YORK YANKEES