Inside the Chalk

Two of the worst teams in the American League will face each other tonight when the Kansas City Royals host the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox have mustered just 5 wins, as have the Royals, so it is hard to find a bright spot, but tonight it will go to Kansas City due to their starting pitching. Jakob Junis will get the nod for the Royals and he has been delivering. Junis has a record of 3-1, an ERA of 2.02, and a nasty WHIP of just 0.75. The Royals are 4-1 in his last 5 starts overall and 4-1 in his last 5 starts at Kauffman Stadium. Good things cannot be said about Lucas Giolito, who will take the hill tonight for Chicago. Giolito has been a disaster, with a record of 0-3, an ERA of 9.00, a WHIP of 1.85, and in his last outing he walked 7 batters, allowing 9 runs on 5 hits in 2+ innings of work – not good. If Kansas City is going to win another game, it should be this one.
TONIGHT’S PICK: KANSAS CITY ROYALS

The Washington Nationals have now lost 4 in a row and will turn to their ace, Max Scherzer, to pull them out of their funk when they conclude a 3-game set against the San Francisco Giants in an early one at AT&T Park. Scherzer has a record of 4-1, with an ERA of just 1.36, a 0.76 WHIP, and has yielded only 18 hits with 47 strikeouts in 33 innings of work. Now that is dominance. The Giants will turn to Jeff Samardzija and he was impressive in his season debut on Friday, when the Giants pummeled the Los Angeles Angels, 8-1. However, Samardzija has struggled in his career against Washington, with a record of 2-7, a 4.07 ERA, and the Giants are 0-4 in his last 4 outings against the Nats. Washington should get back on track today.
TODAY’S PICK: WASHINGTON NATIONALS

It will be an interesting pitching match-up at Minute Maid Park tonight when Houston Astro Charlie Morton opposes Los Angeles Angel Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani is living up to all the hype, with his bat as well as his arm. He comes into tonight’s game with a record of 2-1, a 3.60 ERA, and a 0.80 WHIP. There is some reason for concern though. Ohtani left his last outing in the second inning due to a blister on his throwing hand and that could be a season-long issue but he insists he will start tonight. The Astros’ Morton has been sensational. He has yet to lose a game at 3-0. He possesses the lowest ERA in the American League at 0.72, has a WHIP of 0.88 and 33 strikeouts. Houston is 27-5 in their last 32 games at Minute Maid Park and 6-2 in Morton’s last 8 home starts. Consider Houston.
TONIGHT’S PICK: HOUSTON ASTROS

The Colorado Rockies lost a wild one yesterday to the Chicago Cubs and will look to get back in the Win column tonight when they host the San Diego Padres. The Padres will hand the ball to Bryan Mitchell. Mitchell has yet to win a game at 0-2, and has struggled with his command, with a 5.03 ERA and a 1.88 WHIP. The Rockies send Chad Bettis to the mound and he has been brilliant. Bettis is a perfect 3-0, with a 1.44 ERA, a 1.08 WHIP, and the Rockies are 23-8 in his last 31 home starts.
TONIGHT’S PICK: COLORADO ROCKIES

Murderers Row was alive and well yesterday, and that could continue today when the New York Yankees go for a series win in the Bronx against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Yankees feast on southpaws and that is what the Jays will have on the hill today with Jaime García. García has pitched well, with a record of 2-0, a 3.86 ERA, and a 1.35 WHIP. The Bombers will counter with the best they have, Luis Severino. Severino has been delivering, with a record of 3-1, a 2.62 ERA, and a WHIP of just 0.96. New York is 8-2 in their last 10 home games against lefties. Consider them today.
TODAY’S PICK: NEW YORK YANKEES

Tyson Ross pitched a gem last night for the San Diego Padres in a 4-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Arizona will try to even the score tonight in the second game of a 3-game set. The Friars will send the lefty, Clayton Richards, to the rubber. He is 1-1, with a sub-par ERA of 5.73 and a 1.64 WHIP. The Diamondbacks will counter with Zack Godley and he can deliver. Godley is 2-1 on the season, with a very respectable 3.00 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. Arizona is 10-4 in their last 14 home games and thrive on southpaws at Chase Field, going 24-5 in their last 29.
TONIGHT’S PICK: ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

The Baltimore Orioles will return home tonight after a grueling 6-game road trip in which they lost every game. Cleveland will be the visitor tonight at Camden Yards and they will turn to Trevor Bauer to throw strikes. Bauer is off to a good start at 1-1, with an ERA of 2.25 and a WHIP of 1.10. Baltimore will send Dylan Bundy to the hill. In spite of an 0-2 record, Bundy has pitched superbly. He has an ERA of just 1.40 and a 1.09 WHIP, with 31 strikeouts and only 7 walks in 25-2/3 innings of work. The Indians have not fared well in Baltimore. They are 3-8 in their last 11 and 1-4 in Bauer’s last 5 starts against the O’s. Consider Baltimore in this one.
TONIGHT’S PICK: BALTIMORE ORIOLES