Inside the Chalk

The Washington Nationals snapped their 4-game skid yesterday by knocking off the Atlanta Braves, 10-5. Today the Braves and Nationals will meet again in an early one at Nationals Park. Julio Teherán is expected to start for the Braves. Teherán is 5-4, with a 5.08 ERA, a WHIP of 1.49, and Atlanta is 0-8 in his last 8 starts against Washington. Tanner Roark should get the call for the Nationals. Roark is 6-3, with a 3.87 ERA, a 1.30 WHIP, and Washington is 7-1 in his last 8 starts against Atlanta. Bryce Harper has owned Teherán, going 15-33 with 7 homers, and the Nationals last faced Teherán on April 19, drilling him for 7 runs in 4 innings.

Today’s Pick:

Washington Nationals

The Houston Astros will host their cross-state rival, the Texas Rangers, tonight in the second game of a 3-game set. Houston has lost 2 in a row and will give the nod to Brad Peacock tonight in an effort to get back on track. Peacock is 3-1, with an ERA of 3.15, a WHIP of 1.19, and will be going on only 3 days’ rest, which could be a reason for concern. Nick Martínez will take the rubber for the Rangers and he is 1-3, with an ERA of 4.88, a WHIP of 1.29, and Texas is 2-11 in his last 13 road starts. Houston has won 7 of the last 10 meetings and if fatigue isn’t an issue for Peacock tonight, they should get this one.

Tonight’s Pick:

Houston Astros

The Baltimore Orioles have lost 4 in a row but a trip to Chicago tonight to face the White Sox should get them back on track. Chicago is 2-9 in their last 11 overall and they will send Mike Pelfrey to the hill. Pelfrey is 2-5, with an ERA of 3.80, and Chicago is 2-8 in their last 10 against the American League East. Baltimore will counter with the lefty, Wade Miley. Miley is 2-3, with an ERA of 3.27, and the Orioles are 4-0 in their last 4 meetings with Chicago. Baltimore’s All-Star Manny Machado is expected back in the lineup tonight.

Tonight’s Pick:

Baltimore Orioles

The Tampa Bay Rays will send Chris Archer to the hill today at Tropicana Field to face Jesse Hahn and the Oakland Athletics. Oakland has struggled on the road, posting a record of 9-22, and the Athletics are 0-5 in Hahn’s last 5 road starts. Over his last 3 outings, Hahn is 1-2, with an ERA of 5.54, and a 1.69 WHIP. Tampa Bay is 20-15 at home and Archer is 1-1 over his last 3 starts, with a 3.32 ERA, a WHIP of 0.92, and the Rays are 4-1 in their last 5 home games. Edge Tampa Bay Rays.

Today’s pick:

Tampa Bay Rays

The Boston Red Sox will send the best in the business to the hill, Chris Sale, to face Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers in a twilight game at Fenway. Boston is 6-1 in Sale’s last 7 starts and 5-1 in his last 6 home starts. Verlander has seen better days. Over his last 3, he is 0-1, with a 5.52 ERA, a 1.91 WHIP, and the Tigers are 1-5 in his last 6 road starts.

Tonight’s Pick:

Boston Red Sox

The Cincinnati Reds are on a roll, coming off of a 4-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals. Tonight they will open a 3-game set against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chavez Ravine. The Reds have struggled against the Dodgers, going 2-11 in their last 13 meetings and they are 9-26 in their last 35 trips to Dodger Stadium. The Reds will try to keep their streak alive when the send the lefty Amir Garrett to the hill. Garrett has a record of 3-4, a 7.17 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. Los Angeles will also send a southpaw to the bump, Rich Hill. Hill is 2-2, with a 4.15 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP. The Dodgers are 4-1 in their last 5 home games against a left-handed starter and 5-1 in their last 6 games following a day off. I like Los Angeles in this situation.

Tonight’s Pick:

Los Angeles Dodgers

After winning 11 straight games, the Houston Astros have lost 2 in a row to the Kansas City Royals. Tonight they will face the Royals in the final game of a 4-game set at Kauffman Stadium. Lance McCullers Jr. gets the nod for the Astros and he has been outstanding. McCullers Jr. is 6-1, with an ERA of 2.71, a WHIP of 1.11 and the Astros are 5-0 in his last 5 starts. Jason Hammel takes the hill for the Royals and he has been shaky. Hammel is 2-6, with an ERA of 5.93, a WHIP of 1.60 and Kansas City is 2-9 in his last 11 starts.

Tonight’s Pick:

Houston Astros