Inside the Chalk

Right-hander Max Scherzer looks to continue his dominance over the Marlins when he squares off against Tom Koehler in an early one today at Marlins Park. Tom Koehler has struggled this year, going 0-2 with a 6.30 ERA. Koehler has had 10 career starts against Washington, where he is 3-7 with an ERA of 4.45 and has given up 12 home runs. He’ll also have to face the red hot Bryce Harper, who is 8-26 with 5 homers and 10 RBIs against him. Miami is 1-7 in their last 8 home games and Washington has gone 6-2 in their last 8 meetings. Jayson Werth is out for the Nats but that shouldn’t matter.

Today’s pick:

Washington Nationals

The Chicago White Sox bats finally came alive last night and they’ll look to continue that this afternoon at US Cellular Field when they host the LA Angels in the third game of a 4-game series. Garrett Richards takes the mound for the Angels and he’s 0-2 with a 3.57 ERA and a WHIP of 1.30. The Angels are 0-5 in Richards’ last 5 starts and they are 1-5 in their last 6 meetings in Chicago. The lefty Chris Sale is on the bump for the White Sox. He’s off to another stellar start, with a 3-0 record, a 2.35 ERA and a WHIP of 0.78. In the 2016 campaign, the Flame Thrower has struck out 23 batters in 25 innings and he’s 4-0 with a 1.64 ERA in 4 career starts against the Angels.

Today’s pick:

Chicago White Sox

The Oakland Athletics embark on a 10 game road trip when they travel to the Bronx tonight to take on the Yankees. Eric Surkamp, who has never faced the Yankees, gets the start for the A’s tonight. In Surkamp’s 2 outings this year, he has yet to make it through 5 innings. Michael Pineda is on the hill tonight for the Bombers and has faced Oakland 3 times in his career, going 2-1 with an ERA of 2.00. In Pineda’s last 13 starts with 5 days rest, New York is 11-2. If Pineda keeps it in the park, with the Yankees averaging 4.45 runs per game as opposed to Oakland’s 2.85, the Bombers should get this one.

Tonight’s pick:

New York Yankees

The Chicago White Sox return home tonight after a 6 game road trip to host the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels were swept over the weekend by, of all teams, the Minnesota Twins. Los Angeles is still stinging after blowing a 2-0 lead only to lose 3-2 in 12 innings yesterday. Two lefties go at it tonight, with Hector Santiago getting the nod for the Halos and Carlos Rodon for Chicago. Santiago is 0-0 with an ERA of 3.95 and a WHIP of 1.02, and Rodon is 1-1 with an ERA of 1.38 and a WHIP of 1.23. Fatigue could be an issue for the Angels tonight. Siding with Chicago.

Tonight’s pick:

Chicago White Sox

The Pittsburgh Pirates have lost 4 in a row and they’ll try to stop the bleeding today when they host the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park. Jungmann is expected to get the nod for the Brewers. He comes into this contest with an ERA of 11.57 and a WHIP of 2.00. The Brewers are 0-8 in Jungmann’s last 8 road starts. Howe is behind the dish tonight. The Brewers are 2-8 in the last 10 when he’s umping.

Tonight’s pick:

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates try to end their 3 game skid when they host the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park tonight. The Brew have had trouble at PNC, going 1-4 in their last 5 meetings there. Nelson is expected on the bump for the Brewers and they are 1-4 in his last 5 starts. The lefty Locke gets the nod for the Bucks and the Brewers are 1-8 in their last 9 against southpaws.

Also, Benedict Arnold (AKA Cano) returns to the Bronx tonight and the Mariners are just 1-8 in their last 9 meetings. Yanks get it done.

Tonight’s picks:

Pittsburgh Pirates
New York Yankees