Inside the Chalk

The Houston Astros should snap their 2 game skid tonight in Texas with Keuchel on the hill. Keuchel comes into tonight’s game with an ERA of 1.71 and a WHIP of 1.00 over his last 3. The ‘Stros are 8-2 in his last 10 starts vs. a team with a winning record. Perez for the Rangers on the other hand, has an ERA of 5.71 and a WHIP of 1.50 over his last 3 starts. Rangers are 2-5 over his last 7 starts vs. a team with a winning record. Morales is behind home plate and the Rangers are 1-4 in their last 5 when he is umping.

Today’s pick:

Houston Astros

Tough calls today for matchups that mean something, but I’m siding with the Pirates in the second game of the double header. The Pirates are 40-13 in their last 53 home games, not including the game in progress. Happ has the hill for the Bucs and he has been outstanding, going 3-0 with an ERA of 1.45 and a WHIP of 0.64 over his last 3 games. The lefty Lester gets the call for the Cubs and the Pirates can hit lefties, going 11-4 over their last 15 against south paws. Bannister is umping behind the dish and home teams are 6-2 over his last 8 games. Tough call, but siding with the Pirates.

Also, keep an eye on the Royals/Indians game. It opened with Cleveland -123 and now it favors the Royals -112. That’s a big swing.

Today’s pick:

Pittsburgh Pirates (game 2 of double header)

Twins look like a good play tonight as they host the struggling Detroit Tigers. Detroit might have a fatigue factor going in to tonight’s game after playing a doule header yesterday. Lobstein gets the nod for Detroit and they are 0-5 in his last 5 starts. Detroit has not played well on the road lately winning just 2 of their last 10. Duffey gets the call for the Twins and they are 4-1 in his last 5 outings. Twins play well at home, with a 42-26 record on the year and 6-2 in their last 8 at home. Minnesota should get this one.

Today’s pick:

Minnesota Twins

I’m at the Giants game today. Look for a sweep at AT&T Park.

Today’s pick:

San Francisco Giants

Traveling in the bay area and no stats available. Pirates and Locke should get it done today. Giants with Mad Bum (Bumgarner) also look like a good pick. Good luck today!

Today’s picks:

Pittsburgh Pirates
San Francisco Giants

Nationals are clinging to life for a post season berth and have lost 3 straight so this should give them a little more incentive tonight to win a game. Gonzalez is on the hill for the Nationals and he is 5-1 in his last 6 starts against the Marlins. Nationals are 6-0 in their last 6 vs. a team with a losing record and 4-1 in their 5 meetings with Miami. Cosart gets the call for Miami and at home he has not done well, with a 1-4 record over his last 5 and 2-6 in his last 8 games against a team with a winning record. Harper could have a big night.

Today’s pick:

Washington Nationals

Cardinals look like the right side to play today as they visit the Reds in Cincinnati. St. Louis is 7-1 in their last 8 road games. Garcia is on the hill for the Cards and they are 4-0 in his last 4 road starts. Lamb, the lefty gets the start today for the Reds and they are 0-5 in his last 5 starts. Cardinals love hitting south paws, with a record of 5-0 in their last 5 against them. Having the edge in starting pitching, bullpen, hitting and bench, they should get this one.

Today’s pick:

Saint Louis Cardinals