Inside the Chalk

Brewers look to sweep the Pirates at home tonight but the Bucs have the lefty Liriano on the hill and he should have something to say about that. The Pirates are 14-3 in Liriano’s last 17 starts, 4-0 in his last 4 starts as a road favorite and they are 4-1 in their last 5 Thursday games. Jungmann’s on the hill for the Brewers and they are 0-4 in his last 4 starts as an underdog. The Brewers have not fared well in Thursday games, at just 4-10 in their last 14. Eddings is behind home plate and over the last 5, the Brewers are 1-4.

Today’s pick:

Pittsburgh Pirates

Wacha has been scratched from tonight’s game to preserve innings.

Pirates should get back on track tonight in the second game of a 3 game series in Milwaukee. Pirates do not like getting scored on. They’re 11-0 when their opponent scores 5 or more runs the previous night. Locke’s on the hill for the Bucs and they are 4-1 in his last 5 starts as a favorite. Zach Davies makes his major league debut for the Brewers. McCutchen and company should be able to rattle him.

Today’s pick:

Pittsburgh Pirates

Gerrit Cole looks to get his 16th win of the season tonight as the Pirates visit the Brewers in Milwaukee. Cole has been sharp over his last 3 games with an ERA of 2.14 and a WHIP of 1.00. On the flip side, Nelson is going for the Brewers and over the same span his ERA is 5.28 and his WHIP is 1.70. Brewers are 2-6 in Nelson’s last 8 home starts vs. a team with a winning record. The Bucs are 51-18 in their last 69 as a favorite. Pirates should get this one.

Today’s pick:

Pittsburgh Pirates

Keuchel gets the nod at home for Houston today and that usually represents a win. Astros are 9-1 in Keuchel’s last 10 starts with 5 days rest and are 43-16 in their last 59 home games. Seattle has not fared well in Houston, going a dismal 1-8 in their last 9 meetings there. Lefties also pose a problem for the Mariners where they have been just 2-7 in their last 9 against southies. Houston should win this game.

Today’s pick:

Houston Astros

Padres avoid the sweep today with Shields on the hill. Shields is 9-6 with a 3.89 ERA and a WHIP of 1.32. Alec Asher is making his MLB debut for the Phillies and the Padres should be able to exploit him. Phillies are 3-7 in their last 10 home games. Baker is behind home plate and road teams are 4-0 in his last 4 games versus the Phillies. Padres should get this one.

Today’s pick:

San Diego Padres

Yankees’ bats were hot last night and I see it continuing today with the rookie Wisler on the hill for the Braves. Over his last 3, he’s struggled with an ERA of 7.82 and a WHIP of 2.05. Braves are 1-4 in Wisler’s last 5 starts and they are 7-20 in their last 27 as a dog. Yankees should win this game.

Today’s pick:

New York Yankees