Season Results: If you’re going to have a winning streak snapped, you might as well have it end in glorious fashion. After 12 consecutive winning picks, my streak ended on Sunday in the Bronx when the Blue Jays and Yankees combined for seven runs in the first inning alone, which contributed to destroying my under pick.
That said, my other two selections on Sunday both won, as the Rockies and Braves played under the total and the Royals-White Sox over was never in doubt after Kansas City posted six runs in the first two innings. My MLB record is now 22-6.
Here’s what I like on Monday…
953 San Francisco Giants at 954 New York Mets, 6:10 p.m. CT
Stick a fork in the Giants’ season. They showed some grit last week in L.A. by taking two of three from the Dodgers but then they went to Cincinnati and got their ass handed to them by the Reds (who swept the series). In their last five games, the Giants haven’t scored more than four runs in a single contest. Their offense is in a deep funk and now they’ll face the Mets’ Zack Wheeler, who has been on a tear since the All-Star Break. Wheeler currently owns a strikeout rate of 25% since that point and has generated plenty of soft contact, two keys if you’re going to take the under in a matchup.
The Mets also return to the Big Apple following a hectic weekend that saw them play four games against the Phillies in Philadelphia and then one more against their NL East rivals on Sunday night in Williamsport. With New York potentially gassed, I like the under, especially with Derek Holland on the mound for San Francisco. He has pitched well for the Giants this season and his fly-ball tendencies shouldn’t be a problem tonight at pitcher-friendly Citi Field.
Prediction: Giants/Mets under 7.5
965 Chicago White Sox at 966 Minnesota Twins, 6:10 p.m. CT
Lucas Giolito has been fantastic this season…if you’re an opposing hitter. He has a horrendous 15.4% strikeout rate and an equally poor walk rate of 12.2%, which means the ball is put in play a lot when he pitches. Giolito struggles against left-handed hitters, which plays into the Twins’ hands as Joe Mauer, Eddie Rosario, Jorge Polanco (switch) and Max Kepler all bat from that side. On the other side, Stephen Gonsalves will make his major league debut for Minnesota. We don’t know much about Gonsalves outside of the fact that he’s the Twins’ sixth ranked prospect. While Gonsalves could surprise, I’m more than willing to take the risk that his debut goes off the rails and we see a high-scoring game tonight in Minnesota.
Prediction: White Sox/Twins Over 9.5
957 St. Louis Cardinals at 958 Los Angeles Dodgers, 9:10 p.m. CT
For as much praise as we’ve given the young Cardinal pitchers lately (and rightfully so), Austin Gomber has shown fly-ball tendencies and has allowed plenty of hard contact (46.9% hard contact rate) over his four starts. The Dodgers’ lineup is loaded with right-handed power and are dangerous at home. Alex Wood, meanwhile, was sharp in his first start back from the disabled list but he’s allowed a 42% hard contact rate to righties. As St. Louis fans are well aware, the Cardinals are mostly right-handed so while the matchup is difficult, there’s potential there for the Cards to put some runs on the board tonight. In fact, the over is 9-2 in the Cards’ last 11 road games versus a left-handed starter.
Prediction: Cardinals/Dodgers over 8.5
Season Prediction Records
MLB: 22-6 (+1,540.00)
*Based on projected $100.00 wagers