Season Results: Missed the over in the Cardinals-Dodgers game by a half run last night as both teams squandered opportunities throughout the game. Nevertheless, it was a winning night, as the Giants-Mets under 7.5 won easily despite the two teams playing 13 innings and the White Sox-Twins over 9.5 was never in doubt after the clubs combined to score 13 runs. The 2-1 night runs my record to 24-7 on the year.
Before we get to Tuesday night’s picks, if you have any recommendations or feedback for me regarding this column, I hope you leave some either in the comments section or on Twitter (@AnthonyStalter). The feedback can be constructive criticism or something that you hope I would cover from a betting standpoint. Thanks in advance!
Here’s what I like on Tuesday…
911 St. Louis Cardinals at 912 Los Angeles Dodgers, 9:10 p.m. CT
This is the pick I gave out during “The Turn” today. Even though the over burned me last night, these two teams jammed the base paths all night and I believe they’ll do it again tonight. Daniel Poncedeleon was sensational in his debut start but his 2.04 ERA doesn’t match his xFIP (5.52). For as outstanding as the young pitchers have been for the Cards, Poncedeleon’s batted-ball luck could suffer some negative regression. He’s also only striking out the opposition at a 15.2% clip, which is concerning as well, especially against a Dodgers lineup with so much firepower. On the other side, Hyun-Jin Ryu has been excellent in his limited innings this season but the Cards’ offense poses problems for lefties because they’re mostly right-handed (not to mention one of their few lefties is Matt Carpenter, who rakes against everyone). Finally, Jim Wolf is behind the dish tonight and in his 22 games behind home plate, the over is 16-6.
Prediction: Cardinals/Dodgers over 8.5
901 Atlanta Braves at 902 Pittsburgh Pirates, 6:05 p.m. CT
The Pirates are in a major offensive funk. They haven’t scored more than four runs since August 11. During their last nine games, they’ve been shut out three ties, including in last night’s 1-0 loss to the Braves. Atlanta hasn’t been much better, as the Braves have generated a grand total of 14 runs in their last five games combined. The under is 34-16-1 in the last 51 meetings between these two teams at PNC Park. No reason to expect offensive fireworks tonight in Pittsburgh.
Prediction: Braves/Pirates under 7.5
917 Kansas City Royals at 918 Tampa Bay Rays, 6:10 p.m. CT
I also like the under in this matchup after both teams combined for one run in Game 1 of this series on Monday night. Blake Snell has been solid since returning from the disabled list and benefits tonight facing a Royals team that has the sixth highest strikeout percentage against left-handed pitching this year at 23.3%. Glenn Sparkman makes me nervous from an under standpoint but he was serviceable in his spot start last outing. The under is 5-1 in the last six meetings between these two teams.
Prediction: Royals/Rays under 7
Season Prediction Records
MLB: 24-7 (+1,630.00)
*Based on projected $100.00 wagers
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