It’s another full day of baseball as the nation’s pastime pushes towards the postseason. Below are the best five baseball games of the day.
Tonight, the Detroit Tigers head to Kauffman Stadium in a pivotal AL Central showdown against the Kansas City Royals. Meanwhile, an NL Central is on the schedule as the Cincinnati Reds go against the St. Louis Cardinals. A loss could prove devastating for the Cards as Pittsburgh is fast on their heels for the divisional crown. Those are just two of the games that make up tonight’s baseball action. Read on for more on the biggest games of the night.
On Sunday, football will dominate the nation with 14 different games. Check out our complete picks and predictions list of all the Week 3 NFL action here.
[sc:MultiSportArticles ]MLB Picks and Predictions for Friday, September 19, 2014
Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles (7:05 PM ET)
Line: Boston Red Sox (+150) at Baltimore Orioles (-170); total 8.0 – view all MLB lines
[sc:MLB240banner ]Baltimore manager Buck Showalter wants his starters well-rested for the postseason after already clinching the AL East. Yet, that doesn’t mean they’ll be sending a scrub to the mound tonight. The O’s are starting Kevin Gausman (7-7, 3.57 ERA) on the heels of pitching seven scoreless innings against New York on Friday. Gausman should have no trouble stymieing a Red Sox offense that scored just three runs while on a three-game losing streak.
Writer’s prediction: Gausman will be too much for a struggling Red Sox offense. The Orioles win.
Washington Nationals vs. Miami Marlins (7:10 PM ET)
Line: Washington Nationals (-140) at Miami Marlins (+130); total 7.0 – view all MLB lines
Without Giancarlo Stanton, the Miami Marlins aren’t as formidable at the plate. They went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position in a 6-2 loss to the Nationals last night. They may be up for another rough outing as they face Washington’s Doug Fister (14-6, 2.55 ERA) tonight. The Nats starter has surrendered just two earned runs in back-to-back wins. Fister would collect a career-high 15th victory should he win tonight.
Writer’s prediction: Fister baffles a Stanton-less Marlins for the landmark win.
Detroit Tigers vs. Kansas City Royals (8:00 PM ET)
Line: Detroit Tigers (+105) at Kansas City Royals (-115); total 8.0 – view all MLB lines
Justin Verlander takes the mound for the Tigers to open this crucial three-game series against AL Central rivals, the Kansas City Royals. Verlander was shaky in his last start against the Royals surrendering four runs over seven innings in a 9-5 victory on September 9. Still, he has stumped Royals batters Mike Moustakas, Alcides Escobar and Alex Gordon in his career (the three are a combined 35-of-175 against him).
The Tigers are also pretty comfortable at Kauffman Stadium. They have won six of their last seven games in Kansas City’s own ballpark.
Writer’s prediction: The Tigers extend their lead in AL Central.
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Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals (8:15 PM ET)
Line: Cincinnati Reds (+170) at St. Louis Cardinals (-200); total 8.0 – view all MLB lines
The St. Louis Cardinals’ trusty starting pitching has won five of their last seven games despite hitting just .226. However, tonight’s starter, John Lackey (13-9, 3.97 ERA), is shaky at best surrendering a home run in five-straight outings. Lackey should be weary of the Reds’ Todd Frazier, Jack Hannahan, Ryan Ludwick and Ramon Santiago who all have a home run against him in their careers.
Writer’s prediction: Lackey surrenders another home run as the Reds hand the Cardinals a loss.
Texas Rangers vs. Los Angeles Angels (10:05 PM ET)
Line: Texas Rangers at Los Angeles Angels – view all MLB lines
The Texas Rangers have played spoilers sweeping wild card contenders the Oakland Athletics and Atlanta Braves for six-straight wins. However, their streak may come to a halt when they go against Hector Santiago (5-8, 3.55 ERA) at Angels Stadium tonight. Santiago is 2-0 with a 2.60 ERA in three starts and a relief appearance against Texas.
Writer’s prediction: The Angels continue dominating Texas.
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