Sports fans are in for a treat later tonight as we’ve lined up a pair of mouth-watering games that will definitely whet your baseball appetite. Kicking things off this evening is the all-important clash between the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Then, the Houston Astros square off with the Texas Rangers in a pivotal AL West showdown.
Read on below for a quick breakdown of these two important ballgames. If you’re looking for other sports action, though, you can check out our complete NFL Week 2 picks here.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (7:00 PM ET)
Line: Chicago Cubs (-140) at Pittsburgh Pirates (+130); total: 7.0 – view all MLB lines
The Pittsburgh Pirates had their three-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday night with a gut-wrenching 2-1 defeat to the Chicago Cubs. With the defeat, the Bucs’ lead at the top of the NL Wild Card standings has been reduced to just four games. They will look to return to winning ways later tonight when they take on the Cubs in the third game of their four-game set.
[sc:MLB240banner ]Starting for the Bucs this evening is A.J. Burnett (8-5, 3.14 ERA). He recorded a no-decision in his return from the disabled list on Thursday, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks over five innings in a 6-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. The Pirates are now 0-3 in Burnett’s last three starts.
The Cubs, on the other hand, will have the red-hot Jake Arrieta (19-6, 1.99 ERA) as their starting pitcher tonight. Chicago is a perfect 9-0 in Arrieta’s last nine starts. The right-hander has now won each of his last eight starts and has only allowed more than one run in one of those outings.
Writer’s Prediction
Chicago wins, 6-1.
Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers (8:05 PM ET)
Line: Houston Astros (-136) at Texas Rangers (+126); total: 8.5 – view all MLB lines
The Texas Rangers overtook the Houston Astros in the AL West standings with a dramatic 6-5 victory on Tuesday night. Mitch Moreland hit the game-winning sacrifice fly for the Rangers who have now won five in a row over the Astros. The Rangers will look to extend their lead even further when they take on the Astros in Game 3 of their four-game series.
Pitching for the Rangers this evening is Martin Perez (2-5, 5.43 ERA). He’s 3-1 with a 2.17 ERA in four career starts against the Astros. Perez has struggled as of late, though, losing his last two starts and is 1-3 with a 5.64 ERA in his last four appearances. Both of his victories have come at home this season, but he also has a whopping 5.82 ERA at Globe Life Park in Arlington this year.
The Astros, on the other hand, will counter with lefty Dallas Keuchel (17-7, 2.22 ERA). The Astros have won five of their last six games with Keuchel as their starter. The three-time AL Pitcher of the Month leads the league in innings pitched (career-high 206 2/3), ERA and WAR (7.1) this season.
Writer’s Prediction
Houston wins, 5-2. Create a betting account now and bet on the best games for tonight.
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