Baseball fans are in for a treat later tonight as the MLB has lined up a pair of mouth-watering games that will definitely whet your sporting appetite. Opening proceedings this evening is the much-anticipated American League showdown between the Kansas City Royals and the Oakland Athletics.
Then, the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals lock horns in a National League Central clash. Read on below for a quick breakdown of these two matchups and while you’re at it, you can check out our World Cup semifinal previews of USA vs. Germany and Japan vs. England.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Kansas City Royals vs. Oakland Athletics (7:05 PM ET)
Line: Kansas City Royals (+142) at Oakland Athletics (-157); total: 7.5 – view all MLB lines
[sc:MLB240banner ]The Kansas City Royals stretched their unbeaten run to three games with a thrilling 3-2 win over the Oakland Athletics on Sunday. They will look to extend their winning streak later tonight when they face the A’s in the series finale. Starting for the Royals tonight is Jeremy Guthrie (5-5, 5.90 ERA). He struggled in his last start, allowing six run on nine hits in just five innings of action in Kansas City’s 7-0 shutout loss against the Seattle Mariners on June 23.
The A’s, on the other hand, will counter with Jesse Chavez (4-6, 2.90 ERA). He picked up his fourth win of the season in his last start, allowing five runs on eight hits in five innings of action in Oakland’s 8-6 victory against the Texas Rangers on June 23. He has been spectacular at home this season, posting a 1.75 ERA in O.co Coliseum.
The Royals are 4-1 in their last five road games against the A’s.
Writer’s Prediction
Oakland wins, 6-2.
Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals (8:00 PM ET)
Line: Chicago Cubs (+118) at St. Louis Cardinals (-128); total: 7.0 – view all MLB lines
Jason Hammel (5-2, 2.65 ERA) returns to the mound for the Cubs later tonight, looking to build on his impressive showing the previous start. He threw 7.2 innings of shutout ball in Chicago’s narrow 1-0 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 23. The Cubs have now won three of their last five games with Hammel as their starter.
He will have his work cut out for him, though, against the Cards as he will face the red-hot Carlos Martinez (8-3, 2.89 ERA). He was solid in his last start, allowing just three runs on eight hits in seven innings of action in St. Louis’ 4-3 victory against the Miami Marlins. The Cards have now won six of their last seven games with Martinez as their starter.
Writer’s Prediction
The Cards win, 5-3. Create a betting account now and bet on the best games for tonight.
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