Looking for your daily dose of MLB action? Well tonight’s just the night with two blockbuster games that’ll sweep you off your feet. Our first game features the top two teams in the National League Central division, as the Pittsburgh Pirates (65-46) lock horns with the St. Louis Cardinals (73-40) in their series finale at Busch Stadium.
In another game, the Washington Nationals (58-55) and the San Francisco Giants (60-53) begin a crucial three-game set at AT&T Park for what’s bound to be an explosive one as both clubs strive to keep their postseason hopes alive. Read on further for a brief breakdown of these two intriguing matchups and while you’re at it, you can check out as well our comprehensive breakdown between the Pirates and Cardinals.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals (7:15 PM ET)
Line: Pittsburgh Pirates (+105) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (-115); total: 6.5 – view all MLB lines
[sc:MLB240banner ]Francisco Liriano (7-6, 3.13 ERA) has been nothing but awful in his last two contests, yielding seven runs (six earned) on 17 hits in just 8 2/3 innings despite picking up the victories. Prior to thost starts, though, he was fresh off a resounding performance in a 7-3 triumph over the Nats on July 23, where he logged in six innings of one-run ball while also adding 11 strikeouts to his name. Liriano will be trying to find that groove back when he toes the rubber against the St. Louis Cardinals tonight.
The Cards, meanwhile, will hand the ball to Lance Lynn, who is 9-6 with a 2.76 ERA on the season. Lynn is coming off a commanding 6-o win at Milwaukee on Wednesday, during which he delivered six shutout innings to notch his ninth win. Across 11 home starts this year, he is 6-2 and boasts a 2.15 ERA.
Pittsburgh is has won its last seven games with Liriano starting. St. Louis, on the other hand, is 4-1 in Lynn’s previous five starts.
Writer’s Prediction
St. Louis (-115) wins, 6-5.
Washington Nationals vs. San Francisco Giants (10:15 PM ET)
Line: Washington Nationals (-110) vs. San Francisco Giants (-110); total: 0.0– view all MLB lines
Dominant. That basically summarizes how well Stephen Strasburg (6-5, 4.76 ERA) pitched for the Nats during his first game back from the disabled list (oblique). He only gave up one run on three hits in over seven frames while striking out 12 batters. Washington won that game, 6-1. However, Strasburg enters tonight’s contest carrying a 3-2 record and a high 6.55 ERA in seven road starts this season.
For the Giants, they’ll be hoping for a bounce back performance from Ryan Vogelsong (7-8, 4.26 ERA), who’s making a spot start for the injured Mike Leake. Vogelsong garnered his second-straight loss on Friday opposite the Cubs, allowing three earned runs on six hit in just four innings. But he’s pitched considerably better at home, owning a 2-2 record with a decent 3.00 ERA and a .214 opponents’ batting average.
Washington is 4-0 in Strasburg’s last four turns. San Francisco, meanwhile, has won nine of its last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Giants (-110) win, 4-2.
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