The playoff races in the AL and NL are heating up, and the games are more important than ever. With that in mind, we give you our picks for the five best baseball games to bet on today.
The Oakland Athletics are raring to rebound on the heels of their season-worst five-straight losses. Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers look for their stride as they face the tough, surging Tampa Bay Rays. All the while, the Los Angeles Angels are on the verge of pulling away courtesy of their own winning run.
Read on as we give you our take on the day’s baseball action.
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MLB Picks and Predictions for Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Houston Astros vs. New York Yankees (7:05 PM ET)
Line: Houston Astros (+145) at New York Yankees (-160); total 8.5 – view all MLB lines
[sc:MLB240banner ]To jump start their six-game home stand, the New York Yankees are starting Chris Capuano (1-3, 4.14 ERA) against the visiting Houston Astros. However, the Yankees may find themselves in trouble against the hot bat of Houston’s Jose Altuve. Altuve has gone 6-for-10 in his past two games and leads the majors in batting average (.339), hits (173) and multi-hit games (53).
Writer’s prediction: Houston spoils the first game of the Yankees’ home stand.
Los Angeles Angels vs. Boston Red Sox (7:10 PM ET)
Line: Los Angeles Angels (-142) at Boston Red Sox (+132); total 9.0 – view all MLB lines
The Los Angeles Angels pulled farther ahead of the Oakland Athletics in the AL West with a 4-2 win against Boston yesterday. The Angels have a strong bullpen to thank for the win, and as they rest up starter Jered Weaver (13-7, 3.66 ERA) will look to stay on the mound late into the game. Yoenis Cespedes, Mike Napoli and Will Middlebrooks have gone cold for Boston, combining to go 0-for-17 in the series opener against the Angels.
Writer’s Prediction: The Angels continues to exploit Boston’s struggling batters.
Detoit Tigers vs. Tampa Bay Rays (7:10 PM ET)
Line: Detroit Tigers (-115) at Tampa Bay Rays (+105); total 7.0 – view all MLB lines
The Detroit Tigers’ ace pitcher Max Scherzer (14-4, 2.98 ERA) for their next game. The Detroit ace is in line to be the first AL pitcher to reach 15 wins, and is 6-1 with a 1.78 ERA in 10 starts since June 22.
However, the Tigers may have their road to a wild card spot blocked by the surging Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays are starting their own excellent pitcher in Chris Archer (8-6, 3.24 ERA). Archer has gone 2-0 with a 2.37 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 19 innings in three starts this month. His last start against the Tigers resulted in a 7-2 road win for Tampa Bay on July 5.
Writer’s Prediction: Tampa Bay takes a close contest from the Tigers in a low-scoring game.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Milwaukee Brewers (8:10 PM ET)
Line: Toronto Blue Jays (+145) at Milwaukee Brewers (-160); total 8.5 – view all MLB lines
The Toronto Blue Jays are 3 1/2 games back of the second wild card spot in the AL playoffs, however they may find themselves deeper in the hole when they meet the Milwaukee Brewers in an interleague matchup. The Blue Jays need starter J.A. Happ (8-7, 4.20 ERA) to have his best night on the mound as he is just 3-3 with a 5.82 ERA in nine starts and one relief appearance against the Brewers. Nevertheless, Toronto has won the past two meetings against the Brewers.
The Milwaukee Brewers are on a roll, winning eight of their last 11 games. The Brewers will also have the added advantage of starting Mike Fiers (2-1, 1.29 ERA) who is fresh off a career-high 14 strikeouts against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday.
Writer’s Prediction: The Milwaukee Brewers spoils the Blue Jays’ plans for a comeback.
New York Mets vs. Oakland Athletics (10:05 PM ET)
Line: New York Mets (+170) at Oakland Athletics (-200); total 7.0 – view all MLB lines
The Oakland Athletics have tied their season-worst losing streak of five-straight losses after being swept by the Atlanta Braves in a three-game series that concluded on Sunday. The A’s will have a chance to rebound against NL East’s fourth-placed team, the New York Mets.
The Athletics will be starting Scott Kazmir (13-5, 2.78 ERA) who has gone 7.2 with a 2.34 ERA at home. However, the starter surrendered eight hits with three homers for seven runs in three innings of a 10-1 loss at New York in June 24. Still, the Mets are starting Dillon Gee (4-5, 3.69 ERA) who is 0-4 with a 5.60 ERA in his last six starts. The Mets have also struggled at the plate recently, and will have difficulty giving their starter run support.
Writer’s Prediction: The Oakland Athletics thrash the Mets.
