The Detroit Tigers is looking to duplicate their win last night against the fading Los Angeles Angels, as they continue their heated series tonight.
Over at the National League, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants begin a critical series. The first game of their three-game set features two former Cy Young award winners. See our full preview of that game here.
[sc:MLBArticles ]MLB Picks and Predictions for Friday, July 25, 2014
Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees (7:05 PM ET)
Line: Toronto Blue Jays (+125) at New York Yankees (-135); total: 8.0 – see all MLB lines
The Yankees have a lot of reason to feel confident going into tonight’s matchup against Toronto. Aside from a 3-0 record in their last three games, the Yankees are also 1-13 in the last 14 games where Mark Buehrle (10-6, 2.86) was the starter. The Blue Jays, however, got that lone win (7-6) in Buehrle’s most recent outing against the Bronx Bombers last June 24. Toronto is 3-0 also in their last three games, thanks to an offense that averaged 7.0 runs during that span.
Writer’s prediction: Toronto beats hosts, Yankees.
Washington Nationals vs. Cincinnati Reds (7:10 PM ET)
Line: Washington Nationals (-111) at Cincinnati Reds (+101); total: 7.5 – see all MLB lines
[sc:MLB240banner ]Thanks to their tremendous job at the plate, the Nationals continue to remain hot in the second half of the season. The Nats are 4-2 in their last six games and 14-6 in their last 20 overall. They own a majors-best .318 batting average after the All-Star break, the kind of offense Reds’ starter Alfredo Simon (12-4, 2.74 ERA)will face tonight.
Though Cincinnati is winless thus far in the second half, they usually end up with victories when the Dominican pitcher is on the mound. The Reds are 8-1 in Simon’s last nine starts.
Writer’s prediction: Cincinnati gets first win of the second half.
Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays (7:10 PM ET)
Line: Boston Red Sox (+130) at Tampa Bay Rays (-140); total: 6.5 – see all MLB lines
After opening up the second half with four straight wins, the Red Sox find themselves on the brink of dropping their fourth consecutive game. However, with the way Jon Lester (10-7, 2.50 ERA) is pitching this month, Boston could break their dry spell at the expense of Tampa Bay’s lengthy winning streak.
In three starts this July, Lester collected a 3-0 record with a 0.39 ERA. The Rays, meanwhile, are rising up in the American League East ranks after going 7-0 in their last seven games. Lester will face David Price (10-7, 3.06 ERA), who is just as hot as the Red Sox’s ace. Price is 4-0 with an ERA of 0.85 in four starts this July.
Writer’s prediction: The Rays win over Boston.
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Detroit Tigers vs. Los Angeles Angels (10:05 PM ET)
Line: Detroit Tigers (+148) at Los Angeles Angels (-163); total: 7.0 – see all MLB lines
Drew Smyly (6-8, 3.80 ERA) has been a benefactor of the Tigers’ explosive offense in his recent starts, which includes their 16-4 win against the Kansas City Royals on July 10. In his last start, though, Smyly did not need much of it as he surrendered just one run in seven innings of work anchor the Tigers in their 5-1 win against the Cleveland Indians.
The Tigers are 4-1 in their last five games, while scoring 30 total runs. The Angels, on the other hand, have cooled off following a hot streak down the stretch of the first half. They are 3-4 since the start of the second half. Tyler Skaggs (5-5, 4.65 ERA) starts later for the Angels, who are 3-1 in the left-hander’s last four home starts.
Writer’s prediction: Detroit beats Angels.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Francisco Giants (10:15 PM ET)
Line: Los Angeles Dodgers (-125) at San Francisco Giants (+115); total: 6.5 – see all MLB lines
A pivotal three-game series is set to begin tonight when the Dodgers pay rival San Francisco a visit. The Dodgers are 1.5 games back of the National League West leaders, Giants. On the mound for Don Mattingly’s crew later is Zack Greinke (11-6, 2.90 ERA). Dating back to his days as part of the Milwaukee Brewers, all his four career starts against the Giants have resulted to wins.
Greinke will need to be in his best form tonight, as he will face a resurgent Tim Lincecum (9-6, 3.65 ERA), who carries a 4-1 record with a 0.96 ERA in his last five starts. The Giants are 7-3 in their last 10 games overall.
Writer’s prediction: The Giants begin the series with a win.
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