Cincinnati Reds
The Reds are falling out of the playoff race, currently sitting 36-42. Yasiel Puig has really come on of late, leading the way with 45 RBI. Sonny Gray will pitch here, going 3-5 with a 4.03 ERA this season.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs have been decent yet unspectacular so far, winning 43 of their first 80. Baez and Rizzo continue to dominate offensively, both going for 19 home runs and 50+ RBI. Cole Hamels will pitch here, sporting a strong 6-2 record with an ERA under 3.
Prediction: Cubs
The Cubs are comfortably the better of these two sides and they’ve got a really strong pitching option in Hamels. I think their strong batting lineup can get after Gray here, making for a comfortable road win.
Houston Astros
The Astros have been stellar all season and are one of the first sides to rack up 50 wins. Alex Bregman has had a consistently excellent campaign, leading the way with 22 home runs and 52 RBI. Wade Miley will pitch here, going a strong 6-4 with a 3.51 ERA.
Seattle Mariners
The Mariners have been decent fade material of late, consistently finding themselves below .500. Encarnacion has provided strong offence from 1st base, leading the team with 21 home runs. Tommy Milone has gone 1-2 pitching so far with a 3.35 ERA.
Prediction: Astros
Miley at home against a poor Mariners side looks like almost free money here. The Astros have been inconsistent of late, but I expect their dominance to shine through in this one.
San Diego Padres
The Padres have been average all season, currently sitting .500. Renfroe and Reyes have been offensively dominant, combining for an impressive 46 home runs. Eric Lauer will pitch here, sporting a poor 5-7 record and 4.32 ERA.
St Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals have also been inconsistent, similarly hovering around .500. Marcell Ozuna is almost a lone ranger offensively, leading the way with 20 home runs and 62 RBI. Michael Wacha will pitch here, going 5-3 with a 5.59 ERA this season.
Prediction: Padres
These sides are relatively evenly matched, but I think the big hitting of Renfroe and Reyes could prove crucial. I think Lauer is also better than his record indicates and we should see a stellar display from him here.