Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles are in the midst of an awful season, going 46-94 and sitting 5th in the AL East. They’ve gone a very poor 22-47 at home this season, winning 4 of their last 10 overall. 3rd Baseman Renato Nunez has impressed offensively, going for 29 home runs and 80 RBI on the season. Dylan Bundy is slated to pitch here, going 6-13 with a 4.96 ERA through 138 innings.
Texas Rangers
The Rangers are an average 69-73, currently sitting 3rd in the AL West. They’ve gone just 29-44 on the road this season and managed 5 wins in their last 10 overall. Rougned Odor has been their main offensive weapon, going for 22 home runs and 71 RBI overall. Brock Burke will pitch in this one, going 0-1 with a 1.5 ERA through his 18 innings.
Prediction: Rangers $2.10
Although Burke is somewhat inexperienced, I struggle to see why Baltimore are favoured here. They’ve been one of the worst home sides in the league all season and Bundy is an average at best pitcher. Their batting lineup also isn’t all that inspiring, with Nunez and Mancini offering the only resistance. If the Texas offence can fire in this one, I really like them as road underdogs.
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates are a relatively poor 61-79, a record that has them in the NL Central cellar. They’ve gone just 30-39 at home on the season, although they do have a positive 6-4 record in their last 10. Josh Bell is the obvious offensive standout, going for 36 home runs and 112 RBI so far. Joe Musgrove looks set to start this one, going 9-12 with a 4.67 ERA through 154 innings.
St Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals have gone 79-61 this season, good for top spot in the NL Central. They’re a somewhat poor 33-35 on the road, although they’ve been in strong form, going 7-3 over their last 10. 1st Baseman Paul Goldschmidt has excelled of late, going for 29 home runs and 79 RBI on the year. Miles Mikolas will pitch here, going just 8-13 with a 4.32 ERA so far.
Prediction: Cardinals $1.77
While these odds seem relatively fair, I think the situation really favours the Cardinals here. They are the much more motivated side and have huge playoff implications in this one. Pittsburgh have struggled at home all season and Musgrove hasn’t pulled up any trees. If we get even a decent road performance from Mikolas, this is a value play that cashes more often than not.