SF Giants

A poor season sees the Giants third in their division at 76-82. They are just 34-43 at home this season, managing 5 wins in their last 10. Kevin Pillar continues to be the main man offensively, going for 21 home runs and 85 RBI this season. Tyler Beede is slated to pitch here, going 5-10 with a 5.23 ERA through 113 innings.

Colorado Rockies

Oakland now find themselves fifth in their division at 68-90. They are just 28-52 on the road this season, with 5 wins in their last 10 overall. Nolan Arenado is having another solid season, putting up 41 home runs and 118 RBI so far. Kyle Freeland will pitch here, going a poor 3-11 with a 6.84 ERA through 101 innings.

Prediction: Giants

The season is over for both of these sides, but San Fran are clearly the more talented team overall. They’ve got a deeper and more versatile offence and are coming up against a dreadful road side here. While Beede hasn’t been great this season, I think he offers better production than his opposite number, which should be enough.  

Chicago White Sox

The Cubs find themselves 69-88, good for third place in their division. They’re a poor 36-40 at home this season, winning only 4 of their last 10 overall. Jose Abreu is their main man offensively, going for 33 home runs and 122 RBI so far. Dylan Cease will pitch here, going 4-7 with a 5.79 ERA this season.

Cleveland Indians

The Indians are currently second in their division at 93-65. They’re a strong 44-33 on the road, going 7-3 over their last 10. Carlos Santana is their main man on offence, putting up 34 home runs and 93 RBI so far. Aaron Civale will pitch here, going 3-3 with a 1.82 ERA through 54 innings.

Prediction: Indians

Ultimately, the Indians are the significantly better side here with much more to play for. They are in a tense battle for a wildcard spot and have been in some excellent recent form. I like the way their offence has been performing of late and expect another strong day here. Civale has provided some quality innings as a starter and should contain this one-man offence comfortably.

Texas Rangers

The Rangers find themselves 75-82, good for third place in their division. They’re a decent 42-34 at home this season, despite winning only 3 of their last 10 overall. Rougned Odor is their main man offensively, going for 27 home runs and 81 RBI so far. Kolby Allard will pitch here, going 4-1 with a 4.25 ERA this season.

Boston Red Sox

The Brewers are currently third in their division at 82-75. They’re a strong 45-34 on the road, going .500 over their last 10. Rafael Devers is their main man on offence, putting up 31 home runs and an impressive 113 RBI. Rick Porcello will pitch here, going 13-12 with a 5.56 ERA through 168 innings.

Prediction: Red Sox

The season is over for both of these sides, but Boston are clearly the more talented team overall. Their offence has been very effective of late and I think they have enough depth to cause Allard some problems. Porcello has been surprisingly better on the road this season and should contain a top-heavy offence here.  

LA Angels

A poor season sees the Angels 4^th in their division at 70-86. They are 36-39 at home this season, with just 3 wins in their last 10. Mike Trout continues to dominate offensively, going for 45 home runs and 104 RBI this season. Andrew Heaney is slated to pitch here, going 4-6 with a 5.1 ERA through 90 innings.

Oakland A’s

Oakland now find themselves 2nd in their division at 94-62. They are 42-33 on the road this season, with 8 wins in their last 10 overall. Matt Olson is having another solid season, putting up 35 home runs and 88 RBI so far. Frankie Montas will pitch here, going an impressive 9-2 with a 2.7 ERA through 90 innings.

Prediction: A’s

Ultimately, the A’s are the significantly better side here with much more to play for. They are fighting tooth and nail for a wildcard spot and have been in some excellent recent form. I like the way their offence has been performing of late and expect big days from both Olson and Chapman here. Montas is also providing quality innings as a starter and should contain this one-man offence comfortably.

Cincinnati Reds

The Reds find themselves 73-83, good for fourth place in their division. They’re a decent 41-37 at home this season, winning 6 of their last 10 overall. Eugenio Suarez has easily impressed the most offensively, going for 48 home runs and 102 RBI so far. Sonny Gray will pitch here, going 11-7 with a 2.80 ERA this season.

Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers are currently second in their division at 86-70. They’re 37-38 on the road, managing an impressive 8 wins in their last 10. Christian Yelich is their main man on offence, going for a team-leading 44 home runs and 97 RBI. Adrian Houser will pitch here, going 6-7 with a 3.83 ERA through 101 innings.

Prediction: Brewers

Cincinnati’s season is already over, while Milwaukee are fighting hard for that first wildcard spot. Their offence has been very effective so far and I think they have enough depth to cause Gray some problems. Houser has been better than his numbers suggest and likely does enough here to seal the road underdog win.

Washington Nationals

A solid season sees Washington 2^nd in their division at 86-69. They are 43-31 at home this season, with 5 wins in their last 10. Anthony Rendon continues to dominate offensively, going for 34 home runs and 122 RBI this season. Joe Ross is slated to pitch here, going 3-4 with a 6.17 ERA through 54 innings.

Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia now find themselves 4th in their division at 79-76. They are 36-41 on the road this season, with 4 wins in their last 10 overall. Bryce Harper is having another solid season, leading the way with 33 home runs and 108 RBI. Aaron Nola will pitch here, going 12-6 with a 3.76 ERA through 196 innings.

Prediction: Nationals

Ultimately, the Nationals are the significantly better side here with much more to play for. I like the way their offence has been performing of late and expect big days from both Rendon and Soto here. Joe Ross has looked relatively good at home and even an average display from him likely gets the job done here.

New York Mets

The Mets find themselves 81-74, good for third place in their division. They’re a decent 43-31 at home this season, winning 6 of their last 10 overall. Pete Alonso has easily impressed the most offensively, going for 50 home runs and 115 RBI so far. Steven Matz will pitch here, going 10-9 with a 4.16 ERA this season.

Miami Marlins

The Marlins are currently last in their division at 54-101. They’re just 24-50 on the road, managing only 3 wins in their last 10. Starling Castro is their main man on offence, going for a team-leading 21 home runs and 83 RBI. Caleb Smith will pitch here, going 9-10 with a 4.24 ERA through 144 innings.

Prediction: Mets

Neither of these sides has any chance at the playoffs, but New York is just a considerably stronger side. Matz has been very effective for New York this season, and should outduel his opposite number here. The Mets’ offence has been much improved of late and likely has enough to get the job done.

Arizona Diamondbacks

An average season sees Arizona 2^nd in their division at 80-76. They are 39-36 at home this season, with 5 wins in their last 10. Eduardo Escobar continues to dominate offensively, going for 35 home runs and 117 RBI this season. Alex Young is slated to pitch here, going 7-4 with a 3.27 ERA through 74 innings.

St Louis Cardinals

St Louis now find themselves 1st in their division at 89-67. They are 40-38 on the road this season, with 7 wins in their last 10 overall. Paul Goldschmidt is having another solid season, leading the way with 31 home runs and 92 RBI. Adam Wainwright will pitch here, going 13-9 with a 3.83 ERA through 162 innings.

Prediction: Cardinals

Ultimately, the Cardinals are the much better side here with much more to play for. They’ve got a significant edge in the pitching matchup and I think Wainwright can really shut the D-Backs offence down. Combine that with a strong day from a versatile batting lineup and they should win this handily.

Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles find themselves 50-104, good for last place in their division. They’re just 24-55 at home this season, winning 4 of their last 10 overall. Mancini and Nunez have impressed the most offensively, combining for 63 home runs and 175 RBI. Ace Jon Means will pitch here, going 10-11 with a 3.65 ERA through 143 innings.

Seattle Mariners

The Mariners haven’t been much better, 5^th in the AL West at 65-89. They’re 32-47 on the road but have managed 7 wins in their last 10. Dan Vogelbach is their main man on offence, going for a team-leading 30 home runs and 76 RBI. Justus Sheffield will pitch here, going 0-1 with a 5.4 ERA through 26 innings.

Prediction: Orioles

In a matchup between two sides with no playoff chances, I’ll take the better pitcher at home for near even money. Means has been very effective for Baltimore this season, while Sheffield is an unknown quantity. Baltimore’s offence has been decent of late and likely has just enough to get the job done here.

Cleveland Indians

A stellar season sees Cleveland 2^nd in their division at 91-64. They are 48-32 at home this season, with 7 wins in their last 10. Carlos Santana continues to dominate offensively, going for 34 home runs and 92 RBI this season. Adam Plutko is slated to pitch here, going 7-4 with a 4.34 ERA through 103 innings.

Philadelphia Phillies

Philly now find themselves 4^th in their division at 79-74. They are 35-39 on the road this season, with just 4 wins in their last 10 overall. Bryce Harper has had a solid debut season, leading the way with 32 home runs and 104 RBI. Vince Velasquez will pitch here, going 7-7 with a 4.89 ERA through 108 innings.

Prediction: Indians

Ultimately, the Indians are the much better side here with much more to play for. They’ve got a significant edge in the pitching matchup and I think Plutko can really shut the Philly offence down. Combine that with a strong day from a deep hitting lineup and they should win this handily.

Miami Marlins

The Marlins enter this one at a very poor 53-100, unsurprisingly last in their division. They’ve gone 29-49 at home, with only 2 wins in their last 10 games. Castro and Anderson have both been respectable offensively, each reaching 20 home runs so far. Elieser Hernandez will pitch in this one, going 3-5 with a 5.03 through 82.

Washington Nationals

The Nats look poised for the playoffs, currently 2^nd in the NL East at 84-68. They have a decent 41-37 road record, going .500 over their last 10. Rendon and Soto continue to provide an excellent offensive punch, combining for 68 homers and 225 RBI. Stephen Strasburg will pitch here, going 17-6 with a 3.49 ERA through 196.

Prediction: Nationals

Washington is comfortably the better of these two sides and they’ve got real playoff implications in this one. They’ve been a particularly solid road side of late and have one of the best pitchers in the majors here. I think their strong offence can get after Hernandez in a relatively comfortable road win.

San Diego Padres

The Padres are now 4^th in the NL West at 69-85. They’ve gone 35-40 at home this season and slumped to 3 wins in their last 10. Hunter Renfroe leads the way with 32 home runs, while Eric Hosmer has a tidy 96 RBI. Cal Quantrill will pitch here, going 6-8 with a 5.33 ERA through 98 innings.

Arizona Diamondbacks

The D-Backs are still alive, now 79-75 and second in the NL West. They are .500 on the road this season, although a similar slump has them winning only 3 of their last 10. 3^rd Baseman Eduardo Escobar is easily their offensive standout, totalling 35 home runs and 115 RBI on the season. Zac Gallen will pitch in this one, going 2-3 with a decent 2.89 ERA through 43 innings.

Prediction: Diamondbacks

As the 9-0 result last time out shows, I think San Diego has all but given up on this season. Arizona has a ton to play for in this one and have shown decent form on the road, while the Padres aren’t a great home side. Zac Gallen has certainly passed the eye test so far and I expect another solid performance from him en route to victory.

Cincinnati Reds

A relatively poor Cincinnati season sees them 4^th in their division at 72-81. They’re a decent 40-35 at home this season, winning 6 of their last 10 overall. Eugenio Suarez has continued his stellar offensive season, going for 48 home runs and 102 RBI so far. Luis Castillo has been their best pitcher, going 15-6 with a 3.22 ERA through 178 innings.

New York Mets

The Mets find themselves 3^rd in the NL East at a decent 79-73. They’re just 36-42 on the road this season but have managed 7 wins in their last 10. Pete Alonso has carried this team all year, putting up 49 home runs and 113 RBI. Jacob DeGrom will pitch here, going 9-8 with a 2.61 ERA so far.

Prediction: Mets

Despite Castillo’s excellence on the mound this season, I believe he has been more than matched by DeGrom. The Mets should also be the much more motivated side, with clear playoff implications on the line. Their offence is also much deeper and more versatile, which should ultimately prove the difference.

Detroit Tigers

An awful season from Detroit sees them 45-107 so far. They’re just 21-55 at home, with only 3 wins in their last 11 clashes. No one has topped 15 home runs or 55 RBI so far, indicative of their terrible offensive season. Jordan Zimmerman will pitch here, going 1-11 with a 6.32 ERA through 104 innings.

Chicago White Sox

The White Sox haven’t been great either, sitting 66-86 and 3^rd in their division. They are just 31-47 on the road this season, winning only 4 of their last 10. 1^st Baseman Jose Abreu has been their offensive standout, going for 33 home runs and 119 RBI. Dylan Cease will pitch here, sporting a relatively poor 3-7 record and 6.18 ERA through 67 innings.

Prediction: White Sox

Fading the Tigers has been a consistent money maker all season and I can see that continuing here. They’re an awful home side and Zimmerman has been one of the worst performing pitchers all season. Assuming Abreu and Co can really get after him offensively, I see Chicago winning this one quite comfortably.

Baltimore Orioles

A dreadful season for Baltimore is coming to a close, sitting 49-103 and last in their division. They are only 23-53 at home this season and have won just 3 of their last 10 contests. Trey Mancini has been somewhat of a bright spot offensively, leading the team with 34 home runs and 91 RBI. Chandler Shepherd will pitch here, having allowed a 4.91 ERA through just 11 innings so far.

Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays have been somewhat better than their opponents, sitting 4^th in their division at 61-91. They are a pretty miserable 29-47 on the road, although they’ve gone .500 over their last 10. They’ve gotten off to a strong start in this series, winning both matches and scoring 19 combined runs. Anthony Kay will pitch here, allowing a 6.3 ERA through his 10 innings so far.

Prediction: Blue Jays

Baltimore have been an unmitigated disaster of late and Toronto have had their number all series. They’ve clearly got the stronger of the two batting lineups and should get after Shepherd in this one. I also like what I’ve seen from Anthony Kay in limited action, which should prove decisive here.

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs are a decent shot to make the playoffs, currently 82-70 and 2^nd in the NL Central. Their home field is somewhat of a fortress, going 51-25 so far this season. Kyle Schwarber has really impressed of late, with 37 home runs to go with 91 RBI. They’re yet to announce a starting pitcher for this one, although Kyle Schwarber looks set to get the nod.

St Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals are currently atop the NL Central at 85-67. Their road record is a pedestrian 36-38, with 5 wins in their last 10 contests. Star slugger Paul Goldschmidt is enjoying another strong campaign, going for 31 home runs and 89 RBI. Jack Flaherty will pitch here, going 10-8 with a 3.05 ERA through 174 innings.

Prediction: Cubs

As the even money odds would suggest, this is a very tough contest to call. However, the Cubs incredibly strong home record leads me to believe they’ll get the job done here. I like Hendricks to contain Goldschmidt and Co, while they’ve got enough talent offensively to eke out a very important win.

Boston Red Sox

It hasn’t been the best season for the Red Sox, who currently sit 79-71 and 3^rd in the AL East. They are just 36-40 at home this season, managing only 4 wins in their last 10 games. J.D. Martinez leads the side with 35 home runs, while Rafael Devers has added 107 RBI of his own. Jhoulys Chacin will pitch here, having largely struggled earlier this season for Milwaukee.

SF Giants

The Giants haven’t been great either, also sitting 3^rd in their division with a 73-78 record. They’re a decent 40-36 on the road this season, going .500 over their last 10 overall. They started the series with Boston nicely, managing a 7-6 road win with 3 hits and 2 RBI from Brandon Crawford. Jeff Samardzija will pitch here, going 10-12 with a 3.72 ERA through 169 innings.

Prediction: Red Sox

The Red Sox are the better of these two sides and the only one with any real playoff incentives here. Their batting lineup has been particularly solid of late and I expect them to get after Samardzija here. If Chacin can deliver even a competent performance, a home win looks relatively likely.

Atlanta Braves

The Braves are in the midst of a magical campaign, now 93-59 and 1^st in the NL East. They’re a strong 47-29 at home, although they’ve won only 5 of their last 10 overall. Freddie Freeman has been particularly impressive offensively, going off for 38 home runs and 117 RBI. Julio Teheran will pitch in this one, going 10-9 with a 3.5 ERA through 167 innings.

Philadelphia Phillies

Philly are just in the mix, currently 3^rd in the NL East at 77-72. They’re a relatively poor 34-37 on the road this season, going below .500 in their last 10. They did start this series impressively, managing a 5-4 road win off 2 Rhys Hoskins RBI’s. Zach Eflin will pitch here, going 8-12 with a 4.2 ERA through 143 innings.

Prediction: Braves

Despite winning yesterday, the Phillies have been just too inconsistent on the road for me to back them here. I like what I’ve seen from Teheran at home and I think he shuts down their top-heavy offence here. Eflin hasn’t impressed me as much and I can see his poor record getting even worse in this one.

Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers have had a solid but unspectacular campaign, battling for 2^nd in the NL Central at 81-69. They started off this series with San Diego very nicely, managing a 5-1 win in the opener. Cory Spangenberg impressed with 2 hits and 3 RBI, while pitcher Zach Davies delivered another stellar start. Brandon Woodruff will pitch here, going 11-3 with a 3.75 ERA through 117 innings.

San Diego Padres

The Padres are playing out the string at this point, sporting a poor 68-82 record this season. They’re a relatively poor 33-41 on the road this season, only managing 4 wins in their last 10. They couldn’t get anything going offensively yesterday, with Eric Hosmer the only batter to register an RBI. Chris Paddack has been one of their better pitchers so far, going 9-7 with a 3.38 ERA this season.

Prediction: Brewers

Much like in yesterday’s write up, the Brewers are the more talented and motivated team in this spot. I like the way their offence is performing right now, while San Diego just can’t score enough to keep up. Woodruff has been an elite pitcher at home this season and another stellar display from him should be enough to win here.

LA Dodgers

The Dodgers have been one of the best sides in baseball this season, compiling an impressive 97-54 record. They are an astounding 56-20 at home and have managed 6 wins in their last 10 contests. Cody Bellinger continues to have an elite offensive season, leading the team with 44 home runs and 108 RBI. Ross Stripling will pitch here, going 4-4 with a 3.4 ERA through 84 innings so far.

Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa are no slouches either, going a very respectable 89-62 for the season. They are a particularly solid 46-30 on the road, managing wins in 7 of their last 10. They’ll be well accustomed to the conditions in LA, having just beaten the Angels in a 3-game series. Blake Snell will pitch here, having faded of late to a 6-7 record and 4.28 ERA for the season.

Prediction: Dodgers

While the Dodgers don’t have as much at stake as Tampa here, they’re still playing for playoff seeding. They’ve been an outstanding home team all season, with a very deep and versatile offensive lineup. Snell has also struggled quite a bit of late and I think Stripling outduels him here in another home win.