Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates continue to struggle, with a poor series against the Cubs moving them to 51-72. They’ve been a terrible home side all season, compiling a record of just 25-34. Starling Marte does deserve some credit, supporting Josh Bell nicely with 20 home runs and 69 RBI. Trevor Williams is slated to pitch here, going 5-5 with a 5.25 ERA so far.

Washington Nationals

The Nats enter this one in strong form, with yesterday’s win moving them to 67-56. They’ve been an above average road side, going 32-30 on their travels this season. Rendon and Soto have carried the offence all season, the two combining for 55 home runs and 180 RBI. Joe Ross is projected to pitch here, going 3-3 with a 5.91 ERA.

Prediction: Nationals $1.77

With the Pirates season all but over, I think Washington loom as good value in this one. This is a relatively even pitching matchup, although their deeper and more versatile batting lineup gives them the edge. Especially with Pittsburgh’s poor home record, a strong day from Joe Ross should get them the win here.

Texas Rangers

The Rangers are falling out of the playoff mix, now sitting at 60-64. They’ve still been a solid home side, going 35-26 in front of their home fans. They lack a real dangerous offensive threat, with Rougned Odor’s 66 RBI still leading the way. Kolby Allard will pitch here, having gone 1-0 with a 4.5 ERA through 10 innings so far.

LA Angels

The Angels are in a similar boat as their opponents, now 62-64 on the season. They’ve been slightly below par on the road overall, going just 29-33 away from home. Mike Trout deserves a ton of credit for his 41 home runs and 96 RBI, while big Albert Pujols comes in second with 70 RBI. Dillon Peters looks set to pitch here, going 3-1 with a 3.38 ERA so far.

Prediction: Under 11 runs $2

With 2 strong pitchers in this matchup, I’m very inclined to go under a relatively high total of 11. The Rangers offence has also been very inconsistent this season, while LA are heavily reliant on Trout. I see a relatively low scoring affair in this one, likely ending in the 7-9 run range. Especially getting strong $2 odds, the under is definitely the value play here.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Things just haven’t gone to plan for Pittsburgh this season, who currently sit 51-70. Their home form has been less than stellar, going just 25-32 on the season. Josh Bell is their lone bright spot this season, going for an impressive 31 home runs and 98 RBI. Steven Brault is slated to pitch here, going 3-1 with a 4.33 ERA on the season.

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs look in decent playoff shape at the minute, now sitting at 64-58. They have been an oddly poor road team, going just 23-39 on their travels this season. Javier Baez is their premier offensive option, putting up 28 home runs and 81 RBI on the season. Ace Jon Lester will pitch here, recent struggles taking him to a 9-8 record and 4.43 ERA.

Prediction: Cubs $1.67

Despite their road woes this season, it’s tough to fade the Cubs in this spot. I still like Lester as a pitcher and think their offense is due for another strong day here. Especially with some strong bullpen support, this $1.67 price is very good value.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies got this series off to an impressive start yesterday, claiming an 8-4 home win. This builds on a strong run of recent form, where they’ve won each of their last 4 contests. Bryce Harper was at his brilliant best, managing 2 hits and 3 clutch RBI to seal the win. Zach Eflin will pitch in this one, having struggled to a 7-11 record and 4.49 ERA so far.

San Diego Padres

I was curious as to why San Diego was even money yesterday and that seemed to bare fruit in their series-opening loss. They’ve been in the midst of a pretty bad spell of form, winning just 1 of their last 5. Right Fielder Josh Naylor led the way with 3 hits yesterday, although none of them resulted in RBI. Dinelson Lamet will pitch here, going 1-2 with a 3.86 ERA as a Padre so far.

Prediction: Phillies $1.96

Despite a comfortable win yesterday, it appears the market is still undervaluing Philly in this series. Lamet hasn’t really impressed me so far and I can see him struggling against a strong Philly offence. Zach Eflin tends to perform much better at home and I expect him to contain a top-heavy San Diego lineup. Combine these two factors and Philly look like great value as home underdogs here.

Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers have faded somewhat after a strong start to the campaign, now sitting at 62-58. They have been a good home side throughout, going 35-25 in front of their home fans. Right Fielder Christian Yelich has carried them offensively, leading the squad with 39 home runs and 85 RBI. Gio Gonzalez will pitch here, going 2-1 with a 3.2 ERA in 50 innings on the season.

Minnesota Twins

The Twins are really looking like one of the best sides in baseball, now at 72-47. After going through a stretch of just 1 win in 6 contests, they opened this series with a solid 7-5 win yesterday. Max Kepler continues to produce offensively, leading the way with 23 home runs and 78 RBI on the season. Kyle Gibson will pitch in this one, sporting a strong 11-5 record to go with a 4.24 ERA.

Prediction: Twins $1.96

Despite the solid home form of Milwaukee this season, I think Minnesota is the better and more well-rounded squad. Gibson has been a consistent pitcher all year and I expect him to contain a top-heavy Brewers offence. If the Twins offence can come out firing, I really like them as outright underdogs here.

San Francisco Giants

The Giants opened this series against their crosstown rival with a win to move to 60-60 on the season. They’re intriguingly still below .500 at home on the year, going just 29-32 so far. Tyler Beede is back on the mound to pitch, going a pedestrian 3-6 with a 5.61 ERA this season.

Oakland A’s

Despite yesterday’s loss, the A’s are still sitting pretty at 67-52. They’re clearly a more dominant home side, although they still boast a solid 30-29 road record so far. Homer Bailey is slated to pitch here, going 2-2 with an astounding 8.17 ERA since being acquired from Kansas City.

Prediction: A’s $1.80

This looks like an excellent spot for Oakland to get revenge on their cross-town rivals. Beede has largely struggled on the mound this season and I don’t see things improving for him against a solid Oakland lineup. The veteran Bailey has now had time to set into his new side and I expect more consistent displays from him going forward. Combine that with a lack of home field advantage for SF, and I like Oakland to take this at $1.80.

Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays are in the midst of a relatively disastrous campaign, now sitting at just 50-72. They have been in somewhat better form of late, actually winning 5 of their last 8 contests. Center Fielder Randal Grichuk has been a really key contributor, leading the side with 21 home runs and 56 RBI. Thomas Pannone will pitch in this one, sporting a poor 2-5 record and 6.83 ERA on the season.

Texas Rangers

The Rangers are still somehow in the wildcard race, right on .500 at 59-59. Their form has taken a nosedive of late, winning just 1 of their last 6 matches. 2^nd Baseman Rougned Odor continues to impress, leading the team with 64 RBI and adding a further 20 home runs. Ace Lance Lynn will pitch here, going an impressive 14-7 with a 3.6 ERA so far.

Prediction: Rangers $1.74

After taking a 15-run loss against this side yesterday, I expect the Rangers to be very motivated here. They are comfortably the more talented team and are still very much in the playoff picture. The pitching battle is a huge mismatch and I predict a solid day from Lance Lynn to be the catalyst for a road win.

Atlanta Braves

The Braves are in the midst of a very stellar season, going 70-50 through their first 120. They’ve been in somewhat average recent form though, going just 5-5 over their last 10. Ronald Acuna’s excellent slugging leads the team with 33 home runs, while 95 RBI’s from Freddie Freeman have also been invaluable. Max Fried will pitch here, sporting an excellent 13-4 record and possessing a 4.11 ERA this season.

New York Mets

The Mets season has been a bit of a mixed bag, although they’re still a decent playoff shot at 61-57. They generated a ton of buzz nationally by winning 15 of 16 contests, taking another loss to Washington last time out. 1^st Baseman Pete Alonso has been other-worldly this season, leading the team with 38 home runs and 85 RBI. Pitcher Zack Wheeler has been decent of late, going 9-6 with a 4.2 ERA overall.

Prediction: Braves $1.80

Despite a very strong recent run of form, I think the markets are starting to overreact to the Mets now. A lot of their wins have come against sub-par opponents and I think Atlanta at $1.80 is just very good value here. They’ve got enough quality offensively to get after Wheeler, while I expect another solid home display for Fried.

Washington Nationals

The Nationals have been in a stellar run of form of late, now sitting at 62-55. This difference is largely because of a strong home record, where they’re 32-25 on the season. Rendon and Soto are their offensive engines, combining for just under 50 home runs and 167 RBI so far. Erick Fedde will pitch here, going 2-2 with a 4.2 ERA this season.

Cincinnati Reds

The Reds appear rather unlikely to make the playoffs this season, now just 56-60. Their poor road form is a major reason why, now 10 games below .500 at 23-33. 3^rd Baseman Eugenio Suarez continues to put up stellar numbers, leading the squad with 33 home runs and 75 RBI on the season. Anthony DeSclafani has been a solid pitcher, going 7-6 with a 4.2 ERA.

Prediction: Nationals $1.88

Given the talent disparity between these two sides, it’s tough to see why Washington are only slight favourites here. They’ve been a very strong home side of late, while Cincinnati can’t seem to buy a win on the road. I expect Fedde to contain a relatively anaemic Cincy offence, while the Washington lineup scores enough to secure the home win.

Los Angeles Angels

The Angels playoff hopes are hanging by a thread, the team now sitting at 58-61. Their home form has improved of late, although they’re still just 30-28 on the season. Mike Trout has continued his tremendous recent form leading the squad with stellar numbers of 39 home runs and 92 RBI. Jose Suarez will pitch here, having struggled to the tune of a 2-3 record and 6.22 ERA so far.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh continue to struggle, falling to just 48-69 after their latest defeat. Their road record is particularly poor, going just 24-37 on the campaign. Who knows where they’d be without Josh Bell, who leads the team with an impressive 29 home runs and 93 RBI. Mitch Keller will pitch here, going 0-1 with a 10.5 ERA in 12 innings this season.

Prediction: Angels $1.65

The Pirates are a mess right now, while the Angels still possess some faint playoff hopes. Mitch Keller has looked atrocious in limited action so far and I can’t see him turning the corner here against Trout and Co. Suarez also has a strong opportunity to bounce back against a thin lineup, which should lead to a comfortable home win at $1.65.

Chicago White Sox

The White Sox are in the midst of a relatively poor campaign, entering this clash at just 52-63. Their home form has been slightly better, although they’re still below .500 at 28-29. 1^st Baseman Jose Abreu is definitely their danger man offensively, leading the way with 24 home runs and 83 RBI. Lucas Giolito has been one of their better pitchers so far, going 12-5 with a 3.44 ERA.

Oakland A’s

The A’s have been in very strong form of late, now sitting 66-51 on the season. They’re more of a dominant home side but have still been above .500 on the road so far. They have no clear offensive standout, although 3^rd Baseman Matt Chapman leads the squad with 25 home runs and 85 RBI. Chris Bassitt is scheduled to pitch here, going 7-5 with a 3.80 ERA on the season.

Prediction: A’s $1.74

The A’s are looking poised for a deep playoff run this season, while Chicago are already playing out the string. This is a relatively even starting pitching matchup, although Oakland has the edge in the bullpen. They’ve also got a much deeper batting lineup, which I expect to prove pivotal in them claiming this road win.

San Francisco Giants

Despite improved play in the second half of the season, the Giants are still below .500 at 58-60. They tend to actually perform worse at home, going just 27-32 at AT&T Park. Kevin Pillar has been their offensive engine this season, putting up 15 home runs and 59 RBI to lead the team in both categories. Connor Menez will pitch in this one, going 0-1 with a 5.73 ERA in limited action so far.

Philadelphia Phillies

A fixture of these daily previews, the Phillies keep plugging along at a decent 60-57. Their road form hasn’t been particularly great, 5 games below .500 at 26-31. Right Fielder Bryce Harper has been relatively consistent all year, putting up 22 home runs and 78 RBI so far. Jake Arrieta will pitch here, going 8-8 with a 4.41 ERA on the campaign.

Prediction: Phillies $1.96

Outside of one excellent 15-game stretch, the Giants have been a fairly poor side this season. I don’t think Menez has shown much at all so far and should likely struggle against this solid Philly lineup. Arrieta should also fire against a Giants offence that really lacks firepower, leading to a road win as underdogs for Philly.

Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox have been decent but unspectacular this year, currently sitting at 62-56. They haven’t been the greatest home side unfortunately, going just .500 through 60 games. 3^rd Baseman Rafael Devers has been excellent of late, overtaking Xander Bogaerts to lead the team with 90 RBI. Rick Porcello will pitch in this one, going 10-8 with a relatively sizeable 5.54 ERA.

Los Angeles Angels

Things haven’t gone to plan for the Angels this season, who enter this contest at just 56-61. Their road form has been pretty ordinary to say the least, going just 27-33 so far. Center Fielder Mike Trout is still putting up some excellent numbers, comfortably leading the squad with 38 home runs and 69 RBI. Andrew Heaney is slated to pitch here, going just 1-3 with a 5.09 ERA so far.

Prediction: Red Sox $1.70

The Angels have been a very poor road side this season and don’t really look likely to make a late playoff push. While Porcello hasn’t been a great pitcher this season, the Angels offence is very lacklustre outside Mike Trout. I think the Red Sox deep attack can get after the inconsistent Heaney here, which will ultimately prove the difference.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers are in the midst of another excellent campaign, going 78-40 to this point. Their home form has been absolutely outstanding, going 47-15 to make it somewhat of a fortress. Cody Bellinger is putting up Trout-esque numbers of his own, going for 37 home runs and 88 RBI on the season. Kenta Maeda will pitch in this one, having been inconsistent so far with a 7-8 record and 4.37 ERA.

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks are still fighting for a Wildcard position, currently sitting at .500. Their road form has actually been decent so far, with a 31-30 record that is better than their corresponding home one. 3^rd Baseman Eduardo Escobar is certainly their offensive leader this season, going for 25 home runs and 93 RBI on the season. Alex Young is slated to pitch in this one, going a strong 4-1 with a 2.6 ERA as a Diamondback this season.

Prediction: Dodgers $1.52

Although Young has been in solid form of late, it’s tough to see the Diamondbacks going into LA and getting a win here. This well-rounded Dodgers team is firing on all cylinders right now and I expect another solid offensive performance. As long as the improving Maeda can pitch well here, $1.52 is still value for the home side.