Zack's Picks (2 Live)
Zack's Past Picks
The New York Mets will aim to bounce back from an ugly Friday loss to their division rivals in the Philadelphia Phillies. The loss marked their seventh straight on the season, and now puts them in second place in the NL East division. Look for that to spark the Mets to turn things around against rookie Mick Abel. Take the Mets.
The tightest market on today’s MLB slate involves the Texas Rangers and Pittsburgh Pirates. Mitch Keller has been winless at home on the season with an 0-6 record, and 11 of his last 12 starts the Pirates have lost. A main reason for that is the Pirates have scored two runs or less in eight straight starts involving Keller. That changes today as Kumar Rocker has been hit hard in his four road starts. Take the Pirates.
This time of the year in MLB, is typically a struggle for some pitchers as we get close to All Star break. Even the great Zack Wheeler has had his issues during this time frame. Each of the last two seasons his worst start has come during this stretch, including the Mets getting to him two years ago on June 25th with nine hits. Split wager prop here half units on Marte and Pete Alonso.
Last night the Houston Astros lineup had several bats erupt en route to eleven runs. One main bat that did not contribute was Isaac Parades, who went 0 for 4. Expect that to be short lived as Paredes had a multi hit game Tuesday, and gets to see left handed pitcher Jacob Lopez. Take Paredes over on his total bases.
The Pittsburgh Pirates will play in a double header at Detroit Thursday. The Tigers still have the second most home wins in the American League, but have been more vulnerable as of late. Over their last fourteen home games they are 8-6. Take the Pirates who have won four out of the last five starts with Paul Skenes on the mound.
The Arizona Diamondbacks lost another heart breaker yesterday to the Blue Jays in walk off fashion. Yet, I expect Arizona to bounce back today. Eduardo Rodriguez in his first two starts back from the IL, has been sharper. Additionally, he has the intel on the Blue Jays from his long tenure as a Boston Red Sox. Take the Dbacks to get the road win over the Blue Jays.
On a tear in the month of June has been Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson. He has had a hit in eight straight games, and is hitting .383 in the month of June. In a small sample size he has gone 2 for 6 against Ryan Pepiot with a home run. Grab Henderson in favorable hitting conditions in Tampa to clear his total bases prop.
The St. Louis Cardinals ended their six game losing streak with a big win against the Brewers yesterday. The bullpen came up big in a huge bases loaded scenario to avoid damage. Now look for the Cardinals to build off that win with Miles Mikolas on the mound. The Cardinals have done a great job in giving Mikolas run support with four or more runs in four straight outings. Take the Cardinals.
The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees are playing their second series in a week. Last night’s extra inning game resulted in just a 2-1 final, where as the prior three matchups all had double digit runs of no fewer than fifteen. Carlos Rodon was impacted as his stretch of four straight outings of quality starts ended. That was the only game over the last six that Romy Gonzalez did not have a hit. Dual split play here with Gonzalez total bases and to record a run.
The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees are playing their second series in a week. Last night’s extra inning game resulted in just a 2-1 final, where as the prior three matchups all had double digit runs of no fewer than fifteen. Carlos Rodon was impacted as his stretch of four straight outings of quality starts ended. That was the only game over the last six that Romy Gonzalez did not have a hit. Dual split play here with Gonzalez total bases and to record a run.
A lineup that I’ll be attacking tonight will be the Kansas City Royals. They are coming off a shutout home loss yesterday to the New York Yankees, in which they were swept. Certain players start to heat up once summer hits, and Salvador Perez is one as he is hitting .302 in the month of June. He also has homered twice in the last week. He does it again in a favorable matchup against Luis Severino.
Luis Severino’s home and road splits are eye popping as he has a road ERA of just .087. That also has to do with a small sample size as he has had four more home starts then on the road. Expect Severino’s struggles to catch up to him tonight against a Royals lineup that will be ready to hit after a shutout Thursday. Maikel Garcia is coming off his quietest series since early May, just one hit against the Yankees. He corrects that tonight, and clears his total bases prop.
Friday, look for the Minnesota Twins to get back on track after an ugly home Thursday loss to the Texas Rangers, 16-3. It marked the third time over their last seven games that they have lost by double digit runs. Look for the Twins to back up starter Chris Paddack who has allowed two runs or less in six straight starts. Take the Twins to test the Astros strong home record.