Zack's Picks (2 Live)
The Pittsburgh Pirates have lost seven straight times with Bubba Chandler as their starting pitcher. …
The Cincinnati Reds begin another home series today as they host the Kansas City Royals. A player that has had more of an impact at home has been Nathaniel Lowe. Lowe has hit eight of his nine home runs this season at Great American Ballpark, and over his last four home games, he has homered three times. Look for Lowe to clear his total bases/combination line against a Royals pitching staff that has had a rough week.
The San Francisco Giants remain favorites against the Colorado Rockies, despite losing the first two games in the series as favorites. They blew a large lead in the ninth inning on Friday, and lost in lopsided fashion Saturday. Today’s starter in Robbie Ray is 0-5 on the road this season, where the Giants have been shutout three times. They’ve actually been outscored 24 to 3 in those five road games. Yet, I’ll jump in on the discounted offering, as the Giants avoid the road sweep.
The Athletics ended a six game home losing streak, in defeating the Yankees on Saturday. It did not come easy as the bullpen allowed five walks in the ninth inning. Back in the starting lineup Sunday will be Jose Caballero. He provided a spark in game one when he went two for four with a double and a run. Over his last six starts, he has had a multi hit game twice, along with two doubles. Grab Caballero to clear his combination line against the Athletics.
The Kansas City Royals had one of their best comeback wins yesterday against the Texas Rangers, in which they won 7 to 6. It ended a poor stretch that saw the Royals score just five runs over their prior four games. Today’s starter for the Rangers in Jack Leiter has given up four runs in consecutive games, and was rocked by the Royals in both starts last season. One start he gave up a season high six runs, and the other lasted just 3 2/3 innings. Grab Michael Massey to take advantage of base traffic in front of him. He clears his total bases, and don’t mind a sprinkle on a run/RBI.
For a second consecutive night the LA Dodgers are slight home favorites. The Philadelphia Phillies after a road sweep against the Padres, did lose game one to the Dodgers. A catalyst in their turn around has been their excellence on the road, as they have not lost two in a row on the road since April 24th. This coincides with Jesus Luzardo who has won four of five road starts this year, with a 1.21 road era. Back the Phillies.
Yesterday the Mets scored nine runs against the Miami Marlins. One of those nine runs was scored by Jared Young. Young returned this week from the IL, after missing a month and a half. This is an opportunity for Young to make an impression, with the Mets having so many key injuries. Look for Young to get his second hit since his return, in what will likely be three at bats today.
The Miami Marlins swept the New York Mets in a home series last week. That included Max Meyer getting his fifth win of the season, against today’s Mets starter in Freddy Peralta. It was a series that the Mets never scored more than one run, and were shutout in the finale. Peralta has also had a poor history against the Marlins, where his team has lost seven straight times. Back the Marlins to get back in the win column in game one of their series at New York.
Chris Bassitt will see his old team today in the Toronto Bluejays. While most will be eyeing tenured Blue Jays bats that are familiar with Bassitt, I’ll eye newcomer Jesus Sanchez. Sanchez just faced his former team in the Marlins, where he had his most RBI’s of the season on Tuesday with four. Additionally, he has had a hit in eight out of his last ten games. In a small sample size against Bassitt he has also homered. Take Sanchez combination line over. Avoid the juice on his total bases/hits for a split on a run/rbi.
Chris Bassitt will see his old team today in the Toronto Bluejays. While most will be eyeing tenured Blue Jays bats that are familiar with Bassitt, I’ll eye newcomer Jesus Sanchez. Sanchez just faced his former team in the Marlins, where he had his most RBI’s of the season on Tuesday with four. Additionally, he has had a hit in eight out of his last ten games. In a small sample size against Bassitt he has also homered. Take Sanchez combination line over. Avoid the juice on his total bases/hits for a split on a run/rbi.
Game five we saw Chet Holmgren finally be aggressive offensively. He had eight quick points in the first quarter, but had a sloppy second half. He scored just one field goal in the second half, and was not on the court the final seven and a half minutes. Expect Holmgren to take that to heart, and play an efficient game for four quarters.
The Texas Rangers come into tonight on a four game losing streak, which included being shut out in yesterday’s loss to the Houston Astros. Jack Leiter actually had his fewest hits allowed on the season against the Houston Astros on May 15th. It was also spoiled by the Rangers being shutout, 2-0. Back the Astros to win their fifth straight game.
The Miami Marlins have won four straight games, and have outscored their opponents 18 to 4 in the victories. Xavier Edwards ranks sixth in MLB in batting average, and has had a hit in ten out of his last eleven games. With doubles in consecutive games, look for Edwards to once again clear his total bases/combination line tonight.
The Cleveland Guardians have gone five straight games scoring three runs or less. Today’s starter in Tanner Bibee is 0-6 on the year, yet the Guardians are big money line favorites today against the Washington Nationals. Instead of laying that hefty price I’ll go to the prop market where I expect Jose Ramirez to break out of a 0 for 8 streak, and a four game stretch going under his total bases/combination line props. Take his over today.