Bruce Bochy is a genius, and the last time he had a master plan, the Rangers won the World Series. The Rangers have won six of their last seven games since the All-Star break to up their season record to 54-50. But it's the style of play that has been impressive all season. Despite not winning consistently, they don't allow their opponents to score much at 3.4 per game, and they've gone under the total an MLB-best 62 times a season. Now the bats are starting to come alive, matching up with that tremendous starting pitching and bullpen, and it looks like a World Series team. A pair of right-handers are going today, with Grant Holmes going against Kumar Rocker. Rangers to win.

As noted yesterday, the odds still haven't adjusted to the reality that the Braves are just a bad team. They are 18-32 on the road, 6-13 in July and 2-5 since the All-Star break. The Rangers are hot, too, having won 9 of 11 and sit 32-20 at home. Easy play for me here.

The fecklessness being displayed by the Braves continues to stun. Now 44-58 after another loss last night, those dreams of a 2021-like rally are all but gone as Atlanta checks in at just 5-12 across its last 17 games. Grant Holmes (4.29 ERA in July) is no panacea on the mound, either, with the Braves losing 8 of his last 10 starts. Meanwhile, the Rangers have some real momentum, with wins in seven of eight, and now bearing down on an AL wild card berth, while Kumar Rocker's recent efforts on the mound have been distorted by one bad start vs. the Angels on July 9. He's allowed two runs or fewer in five of his other last six starts). Play Rangers on Money Line