In Miami the NL Cy Young front runner takes the mound having oddsmakers with the Marlins as the favorite against the division leading Mets. Alcantara faced them in New York 6/19 completing 8 innings allowing 2 runs in a 6-2 Marlins win. Last Year he only faced them twice both in September, a 3-4 loss going 6.1 innings allowing 4 earned, and a 9 inning, 1 earned, 1 hit, 14 strikeout masterpiece which ended a 2-1 Marlins win in 10 innings. Even though the Mets are red hot, they have a 4 game lead in the division and are 6-4 their last 10, my pick is Marlins -132.
Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs head to St. Louis for a 3 game series this weekend. Tonight’s game a clash of stats, as Hendricks is 12-3 with a 2.82 ERA in 24 career starts against the Cardinals. However the Cubs have lost 14 of 17 coming into the weekend facing the Cardinals who sit tied atop the Central and have won 10 of 13 games at home. It’s likely the way they have been playing that the Cardinals take two of the three games in this series. My pick is Cardinals -157
Last night the White Sox lost to the Orioles on Pride Night, making the Sox 8-1 their last 9 against the O’s. That was mostly attributed to almost super human play from the Baltimore outfield. 3 games left in the series and I look for the White Sox to even this thing up 1-1. My pick White Sox -152.
The Rays have now lost 4 series in a row, facing murderers row with the Central leading Twins and the Yankees twice with familiar foe Baltimore taking two of three from them as well. I look for the Rays to take advantage of playing someone outside the AL East, as they still sit 5 games over .500. They face the Pirates who are 11 under .500 and 5-5 their last 10. A heavy price on the hometown Rays but my pick is Tampa Bay -204.