Zack's Past Picks
The Over had been undefeated in the series until Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber’s injuries. We now have seen consecutive games go well Under the total. But look for the Phillies' lineup to perform better after having a couple of games to adjust without their top performers. Additionally, the Marlins have been great at scoring runs from the seventh inning on in this series. Take the Over.
The Cleveland Guardians have won seven of the last nine games that Tanner Bibee has started. One of the two losses was against the Kansas City Royals earlier this month on June 6. Bibee gave up six hits and three runs. Look for the Royals to have some success against Bibee, as they extend their winning streak to four games.
Reds starter Frankie Montas continues to strugge. Since April 9, he has only one win, and he took the loss on May 29 against St. Louis. In that performance, he struggled the second time through the Cardinals' lineup. I'm taking St. Louis to get back on track after yesterday’s loss.
On Friday Baltimore is a cheap home favorite, which is rare. Starting pitcher Albert Suarez typically goes five solid innings. I expect the Orioles to do enough damage against Max Scherzer and get strong innings from the bullpen to beat Texas for a second straight night.
Thursday, the Philadelphia Phillies and Miami Marlins will meet for their second series. In the first series all three games went over the total, including Trevor Rogers giving up nine hits in an 8-2 loss. Even ace Zack Wheeler had issues against the Marlins as he gave up six runs on six hits. Take the over to hit for the fourth straight game between the Phillies and Marlins.
Look for runs again on Wednesday between the New York Yankees and New York Mets. Luis Gil is coming off his worst start of the season, surrendering seven runs against the Baltimore Orioles. It also ended the Yankees nine straight wins in Gil’s starts. In the month of June the Mets rank first in batting average in the month of June, and both teams are in the top five in home runs. Play the over.
Today the Cincinnati Reds can win their first series since earlier this month over the Chicago Cubs. Reds starter in Graham Ashcraft has been picked up by the Reds bats as they have won his last three starts by averaging over eight runs a game. Take Cincinnati to set the tone as Pirates starter Luis Ortiz hits allowed have rose in three straight outings.
The Chicago White Sox may have just twenty one wins, but are a completely different team with Garrett Crochet on the mound. Crochet has a 6-6 overall record, and has had a minimum eight strikeouts over his last five starts. Look for the White Sox to take advantage of a Dodgers team traveling in from hosting the LA Angels on Sunday. Grab the White Sox.
The San Diego Padres have been red hot at the plate in their current series against the Milwaukee Brewers. They have scored twenty two total runs and have the chance to complete a four game sweep over Milwaukee. Look for rookie Tobias Myers to prevent that from happening. He has a 1.95 road ERA and Milwaukee has won his last four starts. Additionally, the Brewers have had great success against the Padres bullpen. Take the Brewers.
Saturday, the Boston Red Sox find themselves road favorites despite dropping yesterday’s opener to the Cincinnati Reds. Look for the Red Sox to bounce back as they had won five straight prior to yesterday. Starter Frankie Montas has also had issues at home where the Reds have lost his last four home starts. Take the Red Sox to even the series Saturday.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are back to .500 thanks to going 13 and 6 over their last nineteen games. With injuries galore to their starting pitchers the Diamondbacks have to get it done at the plate. In each win during their aforementioned streak they have scored four runs or more. Look for runs on both sides and for the over to cash.
Market over adjustments off a pitcher with a prime time win is real. That is the case today for Red Sox starter Kutter Crawford, coming off a Sunday night win against the Yankees. It was his first win over his last eight starts, and the last road win for Boston with Crawford on the mound was April 20th. Back the Reds to end the Red Sox five game winning streak.
Tonight is a rare spot where the home team in the San Diego Padres actually have the bigger travel factor. They come in off a series against the Philadelphia Phillies, while the Brewers continue their West Coast road trip that began with the LA Angels. Look for Bryce Wilson’s road woes to offset that, as he comes in with a 4.75 road era. Additionally, his last road start was his worst of the season as he gave up seven runs to the Detroit Tigers. Back the home team here in the Padres.
Tonight, I’ll back the Rangers to end the New York Mets seven game winning streak. Texas comes in with a five game losing streak but had the Mets on the ropes yesterday with a 6-2 lead. For the New York Mets their production of thirty two runs over their last three games is unsustainable. Take the Rangers as Andrew Heaney gets his second home win of the season.
Gerrit Cole will make his season debut for the New York Yankees. Baltimore only produced two runs yesterday, but against Cole in New York last year they scored five runs. This included home runs from both Cedric Mullins and Gunnar Henderson. Additionally, Cade Povich struggled in his lone road debut with four walks, and five runs allowed to Toronto. Take the over.