National League
Marlins @ Pirates
Koehler is 3-0, 1.91 in his last five starts; over is 7-3 in his last ten. Miami lost four of his last five road starts.
Cole is 2-4, 5.03 in his last six starts; his last four went over. Pirates are 3-5 in his starts at home.
Marlins are 3-7 in last ten road games, 12-7 in road series openers. Four of their last five road games went over. Pittsburgh won six of its last seven games, is 12-7 in home series openers. Four of last five Pirate games went over.
Cardinals @ Phillies
Wainwright is 0-2, 8.69 in his last four starts; his last five went over. Cardinals are 8-4 in his home starts.
Morgan is 0-7, 8.52 in his last ten starts; his last eight starts went over. Phillies are 2-5 in his home starts.
Cardinals won their last four games, are 8-11 in road series openers. Over is 11-2-1 in last 14 Cardinal games. Phillies won five of last seven games; over is 7-1-2 in last ten Philly home games. Phils are 6-12 in home series openers.
Dodgers @ Phillies
Norris is 3-1, 4.55 in six starts for the Dodgers; four of his last five went over.
Adleman is 1-1, 3.72 in four starts, last of which was May 19 (over 2-2).
Dodgers won three of last four road games, are 7-12 in road series openers; over is 6-1-3 in last ten Dodger games. Cincinnati is 10-4 in last 14 home games, 4-1 in last five home series openers. Six of Reds’ last seven games went over.
Nationals @ Braves
Roark is 4-0, 1.65 in his last four starts; under is 7-3 in his last ten. Washington is 6-1 in his last seven road starts.
Teheran is 0-2, 3.19 in his last six starts; under is 11-4 in his last 15 starts. Atlanta is 1-10 in his home starts.
Nationals are 11-5 in last 16 games; six of their last eight games went over. Atlanta lost seven of last eight games; six of their last seven games went over.
Cubs @ Rockies
Hendricks is 2-0, 1.17 in his last three starts; under is 4-1-1 in his last six. Cubs are 4-6 in his road starts.
Anderson is 4-1, 3.70 in his last seven starts (under 8-4). Colorado is 5-3 in his home starts.
Cubs are 18-3 in last 21 games, 5-8 in last 13 road series openers. Three of last four Cub games stayed under. Colorado is 4-10 in its last 14 games, 10-10 in home series openers. Five of last seven Rockies games went over the total.
Diamondbacks @ Padres
Greinke is 1-1, 7.72 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Arizona is 6-1 in his road starts.
Cosart is 0-0, 3.77 in three starts for San Diego (over 2-1).
Arizona lost its last four road games; over is 6-2 in their last eight road games. San Diego lost five of its last six games; six of their last seven home games went over total.
Mets @ Giants
Lugo is making his first MLB start; he is 0-1, 2.65 in nine MLB games (17 IP). He was 3-4, 6.50 in 21 AAA games (14 starts) in hitter-friendly PCL this year.
Cueto is 0-2, 5.09 in his last six starts; over is 8-3 in his last 11.
New York lost 15 of last 22 games; under is 22-11 in their last 33 road games. Giants are 10-21 since All-Star break; five of their last six games went over the total.
American League
Red Sox @ Tigers
Porcello is 8-1, 2.67 in his last nine starts; under is 5-2 in his last seven. Red Sox are 4-6 in his road outings.
Fulmer is 1-1, 1.78 in his last four starts; five of his last six stayed under. Detroit won all five of his home starts.
Red Sox won six of last seven games; under is 13-3 in last 16 Boston road games. Detroit lost seven of last ten games; last six Tiger games stayed under the total.
Astros @ Orioles
McHugh is 0-4, 7.78 in his last four starts; his last three stayed under. Houston is 5-7 in his road starts.
Miley is 0-2, 7.63 in three starts for Baltimore (under 2-1).
Astros lost their last five games; seven of last nine Houston games went over total. Baltimore lost five of last eight home games; under is 11-1-2 in last 14 games at Camden Yards.
Rangers @ Rays
Hamels is 0-2, 3.15 in his last three starts; five of his last six stayed under. Texas is 8-4 in his road starts.
Andriese is 0-3, 5.89 in his last four starts (under 6-4-1). Rays are 2-3 in his home starts.
Rangers are 9-3 in last 12 games, 1-6 in last seven road series openers; under is 7-0-2 in their last nine road games. Tampa Bay won its last four games, is 8-12 in home series openers. Over is 10-2 in last dozen San Diego games.
Blue Jays @ Indians
Liriano is 0-1, 6.17 in two starts for Toronto (under 2-0).
Bauer is 2-0, 2.92 in his last two starts; four of his last five stayed under. Cleveland is 7-3 in his home starts.
Blue Jays are 10-5 in last 15 games, 11-8 in road series openers. Under is 8-2 in Toronto’s last ten road games. Cleveland is 7-2 in last nine home games, 13-7 in home series openers. Over is 8-4 in their last twelve home games.
A’s @ White Sox
Graveman is 1-2, 5.79 in his last four starts; six of his last eight stayed under. Oakland is 5-2 in his last seven road starts.
Shields is 0-2, 20.26 in his last three starts; over is 9-3-1 in his Chicago starts. White Sox are 4-4 in his home starts.
Oakland lost its last five games, is 0-4 in last four road series openers. Under is 9-3 in A’s last 12 games. White Sox are 7-13 in last 20 games, 9-9 in home series openers. Four of their last five games went over the total.
Twins @ Royals
Berrios is 1-2, 11.09 in his last five starts; his last four went over the total.
Volquez is 1-2, 8.61 in his last four starts; five of his last six went over.
Twins are 11-5 in last 16 road games; over is 10-1-1 in their last 12 road tilts. Kansas City won nine of last 11 games; under is 14-5 in their last 19 games.
New York @ Angels
Tanaka is 2-0, 3.46 in his last two starts; four of his last six stayed under. New York is 6-5 in his road starts.
Weaver is 0-2, 7.72 in his last three starts; over is 6-2-1 in his last nine.
New York lost three of last four games; they’re 9-10 in road series openers. Five of last six Bronx games went over total. Angels lost 12 of last 14 games; under is 4-2 in their last six games.
Interleague
Brewers @ Mariners
Suter was 6-6, 3.50 in 26 AAA games this year (15 starts); this is his MLB debut.
LeBlanc is 1-0, 4.88 in his last four starts; four of his last five went over. Seattle won all five of his home starts.
Brewers lost its last five road games, is 5-14 in road series openers. Three of last four Milwaukee games stayed under. Seattle won its last six home games, is 11-8 in home series openers. Over is 8-5 in Mariners’ last 13 home games.
Teams’ record when this pitcher starts
Mia-Pitt– Koehler 11-13 (4-1 last 5); Cole 8-10 (2-7 last 9)
StL-Phil– Wainwright 15-9 (0-3 last 3); Morgan 3-10
LA-Cin– Norris 4-2; Adleman 2-2
Wsh-Atl– Roark 15-9 (12-2 last 14); unknown
Chi-Col– Hendricks 13-9; Anderson 6-6
NY-SF– Lugo 0-0; Cueto 11-10
Az-SD– Greinke 13-6; Cosart 1-2/1-3
Hst-Balt– McHugh 13-11 (0-4 last 4); Miley 1-2/10-9
Tex-TB– Hamels 17-7; Andriese 5-6
Bos-Det– Porcello 18-6 (10-1 last 11); Fulmer 16-3
Tor-Clev– Liriano 1-1/9-12; Bauer 10-9
A’s-Chi– Graveman 11-12; Shields 5-8/2-9
Min-KC– Berrios 2-5; Volquez 13-12 (1-4 last 5)
NY-LA– Tanaka 17-7; Weaver 9-14
Mil-Sea– Suter 0-0; LeBlanc 6-1
tarting pitchers allowing 1+ runs in first inning
Mia-Pitt– Koehler 8-24; Cole 6-18
StL-Phil– Wainwright 9-24 (3 of last 3); Morgan 6-13
LA-Cin– Norris 2-6; Adleman 0-4
Wsh-Atl– Roark 4-24; unknown
Chi-Col– Hendricks 5-22; Anderson 4-12
NY-SF– Lugo 0-0; Cueto 4-21
Az-SD– Greinke 6-19 (5 of last 6); Cosart 4-7
Hst-Balt– McHugh 10-24; Miley 7-22
Tex-TB– Hamels 5-24; Andriese 3-11
Bos-Det– Porcello 7-24; Fulmer 4-19
Tor-Clev– Liriano 6-23; Bauer 5-19
A’s-Chi– Graveman 4-23; Shields 10-24
Min-KC– Berrios 4-7 (4 of last 4); Volquez 8-25
NY-LA– Tanaka 3-24; Weaver 8-23
Mil-Sea– Suter 0-0; LeBlanc 4-7
AArmadillosports.com
Friday's Diamond Notes
By Tony Mejia
VegasInsider.com
Hottest team: Cubs (15-2 last 17)
Chicago is hoping that this nine-game Western journey it has embarked upon won’t slow down its tremendous August, which has seen it sweep four different opponents. Only three of their 16 games this month have come outside Wrigley Field, but the Cubs did outscore the A’s by a combined margin of 14-3 in Oakland from Aug. 5-7 and own the third-highest road winning percentage in baseball behind Washington and St. Louis. The road trip, which features series against the Padres and Dodgers, opens in Denver against the Rockies, who won two of three the only time these teams got together back in mid-April. Colorado was the first team to steal a series from the Cubs at home, a feat that has only occurred on two other occasions this season. Rookie Tyler Anderson (4-4, 3.42 ERA) was still in the minors back then and will be getting his first look at Chicago’s mighty lineup, though he has seen a few of its key guys in the minors. Cubs righty Kyle Hendricks (11-7, 2.19) has the second-lowest ERA in baseball behind the injured Clayton Kershaw (1.79), who may not end up with enough innings to ultimately qualify for the award if he’s not back soon. Since June 19, Hendricks is 7-1 and has given up nine earned runs over 66.1 innings, striking out 63 and walking 16. Colorado handed him his first loss of the season. The Cubs have scored at least three runs in 20 of their last 21 games, averaging 5.4 within that span. They’ve won two of three at Coors Field in each of the past two seasons.
Coldest team: Astros (0-5 last five, 7-16 last 23)
The Astros are in danger of falling back down to .500 for the first time since June 21, when they kicked off summer by improving to 36-36, which was quite the accomplishment since they opened 17-28 through the season’s first 45 games. Their current ill-timed slump has them even with surging Kansas City and behind the fading Yankees in a ninth-place tie in the American League, 6.5 games back of a wild card spot. While there will be 40 games left after tonight’s showdown in Baltimore, Houston is running out of time to get back to the playoffs. That would be a huge disappointment since hopes were high after they unexpectedly reached last year’s postseason, taking down New York in the Wild Card before falling to the Royals in the ALDS. After closing out a four-game set at Camden Yards, Houston opens next week in Pittsburgh before returning home for winnable series against Tampa Bay and Oakland to close out August. The Astros have given up 38 runs over their last four losses as their pitching has completely broken down. The OVER has prevailed in eight of their last 11 games. Collin McHugh (7-10, 4.70) will look to snap a run of losses in four straight starts, while the Orioles hope to see Wade Miley (7-10, 5.23) notch a win for the first time since being acquired from Seattle. He’s 0-2 with a 7.04 ERA in a Baltimore uniform and will be facing the Astros for the third time in 2016.
Hottest pitcher: Rick Porcello (16-3, 3.30 ERA)
The Red Sox lost a 4-3 decision in the first of a four-game set in Detroit when Junichi Tazawa and Brad Ziegler were unsuccessful in protecting an eighth-inning lead, snapping a six-game winning streak. Despite the loss, Boston remains firmly entrenched in an AL wild card spot, even with Baltimore, three games up on Seattle and 3.5 up on the Tigers. Porcello is 10-1 since May 22 and has produced four consecutive quality starts, putting him squarely in the AL Cy Young mix. He’ll be seeing his former team who he pitched for from 2009-14 for the first time this season and only the second time in his career. As a result, there are few current Tigers who have much of a history against him – Miguel Cabrera has never faced him – although Ian Kinsler is 7-for-13. The newly acquired Erick Aybar (5-for-27) has opposed Porcello most, and no current player on the Detroit roster has a home run against him. He’ll be part of Friday’s top pitching matchup, squaring off against rookie Michael Fulmer (10-3, 2.25), who is third in all of baseball in ERA and comes off a career-best performance last Sunday, tossing a complete-game four-hit shutout at Texas. Books slightly favor Detroit (-110) at home and have set the total at 8.5.
Coldest pitcher: Johnny Cueto (13-3, 2.97 ERA)
A little over a month ago, Cueto was 13-1 and in the running for the NL’s Cy Young award, even starting the All-Star Game in San Diego. Former teammates Eric Hosmer and Salvador Perez each homered off him in the second inning, resulting in a loss that didn’t count against his record, but began a run that hasn’t ended yet since victory has eluded him since July 6. Cueto was in position to have the winless streak snapped last Sunday, but watched Baltimore rally from a 7-1 deficit over the last three innings to win 8-7. The Giants are 2-4 in his last six starts. Including the All-Star debacle, Cueto has given up multiple home runs in five of his last nine outings after not having that happen over a span of 25 starts, which includes his work helping the Royals win last year’s World Series. Cueto will be facing the Mets for the first time since Game 2 of the Fall Classic, where he delivered a complete game two-hitter in a 9-1 win. New York has lost three of its last four and scratched lefty Steven Matz from Friday’s start due to shoulder discomfort. Rookie Seth Lugo (0-1, 2.65), who has worked 17 innings exclusively out of the bullpen since being called up for the first time on July 1, gets the call for the Mets, who are 1-8 when he’s taken the mound.
Biggest UNDER run: Rangers (5-0 last five, 14-3-1 last 18 )
The bar has been set at 8.5 or higher in all but one of the 17 games encompassed in Texas’ under run, but those chasing the OVER based on all the firepower the Rangers have assembled after acquiring Carlos Beltran and Jonathan Lucroy at the trade deadline are likely broke by now. Although there was a prolonged slump in there against the Tigers where they failed to score a run in consecutive games, improved pitching has also contributed to this under run. The Rangers are 14-5 over their last 19 and have improved on the AL’s best record as result, but keeping their focus on this brief five-game road trip that starts tonight could be an issue. After a three-game set in Tampa Bay, Texas will play two in Cincinnati before returning to Arlington for an immense 10-game homestand against the Indians, Mariners and Astros. Cole Hamels (12-4, 2.88) aims to get his team off to a good start and has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his last six outings. Although he’s yet to win a decision in August despite an ERA of 3.15, Hamels has been a rock for the Rangers, coming in 19-5 since being acquired just prior to the 2015 trade deadline. The UNDER has prevailed in five of Hamels’ six starts since the All-Star break, but he’s pitching at Tropicana Field for the first time since winning Game 1 of the 2008 World Series for Philadelphia en route to MVP honors. He’s only seen the Rays once this decade, shutting them out over seven innings in June 2012. Matt Andriese (6-4, 3.36) has limited experience against Texas hitters and has seen the OVER prevail in three of his last four starts. He hasn’t won a decision since June 15, making 13 straight appearances without a win. Books have set this total at 7.5.
Biggest OVER run: Phillies (10-0-2 last 12, 12-1-2 last 15)
The number has been right on over the last two Phillies games against the Dodgers, as Thursday’s 5-4 win produced nine runs for the second consecutive night to push for totals bettors. Oddsmakers have definitely adjusted since the figure would’ve likely been 8.5 if not for the fact that Philadelphia has still seen only one UNDER come in this entire month. Only one of the Phils' last 10 games at Citizens Bank Park has gone UNDER the posted total, a run that dates back to July 21. St. Louis comes into town on an OVER run of its own, as the posted total has been surpassed in nine of its last 11 games, including each of the last five. Since July 27, the OVER has gone 15-4-1 over the Cardinals' last 20 games. The Cards have averaged 7.5 runs on their current four-game winning streak that has them in control of the NL's second wild card. Adan Wainwright (9-7, 4.72) lasted a season-low two innings last Friday night at Wrigley Field, surrendering a season-high seven runs. The OVER has hit in each of his last five starts. Phillies lefty Adam Morgan (1-7, 6.62) was sent down to Triple-A for over a month and lasted just three innings in his return on Sunday. THE OVER has prevailed in each of the last nine games Morgan has appeared in. His lone win came on May 10 in Atlanta. Oddsmakers have set this total back up at 9.
Matchup to watch: Blue Jays at Indians
While every other division leader plays a sub-.500 team this weekend, Toronto and Cleveland square off at Progressive Field in what could wind up being a crucial weekend. The Indians hold a one-game lead over the Jays due to two fewer losses, but the winner of this series opener will reach the 70-win plateau first and whoever claims the three-game set would temporarily put themselves in position to potentially host the other in an NLDS if the Rangers wind up securing the AL’s top record. Cleveland has a much healthier division lead in the AL Central than Toronto enjoys over Baltimore and Boston, but this series should still feature a postseason feel since no other team scheduled to visit Cleveland between now and the end of the regular-season is currently a playoff team. These teams played a contentious four-game set up in Canada to open July that featured a 19-inning 2-1 Indians win that the Blue Jays recovered from by outscoring the Tribe 26-7 over the final two games, including a 17-1 rout in their last encounter. Lefty Francisco Liriano (6-12, 5.46) takes the ball first for Toronto and is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA since coming over from Pittsburgh. Favored Cleveland (-127) will ride Trevor Bauer (9-5, 3.97), who started that aforementioned 19-inning marathon on July 1, allowing two hits over five shutout innings. He’s won his last two decisions.
Betcha didn’t know: Atlanta's Julio Teheran (3-9, 2.81) hasn't allowed a run in four of his last seven starts and returns from the disabled list tonight after having his back tighten up in his last outing on July 30. The Colombian right-hander was just 1-2 in May despite a 1.38 ERA, went 2-2 in June even though his ERA that month was 1.91. He ended up a 4.08 in July and lost both of his decisions, but had a 15-inning scoreless streak snapped in his last start. The Braves have scored four or more runs in just six of his 21 starts. His three wins have all come away from Turner Field, where he's 0-5 despite a 3.08 ERA over 12 starts. Washington, who Teheran is 0-1 against this season over two April starts, will counter with Tanner Roark (13-6, 2.81), who has allowed just five earned runs over his last 27.1 innings and won 10 of his last 12 decisions.
Biggest public favorite: Yankees (-140) at Angels
Biggest public underdog: Reds (+142) vs. Dodgers
Biggest line move: Pirates (-155 to -170) vs. Marlins
MLB: Streak, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Washington Nationals at Atlanta Braves
Washington and Atlanta meet Friday at Turner Field in the second of a four game series. Washington will send Tanner Roark to the mound carrying a 13-6 record, 2.81 ERA to the hill. In his last start, Roark won his fourth consecutive decision handcuffing Braves over seven innings allowing 1-run marking his second victory over Atlanta this season. Braves are expected to respond with Julio Teheran returning off DL. Prior to his stink on the DL, Teheran took a home loss vs Philadelphia moving his record to 3-9 with a 2.81 ERA on the campaign including two losses vs Washington.
Sportsbooks opened Nationals -$1.35 to -$140 road favorites depending on locale with the total set at 7.5 runs.
Roark doing Washington's bidding bodes well Nats chances as they're 6-0 as favorites in an opposing park with the hurler. Additionally, Nationals have a 4-1 record vs the division with Roark and are 7-2 in his nine career starts vs Atlanta. Two final eye-opening stats favoring Washington. The Braves have a 1-11 skid in front of the home audience with Teheran and a 1-6 slide last seven vs Nationals handing to ball to their righty.
MLB Betting Cheat Sheet
By Monty Andrews
Covers.com
September baseball is getting closer, making each matchup with playoff implications more and more intriguing. Covers breaks it all down in our betting cheat sheet highlighted by a series between division leaders Cleveland and Toronto.
Coors Field Fireworks
Bettors are used to high totals when the Colorado Rockies are at home, but things could get positively crazy this weekend as the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs pay a visit to homer-friendly Coors Field. The Cubs have the best ERA in baseball, but have still gone 31-21-4 O/U on the road. The Rockies are a healthy 31-26-3 O/U at home this season despite sky-high totals. That said, Colorado is just 4-6-1 O/U in its last 11 home games.
Big Markets, Small Stakes
Two of baseball’s biggest markets square off this weekend - but there won’t be much to play for as the New York Yankees visit the Los Angeles Angels for a three-game set beginning Friday night. The Yankees had high hopes coming into the season, but are fourth in the American League East and have the second-worst units won total (-278) in the division. The Angels are even worse off, sitting in last place in the AL West.
Arms Race
The top two pitching staffs in the American League face off this weekend in Cleveland as the Central-leading Indians welcome the East-leading Toronto Blue Jays to Progressive Field. The Blue Jays have the lowest ERA in the AL at 3.74, a big reason why they’re 17 games above .500 - and just 48-68-5 O/U. Cleveland is next at staff ERA at 3.84, and are comfortably ahead of the Detroit Tigers for the division lead.
Hitting Notes
How bad have the Yankees been? They’re wasting an incredible start from catcher Gary Sanchez, who has five home runs in his last seven games as he has taken over the starting role from Brian McCann. Unfortunately, the Yankees have won just one of the four games in which he has gone deep; they’re also 4-0 O/U in those contests.
Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon has been even hotter, belting nine home runs over his previous nine games to reach 21 on the season. The Rockies have seen most of those recent blasts go to waste, going 1-4 SU in the five games in which Blackmon has homered; that includes losses in both of his multi-homer contests.
Pitching Notes
Over bettors have made a killing in Jose Berrios outings. The Minnesota Twins rookie has struggled mightily over his first seven starts, yielding 29 runs over 28 innings; the Twins are 2-5 SU and a near-perfect 6-0-1 O/U in those outings. He has a Friday date with the Kansas City Royals, who enter the four-game set 1-5 O/U in their previous six home games.
Chris Tillman starts have been profitable for bettors so far this season; he’ll look to pad his money lead Saturday as his Baltimore Orioles host the Houston Astros. The Orioles are 20-5 in Tillman’s 25 starts, and he comes into the weekend with a slight units lead ($1,553) over Detroit’s Michael Fulmer. Tillman has parlayed a win and the Over 14 times this season.
Totals Trends
After a minor Under run following the All-Star break, the Cincinnati Reds are back to being a strong over play, going 8-2 O/U over a 10-game stretch prior to Thursday’s tilt with the Miami Marlins.
Ump Stat of the Day
The Nationals probably don't need an extra edge when they visit the Braves tonight (Nats are 23-5 in the last 28 meetings), but the road team is 8-1 in Dan Bellino's last nine games behind home plate. Bellino is one of the top "road umps" this season with away teams going 13-8 when he calls balls and strikes. That's where he'll be for tonight's contest, where Washington is currently a -144 road fave.
Friday's Weather Report
There is plenty of weather in the forecast for Friday's schedule of games.
Starting in Philadelphia, there is a slight 17 percent chance of rain, as well as a seven to eight mile per hour wind gusting out to left field for today's game between the Phillies and Cardinals. The total is currently 9.0.
In Cleveland, there is a 28 percent chance of rain and a chance of thunderstorms for tonight's game between the Indians and Blue Jays. The total for the game is currently 9.5.
At Comerica Park in Detroit there is a 31 percent chance of rain and a chance of thunderstorms when the Tiger host the Red Sox. The total for the game is currently 8.5.
There will be a 30 percent chance of rain in Cincinnati when the reds host the Dodgers at Great American Ball Park Friday. There is also a chance of thunderstorms in the region. The total for the game is currently 9.5.
In Atlanta, there is a 47 percent chance of rain for the game between the Braves and Nationals. There is also a chance of thunderstorms. The total is currently 7.5.
On the south side of Chicago, the White Sox are scheduled to host the Athletics with a 20 percent chance of rain, chance of thunderstorms and a seven to eight mile per hour wind gusting in from right field. The total is currently 9.5.
At Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, there is a 44 percent chance of rain for tonight's game against the Twins. There is also a chance of thunderstorms and a seven to eight mile per hour wind gusting out to left field. The total is currently 9.0.
At Coors Field, pitchers will actually be given a hand for a change tonight when the Rockies host the Cubs. There is a 10-11 mile per hour wind expected to be gusting in from center field during the game. There is also a 42 percent chance of rain and a chance of thunderstorms. The total is currently 10.5.
Marlins, Pirates square off
By Sportsbook.ag
MIAMI MARLINS at PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Sportsbook.ag Line: Pirates -185, Marlins +170, Total: 7.5 (Over -120)
The Marlins and Pirates meet in Pittsburgh on Friday and both teams are looking to earn one of the NL Wild Card spots this year.
Miami was dealt a difficult blow by losing OF Giancarlo Stanton (Groin) for the remainder of the season, but the team still has a chance to make the postseason and must do its best to move on.
The Marlins are very much in the NL Wild Card race and that makes this game with the Pirates a big one, as Pittsburgh also finds itself battling for one of those two spots.
After a lousy first half of the season, the Pirates have seemingly put it together and will be hoping to win this one with RHP Gerrit Cole (7-8, 3.25 ERA, 86 K) on the mound.
Cole will be going up against RHP Tom Koehler (9-8, 3.86 ERA, 107 K) of the Marlins, and that should be a very good showdown on the mound.
Cole is still trying to find his groove after getting injured a few weeks ago and Koehler has pitched extremely well for the Marlins in recent weeks.
The Pirates will be happy to be playing this one at home, as they are 33-25 when playing in Pittsburgh this season. They’re also 44-35 when playing in night games.
Tom Koehler has been huge for Miami this season, adding a much-needed reliable presence in the rotation. He’ll now be counted on again, as the team could really use a victory in Pittsburgh on Friday.
Koehler doesn’t have stuff that will wow anybody, but he does effectively pitch to contact. He’ll be hoping to avoid making any mistakes on Friday, as he will be just fine in this game as long as he doesn’t allow too many homers.
He has had no problem doing that lately, as he has allowed none in five of the past seven games for Miami. Offensively, the Marlins are going to need a huge game out of OF Christian Yelich.
With Stanton out, Yelich is really the only guy in this lineup that is truly dangerous. He also happens to be dominant against Cole in his career, as he is 5-for-11 with two homers and four RBI against the righty. It’d be huge for Miami if he can get it going in this one.
Gerrit Cole is still trying to find his footing this season and just might be coming off of his worst start of the yearon Aug. 13. Cole faced the Dodgers in that game and allowed five earned runs on 12 hits in just 4.1 innings of work.
He is going to need to find a way to do a better job of avoiding contact in this one. He is normally a guy that misses a ton of bats, so the Pirates will be hoping that Cole has his best stuff on Friday.
Offensively, Pittsburgh will be expecting guys like OFs Andrew McCutchen and Gregory Polanco to come up with some big hits in this one. The two of them are a combined 7-for-13 with three doubles, a homer and three RBI against Koehler in their careers.
McCutchen also happens to be red-hot coming into this one, as he has seen his average rise from .241 to .248 over the past 10 games and has racked up seven RBI over the past six games.