Brandon Shively
White Sox vs. Red Sox
Play: Red Sox -107
The White Sox are 0-4 in Chris Sale’s four career starts vs the Red Sox. The Red Sox are 4-1 in Clay Buchholz last five starts vs the White Sox so we have past trends in our favor.
It is not often we will get the Red Sox at such a favorable price and I love the value here. The Red Sox are ranked 2nd in the Majors in weighted on base average vs lefties and I think they can score enough runs here to protect Clay Buchholz and get him the win.
Buchholz faced the White Sox earlier this year and was sharp going 7 innings only giving up 3 hits. Current members of the White Sox are only hitting .179 vs Buchholz. Buchholz is making his first start since joining the bullpen last month. He hasn’t given up a home run since moving to the pen and has only had one relief appearance where he has given up runs. This is his chance to regain the confidence of the team and regain his starting position in the rotation. Thankfully, he has the Majors best offense behind him..
Bogaerts, Mookie Betts, and Ortiz are a combined 13-for-30 vs Sale. All three of these guys are crushing the ball at home this year and over the last seven days.
Sale has given up 26 hits (5 HR) in his last 3 starts (19.1 IP) so he has regressed and is not as dominant as he was early in the season and the White Sox have lost his last two road starts.
The Red Sox are 4-0 in their last four home games vs a left handed starter. The White Sox are 1-6 in their L7 road games vs a right handed starter.
Bill Biles
Marlins -1½ -114
The Marlins when Fernandez pitches at home are very hard to beat no matter who the opponent is. Fernandez has been one of the top pitchers in the game this season and is coming off 10 days rest. Coming off extra rest he has a 11.2 k/9 rating and a 2.57 ERA Not to mention they are playing the Braves.
Greg Shaker
Washington Nationals +112
The Nats were more like Fleas last night as they ran into the Kershaw Buzz Saw. Tonight they have someone they can hit (Another Southpaw) and they have done that very well this season. This team has scored 5.1 Runs Per 9 VS Lefties this season, 5.33 on the Road, and 5.45 the last 10 games. Kazmir is getting OLD (I guess). His Pitch Counts have been limited to around 90 Per Outing and the reason why his last game featured just 4 innings tossed since he threw over 23 pitches per inning against the Brewers. Control has been an issue this year and it's not only been about BB's it's about location. Roark on the other hand can and does hit the 105 to 110 mark consistently. While neither has been exceptional of late our guy has had better form and will be throwing to the Dodgers weakest link. (Batting against GOOD Right Handed Pitching) Washington has better D, better Speed, more Power, stronger bench, with Pens being about equal. LAD does have reasonable HFA but not enough to be the Fav as they are in this one. Grabbing the Nice Number here is simply the right thing to do as our Models show that the Nats will win more times than not with the situation we have in LA this evening...