Baseball has finally reached its home stretch as teams battle for the postseason. Our team of writers and handicappers gathered three of their top picks for Wednesday’s MLB action.
New York Mets (70-57) at Milwaukee Brewers (80-58)
A sweep over a fellow playoff contender could certainly create some significant momentum for the NL East-leading New York Mets heading into another big series.
On Wednesday, the Mets will attempt to sweep the Milwaukee Brewers for the first time in over four years, while trying to create some breathing room in the division race.
The Brewers look to continue benefiting from starts by Dave Bush (9-9, 4.12), who has led them to wins in eight of his last nine games. The right-hander is 5-1 with a 2.74 ERA in that span.
He was spotted a three-run lead in the opening inning before going on to win his fourth consecutive decision Friday, allowing one run and six hits in 6 2-3 innings of a 3-1 victory at Pittsburgh.
Bush is 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA in two games - one start - against the Mets.
Pick: Milwaukee - Best line -110 SBG Global
St. Louis Cardinals (66-63) at Arizona Diamondbacks (70-68)
The Arizona Diamondbacks' inconsistency at the plate is a big reason they have been unable to open a comfortable lead in the weak NL West.
The division leaders look to bounce back from a lopsided loss when they play the deciding game of their home series with the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday afternoon.
One day after winning 8-6 over St. Louis on Monday, Arizona (70-68) fell 8-2 to the Cardinals for its eighth loss in 11 games. The Diamondbacks now hold a 1 1/2-game lead in the West over the Los Angeles Dodgers, who beat San Diego on Tuesday.
Arizona won't have it easy against St. Louis' Kyle Lohse (13-6, 3.89 ERA), who despite having lost his last three decisions, is trying to match a career high for victories.
Lohse, though, is 0-3 with a 4.60 ERA over his last five outings, but allowed two runs and seven hits while striking out six in eight innings of a 3-2 loss to Houston on Friday in which he failed to earn a decision for the second straight start.
The Diamondbacks counter with Doug Davis (6-8, 4.59), who tries for his second straight win after allowing two runs and eight hits in five innings of a 9-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday.
The left-hander is 4-5 with a 4.81 ERA in 12 starts against St. Louis (75-64), which snapped a four-game losing streak Monday.
Pick: St. Louis - Best line -105 SBG Global
Baltimore Orioles (63-75) at Boston Red Sox (81-57)
Dustin Pedroia is making a strong case to be the AL's MVP, even proving effective as a No. 4 hitter. Not that Daisuke Matsuzaka needs much run support, but Pedroia has been particularly productive for the Boston Red Sox right-hander.
Pedroia may be pressed into cleanup duty again as Matsuzaka looks to win his sixth straight decision when the Red Sox try for a three-game sweep of the lowly Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday.
Boston's Kevin Youkilis, the team's scheduled cleanup hitter, was scratched with back spasms Tuesday night for the middle game of this series. He was replaced by Jeff Bailey at first base, and his status for Wednesday's game is uncertain.
Pedroia ended up hitting cleanup for the third time in four games, and tied a career high with five RBIs to lead the Red Sox (81-57) to a 14-2 rout of the Orioles (63-75). It was Boston's 10th win in 14 games, and cut its deficit in the AL East to four games behind Tampa Bay.
Matsuzaka is 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA in two starts versus the Orioles this season, and 2-1 with a 4.79 ERA in four career starts against them.
Baltimore was set to counter with Jeremy Guthrie - its only effective starter - but he was scratched due to a tired arm. The Orioles will pitch this game by committee, starting with Lance Cormier (2-3, 4.61).
Pick: Boston - Best line -220 SBG Global
I hope the Mets loose- LETS GO PHILS!!
Mets have so many question marks and are tough to figure out when I try to handicap them.
Welcome to the site CozKra.
Go Phillies!