Rays vs Nationals Run Line
Later this evening, these two teams will meet for the first time this season. Pitching for the Nationals will be Jon Lester (0-2, 4.37 ERA). For the Rays, Tyler Glasnow (4-2, 2.69 ERA) gets the nod. Looking at the pitching matchup, Tampa Bay has a clear advantage. Although Glasnow has been a bit prone to the longball lately (eight home runs surrendered in his last six starts), I believe he will have his way against a Nationals team with a team 92 wRC+ this season. The Nationals team total of 55 home runs ranks near the bottom of MLB at 26th. Home runs should not be an issue for Glasnow tonight.
The Rays’ offense has a 103 wRC+ this year. They will get to face Lester, who has been nothing more than okay in his seven starts. With an advantage in both hitting and pitching in this matchup, I believe the Rays will win this game easily.
Pick: Rays -1.5 ( +102, DK)
Athletics vs Diamondbacks Run Line
Plain and simple, the Athletics are the better ballclub in this matchup. They have the better starting pitcher tonight in Chris Bassitt (5-2, 3.53 ERA). Although they lost 3-1 to the Rockies on Sunday, the A’s had previously won their four games before that, all by double digits.
The Diamondbacks have lost five straight games, all by multiple runs. I get that baseball is unpredictable and one might say that they are due for a win. I am not that person. With Jon Duplantier (0-1, 9.35 ERA) starting for them tonight, I don’t see a world where the A’s don’t win this game by multiple runs. Duplantier has been rough in his two starts this season allowing nine earned runs over 8.2 innings. He has also given up four home runs. Even if Bassitt runs into some trouble at some point, the A’s offense should be more than able to dig the team out.
Pick: Athletics -1.5 (-107, DK)
Padres O/U 4.5 Runs
Before last night’s nine-run outburst, the Padres had not scored five or more runs in each of their previous seven games. Tonight against the Cubs, they will face soft-tossing right-hander Zach Davies (2-3, 4.94 ERA). After an abysmal April in which he had a 9.47 ERA over five starts, Davies was excellent in May. His ERA that month was 1.72 in six starts. In his last start against the Giants though, Davies struggled again lasting just 4.1 innings while allowing four earned runs.
Tonight, Davies will have the opportunity for revenge in his first outing against his former team this year. On one hand, I think it’s possible for a bounce-back start after a rough outing the start before. Besides last night, the Padres offense has not been good as of late. On the other hand, I just don’t think Davies is that good. The Padres offense is due. Last night was the beginning of a hot streak. The Padres will be able to score some runs tonight as well.
Pick: Padres over 4.5 runs (+104, DK)
Nathan Hursh Overall Record: (18-35-1)
Net Money (assuming all wagers are $100): –$1,728.61
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)