Play on Game #979 San Fran Giants (+1.5 runs) with Heston (8:05 PM EST)
Sure we have to lay some juice in this game, but the Giants are a very strong play tonight. They will have Heston on the mound who has a 1.15 WHIP this season. He has won his last 3 starts and finished July with a 1.57 ERA. Heston made an interleague start earlier this season @ Houston and threw a complete game as the Giants won 8-1. I give Heston the edge in this game also as none of the Rangers hitters have ever faced him.
Cole Hamels will make his debut for Texas but unfortunately it is against the Giants who are collectively hitting .353 vs. him and he has a 4.21 career ERA vs. the Giants. Hamles is coming off a 129 pitch, no hitter, giving us more reason to fade him tonight. He faced the Giants earlier this season and got shelled for 12 hits and 9 runs. Hamels has allowed 5 ER or more now in 4 of his last 8 starts.
I will also note that Texas has the worst bullpen in the majors with a 4.67 ERA and they have 11 blow saves on the season. The Giants are hitting .272 on the season vs. left handed starters which gives us more confidence for this game.
Now, this is why I want to take the +1.5 runs in this game. While the Giants have a great chance of winning this game straight up, they are a MLB BEST 23-7 (76.7%) as a road underdog (+1.5) this season. The Rangers have only been favored in 15 home games this season and they are only 4-11 (26.7%) laying the -1.5. Texas won last night and covered and percentages are on our side tonight. San Fran is 13-3 in their L16 games and playing good baseball last night. Take the +1.5 runs tonight!