Cards / Cubs — Earlier start here, which happens at Wrigley. Redbirds limping into Chicago here, having lost three straight games at home. Cubs are not fairing much better as they've gone just 1-5 since the All-Star break and just gave up 21 runs in two games to the Padres. Looks like an early afternoon play here with St. Louis, who will send Joe Kelly to the hill. I like him, despite him coming back from injury. Didn't throw well against Milwaukee, did throw well against the Dodgers.
Dbacks / Phils — Backed the Phils yesterday and got a win. Here we see the Diamondbacks are favored on the road over Philadelphia. Saw a rumor yesterday that the Phils are actively shopping Ryan Howard and are "willing to eat" the majority of the $70 million left on his deal. I'm no GM but if you're willing to do that, nobody wants him there. That has to be spreading inside the clubhouse. Not going to back them here.
Jays / Yanks — I like Kuroda at home. Buehrle is awful against the Yanks. He hasn't beaten them in more than 10 years on the calendar and just has really bad numbers against them. He's pitching much better this time around, but the Blue Jays are cursed when playing at Yankee Stadium. Toronto hasn't won there in 16 straight appearances.
Nats / Reds — Interesting to see Simon as an underdog again here. He was listed as one last time out and the Reds lost in New York. Nats just a single game over the .500 mark but Reds have dumped eight of their last 10 games overall. They're battling some nagging injuries, but the Reds are as well.
Sawks / Rays — Rays are on fire. They're four games under .500 now and have won seven in a row. They've got their horse on the hill with David Price, who is opposing Jon Lester tonight. This could be one of those slobberknocking 2-1 games. Hard to go against the Rays right now, even more so with Price throwing.
Padres / Braves — Fathers hitting the ball well in last two games, but that did come against the Cubs. Braves just lost a series to the Marlins and Brave have been overpriced all season, in my opinion. Padres have Hahn on the mound and could be a real good look from us tonight.
Athletics / Rangers — Jerome Williams is still in the league? Certainly is. He was acquired by Texas after he was released from Houston this season. Can't be a recipe for success here. Texas is unbackable if YU isn't pitching.
NY Mets / Brewers — Brewers are hot right now as well. Winners of four in a row, Milwaukee has built a three-game lead in the NL Central as both Pittsburgh and St. Louis have stumbled a bit. Milwaukee, if they can keep winning, can at least put some distance within them and the pack. Having the Mets in town certainly bodes well for them.
WSox / Twins — Sox are terrible away from home, but won in Minnesota last night against arguably the best Twins starter this season in Phil Hughes. Minnesota is middle of the pack against lefties, while the White Sox are inside the Top 10 hitting for road teams this year — despite being seven games under .500 away from home. Too easy to take the Sox here?
Indians / Royals — Royals won in 14 last night, expect both bullpens to be a bit nicked up. No real feel.
Marlins / Astros — Astros favored here at home. Keuchel is a serviceable lefty, which I like. Think he can pitch a solid contest here tonight. Marlins overachieved in most recent road series by taking three games from Atlanta, might look to take on the Astros here tonight.
Pirates / Rox — Pirates favored on the road in Colorado. Brett Anderson used to be the man but has fallen on hard times via injuries and Oakland just getting better pitching staffs. Charlie Morton is better at home.
Tigers / Angels — Tigers won as dogs with Mad Max on the hill last night. Tonight they have a guy in Smyly on the hill, spinning those off-speed pitches and keeping hitters off balanced the entire game. Backed them last night, probably won't do it again tonight.
Os / Mariners — Expecting King Felix to win tonight. Not paying that price.
Dodgers / Giants — Will be watching this one as a fan, for sure. Love these west coast games with solid pitching. Might have a play later in the day when I take a second look.