TEX @ OAK
This is a totally meaningless game. Both teams are well out of playoff contention. That said, the game still presents us with one clear mismatch and that is the starting pitching matchup. Nathan Eovaldi is still and has for quite a while been a quality MLB starting pitcher. He is coming off one the worst performances of the season, in which he gave up a season high of 7runs and 11 hits. His 1.13 WHIP and 3.96 ERA are still OK, with a fine 154/38 K/BB ratio over 156.2 innings in his 27 starts. Inm his last start, Mitch Spence picked up his first win since July 27. Spence posted a mediocre 1.45 WHIP and 4.01 ERA during that eight-start winless streak, with a 35/13 K/BB ratio over those 42.2 innings.
Pick – TEX 1st 5 ML in a side bet
SD @ LAD
The Dodgers eads the Padres by 3 games in the NL West with 6 games left to play, while the Padres hold to top spot in the NL wild card race. This series matters to bother teams.
The Dodgers average close to a half a run more per game than the Padres, with a 10-point better wOBA and a 5-point better wRC+, but since the AS break the Padres bullpen has been better than the Dodgers pen. That brings us to the two starting pitchers. Michael King has now given up 2 earned runs or fewer in each of his last seven starts. For the season, he owns a 3.04 ERA, which ranks 8th among qualified MLB starters and 4th in the NL. Landon Knack struggled mightily two starts ago, giving up 5 runs in just two innings against the Braves, but he bounced back with an excellent performance Wednesday, racking up 7 Ks while limiting the Marlins to just 2 hits (both singles). King has been the better starting pitcher this season.
On paper, the Dodgers are probably the better team, but I’m not convinced. Their performance this season as just been too damned flaky for me. The Padres are a very good team and they know they need a sweep to catch the Dodgers. I say that they get the first one tonight.
Pick – SD 1st 5 and full game MLs in a couple of side bets