Joe D’Amico

Baltimore Orioles.

GRAND SLAM PLAY.

Game 961.

5:05 PM PST/8:05 PM EST.

Baseball is about situations and matchups. Granted, in a game between a fifth-place team and the fourth-place team, you wouldn't expect too many heads to turn. But I really like this match up here today. The Orioles have taken six of the last 10 meetings against the Rangers. They enter this matchup possessing a stronger lineup. Granted, the Texas pitching staff is one of the best in the big leagues right now. But the Rangers are averaging just 3.67 runs per game, and do not have one of their best pitchers on the mound. Baltimore will send Trevor Rogers, while Texas has Patrick Corbin on the hill. Rogers is 1-0, with a 1.62 ERA on the campaign, and in three career starts against the Rangers, he is 1-1, with a 2.66 ERA. Corbin is 4-7, with a 4.24 ERA this season, while possessing a 1-6 record, with a 5.57 ERA in 10 lifetime appearances, which includes nine starts against Baltimore. He also comes off a very poor outing, while Rogers has looked very sharp in his last several turns. Take the Orioles. Thank you.

New York Yankees.

HOME RUN PLAY.

Game 957.

4:05 PM PST/7:05 PM EST.

With just weeks away from the All-Star Break, the New York Yankees, who own a 1.5-game lead in the competitive American League East, need to start winning again. They have taken a step in the right direction, winning three of their last four outings. Their offense exploded just yesterday at home in a 12-5 win over the Athletics. With Aaron Judge belting two home runs, I feel him and the rest of the fourth-ranked scoring off of New York, will absolutely light up the scoreboard today. They have dominated Toronto, taking six of the last nine meetings, which does include two of three this season. The Blue Jays have split their last 10 outings, and enter this matchup possessing a middle of the road offense, and one of the poorest pitching staffs in baseball. Speaking of which, today starters are scheduled to be Carlos Rodon and Max Scherzer. The Yankees left-hander is 9-5, with a 2.92 ERA on the campaign, and coming off a six-inning scoreless start in a no decision last Tuesday against the Reds. The Toronto right-hander is 0-0, with 5.62 ERA on the campaign, will make his third start of the season, and his second since returning from a thumb issue. With the Yankees bats starting to come alive, I feel Scherzer will be in trouble here, especially not yet being in full form. Take New York. Thank you.

Houston Astros.

LATE BAILOUT.

Game 927.

5:40 PM PST/8:40 PM EST.

In my opinion, the line is way off in this matchup. Granted, laying this much wood is not something I do on a regular basis in baseball. But a win is a win is a win, my friends. The AL West's best team takes it on the road to face the NL West’s worst team. As a matter of fact, the Colorado Rockies own the worst record in all of baseball at 19-65, which does include a dismal home record of 8-32. Houston has dominated Colorado, taking nine of the last 10 meetings with authority. They also enter this matchup heating up, winning seven of their last nine overall outings. Their lineup averages significantly more runs, while their pitching staff ranks fifth in the Majors, compared to the Rockies staff, which ranks 30th. Colton Gordon and Chase Dollander are scheduled. There's no question the Astros left-hander has been stronger, and more consistent than the Rockies right-hander. The line might be a little high. But I think it should be even higher. So, we're gonna’ take advantage of it here, and beat the bookmakers. Take Houston. Thank you.

Philadelphia Phillies.

GRAND SLAM.

Game 902.

3:30 PM PST/6:30 PM EST.

Momentum plays a big part in the second half of the regular season. So, going into the All-Star Break with steam really counts. The Philadelphia Phillies have taken control of the NL East division, leading the New York Mets by two full games, with a record of 50-35. They have dominated the San Diego Padres, taking eight of the last 10 meetings, which does include the series opener yesterday by a score of 4-0. Speaking of the Padres, their offense has been struggling, accounting for just three combined runs in three of their last four outings, coincidentally enough resulting in three losses in those four contests. San Diego sends right-hander Pivetta to the mound, while Philadelphia has left-hander Sanchez throwing. The Padres starter is 8-2, with a 3.36 ERA on the season. Those are some respectable numbers, my friends. However, in two starts against today's opponent over his career, he is 0-1 with a whopping ERA of 9.00. The Philadelphia hurler in five starts last month, had an anemic ERA of 1.85, and in two lifetime starts against today's opponent, he is 1-1 with a very solid ERA of 3.00. San Diego is not the greatest road team, and they face one of the best home teams in baseball here today. Take Philadelphia. Thank you.

New York Yankees.

EARLY WINNER.

Game 909.

12:05 PM PST/3:05 PM EST.

As we approach the midway point of the regular season, the Yankees are still clinging on to the top spot in American League East, at 48-36, with a 1.5-game cushion. They need to start putting wins up, for sure. Although the Blue Jays took the series-opener yesterday, New York has still had their way with them, taking six of the previous nine meetings. I feel they bounce back today with a stronger starter on the mound. For New York, Max Fried gets the nod on the road. The left-hander is 10-2 with a 1.92 ERA this season as a team has won 13 of his 17 stars. In four career skirts against Toronto, he is 3-0 with a 0.72 ERA. Taking the mound at home is Kevin Gausman, who owns a 6-6 record this season with a 4.21 ERA on the campaign. He took a loss to fried back on April 27 to bring his career record against the Yankees to 10-10 with a 3.88 ERA. I feel New York's batch come alive here and get them a well needed victory. Thank the Yankees. Thank you.

Minnesota Lynx.

NO LIMIT.

Game 632.

5:00 PM PST/8:00PM EST.

While Indiana is scratching to stay at .500 (8-8), they have won six of their last 10 games straight up. But when it comes to facing Minnesota, most teams in the WNBA fall short. This includes the Fever. The Lynx took the two most recent meetings between these two teams, back in August and September of last season, each by 10-points. By the way, they covered both of those games as well. This season, Minnesota possesses the best overall record in the WNBA at 14-2, which includes a perfect home mark of 8-0. As a matter of fact, they have covered five straight contests at the Target Center. They own the league’s second-best scoring offense, and its best scoring defense. This is a team that could frustrate any opponent defensively, yielding just 74.2-points per game. Minnesota will get another win, and for us, another cover. Take the Lynx. Thank you.