Michael Alexander

Rating: 2 Units

Vargas was not very good last year and he’s fallen off the rails so far this year with a 10.13 ERA and a 2.63 WHIP in his two starts spanning just 5.1 innings. Those numbers don’t include the four runs in his one inning of relief. The Cardinals’ offense is putting up 6.6 runs per game in the last week with an. 897 team OPS. Adam Wainwright makes the start for St. Louis and he has looked revitalized in his last two starts. Facing the Padres and Reds, he allowed three runs in 12 innings with 13 strikeouts and two walks. The Mets have dropped three of their last four games, scoring three runs or fewer three times.

Rating: 2 Units

The Toronto Blue Jays earned their first series win of the season with a 7-4 triumph at Minnesota on Thursday. The Jays scored a total 19 runs as they claimed three of four games. Toronto right-hander Marcus Stroman (0-3, 1.99 ERA) is still be without a win here in 2019, however the right-hander has received just six runs of support in his four starts. The A's hand the ball to Aaron Brooks (2-1, 4.24 ERA) who tossed six scoreless innings in his season debut, but his two outings since have not been quite as sharp. Oakland has played just three games over the last six days, and they didn't play yesterday and are 1-6 in their last seven games following an off day.

Rating: 2 Units

Marquez (2-1, 2.00 ERA) has been a bright spot for Colorado and for the most part he’s been decent vs. Philly throughout his career, going 2-1 with a 3.32 ERA in three career starts, allowing seven runs over 19 innings opposed. Velazquez (0-0, 2.25) is 2-1 with a 5.23 ERA in six career starts vs. the Rockies. However, Philadelphia has won all three games in which he’s pitched so far this season. Consider that Philadelphia is 10-5 (+3.7 units) vs. right-handed starters this year, while Colorado is just 3-7 (-5 units) in the same position.

Rating: 2 Units

The Giants go with veteran Madison Bumgarner (1-2, 3.12 ERA), who most recently earned his first win of the year vs. the Rockies on Saturday, giving up two runs, but walking none and striking out seven over seven innings. Bumgarner has seven career starts vs. the Pirates and he’s posted a very respectable 2.84 ERA. The Pirates counter with Jordan Lyles (1-0, 0.82) who has been fantastic for his new team to open the young season. Last year though he was a pedestrian 3-4 with a 4.11 ERA and in 19 appearances vs. the Giants he owns a ballooned 5.85 ERA.

Rating: 2 Units

The Boston Sox, haven’t showed any character all year and are dealing with a suddenly panicky locker room following their ugly showing in the Bronx earlier in the week.  Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez is no streak stopper right now; roughed up in two of his first three starts, and the bullpen behind him simply cannot be trusted.

Rating: 2 Units

Outside of the friendly confines of the Moda Center (where they are now 34-9), Portland is just 21-20 on the year. OKC swept the regular season series from Portland, 4-0, so they have to be a little stunned at how the first two games of this series have gone. Getting held under 100 pts both times is incredibly disappointing, especially when you consider that hadn't happened to them since a three game stretch in November where they actually won two of the three games! The Blazers not having Nurkic has to be factored in as does the fact they are still just 9-24-2 ATS in the first round of the NBA playoffs.