Will Rogers

KC (Lynch) vs Jays (Stripling)

After struggling in his first visit to the Bigs in May, Daniel Lynch returned with a monster start, throwing 8 innings in a 6-1 win. Well, that was against Detroit. Now he faces the mighty Jays’ bats and their somewhat rebuilt bullpen. The Jays, warmed up after a 13-1 thumping of the Red Sox, can struggle against a new fresh face, but if you look at Lynch’s Triple A stats, 8 innings of 1 run ball is not the norm. His minor league Omaha ERA and WHIP were not pretty. Often, after the first Cinderella start, the Adrenalin subsides and the real pitcher emerges. And let us not forget a few things, like KC’s road underdog record (5-12) or their record against right-handers (29-42). Can anyone remember Jay’s wunderkind Alek Manoah’s second start, a very similar situation? I can, because I bet on it, and lost my shirt! This time around, I expect the Jays will have their way will Lynch in a vital game for their wild card run. Take Toronto – 1 ½.

La Dodgers (Gonsolin) vs Arizona Diamondbacks (Gallen)

It is hard to imagine two teams with less in common than the Diamondbacks and the Dodgers at this moment. The Dodgers have just completed a massive trade with a look to another pennant race. The Diamondbacks are just sitting and waiting for the ax to fall. On the mound for the Dodgers is a fine young starter, Tony Gonsolin(1-1, 2.32). He beat the DB’s the last time he faced them, allowing 1 ER over 4 innings. Dodgers are 6-2 with him pitching, and his starts are getting longer in duration. In his last start against the Rockies, he pitched into the sixth, allowing 0 ER.

Righty Zac Gallen (1-5, 4.79) gets less support than Marcus Stroman! Arizona is a lowly 2-9 with him on the hill. He hasn’t pitched as badly as his record but does have some control issues.

Off a 5-zip win against the rival Giants, the Dodgers must be buoyed up with all of the additions, not to mention the return of Crawford and Seager. Their pen did have some struggles, but must be thrilled with the addition of two new starters, and has returned to form of late. Of note, they are 62-40 as a favorite, and strong vs right-handers. About all that can be said positively about the Diamondbacks is that they did sweep the Pirates, and their underachieving bullpen has been slightly better of late. Against right-handed starters, they are 26-52, at home they are 19-30 and, here is an odd stat, on Fridays they are only 2-15!

Of course the Dodgers are a large favorite, but the spread is palatable. I’m wagering on the Dodgers -1.5. 

Oakland A’s (Bassit) vs LA Angels (Sandoval)

The last time these two teams met, the A’s, at home, took two of two against the Angels, holding them to 1 ER. Since then, the A’s have added two key pieces to help them down the stretch. The Angels can’t decide whether to play or fold, but Thursday’s result may help to clarify as the deadline approaches. With Seattle drawing closer to Oakland this series is critical for the A’s. As for LA, it is pretty clear that they are going nowhere this season.

It is Chris Bassit (10-3, 3.46) pitching for Oakland. The A’s are 14-7 with him on the mound. Bassit has given wins and innings this season, although his July ERA (5.40) might raise some eyebrows.

Sandoval is on the mound for the Angels. The leftie has a 2.93 ERA in July and has been sharp in his last three starts although his record does not reflect this. In those three games, he has pitched 7 or better innings, giving up seven runs.

Oakland has just added another piece to its bullpen, which was already very good. The pen has been razor sharp of late. The Angels‘ relief corp is very much a one trick pony, and has not been impressive in their last 7 games.

The A’s have owned the Angels this season and have everything to play for. The Angels? It is probably a low moment for them. I like both starters. Sandoval in particular has been impressive lately. I feel that the Total is the way to go in this game. Take the A’s and Angels to go under!

KC (Minor) vs BlueJays (Menoah)

After a long stretch of hapless baseball, the Royals have turned things around. They took 3 of 4 against the White Sox, swept Detroit, and took both games vs. Milwaukee in their last 3 series. The majority of these wins were at home. With the loss of Duffy and Soler at the trade deadline, a significant chunk out of their offense and starting pitching, is it even conceivable that KC can make a run for a wildcard spot now?

The Jays are a number of games out and in a much tougher division, but have gone all in at the trade deadline, buoying up their starting pitching and adding significantly to their bullpen in the last days and weeks. They are obviously in a win now mode.

It is a bit of an up-in-the-air match up on Saturday. Minor for the Royals (8-8, 5.33) has had some indifferent stretches this season, but his last two starts have been excellent; 6 innings per start, allowing 1 and 2 earned runs respectively.

Manoah, the Jays’ highly touted rookie right-hander struggled his last outing but was lights out in his two previous starts. Of the first 8 starts in his career, 5 have been of excellent quality. He is just off the ten day disabled list in time for Saturday’s start.

It would appear that Toronto has made great strides in improving their bullpen, which has been a large stumbling block this season. Their bullpen is showing the results of this improvement in the last few games. They are finally back to a “real” home stadium in Toronto; a point to consider.

Kansas city’s bullpen has been slightly better of late. They have a poor road record, and have been very poor vs right handed pitching.

I am wagering that Manoah will be back in form. Noting KC’s struggles on the road and vs. right-handers, I believe that the Jays’ big bats will be too much for Minor. Take the Jays -1.5 today.