The NL Central and NL Wild Card races are the best thing about baseball, and I’ve been saying it for weeks. With a Cardinals win and a Cubs loss, they have swapped spots, and now Chicago fights to hold on to the final Wild Card spot against Philadelphia. We take a look at the odds care of Bovada once again.
The Cubs (-1.5 +105 RL, -145 ML) were absolutely battered by the Phillies (+1.5 -125 RL, +125 ML) on Wednesday, losing 11-1. Philly will be looking to finish a sweep of the series with Drew Smyly (2-6, 6.96 ERA) on the mound. The Cubs are favored by the line with Yu Darvish (4-6, 4.43 ERA) closing out for them. A Phillies win would bring them within a game of taking the Cubs playoff spot away, but I don’t expect that to happen. Look for the Cubs to bounce back here and win big, with the over (O/U 9.5).
Should they lose though, the Mets (+1.5 -165 RL, +107 ML) will be hoping to come within 2 games by hopefully beating the Braves (-1.5 +145 RL, -127 ML). Their odds look good with Marcus Stroman (6-11, 3.20 ERA) taking the mound, as he’s had an incredible career against the Braves. Atlanta will counter with Julio Teheran (7-7, 3.35) has been terrific as of late though, so he won’t make it easy for New York. I like the Mets to win all the same, so take them and the under (O/U 10.0).
Finally, the Cardinals (+1.5 -140 RL, +138 ML) will hope to hang on to their newly won divisional lead against the Cincinnati Reds (-1.5 +120 RL, -158 ML). Sonny Gray (7-6, 3.10 ERA) gets the start for the Reds, and he’s the reason the Cardinals are favored to lose, as he’s got a better record and a better recent history than Michael Wacha (6-5, 5.54 ERA). Still, don’t count out the Cardinals completely as they’ve got a winning record against the Reds. I like the Reds to win the ML here with the under. (O/U 9.5)
Tonin’s record yesterday: 3-5
Tonin’s record this season: 66-52
