With the Mets and Brewers losing on Tuesday, the Cardinals finally have a little bit of breathing room in the National League wild card race. There’s still 40 or so games left in the season though, so the race is far from over. We continue to look at the playoff picture, thanks to odds from Bovada.
The Mets (+1.5 -155 RL, +114 ML) are hoping to bounce back after a loss to the Braves (-1.5 +135, -134 ML) on Tuesday. Steven Matz (7-7, 4.49 ERA), who’s been performing well lately, will lead New York against Dallas Keuchel (3-5, 4.83 ERA), who has struggled lately, giving up three straight losses. Despite the total line, I expect this to be a real pitcher’s duel, but I still like the Mets to win, so take them and the under (O/U 10.0).
Also looking to stay in the race are the Brewers (-1.5 +170 RL, -111 ML), who hope to even up their series against the Twins (+1.5 -200 RL, -109 ML). Gio Gonzalez (2-1, 3.20 ERA) doesn’t have a great career record against Minnesota, going 3-3 with a 6.56 ERA against them. He faces Kyle Gibson (11-5, 4.24 ERA), who is coming off a loss of his own and owns a 5.70 ERA against the Brewers. I think the Twins will pick up another win here to defend their AL Central division lead against the charging Indians. Pick them and the over (O/U 9.5).
Finally, the Battle of the Bay continues as Oakland (-1.5 +140 RL, -123 ML) tries to claw at the Rays AL Wild Card lead against the Giants (+1.5 -160 RL, -160 ML), who sit only 3.5 games back from the Cardinals. This is another picture of two struggling starters, with the A’s starting Homer Bailey (9-8, 5.54 ERA) against the Giants’ Tyler Beede (3-6, 5.61 ERA). Beede looks like the slightly stronger candidate to stay in the rotation based on his recent starts, but that’s not saying much. Pick the Giants and the over here (O/U 8.5).
Tonin’s record yesterday: 7-2
Tonin’s record this season: 63-47
