New York Mets (50-30, 1st NL East) at Cincinnati Reds (27-52, 5th NL Central)
New York has reached 50 wins and are the heavy favorites in this one at -210. This is a big game for New York, as it is the return of pitcher Max Scherzer (5-1, 2.54 ERA). Scherzer hasn’t pitched in almost two months, missing time with an oblique strain. Cincinnati counters with lefty Nick Lodolo (1-2, 5.52 ERA). Don’t expect Scherzer to go deep into the game but he doesn’t face a major challenge with the Cincinnati offense, which is one of the worst in the league.
New York Yankees (58-22, 1st AL East) at Pittsburgh Pirates (32-47, 3rd NL Central)
Pittsburgh has surprisingly overachieved this year, sitting in third in the NL Central. While the NL Central isn’t great, they are still playing better than most thought. Pittsburgh will send out Jose Quintana (1-4, 3.43 ERA) New York has been one of the best teams in the league and will send out Jameson Taillon (9-1, 3.32 ERA). Taillon will go for his 10th win against his former team and New York is favored at -180. There’s surprising value in New York, as they are arguably the best team in baseball. While Pittsburgh hasn’t been terrible, their competition hasn’t been the best. Each team has won three of their last five but Pittsburgh is nowhere near the level that New York is playing at right now.
Tampa Bay Rays (43-37, 4th AL East) at Boston Red Sox (45-35, 2nd AL East)
Not much is separating these two AL East rivals but Boston is favored at -125. Tampa Bay sends out Jeffrey Springs (3-2, 2.25 ERA) and Nick Pivetta (8-5, 3.23 ERA) gets the ball for Boston. Springs started as a reliever but has made a successful transition to a starter. Tampa Bay won all five games that Springs pitched in during the month of June. Boston has been a really good hitting team this year but the pitching hasn’t matched. Boston looks to continue a five game home win streak as Tampa Bay has won three of their last five, including a series win against the Toronto Blue Jays.
