St. Louis Cardinals (44-39, 2nd NL Central) at Atlanta Braves (48-34, 2nd NL East)
The defending World Series Champions are trying to catch the New York Mets in the NL East division but New York has shown no signs of slowing down. Atlanta is favored in this one at -175 and come in as winners of four of their last five. St. Louis is trending the other way, dropping their last three but Miles Mikolas (5-6, 2.61 ERA) gets the ball and looks to end that losing streak. Atlanta turns to Max Fried (8-2, 2.66 ERA), who’s been one of the best pitchers in baseball and needs to be in the Cy Young conversation. Atlanta’s offense has been lacking, as they hope that Ronald Acuna Jr. finds his stride. Atlanta has also played well at home, playing to a 26-17 record.
Texas Rangers (37-42, 3rd AL West) at Baltimore Orioles (38-44, 5th AL East)
If Baltimore played in a different division, they’d probably have a better record and not in last place in the division. Since June 11, Baltimore has won 13 of 22 games. The New York Yankees, Houston Astros, and Boston Red Sox, are the only teams with better records in that span, in the American League. Texas comes in, struggling, losers of their last three and will send Glenn Otto (4-4, 5.63 ERA) to the mound. Baltimore counters with Spenser Watkins (1-1, 4.61 ERA). Despite Baltimore’s three game win streak and Texas’ three game losing streak, Texas is favored at -115.
Washington Nationals (29-54, 5th NL East) at Philadelphia Phillies (43-38, 3rd NL East)
When Josiah Gray (6-5, 4.22 ERA) takes the ball for Washington, the question is never about if he’ll pitch well but rather if the offense can score. Tonight’s game is no different, as the Washington offense will have to face Aaron Nola (5-5, 3.13 ERA) for Philadelphia. Nola has been decent this year and Philadelphia comes in with four wins in their last five games, making them the favorite at -210. Gray pitched poorly last time out but every time he’s pitched poorly this year, he’s rebounded, throwing well the next game. He’ll have his hands full with this Philadelphia offense but Philadelphia is just 23-30 as the favorite this year. They’ve also been pedestrian at home, playing to a 23-20 record. Philadelphia is clearly the better team but taking a flyer on Gray is the pick.
