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The Tampa Rays fell out of the Wild Card, albeit briefly, last week as the Athletics got hit and the Indians stayed hot. Well, now it’s the Rays turn to get hot as they’ve won five straight games and are now the top Wild Card in the American League. The Indians are in the second Wild Card spot with just a one-game lead over the Athletics. These teams are close in the win category and very close in the run differential category as well. The Athletics are the best of the bunch at +117 so it will be interesting to see how that plays out.
In the National League, the Cubs/Cardinals and Nationals have gotten some breathing room in the Wild Card. The Mets and Brewers are now four games back while the Phillies and Diamondbacks are now 3.5 games back. We were thinking of tiebreaker scenarios a month ago, but now it seems like the Cubs and Nationals are safe. The Phillies and Brewers may have something to say about that, but those teams are running out of time to turn it on.
MLB Betting Tips:
New York Mets at Washington Nationals: This should be a fun match-up as Jacob deGrom goes for the Mets against Max Scherzer. These have been the last two Cy Young winners and are two of the very best pitchers in the National League.
That said, Max is better. He strikes out more opponents, he walks less people, and he has the lower ERA/FIP. Not only that, but I like his match-up much better. The Mets offense has been struggling of late as the team has tumbled down the standings.
On the other hand, the Nationals offense has been hot of late and the team is playing some of their best baseball of the season. I think this is a great chance to bet on a pitcher like Scherzer at a price that is affordable.
Houston Astros at Milwaukee Brewers: The Brewers did their best against the Astros last night as they were able to tie the game up in the bottom of the ninth, but the Astros were able to take it in extras. Tonight, it’s an even tougher match-up and I don’t love their chances.
Zack Greinke goes for the Astros and he’s been his classic, awesome self this season. He has a 2.99 ERA/3.39 FIP on the year and is facing a Brewers offense that has been very cold of late. Greinke used to pitch here so he knows the park well.
The Brewers send Jordan Lyles who has been good for them this year, but the Astros are a scary offense. They have a 122 wRC+ on the season against right handed pitchers, one of the very best in all of baseball, and Lyles doesn’t really have the stuff to stop him. He has a 4.55 ERA/4.73 FIP on the season. This line is a lot lower than I expected it to be as the Astros are the far better team in this match-up.
