It’s the last weekend of baseball before the MLB trade deadline. These teams might look very different come next week so let’s capitalize while we still know who’s playing where. Today’s Pick Em slip includes Braxton Garrett, Austin Riley, Nick Castellanos, and Max Scherzer.
Tonight’s Picks:
Detroit Tigers @ Miami Marlins (6:40 ET)
Reese Olson (1-4, 4.53) vs. Braxton Garrett (5-3, 4.32)
The last few outings have been rough for Braxton Garrett, but there’s no better team to face in a get-right game than Detroit. The Tigers struggle mightily against left-handed pitching, limping into tonight’s action with a .238 BA and a bottom-10 ranked strikeout rate. Friday will be a prime opportunity for Garrett to go at least 5 innings.
16 OUTS (MORE)
Milwaukee Brewers @ Atlanta Braves (7:20 ET)
Adrian Houser (3-2, 3.86) vs. Yonny Chirinos (4-4, 4.02)
Austin Riley has been one of the hottest hitters in the National League this 2nd half (T1 in Home Runs – 6). His recent power has left opposing pitchers discouraged, which should be the case again tonight vs the right-hander Adrian Houser. Riley has had major success off Houser, flexing a .485 BA and 1.182 OPS. With Riley leading the charge, I expect the Braves to bounce back tonight.
1.5 TOTAL BASES (MORE)
Philadelphia Phillies @ Pittsburgh Pirates (7:05 ET)
Zack Wheeler (7-5, 3.88) vs. Mitch Keller (9-6, 4.01)
If Austin Riley is lava, then Nick Castellanos is dry ice. The Phillies’ outfielder can’t seem to locate the baseball in this very forgettable July. He staggers into Friday night averaging over a strikeout per game and only 15 hits in his last 85 ABs. A tragic news story might be the only thing to save Castellanos’ batting average tonight…
1 BATTER Ks (MORE)
Washington Nationals @ New York Mets (7:10 ET)
Mackenzie Gore (6-7, 4.37) vs. Max Scherzer (8-4, 4.20)
The dominant Max Scherzer is a hot Pick Em choice tonight, but I sense a regression coming. The Washington Nationals are extremely disciplined batters, boasting the league’s 2nd best strikeout rate. Scherzer has also failed to reach 18+ outs in six of his last seven starts. If the Nationals are patient with Scherzer, he’s likely to tire himself out before reaching the seventh inning.
18.5 OUTS (LESS)
FULL SLIP:
