The strikeout race between Sale and Scherzer continues as Sale has a 3 strikeout lead and the two of them are 30 strikeouts higher than 3rd place. Both are having an incredible season and will be your starters in the All-Star game. Imagine if the MLB were like the NBA and Kershaw, Scherzer, and Sale went to form a super team. There is no salary cap so it is possible, but think about how good that team would be.
That’s all hypothetical and make believe but what isn’t is our small slate of games today so let’s get to it.
Low-Scoring Plays
Mets @ Nationals – There aren’t many great pitchers taking the mound today. Matz is getting the call for the Mets who is still fresh as he is coming back from injury. He has an ERA below 3, 18 strikeouts and averages 14.3 points per game. It will be a difficult call against the Nationals who have a great line up. Matz would be a great play, however he is going up against Strasburg. We know what Strasburg can do as he has been incredible this year as he is right behind Sale and Scherzer in the strikeout race. Playing at home I like Strasburg to win this one however I think Matz will be a very undervalued play.
Targets: Strasburg, Murphy, Rendon
Red Sox @ Rangers – The Red Sox exploded yesterday for 15 runs on 21 hits. Mookie had an 8 RBI day the first to ever do that from the leadoff spot. The Red Sox should cool off today however I still think they will get the win. They are playing great as they take a 3 game lead over NY for the top spot in the East. One of the biggest disappointments this season for the Red Sox is the lack of quality starts coming from Porcello. Porcello only has 4 wins the same amount of games he lost last year. I’ve said Porcello is a solid 3rd pitcher he will never be the ace of a rotation and I stand by that. However I like him today, the Rangers strike out a lot, if Porcello is able to command his pitches-which he hasn’t done this year- then he should have a great game.
Targets: Porcello, Bogaerts, Pedroia
High-Scoring Plays
Blue Jays @ Yankees – Both teams slug home runs and they are playing in a home run friendly park. The difference is the pitchers. The Blue Jays are throwing Stroman who is actually good, and wouldn’t be a bad pick as the Yankees aren’t clicking on all cylinders right now. On the other side, Tanaka is tossing batting practice and will look to get the win. Bautista should have some bat flips in this one, Donaldson will have a day and the Yankees will sit there confused on how their ace has been this bad this year.
Targets: Bautista, Donaldson, Tulo
Orioles @ Brewers – Another game that features teams that love to hit the home runs. The Orioles have fallen off the grid this year, but I think the Brewers are legit. Shaw is having a career year, Thames has exploded on the scene, and Sogard is having a fantastic year. Stacking Blue Jay players and Brewer players will give you a great line up. Wade Miley has an ERA near 5 and strikes out less than 1 batter per inning. He is 2-6 and this all shapes up well for the Brewers.
Targets: Shaw, Sogard, Thames
Extra-Innings
Strasburg is going to be super highly-owned and the Mets have been swinging the bats well recently. It might be a good idea and go against the tide and take Matz in this game. He’s $4000 cheaper than Strasburg when you break it down is well worth it. Strasburg will put up at most 20 points more than Matz, and that’s is Strasburg has a freak game which is very possible. But that is 2 players putting up 10 points which is possible with the players you can take from saving the money when taking Matz. If you take Strasburg-Porcello that leaves you with $3738 per player. If you side with Matz-Porcello that leaves you with $4212 per player. Your catcher won’t cost that much- if you stay away from the top 3 or 4- and that will leave you with even more per player. $4212 is a nice chunk of change for a player that can easily put up 10 points and make up the difference for taking Matz. You will have the same amount of points and a player that is less highly owned.