Number 50 for Giancarlo Stanton! He is the first NL player to hit 50 home runs since Price Fielder in 2007, and we still have a month to play. Giancarlo said his number was 62, it isn’t out of the question but I can’t see him being pitched too that much anymore.
We have a small slate of games today, with a big pitching matchup between the Indians and Yankees.
Low-Scoring Plays
Cleveland Indians @ New York Yankees – Kluber vs. Severino is the pitching matchup of the day. The Yankees have been hot, but they haven’t faced a pitcher like Kluber over this stretch. Severino at home is usually a great play, however today the Indians will get the best of him. I don’t think they will score a ton of runs but they can put up 4 and still win the game off of Klubers arm.
Targets: Kluber, Encarnacion
Miami Marlins @ Washington Nationals – This is another great pitching matchup with Scherzer and Urena. It’s hard not to like Scherzer at home, but the way Stanton is swinging the bat taking Stanton will be a good play. The Nationals haven’t been tearing it up of late, I’m not sure if they are “slumping”-even though they are still winning- or if they are just taking it easy as they know they are headed to the post season and can’t catch the Dodgers for home field. This will be the lowest scoring game of the day and it will come down to who can draw the walks because there won’t be a lot of hits. I like Scherzer at home but also like Stanton.
Targets: Scherzer, Stanton
High-Scoring Plays
Boston Red Sox @ Toronto Blue Jays – The Red Sox have been getting bullied over the last week. None of the pitchers have pitched well since Sale got beat up by the Indians. Pomeranz was fantastic in his last outing but this game is shaping up for him to fall back to his old ways. The Blue Jays can hit home runs and once one goes over the wall, the flood gates will open. The Red Sox need this win big time but they are not a team that I will bet on right now.
Targets: Donaldson, Bautista
Oakland Athletics @ L.A. Angels – Mike Trout was out for with an injury for a while and he still may win the MVP that is how good he is. When he plays well everyone around him plays well. Oakland isn’t playing well this year and they aren’t sending an Ace to the mound. This is shaping up well for the Angels where they can get a win and help them in the play off hunt.
Targets: Trout, Valbuena
Extra Innings
Severino is an interesting play today. Taking Scherzer and Kluber will almost be impossible to do but if you can make it work than I would do it. Lindor is playing great baseball right now and in a yard like Yankee Stadium this game could get out of hand quick. I don’t think it will get out of hand however it easily could.
Stroman gets the call for the Blue Jays who are at home against Boston. Boston hasn’t been playing well, if they lose tonight every started will get beat up in consecutive starts. If you aren’t believing in Boston’s bats right now like me, then taking Stroman will be a great play. Hanley needs to figure out his swing, Farrell should give him some time off to figure it out as they will need him in the play offs.
Check out our MLB Breakdown Spreadsheet and our Pitcher Breakdown Spreadsheet (these picks – all over/unders – are now at 57.2% accuracy since June 30) where you can compare key statistics and numbers for today’s games.