The Washington Nationals are officially back. Max Scherzer threw a great game in his first game back and Jason Werth hit a bomb in his first game back as well. Next the Nationals will get the Turner back and then Bryce Harper. Although coming back from injuries, their players will be well rested. They have to get out of the NLDS this year and they are about the only team has a shot to take down the Dodgers.
We have a full slate of games today so let’s get to it.
Low-Scoring Plays
Boston Red Sox @ Toronto Blue Jays – Chris Sale gets the call today for the Boston Red Sox who was not good in his last outing. This is the time of the year where he falls apart and doesn’t become the top pitcher. Kluber pitched another great game last night as he shut down the Yankees powerful lineup. Kluber could sneak up on Sale for the Cy Young if he doesn’t get it together. The Jays strike out a ton and I feel like this is a different year for Sale and expect him to come back big in this game.
Targets: Sale, Devers, Nunez
Seattle Mariners @ Baltimore Orioles – Baltimore has been hot continuing their play off push. Today they look for their 6th win a row, and will get it with Bundy on the mound. Bundy has been great in August, pitches better at night and better at home. Bundy is pitching here in August at night and at home, which makes him my number 1 pitcher on the day.
Targets: Bundy, Machado
High-Scoring Plays
Tampa Rays @ Kansas City Royals – The Kansas City Royals have not scored in over 40 innings. The Royals started out bad, looked to be sellers. They didn’t sell climbed back into this race and now are searching for answers. This is the Royals team that won the World Series two years ago and could be the end of the core group of guys on this team. I like them to bounce back tonight, they can’t be shut out again, that just isn’t how baseball works.
Targets: Moustakas, Gordon, Escobar
Miami Marlins @ Washington Nationals – Neither team is sending an ace to the mound in this game so it could be a blood bath. I don’t think the Nationals will pitch to Stanton but he is too good of a hitter to pitched around. Stanton is a play that I love if you can afford him. Werth is another great play we saw him hit a bomb last night and is well rested. Don’t take either pitcher, take Stanton and look to string together a couple of Nationals.
Targets: Stanton, Werth, Rendon
Undervalued Plays
Hosmer-KC-1B- Hosmer isn’t cheap, but I would call him under-valued today. He is $4400 batting .318, with 21 home runs. The Royals are due for a big game and Hosmer will come into play here. Hosmer is my lock for the first base today.
Odor-TEX-2B- Odor is not hitting for average, which is why his price is where it is this season. However we know Odor, has power and can be a threat. There is some bad blood between Houston and Texas right now, look for this series to get heated and Odor to have a monster game.
Longoria-TB-3B- Longoria is having a decent year on the back 9 of his career. Kanas City is slumping right now and I like them to score today. However Tampa won’t be shut out, Longoria will be a terrific play if you need a solid third baseman for a cheaper rate.
Judge-NYY-OF-Judge was taken out of the lineup yesterday and it was rumored he has a hurt shoulder. He is young player and some time off can be good. You’ve seen John Farrell do this in Boston with JBJ, Benintendi, and Bogaerts. It’s a good move by Girardi, and if he is in the linup, take him.
Check out our MLB Breakdown Spreadsheet and our Pitcher Breakdown Spreadsheet (these picks – all over/unders – are now at 57.6% accuracy since June 30) where you can compare key statistics and numbers for today’s games.