21
AUG
2020

MLB 8/20

comment : Off

1-2 last night with a winner on the Twins and losers on the Astros/Rockies 1st 5 under and my Mariners big dog fade Kershaw play. No need to sugarcoat or dance around things, this has been a garbage week. As we move to the weekend I’ll try to do a little damage control. No complete write ups but here’s what I’ve got tonight with a few quick thoughts on each play…

White Sox/Cubs Ov 9.5 (-110): Not going to pass on an over with these two soft tossing left handers. Keuchel and Lester have both had very nice careers but both are also in my opinion well past their primes. The ERA’s are fine now but don’t be fooled. Keuchel 4.91 K/9 and Lester at 5.48 more meaningful to me. Hard to continue having success while missing so few bats. Two solid lineups should be able to capitalize. White Sox #1 lineup in baseball vs. lefties this season.

1st 5 Innings Brewers/Pirates Un 4.5 (-110): Houser and Kuhl both have their appeal but neither is anything special, this one is more of a fade of the offenses. Coming into today the Brewers and Pirates rank 29th and 30th respectively in wRC+ against right handed pitching. Not going to mess with the bullpens. Hader usage been weird this year and don’t want to sweat that.

Twins (-141): The numbers don’t show it yet this season but this Twins lineup should be very tough on lefties. I don’t totally buy into the Duffy resurgence and he’s always been an extreme flyball pitcher. That’s trouble against a team as HR happy as the Twins are. Odorizzi ERA over 5 but I’m not worried. Velo is still there, and +10 K/9 in his last 165 innings. He should be fine.

1st 5 Innings Rangers/Mariners Un 5 (-125): Similar story to the Brewers/Pirates under. Allard and Margevicious are both very mediocre but lucky for them also both left handed, and against these lineups that should be good enough. The Rangers check in 26th in baseball in wRC+ against lefties and the Mariners are even worse at 30th. Will take my chances.

About the Author