STEVE MERRIL
Screen Shot Tuesday
Cubs @ Pirates (Game One) — Pittsburgh’s Gerrit Cole will get his third look at the Cubs; his first at home. In 12 innings this season, he has held the Cubs to 2 earned runs and 10 hits while striking out 16 and only walking 2. Overall, Cole is 6-1 with a 2.93 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in seven career starts against Chicago. I lean to the Pirates (-165) in Game One of the doubleheader.
Jays @ Braves — Atlanta’s Julio Teheran is 7-2 with a 3.24 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 14 home starts this season. He has allowed just 2 runs and nine hits in his last two road starts, but he has given up 8 runs and nine hits in his last home outings. Teheran was shelled by the Blue Jays in Toronto back in April; he gave up 5 runs and seven hits in five innings of work. Toronto (-170) is the only way I’d play this game.
Angels @ Mariners — Seattle’s Felix Hernandez is 3-0 with a 0.67 ERA in four starts against the Angels this year. He’s in good current form right now with a 1.88 ERA in his last three starts. King Felix has had his issues with Mike Trout (21-61, 3 HR), but not Albert Pujols (10-48, 13 K’s). I lean Under 7 (-115) in this game.
Astros @ Rangers — Collin McHugh has never lost to the Rangers in their three career outings. Two of those games came earlier this season; he allowed 2 runs and 16 hits in 12 innings of work. Overall, McHugh is 16-7 with a 3.68 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 28 starts for Houston. Texas’ Derek Holland is coming off his worst start of the season in Seattle; he gave up 5 runs on 9 hits in 7 innings of work. Holland should bounce back with a much better effort, so I like Under 8.5 (+100) in this game.