STEVE MERRIL
Screen Shot Thursday
Blue Jays @ Braves — We sometimes see interleague games where one of the starting pitchers previously pitched in the other league for the majority of his career. That’s the case in this game with Marco Estrada who will start for Toronto. Estrada pitched for Washington and Milwaukee, so he’s quite familiar with Atlanta. Estrada has not allowed a run to the Braves in his last two starts against them. Overall, he is 11-8 with a 3.49 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 24 starts this season. I lean Under 8 (-115) in this game.
Astros @ Rangers — This is a rematch of the August 3rd game in Arlington in which the Rangers beat the Astros 12-9. Houston’s Lance McCullers didn’t make it out of the first inning in that game after giving up 6 runs and seven hits. Colby Lewis got the win for Texas, but he was awful while allowing 7 runs and 10 hits in six innings. Prior to that outing, Lewis had dominated the Astros, going 8-1 with a 2.69 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 11 career starts against Houston. I lean with the Rangers (-110) in this game.
Royals @ Indians — Cleveland’s Corey Kluber makes his first start since August 29th as the Indians host the Royals on Thursday night. Kluber has struggled a bit with Kansas City this season, giving up 10 runs and 21 hits in his last three starts against them. Overall, the righty has a 2.80 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 13 home starts this season. Kansas City’s Yordano Ventura is shaky on the road with a 5.15 ERA. Ventura lost his last start in Cleveland back in April after giving up 5 runs and six hits. I like Over 7 (-110).