Coach Fletcher’s Friday Scouting Edge
Pirates going for Home Field Edge Versus Cubs
4:05 pm Reds at Pirates
This should be a relatively easy one for the Pirates. One of my favorite go-against guys in on the hill for the Reds. Keyvius Sampson is 2-6 with a 6.46 era. He’s 0-5 over his last 8 starts and was belted in his abbreviated 2 2/3 inning performance Sunday. The Reds pen is tired and they may just leave him in to take his punishment like a man. Sampson’s era on the road is better at 4.70 and he has an era of 5.73 in his last 3 starts where he has given up 10 runs, 7 earned and 18 hits in 11 innings. Francisco Liriano goes for the Bucs. He’s 12-7 with a 3.27 era and has dominated opponents in his last two starts. You can get the Bucs -1.5 for about -120.
Mets and Dodgers Tied for Home Field Advantage
4:10 pm Nationals at Mets
Fortunately for the Mets, they have the advantage if the teams are tied since they won the season series 4-3. Noah Syndergaard goes for the Mets. Noah is known as a great pitcher at home and so-so on the road. But his last road appearance may well have been his best of the year. He went 7 2/3 and fanned 11 Reds, walking none and allowing just 2 runs on 5 hits. His previous road start was also a dandy going 7 innings against the Braves giving up 1 run on 2 hits. At home, Noah is 7-2 with a 2.57 era in 11 starts. In his last home start the Yankees tagged him for 7 hits and 5 runs in 6 innings. Gio Gonzalez goes for the Nats. Gio is 11-8 with a 3.93 era. Gio is 5-4 on the road with a 4.45 era. The Mets are -135.
Sore Shouldered Weaver Holds Halo Post Season Hopes in His Hand
5:05 pm Angels at Rangers
The Halos find themselves one game behind the Astros for the second AL Wild Card. What’s worse for them is that they are also tied with the Twins. Every game is a must win for the Angels and they send veteran Jered Weaver after the Rangers today. Weaver gave up 1 run to the Mariners in his last start but had to leave after 5 due to shoulder soreness. With a bullpen that is in shambles, Weaver will have to go as long as possible today if the Angels are in the game. Weaver has had an off year. He’s 7-12 with a 4.76 era and his fastball tops out at about 86. He does possess a mean change up and on occasions has flummoxed the opposition with 68 mph changes. Weaver is 3-10 on the road with a 6.33 era and his last 3 games has registered an era of 5.28. He is 15-8 lifetime against Texas with a 3.50 era. In one start this year he went 6 innings allowing 1 run and 4 hits. Texas is favored at about -125.
What’s Wong with Chris Sale?
5:10 pm Tigers at White Sox
At times this year Chris Sale has looked like the most dominant pitcher in baseball. But lately he hasn’t been nearly as good. Sale is 12-11 with a 3.48 era on the year. He has 267 strikeouts and is over 1,000 in his career. Sale has been very good at home with a 3.25 era. His home record is a pedestrian 5-5. In his last 3 starts Sale sports a 0-3 record with a 5.29 era. He’s given up 10 runs and 24 hits in his last 17 innings. He’s 5-5 lifetime versus the Tigers with a 3.25 era. In 2 starts against the Tigers earlier in the year Sale was rocked for 7 runs and 11 hits in 11 1/3 innings. In his last start Sale went 7 against the NYY and allowed 3 runs and 7 hits while fanning 8. He will face Alfredo Simon who has an overall era of 5.18 along with a road era of 6.04 and in his last 3 an era of 7.23. In his last start against the White Sox in June he was pounded for 5 runs and 7 hits in 5 1/3. Sale and the Pale Hose are about -200.
Twins Post Hopes for Postseason Rest on Series with Royals
5:10 pm Royals at Twins
But the Royals are not likely to roll over any time soon since they are still battling with Toronto for home field advantage. So you can expect both teams to fight for a victory here. The Twins are sending out inconsistent but impressive at times starter Ervin Santana. He’s been the impressive type lately as he is 4-0 with a 1.47 era in his last 6 starts. He has also made it through 7 innings or more in each of those last 6 starts without allowing more than 2 runs. Santana is 2-1 at home with a 4.91 era on the year and 4-1 with a 4.93 era at night. Since the All-Star break Santana is 7-4 with a 3.84 era. He’ll face Chris Young who has come out of the bullpen as the Royals are desperately in search of a fourth starter for the postseason. Young is 11-6 on the year with a 3.15 era. In his last appearance, his first start in some time, Young went 5 innings and not only blanked the Tribe but held them hitless. The Twins are settling in around -125.