STEVE MERRIL
Screen Shot Saturday
Rockies @ Giants — San Francisco’s Jake Peavy is closing out the year in good form, having allowed just 4 runs in his last four starts against the Padres twice, Reds, and Dodgers. Peavy’s only start against the Rockies came in Coors Field where he beat them 7-3. The righty only gave up 3 runs and four hits in 5.2 innings in that game. I like the Giants (-155) in this game.
Reds @ Pirates — Cincinnati’s Brandon Finnegan will make his fourth start of the season, and ironically, they’ve all been on the road. The southpaw has a 6.00 ERA in those games. Pittsburgh’s A.J. Burnett will be making his final regular season start of his career. Burnett is only 2-3, but he owns a terrific 2.40 ERA in 12 home starts for Pittsburgh. I lean to the Pirates -1.5 runs (-110).
Cardinals @ Braves — Shelby Miller is 5-17 with a 3.15 ERA in 32 starts for Atlanta. Miller has just two wins in sixteen home starts while sporting a 2.63 ERA in those games. He lost a tough game in St. Louis back on July 25th after only giving up 1 run and two hits in a 1-0 loss. Atlanta’s offense has scored 2 runs or less in seven of Miller’s last ten starts. Still, I lean to the Braves (+140) in this game, but the safer play may be taking the Braves +1.5 runs (-125).
Jays @ Rays — Marco Estrada has faced Tampa Bay twice; he has allowed just five hits in just over 16 innings of work. Estrada had a 15/0 strikeout/walk ratio in those games. Tampa Bay’s Chris Archer is 3-2 with a 3.31 ERA in five starts against the Blue Jays. I like Under 7 (+110) in this game.