Chicago White Sox at Houston Astros
Ky Bush (0-1) vs. Framber Valdez (12-5)
Jeremy Pena Over 0.5 Singles + Framber Valdez Under 4.5 Hits Allowed
The Astros are looking to take the series this afternoon against the White Sox with one of their best arms on the mound. Pena has been one of the best hitters in baseball over the last couple of weeks, and Valdez has put together some very good starts as of late. Pena across the last five games has seven hits, with a large majority of those hits being singles. Against a left handed arm in Ky Bush from Chicago, Pena has a very favorable matchup to have a great day at the plate.
Valdez has only given up four hits in his last two starts combined, and against a weak White Sox offense should look to pitch to his typical ground ball contact all game. The Astros need to come away with this series win, and it starts with Valdez on the mound.
San Diego Padres at Colorado Rockies
Joe Musgrove (3-4) vs. Bradley Blalock (0-0)
Charlie Blackmon Over 1.5 Total Bases + Michael Toglia Over 0.5 Hits
Joe Musgrove enters Coors Field looking to pick up the series win against the Rockies. Musgrove had a solid return start against the Pirates, but at the elevation of Coors Field will have his work cut out for him in his second start.
In 20 at bats against Musgrove, Charlie Blackmon has nine hits and two doubles. Blackmon’s having a solid series, posting three hits in the first two games against San Diego. He’ll look to stay hot at the plate tonight, just like his teammate Michael Toglia.
The switch hitting 26 year old has seen consistent time with Colorado for the first time this season, and has been on fire recently. Toglia’s been one of the league’s best at the plate the last seven days, hitting for a slashline of .412/.500/.824 with a 1.324 OPS. He’s got a pair of extra base hits in this series, and is a great pick to record another hit today.
San Francisco Giants at Oakland Athletics
Blake Snell (2-3) vs. JP Sears (10-8)
Shea Langeliers Over 0.5 Hits + JP Sears Under 2.5 Earned Runs
While Blake Snell has been great recently for San Francisco, Langeliers has been hot lately. The Oakland backstop has hit for a .500 batting average in the last seven days, with 14 hits in four games. Against a left handed starter this afternoon, he could very well keep his production going today.
Sears has been a workhorse for the Athletics this season, and has been solid against the Giants. He put together an incredible start against the Giants back in late July, where he went 7.0 innings pitched while striking out nine batters, and giving up no runs. He’ll look to help the Athletics avoid a two-game series sweep from their Bay-area rival.