Ouch, 5-8 so far on the week and currently 32-25 on the season on our Get Sports Strong Blog picks. I was not crazy about too many MLB match-ups on Thursday, but the Phillies 7-4 extra inning win over Atlanta did get us back in the win column. Today we are back at it looking to close out the week strong. Here are four plays for Friday May 13.
Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs (Pirates Moneyline +135)
Pirates (Liriano 3-1, 3.60) Cubs (Hamels 4-0, 1.85)
Yes, I am picking the Pirates. Since 2013 Francisco Liriano is 4-1 with a 1.56 ERA at Wrigley Field and current Cubs hitters are only hitting Liriano at a .194 clip, which includes Anthony Rizzo who is 4 for 23 lifetime against Liriano. The Cubs did sweep the Pirates in Pittsburgh less then two weeks ago, outscoring them 20-5 over three games. With Liriano pitching I feel that this game maybe the Pirates best opportunity for a victory over the Cubs in this series. For what it is worth the Pirates are also batting .325 in day games this season. Picking the Pirates to win.
Chicago White Sox at New York Yankees (White Sox Moneyline -150)
White Sox: (Sale 7-0, 1.79) Yankees (Severino 0-5. 6.12)
Sale has been dominate in his first seven starts. Betting on Chris Sale has not done us wrong yet. With the White Sox facing a struggling young pitcher in Luis Severino, I like the White Sox to win.
Miami Marlins at Washington Nationals (Nationals Moneyline -165)
Marlins (Koehler 2-3, 5.83) Nationals (Gonzales 2-1, 2.19)
Tom Koehler will be facing the Nationals for the third time already this season. Over his first two starts against the Nationals this season, Koehler is 1-1 with a 2.38 ERA The loss did take place in Washington, where Koehler is just 1-5 with a 5.60 ERA in six career starts in the nation’s capital. With the Nationals seeing Koehler for the third time already this season, I like the Nationals to win here.
Minnesota Twins at Cleveland Indians (Indians Moneyline -165)
Twins (Nolasco 1-1, 4.70) Indians (Tomlin 5-0, 3.72)
The Twins have lost 11 out of their last 12 games. Twins are 2-15 on the road this season. Cleveland has won five out of their last six home games. A lot of reasons to like the Indians here, not many reasons to like the Twins.
Get Sports Strong 