The crystal ball:
Seeing a rainy North Side of Chicago tonight, when the Cubs play game 2 of series vs NL East-leading Bravos. Last night, Chicago used a monster 5th inning to catapult them to an 8-3 win.
Lefty Max Fried (8-3, 4.03 ERA) goes for Atlanta, and he'll make his 2nd start of the year vs the Cubs. On April 4th, he was dominant, allowing just a single hit in 6 innings of work for his first win of the year. He's struggled in June, but rebounded nicely with a 6IP, 2ER performance in his most recent outing against the Mets, his 8th win this year. He'faces a Cubs lineup that has been slightly worse against LHP in 2019.
The major storyline in the other dugout is starter Adbert Alzolay (1-0, 2.25 ERA), making his first career start for Joe Maddon, and only his second-ever major league appearance. He lived up to his high prospect billing on 6/20, entering in relief of Tyler Chatwood and allowing just a solo HR over 4+ innings. It remains to be seen how the right-hander will fare in his first career start against the high-octane Atlanta offense, but Alzolay showed last Thursday that he's more than ready for the big stage of Wrigley Field, and he should have a raucous crowd behind him tonight.
With scattered T-storms in the forecast, these powerful offenses might have a little trouble generating runs, especially in a starting pitching matchup that has potential to be a good one. The crystal ball notes that the first five inning line of 7 total runs is slightly inflated for a game with a full total of 12, and the spirits have a little more faith in Fried and Alzolay to find early success.
Also worth a look
- TB/MIN Rays are only -105 with their "ace" taking tha mound today in Blake Snell? Snell hasn't been in his early season form as of late. Twins have a potent offense. Something seems really fishy about this line if you ask me. Considering making multi-unitplay on tha Twins ML .
- SD/BAL OVER @ 10.5 runs. Padres starting a no-name pitcher in Logan Allen. I'm from San Diego n' admittedly don't have much info on the guy. I think he can give up some runs against an O's offense who I'm sure can score at times against a not so experienced pitcher. Jimmy Yacabonis is a mediocre pitcher at best if you ask me n' tha Padres can score in bunches at times when they get hot n' hit the ball out of the yard. Considering throwing another $1,150 to win $1k on this OVER myself so far.
- 12 plays ties for 3rd
opcorn:
