The Cardinals are still in a fight right now with the Pirates for the division so every game matters here as they face off against the Rockies after they busted out for 19 hits on Sunday. I think the Cardinals bats stay hot as they put 5 left handed batters in the line up to face the RHP Collin McHugh. McHugh has been awful in 6 career starts posting an 8.64 ERA. He has 3+ BB/9 2+HR/9 and less then 6K/9 over 33 innings in the majors. Lefties this season have a 1.318 OPS against him and as I mentioned he'll face 5 of them. The Cardinals actually faced McHugh before so they have a bit of experience against him. I don't anticipate him going deep into this game which means the Rockies will have to turn to their bullpen which has failed them many times this season including over their last 10 games where they have a 7.43 ERA.
The Cardinals on the other hand have pitched well with a 2.83 BP ERA in road games while they have also hit RHP hard on the road with more than 5 runs per 9. Lance Lynn will also take the mound and has decent numbers against the Rockies in two starts, but also comes into this game not having to face Dexter Fowler or Carlos Gonzalez which is huge because they are 4-9 against him. Troy Tulowitski is in the line up but he struggles against pitchers who have good command and throw hard and that's what Lynn possesses with an average fastball of over 92mph on the season. I could be wrong and Lynn could give up 5 ER, but even then I'm confident the Cardinals should be able to put up more against the Rockies bullpen so that's why I'm taking them as they will manage this like a playoff game. Lynn is also 24-11 in his last 35 vs. a losing team.
The Angels have played spoiler this past month, but the A's are not just a playoff team they seem like the best team in the American League the way they have taken care of the AL West of late just dominating the Rangers in two series. Athletics have scored over 6 runs per 9 in their last 10 with a .312 average vs. LHP which they'll face tonight in CJ Wilson. Wilson is making his 4th start on 4 days rest and we have seen signs of him tiring. Either way on the road he is not good to go deep into games and that's where I like the A's chances against the Angels bullpen. Wilson has made 4 starts on the road vs. the top 5 hitting teams in terms of OPS vs. LHP and he posts a 7.45 ERA and has not gotten to the 6th inning. The A's are ranked 3rd and are on fire right now.
Meanwhile Jarrod Parker will take the mound on 5 days rest for his second start in a row. He has really turned things around and posts a 2.09 ERA at home on 5 days rest and there are some fabulous hitting teams he's done it against including the Rangers, Yankees, Cardinals, Red Sox, and Royals. He posts a 2.90 ERA over his last 10 starts and should keep his team in this game if nothing else.
