Braves -164 3.5* MLB POD
This is the 2nd time the Braves are seeing Henderson Alvarez in a row. In his last full season with the Blue Jays he allowed 18.1% HR/FB and had just 3.80 K/9. That's a bad sign when you talk about facing the Braves who seem like they either strike out or hit a home run. I think there is a major advantage and it's enough value for me to qualify as a smaller play of the day.
The Braves wills end Julio Teheran to the mound who has 7.11 K/9 and a 1.70 BB/9 ratio. Better yet Teheran has been better on 4 days rest posting a 2.93 ERA over 6 starts this year with just 1 being a non quality start. Facing the Marlins should help who have just .215 average and 3.45 runs per 9 vs. RHP along with a 5.62 bullpen ERA over their last 10 games. The Braves meanwhile have scored 5.67 runs per 9 and have a .291 average over their last 10 vs. RHP and their bullpen just continues to dominate with a 1.91 ERA. The Braves have also dominated the Marlins winning 37 of the last 51 meetings including 20 of the last 27 in Miami.
Oakland A's -104 2* play
I view both bullpens as pretty even when we are talking about the A's and the Pirates. A's batting is just superior right now and I'll go with them to defeat the younger Gerrit Cole who is not even getting 5K/9. Dan Straily has not been very good on the road, but he has been unlucky with a 60% left on base percentage. He also has a .290 BABIP and has had to pitch in the AL. Pitching at PNC is one of the more pitcher friendly parks and he's pitching against a line up that shouldn't scare any one. I just think there is more value on the A's right now in this spot.
