Today's Pick: PHI (-160) over HOU
It's two division leaders tonight in Texas in an interleague showdown between the first place Philadelphia Phillies and the first place Houston Astros. The Phillies at 47-32 once again find themselves atop the NL East as they weather what has to be June's most difficult schedule.
The Astros at 46-33 lead the AL West but they've made their run on what might be June's easiest schedule to date. This week's series with the Phillies and a series this weekend with the Cubs should test their meddle. They won last night's game against Philadelphia 1-0 on the back of a strong start from Framber Valdez and will look to capture the series with a win tonight at Daikin Park in Houston.
Zach Wheeler (7-2) starts for Philadelphia. Wheeler is the Phillies ace and is one of the best starting pitchers in all of MLB. He enters with a 2.61 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP on the season and has been consistently good for close to a decade now. Wheeler uses his four seam fastball as good as any pitcher in MLB, mixes in a sinker and a cutter and can put you away with the sweeper, curveball or the splitter. He has actually been more effective against lefties over his career than he has against righties and it's his approach and the success he has had against lefties that has seperated Wheeler from his peers. The difference maker is his curveball, he throws it mostly against lefties, and it's one of the best in the league.
Rookie Colton Gordon starts for the Astros. Gordon is a 6'4'' lefty and has had middling success in his first taste of big league action. I should say, he has success against lefties and has been slugged by righties. Right-handed opponents are hitting .314/.341/.576 against Gordon this season. He has allowed a pair of homers in each of his last two starts. He doesn't issue many walks and will challenge you to hit the ball, but opponents have done just that. He can strike you out, especially if you hit from the left side of the plate but he is a flyball pitcher pitching in hitter-friendly Daikin Park. It isn't Colorado but the ball carries well in Houston and it certainly plays against him.
The Phillies have some good right-handed power in their lineup. They can hit home runs. I recall Castellanos having a three-homer game in the playoffs not too far back. JT Realmuto has good power. So does Trea Turner.
The Astros have had a tough time with power pitching from the right hand side and that's exactly what they'll get tonight from Wheeler and the Phillies bullpen.
I'm banking on the starting pitching matchup tonight. Both teams can hit. Both teams have good bullpens that are well rested but the righty Wheeler is as tough to hit as any pitcher in the league and he matches up well against the Astros. Colton Gordon has his work cut out for him tonight with Turner, Bohm, Castellanos, Realmuto, Sosa and Kemp all hitting from the right side.
With 1.67 units in play, I'm going to press it all on Philly to win.
Today's Pick: PHI (-160) over HOU
Units in Play: 1.67
Units Wagered: 1.67
Ticket Pays: 2.71 units (+1.04 units)
Current Streak: 1
Longest Streak: 6
Total Units Wagered (Season): 71.03 units
Current Bank Balance: 27 units
Beginning Bank Balance: 40 units
Total Units Raked (season): 18 units
Profit / Loss (season): +5.0 units
Overall Record: 31-12