MLB Preview 7-26-21

Washington Nationals v. Philadelphia Phillies

Projected Starters: Joe Ross v. Spencer Howard

The Nationals have been in a big slump in the month of July. Washington was one of the hottest teams in baseball in June but have rolled out a 5-15 record so far this calendar month. Philadelphia, on the other hand, has started to nip at the Mets heels for the NL East division lead. Conventional thinking would lead one to take Philly tonight but Washington is in desperation mode after getting swept by local rivals Baltimore and now will try their best to avoid losing to their other local rivals from up I-95. Plus, Washington is at a good value as the underdog despite having the upper hand in the starting pitching matchup.

The Bet: Nationals Moneyline

Cincinnati Reds v. Chicago Cubs

Projected Starters: Wade Miley v. Kyle Hendricks

This game features a premier pitching matchup. Miley has a strong 2.72 ERA in over 100 innings pitched on the season while Hendricks is the Cubs ace and has dominant command over all his pitches. Both teams are missing some key bats in their lineups as the Reds will be down Nick Castellanos while the Cubs will be without Javy Baez. The injuries coupled with the starting pitching matchup points to a low scoring affair at Wrigley.

The Bet: Under 8.5 Total Runs

Chicago White Sox v. Detroit Tigers

Projected Starters: Dallas Keuchel v. Mike Minor

This game features another strong pitching matchup. While neither Keuchel nor Minor have particularly good ERA’s they are both veteran arms who have logged over 100 innings pitched this season and are capable of having their way on any given day. The Royals are hot right now as they ride a 5 game win streak and that has brought the odds between these two teams closer than expected in a game that features a division leading White Sox club with 17 more wins than 4th place Kansas City. The value here for Chicago is too good to pass up on.

The Bet: White Sox Moneyline

Colorado Rockies v. Los Angeles Angels

Projected Starters: German Marquez v. Shohei Ohtani

The Shohei Ohtani show will be on the mound tonight in LA as the dynamic Angels star looks to pitch and hit his way into the win column. German Marquez is as formidable a pitcher that the Rockies have but tonight he faces off against a top 10 league wide offense in LA. The total has been brought down due to the good pitching matchup and Ohtani’s presence on the mound but the Japanese superstar talent is a better hitter than pitcher and I could totally see him going yard in a game that topples the total.

The Bet:Over 7.5 Total Runs