TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASEBALL SELECTION THURSDAY, AUGUST 13TH
#964 LA DODGERS with Urias (-145) over San Diego with Paddack at 9:40 PM EST
With a half-game deficit in the NL West standings, don’t expect the Dodgers to take their foot off the gas. Los Angeles has actually dropped three of its last five games and they can’t afford to lose this series too.
Hitting the hill for LA will be lefty Julio Urias. With three starts in the bank this year versus the Giants, Diamondbacks and San Francisco again, No. 7 has been nicked for only four earned runs and 13 hits in 15.0 frames. Urias struck out 10 and walked six on his way to a 1-0 record and a solid 2.40 ERA. The History Book shows that Julio has faced the Friars seven times in his career (two starts) and assembled a proud 1.76 ERA. Finally, with five years of work in Los Angeles completed, Urias has surrendered only 69 earned runs and 177 hits in 199.0 innings. After the math, that equates to a 10-7 tally with a beautiful 3.12 ERA.
Young right-hander Chris Paddack will counter for the Padres. Through four starts this season, No. 59 has been tagged for eight earned runs and 20 hits (four of which left the park) in 22.2 frames. Paddack has fanned 21 and walked only three on his way to a 2-1 mark with a 3.18 ERA. One of those performances came at home on August 3rd against Los Angeles. In that start, Paddack was blitzed for three earned runs and five hits in 6.0 innings. Chris struck out five and issued no free passes and grabbed the 5-4 win. Unfortunately, Paddack has faced the Dodgers four times in his career and earned a 1-1 mark with an elevated 5.31 ERA.
There are a number of elite angles that support this Best Bet. Los Angeles has won 60 of its last 85 when priced as a home favorite, 48 of its last 70 after allowing two runs or less in its previous game, 80 of its last 117 against division foes and 45 of its last 64 at home in this series. On the other side of the field, San Diego has dropped 36 of its last 52 as an underdog, 38 of its last 54 battling a foe that owns a winning record and 39 of its last 51 on the road facing a left-handed starter.
Paddack got the best of the Dodgers in a home start on August 3rd. Asking Chris to do it again just 10 days later is a tall order. Take Los Angeles with Urias. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
TOM STRYKER’S 11-1 MLB HIGH ROLLER NEARLY PERFECT WAGER
Stryker scooped up an easy payday with the Twins on Wednesday and he’s back on the basepaths tonight anxious to cash another big ticket. Solid pitching supports this power play along with one incredible angle that holds a dynamic 11-1 record. Grab Tom’s MLB High Roller Nearly Perfect Wager for $30.