TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASEBALL SELECTION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST
#910 NY YANKEES with Tanaka (-146) over Tampa Bay with Richards at 7:05 PM EST
Off yesterday’s frustrating 5-3 loss to the Devil Rays, the Yankees won’t waste any time shaking off that blemish and grabbing a victory. Surprisingly, New York is a whopping 4.5-games back in the AL East and they need wins over the Rays in order to shorten the gap.
On the mound for the Bronx Bombers will be right-hander Masahiro Tanaka. So far this season, No. 19 has made five starts for the Pinstripes and surrendered eight earned runs and 21 hits in 20.7 innings. Tanaka whiffed 17 and walked three on his way to an 0-1 mark with a reliable 3.48 ERA. History will be on Masahiro’s side too. In 20 career starts against the Fish, Tanaka owns a tremendous 10-5 mark with an elite 3.33 ERA.
Righty Trevor Richards will counter for the visiting team. In 2020, No. 34 has appeared in six games for Tampa Bay (two starts) and been zapped for 11 earned runs and 28 hits in only 21.0 frames. Richard struck out 16 and walked eight and put together a 4.71 ERA. Without question, Trevor is the weakest link in the Devil Rays pitching staff. Against the Yanks, Richards has made six appearances and assembled a lofty 4.71 ERA.
If you need a little technical support to make this investment, consider the following: New York has won 50 of its last 64 at home against a right-handed starter, 60 of its last 79 when priced as a home favorite, 63 of its last 90 against division foes and 113 of its last 167 after allowing five runs or more in its previous contest. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay has dropped 37 of its last 54 in this series in the Big Apple.
The Yankees hold a 19-14 record through 33 games and they’ll need to defend their home turf in order to have a shot at winning the AL East. Take New York with Tanaka. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
TREY JOHNSON’S MLB PRIVATE PLAYERS CLUB GAME OF THE YEAR
The Team Stryker Power Club won its third straight last night as Mick nailed his 4* NBA Playoff Game of the Month on Oklahoma City plus the points (WON OUTRIGHT 104-100). Trey Johnson takes over on Tuesday with one of his strongest diamond investments of the season. Major motivation, solid pitching and a number of quality angles all support this massive blowout. Grab Trey’s MLB Private Players Club Game of the Year for $30.