TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASEBALL SELECTION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH
#975 CLEVELAND with Civale (-130) over Chicago with Lester at 8:15 PM EST
Off seven consecutive losses including last night’s frustrating 6-5 blemish in the Windy City, don’t be surprised when the Indians grab this interleague victory. Chicago has its weakest link on the mound on Wednesday night and the Cubs are in perfect position to fall.
Young right-hander Aaron Civale will toe the rubber for the Tribe. In his last start at home against the Royals, No. 43 wasn’t exactly at his best allowing four earned runs and seven hits in 6.0 innings. Civale did fan seven and walked one but was tagged with the 11-1 loss. Thankfully, Aaron has pitched very well on the road. As a guest, Civale has been scratched for 14 earned runs and 31 hits in 34.0 innings. Aaron holds a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 26-4 and carries a 2-3 mark with a respectable 3.71 ERA.
Aging southpaw Jon Lester gets the nod for the Cubbies. Since August 16th, No. 34 has made six starts for Chicago and been blasted for 24 earned runs and 43 hits in 29.1 innings of work. Big Jon has struck out 28, walked eight and served up eight gopher balls en route to an 0-2 mark with a feeble 7.36 ERA. The Northsider’s hold a 1-5 record in those six starts. Lester’s efforts inside Wrigley Field have been atrocious too. With 19.0 frames in the bank, Lester has been hammered for 19 earned runs and 28 hits. That equates to a dismal 0-2- tally with a nasty 9.00 ERA.
There are plenty of quality team trends that back this investment. Cleveland has won seven of its last nine in the second game of a series, 40 of its last 56 when priced as a road favorite, nine of its last 12 as interleague chalk and 17 of its last 24 against NL Central foes. Across the yard, Chicago has dropped 31 of its last 46 when priced as a pup and seven of its last nine as a home underdog.
With a 6.0-game deficit in the division and only 12 regular season games remaining, the Indians need every win they can get. Take Cleveland with Civale. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
TOM STRYKER’S 110-40 MLB ULTIMATE DATABASE WAGER
Off an error on the Twins last night, Stryker looks to battle back on Wednesday with one diamond investment that will round the bases and bring home the cash. Solid pitching supports this selection along with one ideal 110-40 power team trend. Grab Tom’s MLB Ultimate Database Wager for $30.