TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASEBALL SELECTION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1ST
#970 CHICAGO CUBS with Darvish (-185) over Miami with Sanchez at 2:08 PM EST
It’s gut-check time for the Cubbies. Off yesterday’s 5-1 loss to the Marlins and with elimination on the line, the Northsider’s will respond with their ace on the mound.
Toeing the rubber for manager David Ross’ crew will be sizzling right-hander Yu Darvish. In his last performance on the road against the White Sox, No. 11 tuned up for the postseason by allowing no earned runs and three this in 7.0 innings. Darvish whiffed five and walked only one and grabbed the “W” in the Cubs 10-0 victory. Overall, with 12 starts in the bank this season, Yu has been at his best surrendering just 17 earned runs and 59 hits in 76.0 frames. After the math, that equates to a strong 8-3 mark with an elite 2.01 ERA.
Greenhorn righty Sixto Sanchez will counter for the Fish. In his last two outings against the Braves and Nats, No. 73 was slapped for nine earned runs and 12 hits in just 7.0 innings of work. Sanchez fanned four and walked six en route to an 0-1 tally with an elevated 11.57 ERA. With seven career starts total, Sixto has been zapped for 15 earned runs and 36 hits in 39.0 frames. Sanchez holds a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 33-11 and owns a 3-2 record with a 3.46 ERA.
Plenty of quality team trends support this Best Bet. Chicago has won 10 of its last 14 as postseason chalk, 16 of its last 21 at home in this series and 60 of its last 88 when competing on Thursday. On the visitors side of the field, Miami has slipped in 39 of its last 58 when facing a foe that allowed five runs or more in its last game, 52 of its last 77 in the second game of a series and 71 of its last 105 on the road battling a right-handed starter.
Off the home beating yesterday and with the more experienced arm on the bump, the Cubs will live to play another day. Take Chicago with Darvish. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
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