TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASEBALL SELECTION SATURDAY, JULY 31ST
#967 BOSTON with Eovaldi (-105) over Tampa Bay with Yarbrough at 6:10 PM EST
Off three consecutive losses and with their lead in the AL East down to just a half-game (0.5) over the Devil Rays, the Red Sox will dig deep and scoop up an important victory on Saturday night.
In order to stop the bleeding, BoSox manager Alex Cora will hand the pearl to right-hander Nathan Eovaldi. Matched up against the Bronx Bombers in his previous two outings, No. 17 was nicked for only three earned runs and nine hits in 12.2 innings of work. Eovaldi struck out 15 and walked only one batter on his way to an 0-0 mark and a respectable 2.13 ERA. Overall, with 20 starts in the bank this season, Nathan has been a force surrendering only 45 earned runs and 116 hits in 116.0 frames. After the math, that equates to a 9-5 record with a fantastic 3.49 ERA.
Young southpaw Ryan Yarbrough will counter for the Rays. In his last three outings against the Indians, Orioles and Blue Jays, No. 48 was zapped for nine earned runs and 18 hits in 17.2 innings. Yarbrough fanned 15 and walked five on his way to a 1-1 tally with a 4.58 ERA. Surprisingly, Ryan’s numbers at home haven’t been that good either. Inside “The Trop”, Yarbrough has been yanked for 30 earned runs and 55 hits in only 50.0 innings. That adds up to a weak 2-3 mark with a soft 5.40 ERA.
There are a handful of solid team trends that assist this investment. Boston has won nine of its last 13 when facing a foe that scored five runs or more last, 29 of its last 42 against division foes and 41 of its last 61 when priced as a road favorite. On the other side of the bubble, in 13 outings against the Red Sox including six starts, Yarbrough has struggled big time posting a 3-3 record with a woeful 6.79 ERA!
In order for the BoSox to remain on top in the AL East, they know winning this game has to happen. Take Boston with Eovaldi. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
LEE’S MLB NON-DIVISION HIGH ROLLER CLUB GAME OF THE YEAR
Mick nailed is 5* MLB Interleague Game of the Year last night on Houston (WON EASILY 9-6 over San Francisco) and, with victories in five of their last six releases, the Team Stryker Power Club is going after another massive payday on Saturday. Lee has isolated a serious mound mismatch and this power play is supported by one elite 14-2 trend. Grab Lee’s MLB Non-Division High Roller Club Game of the Year for $30.