TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASEBALL SELECTION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25TH
#918 TORONTO with Ray (-120) over Chicago with Giolito at 7:07 PM EST
Off yesterday’s 5-2 home loss to the ChiSox, the Blue Jays will find their high-scoring offense and bounce back with a solid victory here. Toronto (avg 5.05 runs per game) has managed only 11 runs in its last five games, and they will get after it in this matchup.
Hitting the hill for the Blue Birds will be southpaw Robbie Ray. In four August starts against the Tigers, M’s, BoSox and Indians, No. 38 was touched for only five earned runs and 18 hits in 27.0 innings of work. Ray struck out 28 and walked six on his way to an 0-0 mark and a powerful 1.67 ERA. Overall, with 145.1 frames in the bank, Robbie has been incredibly reliable surrendering only 45 earned runs and 114 hits. After the math, that equates to a 9-5 record with a solid 2.79 ERA.
Right-hander Lucas Giolito will take the mound for the visitors. Matched up against the Devil Rays, Yankees, Twins and Royals in four August outings, No. 27 was tagged for 11 earned runs and 19 hits in 23.0 innings. Giolito whiffed 26, walked three, and served up six home runs on his way to a 1-2 tally with a 4.30 ERA. Overall, with 25 starts in the books, Lucas has been slapped for 62 earned runs and 121 hits in 148.0 frames. That shakes down to a 9-9 mark with a 3.77 ERA.
There are a handful of team trends that support this Best Bet. Toronto has tasted victory in eight of its last 11 against teams from the AL Central, eight of its last 11 when battling a foe that holds a team won/loss percentage greater than .500, and 11 of its last 16 as home chalk. On the other side of the field, Chicago has slipped in 107 of its last 159 on the road fighting a foe with a winning record and 37 of its last 51 as a road underdog.
Now 5.5-games back in the hunt for the American League Wild Card, the Blue Jays need to crank their game up a notch especially at home and with one of their best arms on the bump. Take Toronto with Ray. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
TOM’S 35-17 MLB AL RUN-LINE GAME OF THE MONTH – 7-0 MLB RUN
Stryker scooped up another nice payday on the White Sox yesterday and, currently on a sizzling 7-0 diamond run, he’s going after a mayor payday in the AL tonight. This key release serves up a classic mound mismatch and it is supported by one sensational 35-17 trend. Grab Tom’s American League Run-Line Game of the Month for $30.