TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASEBALL SELECTION FRIDAY, JULY 15TH
#904 MIAMI with Alcantara (-164) over Philadelphia with Gibson at 6:40 PM EST
Off back-to-back wins and now just 2.0-games back of the .500 mark, the Marlins will have no trouble extending the margin in this division battle with their ace on the mound. The Phillies enter this matchup in a funk off four consecutive losses and they’ll have trouble once again in this spot.
Powerful right-hander Sandy Alcantara will grab the pearl for the home team. With 18 starts in the books this season, No. 22 has been right on target allowing only 25 earned runs and 88 hits in 130.1 innings of work. Alcantara struck out 111 and walked 31 on his way to a 9-3 mark with a miniscule 1.73 ERA. Sandy’s last three outings have been incredible too. Facing the Mets, Angels, and Cardinals, Alcantara was touched for just two earned runs and 15 hits in 24.0 frames. After the math, that adds up to a 2-0 record with a stunning 0.75 ERA.
Hitting the hill for the visitors will be righty Kyle Gibson. Matched up against the Redbirds (twice) and Padres in his last three starts, No. 44 was zapped for 11 earned runs and 13 hits in 13.2 innings. Gibson fanned nine and issued five free passes on his way to an 0-0 tally with a weak 7.25 ERA. Kyle’s road work hasn’t been at its best either. On foreign soil, Gibson has been gashed for 23 earned runs and 41 hits in 39.2 frames. That’s bad enough for an 0-2 mark with a timid 5.22 ERA.
This is a lucrative spot for the Fish too. Miami has cashed 24 of its last 40 against division foes, five of its last seven when facing a foe that allowed five runs or more last, and five of its last six in this series when playing in South Beach. On the other side of the field, Philadelphia has slipped in five of its last six after allowing five runs or more last and four straight as a guest.
If the Marlins want to catch the Phillies in the NL East standings, then they’ll need to take care of business in this crucial three-game homestand especially with their best arm on the bump. Take Miami with Alcantara. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
MICKEY’S 4* MLB POT ‘O GOLD GAME OF THE MONTH
Looking to rebound off Dan’s loss on the Twins last night, Mick takes over for the TSPC with a strong 4* Best Bet that will deliver the mail. Solid pitching supports this power play along with a handful of quality team trends and the price is right. Grab Mickey’s 4* MLB Pot ‘o Gold Game of the Month for $30.