TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASEBALL SELECTION TUESDAY, JULY 26TH
#917 HOUSTON with Garcia (-172) over Oakland with Montas at 9:40 PM EST
Fired up off last night’s 7-5 road loss to the A’s, the ‘Stros will get after it inside RingCentral Coliseum on Tuesday night. Houston has cashed 37 of its last 51 when coming off a blemish and manager Dusty Baker and his troops will have no trouble picking up this victory.
Right-hander Luis Garcia will take the mount for the visitors. So far this season, No. 77 has made 17 starts and been tapped for only 38 earned runs and 72 hits in 93.2 innings of work. Garcia struck out 100 and walked 27 on his way to an 8-5 record with a proud 3.65 ERA. Luis has been extremely effective on foreign soil too. With 44.0 road frames in the bank, Garcia has been nicked for just 11 earned runs and 31 hits. That shakes down to a 2-3 record with a strong 2.25 ERA.
Veteran A’s righty Frankie Montas will counter for the home team. With 18 starts completed this year, No. 47 has been slapped for 35 earned runs and 83 hits in 99.2 innings. Montas fanned 105 and walked 25 on his way to a dismal 3-9 mark with a 3.16 ERA. Frankie hasn’t found many wins at home either. In his own backyard, Montas was touched for 21 earned runs and 57 hits in 73.2 frames. That breaks down to a rough 1-6 tally with a 2.57 ERA.
With both arms capable, the follow team trends will help bring this Best Bet to victory lane. Houston has cashed 60 of its last 89 when facing a foe that scored five runs or more last, 37 of its last 55 when fighting an opponent that owns a team won/loss percentage less than .400, and eight of its last 10 in the second game of a series. On the other side of the park, Oakland has slipped in 36 of its last 53 overall, 22 of its last 29 when coming off a win, and 46 of its last 68 after allowing five runs or more last.
The Astros have won 57 of its last 85 on grass this season and they’ll have no trouble bouncing back here. Take Houston with Garcia. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
TOM’S MLB 4* NL GAME OF THE MONTH (RUN-LINE WAGER)
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