TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASEBALL SELECTION TUESDAY, AUGUST 23RD
#926 COLORADO with Marquez (-120) over Texas with Dunning at 8:40 PM EST
After ripping off three consecutive wins in the Twin Cities, the Rangers will have all kinds of problems when they slip into the thin air at Coors Field. Colorado just took two of three at home against San Francisco and the Rocks will have no trouble extending the margin in this game.
Hitting the hill for manager Bud Black’s crew will be right-hander German Marquez. With 23 starts in the books this year, No. 48 has been touched for 75 earned runs and 144 hits in 133.2 innings of work. Marquez struck out 108 and walked 47 on his way to a 6-10 record with a 5.05 ERA. Thankfully, German’s last three performances have been strong. Facing the Cardinals (twice) and Diamondbacks, Marquez was nipped for seven earned runs and 19 hits in 18.0 innings of work. After the math, that adds up to an 0-1 mark with a reliable 3.50 ERA.
Righty Dane Dunning will counter for the visitors. So far this season, No. 33 has made 23 trips to the bump in a starting role and been cracked for 56 earned runs and 120 hits in 124.0 innings. Dunning whiffed 108 and walked 50 on his way to a 3-6 mark with a 4.06 ERA. Pitching on the road has been a real problem for Dane too. As a guest, Dunning has been smoked for 32 earned runs and 68 hits in 56.2 frames. That’s bad enough for an 0-5 tally with a feeble 5.08 ERA.
Technically speaking, this is a great spot to fade The Lone Stars. Texas has dropped 68 of its last 99 as a guest batting a right-handed starter, 37 of its last 53 when fighting teams from the NL West, and seven of its last nine in this series. On the other side of the park, Colorado has tasted victory in 37 of its last 54 at home facing an opponent that owns a team won/loss percentage less than .500.
The Rockies have been tough to beat at home this season (35-31) and they’re catching the Rangers off three straight dubs and ripe for a beating. Take Colorado with Marquez. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
TOM’S 40-15 MLB NATIONAL LEAGUE GAME OF THE MONTH
Checking in hungry of last night’s run-line loss on the Twins, Stryker will get back on track with one diamond wager that will deliver the cash. This key release backs a golden arm in a highly profitable situation and one strong 40-15 team trend is there for added support. Grab Tom’s MLB National League Game of the Month for $30.