TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASEBALL SELECTION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13TH
#953 CLEVELAND with Bieber (+120) over New York with Cortes Jr at 7:37 PM EST
Off last night’s 4-1 loss in the Big Apple, the Guardians will get right back into this series with a solid performance over the Yankees. Cleveland had quietly won seven of its last nine before that blemish to New York and manager Terry Francona’s boys will find a way to get the job done here.
Ace right-hander Shane Bieber will toe the rubber for the visitors. With 31 starts in the books this season, No. 57 has pitched extremely well allowing only 64 earned runs and 172 hits in 200.0 innings of work. Bieber struck out 198 and walked 36 on his way to a 13-8 record with a strong 2.88 ERA. The road has been kind to Shane too. On foreign soil, Bieber was touched for only 35 earned runs and 105 hits in 119.0 frames. That’s good enough for an 8-3 tally with an elite 2.65 ERA.
Knocking off New York southpaw Nestor Cortes Jr won’t exactly be an easy task. So far this year, No. 65 had his number called 28 times and was nicked for only 43 earned runs and 108 hits in 158.1 innings. Cortes whiffed 163 and walked 38 on his way to reliable 2.44 ERA. Nestor was lights out in the Bronx too. At home, Cortes surrendered 19 earned runs and 49 hits in 87.2 frames. After the math, that equates to a 6-1 tally with a solid 1.95 ERA.
With both arms capable, the following trends will help bring this Best Bet home. Cleveland has tasted victory in seven straight when coming off a loss, seven in a row when facing a foe that allowed two runs or less previously, eight of its last nine against a left-handed starter, and 20 of its last 26 as a guest.
The Guardians have their best arm on the bump, and they know they are locked into a must win situation. If Francona’s troops fall down 0-2 in this best-of-five series, it’s over. Take Cleveland with Bieber. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
TOM’S 32-11 ATS NFL HIGH ROLLER BEST BET
Stryker split his posted plays last night (won with the Padres run-line and slipped with the Thundering Herd) and he returns with one pro wager that will bring home the bacon. Two outstanding angles back this primetime investment and these situations hold lucrative marks of 32-11 ATS and 34-13 ATS. Grab Tom’s NFL High Roller Best Bet for $30.