TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASEBALL SELECTION SATURDAY, MAY 13TH
#973 ATLANTA with Elder (+108) over Toronto with Berrios at 3:07 PM EST
Entering off a pair of losses, the Braves will storm back with a determined effort at the Rogers Centre. Atlanta still owns a 6.0-game lead over Philadelphia in the NL East and manager Brian Snitker will make sure that advantage stays there with a revenge victory over Toronto.
Young right-hander Bryce Elder will grab the pearl for the visitors. Facing the O’s and Marlins (twice) in his last three outings, No. 55 threw very well allowing only five earned runs and 12 hits in 17.2 innings of work. Bryce struck out 13 and walked six on his way to a 1-0 mark with a reliable 2.55 ERA. With seven starts in the bank this season, Elder has surrendered only eight earned runs and 33 hits through 41.1 frames. That equates to a sweet 3-0 record with a powerful 1.74 ERA.
Aging righty Jose Berrios will hit the hill for the home team. Matched up against the Pirates, Red Sox, and White Sox in his last three performances, No 17 was tagged for seven earned runs and 20 hits in 18.2 innings. Jose whiffed 20 and walked four on his way to a 2-0 tally with a 3.38 ERA. To date, Berrios has made seven starts and been zapped for 22 earned runs and 42 hits in 40.1 frames. After the math, that adds up to a 3-3 tally with a 4.91 ERA.
Several strong team trends support this investment. Atlanta has won 45 of its last 57 in the second game of a series, 104 of its last 154 overall, and 80 of its last 119 when coming off a loss. On the other side of the park, Toronto has slipped in seven of its last 11 battles.
The Braves have been a force on the road this season (15-4 overall) and they’ll respond especially after dropping their last two games against the Blue Jays and BoSox. Take Atlanta with Elder. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
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