TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASKETBALL SELECTION THURSDAY, JUNE 8TH
#969 CHICAGO with Smyly (+116) over LA Angels with Detmers at 9:38 PM EST
In a funk off three consecutive losses, the Cubs will rally the troops and pick up a huge win before heading to Oracle Park and battling the Giants. Chicago remains out of the cellar in the NL Central and manager David Ross knows his troops will need this victory in order to stay above St. Louis in the standings.
Left-hander Drew Smyly will take the mound for the road team. With 12 starts completed, No. 11 has been in solid form this season surrendering only 26 earned runs and 56 hits in 65.2 innings of work. Drew whiffed 57 and walked 17 on his way to a 5-3 record with a reliable 3.56 ERA. The road has been kind to this former Arkansas hurler as well. As a guest, Smyly has been touched for only 12 earned runs and 21 hits in 30.2 frames. That adds up to a 2-1 tally with a solid 3.52 ERA.
Struggling southpaw Reid Detmers will toe the rubber for the home team. So far this season, No. 48 has made 10 starts for the Halos and been bounced for 29 earned runs and 57 hits in 50.2 innings. Reid struck out 60 and walked 21 on his way to an ugly 0-5 mark with a weak 5.15 ERA. Pitching at home has been a problem for this former Louisville pitcher as well. In his own backyard, Detmers has been slammed for 15 earned runs and 31 hits in just 25.1 frames. That adds up to a woeful 0-2 tally with a feeble 5.33 ERA.
This isn’t the best technical spot for the home team either. Los Angeles has fallen in four of its last five as an interleague host fighting a left-handed starter, nine of its last 12 after scoring five runs or more in its last contest, and nine of its last 13 when competing on Thursday. On the other side of the yard, Chicago has tasted victory in five of its last seven matched up against left-handers from the American League.
The Cubs have their better arm on the bump, and they’ll find just enough offense to salvage a victory in this interleague series. Take Chicago with Smyly. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
TOM’S 52-21 MLB HIGH ROLLER DIAMOND SMASH
Stryker split his Best Bets last night (won with Denver in the NBA but slipped with the LA Dodgers in MLB) and he’s headed back to the yard with one wager that will get the job done. Solid pitching supports this key release along with a strong 52-21 team trend that knows how to bang the cash register. Grab Tom’s MLB High Roller Diamond Smash for $30.