TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASEBALL SELECTION MONDAY, JUNE 26TH
#960 ATLANTA RUN-LINE with Strider (-1′ -102) over Minnesota with Gray at 7:20 PM EST
Extremely confident off a pair of road wins over the Big Red Machine and with victories in 10 of their last 11 games, the Braves will have no trouble extending the margin against this poor-traveling Twins club. Minnesota has dropped 20 of its last 37 as a guest and, after taking two of three at Detroit, manager Rocco Baldelli’s boys will get a quick reality check here.
Strong righty Spencer Strider will take the mound for the home team. After a pair of rocky outings against the Tigers and Mets, No. 99 was in a zone in his last performance against the Phillies allowing just one earned run and eight hits in 6.0 innings of work. Spencer fanned nine, issued no walks, and was awarded the win in Hotlanta’s 4-2 beatdown. Overall, with 48 career appearances in the books including 35 starts, Strider has been nicked for only 77 earned runs and 155 hits in 218.2 frames. That equates to a reliable 20-7 mark with an outstanding 3.17 ERA.
Aging righty Sonny Gray will take the bump for the visitors. Lined up against the BoSox, Tigers, and Blue Jays in his last three starts, No. 54 was tagged for six earned runs and 14 hits in 14.0 innings. Sonny struck out 13, walked eight, and failed to earn a decision on his way to a 3.86 ERA. To date, Gray has made 15 starts for Minny and been cracked for 23 earned runs and 73 hits in 81.0 frames. That adds up to a 4-1 tally with a 2.56 ERA.
With both arms certainly capable of throwing a good game, the following team trends will help bring this Best Bet home. Atlanta has tasted victory in 63 of its last 88 coming off a win, 43 of its last 61 in the first game of a series, 67 of its last 95 when playing at home, and 65 of its last 93 after allowing five runs or more last. On the other side of the yard, Minnesota has fallen in 38 of its last 56 against NL East foes and 47 of its last 70 on the road.
The Braves hold a 6.0-game lead in the NL East over the Marlins and their high-octane offense will too much for the Twins to handle. Take Atlanta on the run-line with Strider. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
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