TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASEBALL SELECTION FRIDAY, JUNE 30TH
#957 SAN DIEGO with Lugo (-136) over Cincinnati with Ashcraft at 5:10 PM EST
It’s gut-check time for the Padres. Off five consecutive losses and with blemishes in eight of its last 10 games, San Diego needs to pick up the pace immediately or its promising season will quickly fall into the tank.
In order to stop the bleeding, manager Bob Melvin will hand the pearl to right-hander Seth Lugo. In a pair of June outings versus the Nationals and Giants, No. 67 was nicked for four earned runs and 10 hits in 10.0 innings of work. Seth struck out nine and walked one on his way to an 0-1 mark with a 3.60 ERA. Back on May 3rd, Lugo faced Cincinnati inside Petco Park and was touched for only one earned run and seven hits in 6.0 frames and was awarded the win in San Diego’s 7-1 beatdown.
Righty Graham Ashcraft will counter for the home squad. With three June starts in the bank against the Braves, Dodgers, and Brew Crew, No. 51 was blasted for 19 earned runs and 22 hits in 10.2 innings. Graham fanned five and walked six on his way to an ugly 0-3 record with an elevated 16.04 ERA. Pitching at home has been a problem for the former UAB hurler, too. In the Queen City, Ashcraft has been annihilated for 37 earned runs and 49 hits in 36.1 frames. After the math, that adds up to a dismal 2-5 mark with a stiff 9.17 ERA.
There are a few power trends that support this diamond wager. San Diego has tasted victory in 23 of its last 32 when coming off a day of rest and 16 of its last 21 in this series. On the other side of the field, Cincinnati has fallen in 33 of its last 53 at home when priced competitively between +125 and -125.
Sitting 7.0-games under the .500 mark and 10.5-games back in the division, the Padres need this game like blood, and they’ll get it. Take San Diego with Lugo. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
MICK’S 4* MLB POT ‘O GOLD UNDERDOG GAME OF THE MONTH
Off Trey’s blemish with the Orioles on Wednesday, the TSPC passed yesterday in order to prepare for this power play from Trey that will deliver the mail. There is one live dog on the board hungry for a victory and this selection is supported by a team trend that owns a respectable 13-4 mark. Grab Mick’s 4* MLB Pot ‘o Gold Underdog Game of the Month for $30.