TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASEBALL SELECTION SATURDAY, JULY 20TH
#901 NY METS with Severino (-165) over Miami with Munoz at 4:10 PM EST
In a bad mood off yesterday’s 6-4 road loss to the Marlins, the Mets will respond with a beating of their own here. Miami is the worst team in the NL East and, if New York wants to have a shot at a Wild Card spot, manager Carlos Mendoza and his boys can’t afford any more losses in this series.
Veteran right-hander Luis Severino will take the mound for the visitors. So far this season, No. 40 has made 18 starts and been touched for only 46 earned runs and 94 hits in 109.2 innings of work. Luis fanned 81 and issued 37 free passes on his way to a 6-3 record with an elite 3.78 ERA. Even better, in day performances, Severino has excelled surrendering just 19 earned runs and 46 hits in 49.2 frames. That’s good enough for a 2-1 mark with a strong 3.44 ERA.
Rookie righty Roddery Munoz will pick up the pearl for the home team. With a grand total of 10 appearances in the books (nine actual starts), No. 70 was slammed for 31 earned runs and 46 hits in 51.0 innings. Roddery whiffed 42 and walked 26 on his way to a 1-4 tally with a soft 5.47 ERA. Even worse, in his own backyard, Munoz has been mauled for 13 earned runs and 20 hits in 18.0 frames. After the math, that adds up to a 1-1 record with an elevated 6.50 ERA.
There are plenty of team trends that work against the Fish. Miami has slipped in 31 of its last 50 at home, 39 of its last 60 when facing a foe that owns a team won/loss percentage greater than .500, and 19 of its last 27 against division foes. On the other side of the park, New York has covered 10 of its last 17 when priced as a road favorite.
With four more games on the road after this battle including two in the Big Apple against the Bronx Bombers, the Mets need this victory like blood. Take New York with Severino. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
LEE’S $1,500 HRC MLB DIVISION GAME OF THE YEAR
Off a win last night with Trey’s run line release on the Yankees, the TSPC improved to 24-11 in its last 35 posts and returns with a power play from Lee that will deliver the mail. Incredible motivation, solid pitching, and three lucrative trends all back this High Roller Club wager. Grab Lee’s $1,500 HRC MLB Division Game of the Year for $30.