TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASEBALL SELECTION SUNDAY, JULY 28TH
#906 ST. LOUIS with Mikolas (-147) over Washington with Herz at 2:15 PM EST
Checking in off three straight blemishes including their last two to the Nats by the finals of 14-3 and 10-8, the Redbirds will play a little defense here and avoid being swept at home by one of the worst teams in the National League East. St. Louis is resting 6.0-games back in the division and 2.0-games behind in the hunt for an NL Wild Card spot and manager Oliver Marmol and his players need this dub badly.
Veteran right-hander Miles Mikolas will pick up the pearl for the Redbirds. So far this season, No. 39 has made 21 starts and been nipped for 66 earned runs and 126 hits in 118.1 innings of work. Miles struck out 80 and walked 19 on his way to an 8-8 mark with a 5.02 ERA. In four July performances, Mikolas has been at his best this year allowing just 10 earned runs and 26 hits in 23.2 frames. That adds up to a 2-1 tally with a respectable 3.80 ERA.
Rookie southpaw DJ Herz will grab the pill for the visitors. With only eight career starts in the books, No. 74 was popped for 20 earned runs and 40 hits in 36.1 innings. DJ whiffed 45 and walked 11 on his way to a 1-4 tally with a 4.95 ERA. On the road, Herz has been a mess giving up seven earned runs and 13 hits in only 7.0 frames. That’s bad enough for an 0-1 record with a rough 9.00 ERA.
This is a tough technical spot for the visitors, too. Washington has fallen in 44 of its last 71 when facing a foe that holds a team won/loss percentage greater than .500, 28 of its last 48 coming off a win, and 42 of its last 75 matched up against a right-handed starter.
With the defending World Series champions coming to town for a three-game set, the Cardinals can’t afford to get swept in their own backyard by the Nationals. Take St. Louis with Mikolas. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
MICK’S 5* MLB SUNDAY NIGHT GAME OF THE YEAR
Off a pass yesterday and Trey’s victory with San Francisco on Friday, the TSPC looks to improve its sizzling 27-12 run with one Pot ‘o Gold release from Mick that will deliver the mail. This primetime payday has all the ingredients needed to warrant a 5* rating and a massive payday is on the horizon. Grab Mick’s 5* MLB Sunday Night Game of the Year for $30.