TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASEBALL SELECTION FRIDAY, AUGUST 16TH
#955 LA DODGERS with Wrobleski (-135) over St. Louis with Mikolas at 8:15 PM EST
Off back-to-back road losses to the Brewers and clinging to just a 2.0-game lead over the Diamondbacks and Padres in the NL West standings, the Dodgers will approach this game with a sense of urgency. St. Louis scoots into this National League battle off four consecutive losses and this will prove to be a very difficult series for the Cardinals.
With Tyler Glasnow grabbing an extra day of rest, manager Dave Roberts will hand the pearl to rookie southpaw Justin Wroblewski. With four career starts in the books, No. 70 was nipped for nine earned runs and 17 hits in 20.0 innings of work. Justin whiffed 15 and walked seven on his way to an 0-1 record with a 4.05 ERA. In the minor leagues this year, Wroblewski started 17 battles and surrendered 35 earned runs and 78 hits in 88.1 frames. That’s good enough for a 5-4 tally with a respectable 3.57 ERA.
Right-hander Miles Mikolas will take the mound for the home squad. With 24 starts completed, No. 39 was hammered for 78 earned runs and 149 hits in 132.1 innings. Miles struck out 89 and walked 22 on his way to an 8-9 mark with a stiff 5.30 ERA. Even worse, in a pair of August outings versus the Royals and White Sox, Mikolas was mauled for nine earned runs and 16 hits in only 8.0 frames. That’s bad enough for an 0-1 tally with a pitiful 10.13 ERA.
Technically speaking, this is a solid spot for the visitors. Los Angeles has won 451 of its last 705 overall, 162 of its last 250 when coming off a loss, 205 of its last 343 as a guest, and 377 of its last 585 when rolling without rest.
The Dodgers have the Diamondbacks and Padres on their tail in the division standings and they need this dub badly in order to hang on to their slim advantage. Take Los Angeles with Wroblewski. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
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