TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASEBALL SELECTION SATURDAY, AUGUST 24TH
#977 PHILADELPHIA with Suarez (-115) over Kansas City with Singer at 7:10 PM EST
Off a pair of blemishes to the Royals and Braves, the Phillies will respond with a solid performance in this interleague matchup. Philadelphia’s advantage in the NL East sits at just 5.0-games over Atlanta and manager Rob Thomson and his troops know they need to crank their game up a notch and create a little breathing room in the division standings with a dub here.
Left-hander Ranger Suarez will pick up the pill for the visitors. With 20 starts completed, No 55 has allowed just 38 earned runs and 100 hits in 119.1 innings of work. Ranger struck out 116 and walked 27 on his way to a 10-5 tally with an elite 2.87 ERA. Even though Suarez hasn’t pitched since July 22nd (back), he has been incredibly effective under the lights surrendering just 22 earned runs and 74 hits in 91.2 frames. That’s good enough for a 9-4 mark with a strong 2.16 ERA.
Ace righty Brady Singer will take the mound for the home team. So far this year, No. 51 has made 25 starts and been nicked for 50 earned runs and 132 hits in 141.2 innings. Brady whiffed 136 and walked 40 on his way to a 9-8 record with a 3.18 ERA. In three August outings versus the Reds, Twins, and Red Sox, Singer was smoked for 10 earned runs and 23 hits in 16.2 frames. That adds up to a 1-2 mark with a weak 5.40 ERA.
Several strong trends line up on this investment. Philadelphia has won 172 of its last 303 battles overall, 72 of its last 129 coming off a loss, 143 of its last 247 rolling without rest, and 52 of its last 84 when playing at night.
The Phillies have the Braves in their rearview mirror, and they need this win to keep their comfortable margin in the division standings. Take Philadelphia with Suarez. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
TOM’S 36-16 ATS NFL PRESEASON GAME OF THE YEAR
Stryker checks in off a 2-1 performance (won with the Jags and Brewers and slipped with the Braves run line) and he’s back with his strongest exhibition release of the season. This power play comes with the ideal set, and it has the support of one elite angle that holds a reliable 36-16 ATS record. Grab Tom’s NFL Preseason Game of the Year for $30.