TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASEBALL SELECTION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH
#924 ATLANTA with Fried (-166) over Toronto with Gausman at 7:20 PM EST
Off that surprising 3-1 home loss to the Rockies yesterday and currently resting 8.0-games back in the hunt for the NL East title, the Braves will approach this interleague contest with a sense of urgency. Atlanta plays eight of its next 10 games at home and manager Brian Snitker and his kids need to make them count.
On the bump for the hosts will be ace southpaw Max Fried. So far this year, No. 54 has made 24 starts and been touched for only 55 earned runs and 120 hits in 140.2 innings of work. Max whiffed 130 and walked 50 on his way to an 8-8 record with a 3.52 ERA. Equally impressive, in his last three performances versus the Phillies, Twins, and Phils again, Fried surrendered just six earned runs and 13 hits in 19.0 frames. That adds up to a 1-1 mark with a solid 2.84 ERA.
Aging righty Kevin Gausman will pick up the pill for the visitors. With a grand total of 27 starts in the books, No. 34 was tapped for 71 earned runs and 146 hits in 157.0 innings. Kevin fanned 145 and issued 47 free passes on his way to a 12-10 mark with a 4.07 ERA. Surprisingly, Gausman has been at his statistical worst under the lights giving up 42 earned runs and 85 hits in 83.1 frames. After the math, that equates to a 5-9 tally with a 4.54 ERA.
A number of highly profitable team trends support this investment. Atlanta has come out on top in 425 of its last 721 games overall, 175 of its last 292 when coming off a loss, 217 of its last 353 when it is playing in the comforts of home, and 87 of its last 152 matched up against an American League foe. On the other side of the yard, Toronto has fallen in 32 of its last 54 when priced as a road underdog.
If the Braves truly want to be in the mix for a division crown, they’ll need to dominate opposing teams at home the rest of the way out. Take Atlanta with Fried. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
TOM’S 100% (10-0 ATS) NCAA GOLDEN BEST BET
Checking in off a 2-1 performance last night that scooped up victories on the diamond with the Giants and the Phillies run line but a tough blemish on the Ravens in football, Stryker is back with one college investment for Friday that will bring home the cash. A rare 10-0 ATS power angle and a solid 84-53 ATS system support this selection. Grab Tom’s NCAA Golden Best Bet for $30.