Will Rogers

The set-up: Despite taking two of three from the Pirates at home last week, the Cards won’t be taking anything for granted here as they’re still only 4-5 vs. Pittsburgh this season. St. Louis comes in with plenty of momentum as well after taking three of four from the Reds over the weekend. The visitors hand the ball to Daniel Ponce De Leon, while the Pirates counter with Trevor Williams.

The pitchers: Ponce de Leon (1-0, 2.80 ERA) allowed four runs over four innings to these very Pirates last week, earning a no-decision for his effort. 

Williams (3-3, 5.17) last start was skipped over due to severe “flu like” symptoms. He’s 1-2 with a 9.53 ERA in four starts since coming off the IL.

The pick: Note though that the Cardinals have posted 49 runs while wining seven of their last ten games, while the Pirates are just 2-7 since the Mid-Summer Classic, scoring only 25 runs. I like Ponce de Leon to get the better of his counterpart.

St. Louis Cardinals (vs. Pittsburgh Pirates)

9* play

The set-up: I think this is a great spot to pull the trigger on the hard-hitting visiting underdog. The Rangers turn to Adrian Sampson, while the Mariners go with Marco Gonzales. This is the opener of a three-game set and after seven straight losses, I look for the Rangers to get untracked tonight. 

The pitchers: Sampson (6-6, 4.92 ERA) has been used mainly in relief this year, but he comes in confident as he’s a solid 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA in four career appearances vs. the M’s. 

Gonzales (10-8, 4.48) is 1-2 with a 3.50 ERA in three appearances vs. the Rangers this season. 

The pick: The good news for Texas is that Seattle’s struggles are even worse, as it enters having lost eight of its last nine. Note that Texas is already 6-2 this year after having lost six or seven of its last eight games, while Seattle is a poor 31-42 vs. right-handed starters this season. 

Texas Rangers

10* play

The set-up: Here’s a matchup of two relatively unknowns. That said, one is much more “unknown” than the other. Ehrat Sandro is from Switzerland and he’s ranked 392nd in the World. Thomas Fabbiano is from Italy and he’s ranked 92nd. 

The pick: Fabbiano has the experience advantage over his counterpart and I think that that matters at this point. Look for Fabbiano’s bigger serve to prove to be too much for the 392nd ranked player in the World to handle down the stretch. Lay the price.

The set-up: Two French players going head-to-head here. Benoit Paire though clearly has the upper-hand in the ATP Hamburg Tournament, as he’s ranked 29th at the moment, while Jeremy Chardy is all the way down in 80th. 

The pick: Paire comes in on the current better form as well and I believe his superior athleticism and huge serve will prove to be too much for the over-matched Chardy to handle down the stretch. All things considered, a great price.