August 14th MLB Plays

501

Another 2-1 day has me feeling great entering Sunday. I’m rolling with a pair of plays for today looking to close out the weekend strong. To receive a text when I release/add any plays, join my Telegram group!

*MLB(1u): Astros -1.5(-125) vs Athletics–1:10 PM CT

Astros SP Cristian Javier has obviously had a breakout year, and a lot of that success has come at Minute Maid Park. At home this year, Javier holds a 2.60 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and is striking out 11.5 batters per 9 innings. Javier is also allowing just 6.2 hits per 9 innings. He gets a dream matchup facing one of the worst offenses in baseball; the A’s hold a poor 85 wRC+ on the road vs righties since June 1st.

Athletics SP Cole Irvin has great numbers and has held this Astros lineup in check this year, but I qualify this as a very tough spot for the soft-throwing lefty. Today marks the 4th start Irvin will make against the Astros since July 10th. Considering Irvin fails to miss many bats and holds shaky road numbers(4.58 ERA, 1.25 WHIP), I think today is the day the Astros crack the code on this familiar arm. It’s worth noting that, since June 1st, the Astros rank 2nd in baseball with a 151 wRC+ vs lefties in their home park.

The Astros have one of the deepest and most effective bullpens in baseball, and by nature of squaring off with the A’s, they’ll hold a massive advantage in the later innings.

*MLB(1u): Cardinals F5 TT OVER 2.5(+110) vs Brewers–1:15 PM CT

Brewers SP Aaron Ashby is a young lefty arm with potential, but we’ve seen him struggle mightily here in 2022. Ashby holds an ugly 1.46 WHIP overall, and that WHIP jumps all the way up to 1.66 when he’s pitching on the road. Most notably, Ashby has very shaky control, walking 4.77 batters per 9 innings on the road this season.

This Cardinals lineup has been trustworthy against lefties all season. Overall, they hold a 127 wRC+ vs lefties in their home ballpark. We should not be getting plus-money on this.

We are +9.21u on our action in Cardinals’ games this year; let’s add to that today!