The City of Las Vegas already has an NHL team and will be getting an NFL team next year in the Oakland Raiders. Could a Major League Baseball team be far behind? News broke recently that Las Vegas approached the Arizona Diamondbacks about eventually relocating. And the Diamondbacks listened, at least to some extent. Is something imminent? No. But the Snakes aren’t happy with their arrangement with Maricopa County over the state of Chase Field. Something worth keeping an eye on.
Here are two intriguing MLB matchups this week, one featuring the Diamondbacks and one involving Arizona’s former ace. Check back for MyBookie MLB Odds.
Top MLB Betting Picks of the Week – August 5th Edition
American League Leaders
- East: New York Yankees (72-39)
- Central: Minnesota Twins (69-42)
- West: Houston Astros (73-40)
National League Leaders
- East: Atlanta Braves (66-47)
- Central: Chicago Cubs (60-51)
- West: LA Dodgers (74-40)
Colorado Rockies at Houston Astros
- When: Tuesday, 8:10 PM ET (MLB Extra Innings)
- Live Stream: MLB.tv
The biggest trade made before last Wednesday’s Trade Deadline was Arizona sending former Cy Young winner Zack Greinke (10-4, 2.90) to Houston to give the Astros an unbelievable Top 3 in their rotation of Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, and Greinke. Good luck beating them now. Greinke makes his Houston debut in this one against an NL West opponent he obviously knows well. He’s 1-1 with a 3.12 ERA against the Rockies in four starts this year.
Making his final start as a Diamondback last Wednesday, Greinke gave up two hits and two runs over five innings Wednesday in a no-decision against the Yankees. The All-Star right-hander was shipped to Houston just prior to Wednesday’s 4 PM ET trade deadline. Greinke struck out seven and walked three over 82 pitches before a rain delay spelled the end of his D’Backs tenure. The three free passes marked a season-high for the former Cy Young winner, who allowed both of his runs in the second inning. Those came on a two-out, two-run homer by outfielder Mike Tauchman.
Colorado counters with German Marquez – probably. Marquez (10-5) was removed from last Wednesday’s game against the Dodgers due to “full body cramping.” Marquez cramped up after throwing a warmup pitch prior to the seventh inning and ultimately had to be helped off the field. The right-hander was locked in prior to suffering the injury, fanning 10 batters while allowing just two hits and no walks across six scoreless innings. It’s not thought that will cause Marquez to miss this start. Marquez has fond memories at Minute Maid Park. He threw seven innings of one-run ball with seven strikeouts in a 5-1 win last Aug. 14. He is 7-0 with a 2.98 ERA in 14 Interleague starts.
Philadelphia Phillies at Arizona Diamondbacks
- When: Wednesday, 9:40 PM ET (MLB Extra Innings)
- Live Stream: MLB.tv
This is the only late-night game on Wednesday’s schedule. It’s lefty Jason Vargas for the Phillies – he was acquired before the Trade Deadline by the Mets. Vargas (6-5) surrendered two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out five over 6.1 innings Friday against the White Sox. He didn’t factor into the decision. Vargas gave up a two-run home run in the third inning, but otherwise, he came through with a solid performance. The 36-year-old has held the opposition to three or fewer runs in each of his last four outings, and he now owns a 3.93 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 86 punchouts over 100.2 frames on the season.
The Phillies are 50-13 this season when they score at least four runs in a game and their .794 winning % when doing so is 2nd-best in the National League and 5th in the majors behind only the Dodgers (62-11, .849), Astros (62-11, .849), Cleveland Guardians (54-10, .844) and Yankees (67-17, .798).
The Snakes go with newly acquired Zac Gallen (1-3, 2.72). Gallen was acquired from the Marlins at the Trade Deadline in exchange for Minor League shortstop Jazz Chisholm. This will be Gallen’s first start for the D-backs. His last start for the Marlins came on July 30 against the Twins, when he pitched seven innings of two-run ball.
D-backs starting pitchers have 5 quality starts in their last 9 games, allowing 2 runs or fewer 6 times while posting a 3.86 ERA (22 ER in 51.1 IP), .228 average and 56 strikeouts. D-backs relievers, in their last 12 games since July 21, have a .223 opponent average with 40 strikeouts.
Arizona took two of three at the Phillies from June 10-12. All-Star Ketel Marte has hit safely in all 8 career games vs. Phillies (.452, 14-for-31, 1.146 OPS).
Expert MLB Betting Picks
Back Astros and Diamondbacks.
