The MLB All-Star Game isn’t until next week, but we already know who will be starting for the National League on the mound: the Dodgers’ Hyun-Jin Ryu. Not a huge surprise as he leads the majors in ERA and the NL manager for the game is also Ryu’s manager: Dave Roberts. American League manager Alex Cora hasn’t yet named his starter. No reason to hurry. Here’s a look at two intriguing MLB matchups early this week. Check back for Mybookie Sportsbook Odds.
Top MLB Betting Picks of the Week – July 1st Edition
Detroit Tigers at Chicago White Sox
- When: Tuesday, 8:10 PM ET (MLB Extra Innings)
The series opener between these AL Central rivals. Detroit has gone 2-3 against the White Sox this season, including an 0-2 record at Guaranteed Rate Field. The Tigers have won the season series over Chicago in eight of the last nine seasons.
The Tigers will be sellers ahead of the trade deadline and expect closer Shane Greene to be moved. Greene’s 22 saves are tied for second in the American League and fourth in the majors. Among Major League relievers with at least 31.0 innings pitched, Greene ranks first with a 0.87 ERA (31.0IP/3ER), while he is fifth with a .152 (17×112) opponents batting average and ninth with a 0.84 WHIP. Greene has not allowed an earned run in 16 consecutive appearances dating back to May 3 vs. Kansas City.
It’s lefty Matthew Boyd (5-6, 3.72) on the mound for Detroit. Boyd has made 11 career starts vs. the White Sox, posting a 2-5 record with a 4.30 ERA (60.2IP/29ER) and 53 strikeouts. He faced Chicago earlier this season on April 28 and took the loss, giving up two runs on five hits with one walk and nine strikeouts in 6.0 innings. In seven career starts at Guaranteed Rate Field, Boyd has a 0-5 record with a 6.23 ERA (34.2IP/24ER) and 34 strikeouts.
Boyd currently ranks third in the American League with 11.42 strikeouts per 9.0 innings, while he is fifth with 129 strikeouts, ninth with a 1.09 WHIP, tied for ninth with 101.2 innings pitched, and tied for 10th with 10 quality starts.
The Sox go with Reynaldo Lopez (4-7, 6.12). It has been a disappointing first half for Lopez, who has the worst ERA among qualifying pitchers. Lopez has been slightly better over his past four starts, posting a 4.63 ERA over 23 1/3 innings.
Chicago is without star shortstop Tim Anderson. He’s on the injured list with a sprained ankle. Anderson has a .313 batting average with 11 home runs, 37 RBI and 15 stolen bases.
Minnesota Twins at Oakland Athletics
- When: Wednesday, 9:07 PM ET (ESPN+)
Game 2 of this three-game set. Over the weekend, the Twins reinstated outfielder Byron Buxton and infielder/outfielder Marwin Gonzalez from the 10-day Injured List. However, they lost outfielder Eddie Rosario to the IL with a left ankle sprain (retro to June 27). Rosario is hitting .282 (87-for-308) with 14 doubles, 20 home runs, 60 RBI, 51 runs scored and a .841 OPS in 75 games. Nelson Cruz is on a bit of a roll right now with three homers in his last two games and is in the midst of a hot streak that has his overall line up to .284/.372/.572 in 57 games.
The Twins have gone 27-16 on the road this season, the most road wins in baseball. Minnesota went 29-52 on the road in 2018 and didn’t record their 28th road win until September 19 at Detroit.
The A’s have lost outfielder Stephen Piscotty to the Injured List. Piscotty, 28, was hitting .242 (72-for-297) with 37 runs, 15 doubles, 1 triple, 9 home runs, and 34 RBI in 76 games with Oakland this season. He was hitting .353 (24-for-68) against left-handed pitchers, which ranks fourth in the American League in batting average against lefties.
Oakland 3B Matt Chapman’s 3.4 WAR is the 4th-best in the American League behind Mike Trout (5.2), Xander Bogaerts (3.7) and Alex Bregman (3.5). He leads American League third basemen in home runs, 2nd in doubles, RBI, runs and slugging percentage.
It’s Kyle Gibson on the mound for Minnesota. Gibson (8-4, 4.21) was scheduled to start Sunday’s series finale against the White Sox but was pushed back because he was needed for an inning of relief in Thursday’s 18-inning game against the Rays. He allowed four runs in seven frames in his last start.
Oakland goes with Tanner Anderson (0-3, 7.13). Anderson was roughed up in his last outing, allowing a season-high seven earned runs in a loss to the Angels. This will be the rookie’s first look at Minnesota.
Expert Picks
Back Tigers and Twins.
