Monday, August 17, 2026

While the Rockies should benefit from their home park offensively, the Dodgers simply have too much firepower throughout the lineup. If Snell provides a solid start and Los Angeles does what it has done all season against vulnerable pitching, the visitors should be able to pull away and cover the run line in the series opener.

The Athletics have enough offensive pieces to scratch across runs and keep the pressure on, while Barnett simply needs to deliver a competitive outing to make the run line valuable. Expect Kansas City to be challenged throughout, with The A's keeping the game close from start to finish.

Braves LHP Martin Perez (8-6, 2.96 ERA, 1.15 WHIP) takes the ball for Atlanta, while Twins RHP Bailey Ober (7-4, 4.64 ERA, 1.23 WHIP) goes for the home side. The Twins are still a dismal 13-26 in interleague play, and they're just 18-23 vs. LHP.

Both teams have been playing great, but I trust the Padres a lot more in this matchup. The Mets are coming off a series against a much weaker Nationals team and they'll be have a much harder time hitting against this Padres rotation. Look for San Diego to keep things rolling in tonight's matchup.

The Diamondbacks have been hot in the second half, while the Red Sox have lost 7 of their last 10. Things should line up for success for Boston tonight, but recent form suggests we should hunt the upset.

Shota Imanaga had a rougher start last time out but had allowed 2 or fewer earned runs in each of his previous 7 outings. Luis Castillo pitched well in his last start but had struggled mightily in prior outings. Both lineups are in good form against the respective handedness they will face, but I favor the Cubs at home.

The Tigers have a significant edge on the mound with Framber Valdez, and seeing how Mlodzinski has struggled as of late, I simply can't trust the Pirates. Both teams are fairly even offensively, but with Detroit having the more reliable arm to start things off, and a stronger bullpen, I'm siding with the road team in this one.

Cristopher Sanchez has a 15-4 record with a 2.54 ERA in 155.2 innings. He has only given up two earned runs in his last 17.0 innings. The Phillies bats are dangerous and I think this game is shaping up for a Phillies win.

Baltimore is 6-3 against Tampa Bay this season, and the O's have won 6 of Brandon Young's last 7 starts. Tampa Bay's Shane McClanahan is battling yet another nagging injury, and hasn't been able to rack up the strikeouts on a consistent basis. That is a bit concerning for the Rays.

St. Louis is the more attractive Game 2 position with Cincinnati sending Rhett Lowder and his 4-8 record and 5.15 ERA to the mound. In the second half of a doubleheader at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park, I'm unwilling to lay anything with Lowder. Back the Cardinals to take the second leg.

Underdog MLB Read more With the Game 1 of this doubleheader's pitching picture still murky, this handicap comes down to price and environment. Cincinnati gets St. Louis at Great American Ball Park in a rivalry dating to 1882, with the Reds available around even money at home. In a volatile matchup without a clear pitching mismatch, back Cincinnati.