Saturday, August 22, 2026

St. Louis turns to LHP Quinn Mathews, who steps in for the injured RHP Andre Pallante. The Phillies use RHP Andrew Painter (2-8, 6.43 ERA, 1.55 WHIP). As such, a matchup of Mathews on short notice and Painter should result in another high-scoring affair.

Both teams struggled offensively in their preseason openers. New England tied Indianapolis 13-13; Philadelphia lost to Baltimore 24-7. Both averaged 4.0 yards per play.

Atlanta head coach Kevin Stefanski has already said that none of his starters will play in this game. The Falcons generally stink in the preseason and I expect that trend to continue.

The Vikings have more depth at quarterback and the stronger defense in this contest. I'll lay the short number with Minnesota.

Atlanta head coach Kevin Stefanski has already said that none of his starters will play in this game. The Falcons generally stink in the preseason and I expect that trend to continue.

The Vikings have more depth at quarterback and the stronger defense in this contest. I'll lay the short number with Minnesota.

The Bills have an established foundation with a Super Bowl contending roster, so I like their depth way more than that of the Browns. Taking plus-money with the Bills is the easy look here, if you’re looking for action on this preseason tilt.

Both the Washington and Detroit defenses put forth strong performances in their respective preseason openers. The Commanders held the Dolphins to just 7 points and 226 total yards, while the Lions held the Bengals to just a single offensive touchdown. With so many question marks at QB on each side, both defenses should be able to thrive.

Atlanta head coach Kevin Stefanski has already said that none of his starters will play in this game. The Falcons generally stink in the preseason and I expect that trend to continue.

The Vikings have more depth at quarterback and the stronger defense in this contest. I'll lay the short number with Minnesota.

Both the Washington and Detroit defenses put forth strong performances in their respective preseason openers. The Commanders held the Dolphins to just 7 points and 226 total yards, while the Lions held the Bengals to just a single offensive touchdown. With so many question marks at QB on each side, both defenses should be able to thrive.

The Vikings have more depth at quarterback and the stronger defense in this contest. I'll lay the short number with Minnesota.

Dallas' prowess on defense was on display in its win over Seattle a week ago, and I'm suspecting a more conservative gameplan from the Arizona offense following the injury to Jeremiyah Love in the Cardinals' preseason opener. Let's roll with the under at the current number.

Atlanta head coach Kevin Stefanski has already said that none of his starters will play in this game. The Falcons generally stink in the preseason and I expect that trend to continue.

We have two strong starting pitchers on the mound, and both bullpens are rested, so pitching should have the advantage on Saturday. The Brewers also struggle against left-handed pitching, which should also suppress scoring.

Prior to Mize’s tenure in San Diego, he was part of the Detroit Tigers staff – one of the Twins’ divisional rivals – so he has plenty of experience against the Twins organization. In fact, this lineup is hitting just .247 against Mize in 89 at-bats, along with just a .295 on-base percentage.

While the Mets are far removed from the playoff picture, I like the way their offense is hitting right now. Despite their ranking, they have a veteran-laden squad that has plenty of experience against Castillo, while Chicago hasn’t seen Scott at all.

Tarik Skubal takes on a Pirates lineup that struggles to hit left-handed pitching. Pittsburgh has a taxed bullpen behind Jared Jones who is currently struggling with the home run ball. I favor the Dodgers to win this game by multiple runs.

The Houston Astros are heavy favorites in this game for good reason as the Athletics are 9-38 across their last 47 games played. I favor the under on the posted game total, however, as Hunter Brown and Jacob Lopez both enter this matchup in solid form.

The Rays started the season 3-0 against the Orioles, but since then, they've gone 1-for-7 against Baltimore. This is a game where the first-place Rays need to take advantage of an Orioles team that's sitting in the basement of the AL East and has little to no chance of making the playoffs. Today's matchup sets up well for Tampa Bay, and I expect them to get the job done behind McClanahan.

The Cardinals are 3.5 games back in the National League wild-card picture, and Friday's loss was costly. The Phillies are in a wild-card spot, two games clear of the cut line. Philadelphia improved to 36-30 at home, and it has won seven in a row. St. Louis is 34-30 on the road, and it turns to LHP Quinn Mathews, who steps in for the injured RHP Andre Pallante, who hit the 15-day injured list Friday due to right elbow inflammation. The Phillies use RHP Andrew Painter (2-8, 6.43 ERA, 1.55 WHIP). A

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid never shows any interest in the preseason. His team scored just 12 points in a Week 1 loss to the Rams. Let's go with the under.

Both the Washington and Detroit defenses put forth strong performances in their respective preseason openers. The Commanders held the Dolphins to just 7 points and 226 total yards, while the Lions held the Bengals to just a single offensive touchdown. With so many question marks at QB on each side, both defenses should be able to thrive.

Kade Anderson has a 10-1 record with a 1.06 ERA in 93.1 innings and a 10.38 strikeout to walk ratio at the AA level. In 112.1 innings this year, David Peterson has a 5.29 ERA and 7-7 record. He is very inconsistent and can struggle to keep the ball in the strike zone at times.

The Giants average 4.0 runs per game, which is ranked 26th in the league. The Red Sox offense is clicking right now, having scored six or more runs in each of their last four games.

The Cardinals are 3.5 games back in the National League wild-card picture, and Friday's loss was costly. The Phillies are in a wild-card spot, two games clear of the cut line. Philadelphia improved to 36-30 at home, and it has won seven in a row. St. Louis is 34-30 on the road, and it turns to LHP Quinn Mathews, who steps in for the injured RHP Andre Pallante, who hit the 15-day injured list Friday due to right elbow inflammation. The Phillies use RHP Andrew Painter (2-8, 6.43 ERA, 1.55 WHIP). A

This line is suspicious, as we would expect the Guardians to be heavy favorites after Friday's 9-1 victory. Tanner Bibee has been an unlucky pitchers lately though, and the top of the Cleveland order did next to nothing on Friday. Even bad teams win 40% of their games; let's chase the Rockies on Saturday.

We have two strong starting pitchers on the mound, and both bullpens are rested, so pitching should have the advantage on Saturday. The Brewers also struggle against left-handed pitching, which should also suppress scoring.

Bubba Chandler has won his last three starts, and he has allowed only four runs across those three games. Yamamoto is always great, and he usually keeps the bullpen at bay, which is good news for the Dodgers. This game should be low-scoring.

Both teams struggled offensively in their preseason openers. New England tied Indianapolis 13-13; Philadelphia lost to Baltimore 24-7. Both averaged 4.0 yards per play.

These teams are very close in terms of roster talent, from the starting lineup through the depth chart. However, the Bears are banged up defensively right now, including a handful of second-string and third-strong players.

Bubba Chandler has won his last three starts, and he has allowed only four runs across those three games. Yamamoto is always great, and he usually keeps the bullpen at bay, which is good news for the Dodgers. This game should be low-scoring.

Even though the Yankees found some success against Dylan Cease in his last start, it's going to be tough to do that again. Cease has been excellent all season, and he's not going to let a mediocre Yankees lineup defeat him two starts in a row. Look for Cease to come out with a chip on his shoulder and shut down this Yankees offense on Saturday afternoon.

Bubba Chandler has won his last three starts, and he has allowed only four runs across those three games. Yamamoto is always great, and he usually keeps the bullpen at bay, which is good news for the Dodgers. This game should be low-scoring.

Connor Prielipp was roughed up in his most recent outing against the Philadelphia Phillies, where he gave up eight earned runs in 5.0 innings. The Twins give up 4.9 runs per game, which is 25th in the MLB.

The Astros are 3-3 against the A’s this year, and it has been a high-scoring series thus far with the winner of four of those games plating double-digit runs. This total opened at 8.5 and has been bet down in some places, which is something I cannot fathom against this A’s pitching staff.

Connor Prielipp was roughed up in his most recent outing against the Philadelphia Phillies, where he gave up eight earned runs in 5.0 innings. The Twins give up 4.9 runs per game, which is 25th in the MLB.

Logan Webb and Sonny Gray both enter Friday's matchup in terrific form. Webb has allowed just four earned runs across his last four starts spanning a combined 26 innings pitched. Gray has allowed just two earned runs in 19 innings this month.

Both teams will lean on quality pitching against struggling offenses in this matchup; New York ranks 29th in wRC+ since the All-Star break offensively with Cam Schlittler on the mound and one of the top bullpens in baseball ready in relief.

Both the Washington and Detroit defenses put forth strong performances in their respective preseason openers. The Commanders held the Dolphins to just 7 points and 226 total yards, while the Lions held the Bengals to just a single offensive touchdown. With so many question marks at QB on each side, both defenses should be able to thrive.

Drew Allar's performance against the Packers have been one of the biggest surprises of the NFL preseason. Allar completed 10 of his 13 passes for 153 yards and 2 touchdowns in Pittsburgh's 28-9 win. He figures to see plenty of action again in this one, and should be able to put the Steelers in a good spot.

In his last four starts, Troy Melton has pitched a total of 24.1 innings and only given up three earned runs. Noah Cameron is coming off a complete game shutout in his latest outing against the Los Angeles Angels.

The Astros are 3-3 against the A’s this year, and it has been a high-scoring series thus far with the winner of four of those games plating double-digit runs. This total opened at 8.5 and has been bet down in some places, which is something I cannot fathom against this A’s pitching staff.

With familiarity working in favor of the hitters and neither starter entering in dominant form, the conditions are in place for another productive offensive game. Even if one pitcher settles in, both lineups have enough depth to create scoring opportunities throughout the early and middle innings. This feels like another matchup where both offenses contribute enough to push the total over the number.

Logan Webb and Sonny Gray both enter Friday's matchup in terrific form. Webb has allowed just four earned runs across his last four starts spanning a combined 26 innings pitched. Gray has allowed just two earned runs in 19 innings this month.

Both teams will lean on quality pitching against struggling offenses in this matchup; New York ranks 29th in wRC+ since the All-Star break offensively with Cam Schlittler on the mound and one of the top bullpens in baseball ready in relief.

Los Angeles has compiled a winning record in the last two preseasons and is coming off a win over Kansas City. It should have a good chance in front of the home crowd.

Atlanta head coach Kevin Stefanski has already said that none of his starters will play in this game. The Falcons generally stink in the preseason and I expect that trend to continue.

The Vikings have more depth at quarterback and the stronger defense in this contest. I'll lay the short number with Minnesota.

The Astros are 3-3 against the A’s this year, and it has been a high-scoring series thus far with the winner of four of those games plating double-digit runs. This total opened at 8.5 and has been bet down in some places, which is something I cannot fathom against this A’s pitching staff.

With familiarity working in favor of the hitters and neither starter entering in dominant form, the conditions are in place for another productive offensive game. Even if one pitcher settles in, both lineups have enough depth to create scoring opportunities throughout the early and middle innings. This feels like another matchup where both offenses contribute enough to push the total over the number.

Logan Webb and Sonny Gray both enter Friday's matchup in terrific form. Webb has allowed just four earned runs across his last four starts spanning a combined 26 innings pitched. Gray has allowed just two earned runs in 19 innings this month.

Both teams will lean on quality pitching against struggling offenses in this matchup; New York ranks 29th in wRC+ since the All-Star break offensively with Cam Schlittler on the mound and one of the top bullpens in baseball ready in relief.