There’s a grand total of sixteen games on tap for this Tuesday in August, including a doubleheader between the Cardinals and Cubs. We’ve got Wicked Wagers for the front part of the doubleheader, and then head over to Houston for Carlos Correa’s much awaited return to the city where he won a World Series. Finally, let’s see if the Dodgers can rebound from their shutout loss last night.
2:20 PM EST St Louis Cardinals (-195) @ Chicago Cubs (+165)
Starting Pitchers: Adam Wainwright (STL) vs Javier Assad (CHC)
The red-hot Cardinals will be coming into Tuesday’s action winners of eight straight. The run the team has been on has built them an impressive five game lead over the second place Brewers. Adam Wainwright is set to get the ball for the front part of the doubleheader. Wainwright, who will be turning 41 in exactly a week, is having an impressive season. The righty will be going for win number ten on the year. He’s posted a 3.11 ERA, and has led his team in strikeouts, with 123. The Cubs won’t have nearly as much experience on the mound Tuesday afternoon. The team recently decided to call up pitching prospect Javier Assad to make his MLB debut on Tuesday. Assad has split time between AA and AAA this season and has had a sub three ERA in both leagues. The Mexican born pitcher will have a tough test in his first start.
The Cardinals have something special going on. The team seemed to be playing just over .500 ball the entire year, until they caught fire post all-star break. The Cards have won seventeen of their last twenty and could be on the verge of running away with their division. In last night’s contest with the Cubs, the Cardinals won 1-0, thanks to a seventh inning solo homer from Albert Pujols. It was Pujols’ 693 long ball of his career.
The Cardinals are less of a favorite in this one then you’d think they’d be. The -195 moneyline looks like a gimme. Their odds don’t drop off drastically enough in the run line (-110) to make you want to go for that. But a red-hot veteran led team, going up against a pitcher making his MLB debut? Take the vets.
Wicked Wager- Cardinals ML (-195)
8:10 PM EST Minnesota Twins (+250) @ Houston Astros (-300)
Starting Pitchers: Aaron Sanchez (MIN) vs Justin Verlander (HOU)
Twins pitcher Aaron Sanchez will be making his second start for the team on Tuesday. He was solid in his first appearance, going five innings and only giving up two runs. Sanchez was signed by the Twins after playing for the Nationals earlier in the season. The former all star was getting roughed up during his stint in DC. In seven starts, Sanchez had an 8.33 ERA in Washington, before being released. He’ll be going up against Justin Verlander, a guy who’s having a Cy Young worthy season. Not many people thought Verlander would return to this level of play, after the pitcher had Tommy John Surgery in his late thirties. Verlander has proven his doubters wrong and could be on his way to winning his third Cy Young Award.
Tuesday’s contest will mark the first of a three-game set between these two teams. It will also be the first time Carlos Correa returns to Houston, since departing via free agency. Emotions will be running high, especially since both teams are in the middle of a playoff race. The Astros are looking to hang on to the one seed in the AL, while the Twins are just trying to get themselves a spot in the bracket. The Astros swept the Twins back in Minnesota in May. The sweep included a pair of shutout victories for Houston.
The Astros have an obvious pitching advantage in this one. Look for them to try to get to Sanchez early, while Verlander does his thing and puts together another quality start. This looks like a game that the Astros will win big.
Wicked Wagers – Astros Run Line (-145) / Full Game o7.5 Runs (-115)
10:10 PM EST Milwaukee Brewers (+130) @ Los Angeles Dodgers (-150)
Starting Pitchers: Corbin Burners (MIL) vs Tony Gonsolin (LAD)
The Brewers became the first team all year to shut out the Dodgers in Chavez Ravine last night. They held a 1-0 lead for most of the game, but really broke it open in the ninth, leading to a 4-0 victory. Tuesday’s action will feature two outstanding pitchers, Corbin Burnes, and Tony Gonsolin. These two teams just met in a four-game set last week. Burnes and Gonsolin pitched on different days, with each pitcher’s team winning the days they pitched
We must remember who we’re talking about here. The Dodgers are putting together a sensational season. At 84-37 the team appears to be running away with the best record in baseball. Don’t expect this offense that features Mookie Betts, Trea Turner, and Freddie Freeman to falter on back-to-back nights. The Brewers have a great pitching staff, but a lower tier lineup. The lineup is going to run into trouble as they face the potential NL Cy Young award winner, Tony Gonsolin. Gonsolin has been lights out this year. His fifteen-win, 2.12 ERA season is enough to show us why opposing lineups should fare him.
It’s rare to find a game line of the Dodgers where the team’s not huge favorites. This is one of them. After last night’s donut, the Dodgers lineup is likely to try to come out with some energy early. Look for them to capitalize when they get runners in scoring position. After all, they’re the best team in baseball.
Wicked Wager- Dodgers ML (-150)