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The Chicago Cubs stay in San Diego on Tuesday night for the second game of their series with the Padres at Petco Park. First pitch is set for 9:40 p.m. ET, with coverage listed on Padres.TV and Marquee Sports Network. Chicago enters at 17-12 after dropping the opener, while San Diego is now 19-9 and riding a nine-game home winning streak.
This matchup is a good test of how much bettors trust the Cubs’ pitching edge versus San Diego’s home form. The Padres rallied for a 9-7 win Monday, getting 14 hits and another strong offensive night before Manny Machado exited as a precaution with a possible left leg issue. That creates a real lineup note, even if the early indication was that he avoided something serious.
Edward Cabrera gets the ball for Chicago against Walker Buehler for San Diego. Cabrera brings the cleaner profile with a 2-0 record and 2.73 ERA, while Buehler comes in at 1-2 with a 5.75 ERA. This is the kind of matchup that fits well on the broader MLB game previews board because the side, total, and first 5 innings market all tell a slightly different story.
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Chicago Cubs vs San Diego Padres Odds
These are the current betting lines for Cubs vs Padres, and bettors should always monitor the latest MLB odds because this number can move once lineups and Machado’s status become clearer.
| Team | Moneyline | Run Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Cubs | -118 | -1.5 (+136) | O 8 (-120) |
| San Diego Padres | +100 | +1.5 (-164) | U 8 (-102) |
Chicago Cubs Betting Form
Chicago has cooled off after a 10-game winning streak, losing three straight, but I do not think the current slide completely erases what this offense has been doing. The Cubs still bring a strong on-base profile, real power pockets, and enough contact depth to make Buehler work. Seiya Suzuki has been swinging it well, and Moisés Ballesteros continues to look like one of the most dangerous bats in this lineup. He hit a grand slam in Monday’s loss and entered this matchup with a .387/.435/.710 slash line.
The Cubs are not just a power-only team, which is what makes them interesting here. Nico Hoerner gives them contact and table-setting value, Dansby Swanson can still punish mistakes, and the lineup has enough extra-base ability to pressure Buehler if he is living behind in counts. Bettors checking Chicago Cubs stats and results should see a team that has been better offensively than its last couple of results suggest.
Cabrera is the biggest reason Chicago is a short road favorite. A 2.73 ERA gives him the stronger starting pitcher case, and his ability to miss bats matters against a Padres lineup that just put together a 14-hit game. The concern is command. If he gives San Diego free baserunners, this park and this lineup can turn a manageable inning into a three-run inning quickly. Still, from a betting standpoint, Chicago has the better first 5 innings profile.
San Diego Padres Betting Form
San Diego keeps stacking home wins, and that has to be respected. The Padres are 9-4 at Petco Park and have now won nine straight at home after rallying past the Cubs on Monday. That was not a cheap win either. They fell behind, answered with traffic, and got production from Ty France, Xander Bogaerts, Gavin Sheets, and Machado before Machado left the game.
The Machado situation is the obvious variable. He had three hits and scored three times Monday, and he has been hot over the last several games, so even a limited version of him changes the lineup. If he sits or is not moving well, San Diego loses some middle-order stability. That matters against Cabrera, because the Padres need enough contact pressure to avoid letting Chicago control the first half of the game. The San Diego Padres schedule and stats page is worth watching as lineups and late scratches become more important closer to first pitch.
Buehler is the harder part of the Padres case. His 5.75 ERA is a clear red flag, and while his name value still carries weight, the current form is not clean enough to trust blindly. He has 20 strikeouts, so there is still swing-and-miss in the profile, but Chicago’s lineup can punish him if he leaves fastballs in hittable zones. For San Diego to win, Buehler probably needs five competitive innings and the bullpen needs to clean up the late frames.
Chicago Cubs vs San Diego Padres Matchup Breakdown
The starting pitcher edge goes to Chicago. Cabrera has the better ERA, better current results, and a cleaner matchup path if he limits walks. Buehler’s upside is still there, but the results have not matched the reputation so far. That makes the Cubs more attractive early than late.
The bullpen angle is where things get less simple. San Diego’s bullpen has been one of its strengths, even though Mason Miller finally allowed runs Monday after a long scoreless streak. Chicago’s bullpen also had to cover meaningful innings in the opener after Matthew Boyd lasted just over four innings, so neither side is completely fresh. That makes me more interested in the starter-driven markets than a full-game run line.
Petco Park can play fair when the weather is mild, and the total of 8 feels about right. Broken clouds and a light breeze do not scream automatic offense, but both lineups have enough pop to get there if the starters are not sharp. The Padres just put up nine, while the Cubs scored seven despite losing, so the market is not overreacting by keeping the number out of the low range.
This is where an MLB betting guide approach helps. The better record belongs to San Diego, the better home trend belongs to San Diego, but the better starting pitcher profile belongs to Chicago. For me, that tilts the handicap toward Cubs moneyline or Cubs first 5 innings, while the total depends heavily on whether Buehler can avoid traffic early.
Chicago Cubs vs San Diego Padres Predictions and Best Bets
I lean Cubs on the moneyline. It is not a comfortable road favorite spot because San Diego is hot at home and already took the opener, but the market is not asking Chicago to lay a big number. At -118, the edge comes down to Cabrera over Buehler and the Cubs’ ability to create baserunners against a starter who has not been sharp enough.
The Padres are live, especially if Machado is in the lineup and moving normally. Their home form is strong, and they have enough right-handed damage to make Cabrera pay for command mistakes. I just do not want to back Buehler at close to pick’em with the way his run prevention has looked. If San Diego wins, it likely comes through offense and bullpen execution, not a clean starter advantage.
For the total, I lean Over 8, but I prefer it at 8 rather than 8.5. The model score of Cubs 5, Padres 3 lands right on the number, which is not a strong Over case by itself, but the path is there. Buehler’s ERA, both teams’ recent extra-base production, and some bullpen usage from Monday all point toward scoring chances. The push protection at 8 matters.
My strongest angle is still the Cubs side. Cabrera gives Chicago the better foundation, and the Cubs’ offense is too good to overreact to the recent losing streak. For bettors building out the card, this is also a game worth comparing against other MLB picks because the first 5 innings price may be even cleaner than the full-game moneyline.
Best Bet: Cubs Moneyline -118.
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MLB betting is a daily grind, and games like Cubs vs Padres show why one angle is rarely enough. The Padres have the home trend. The Cubs have the starting pitcher edge. The total has Over indicators, but the park and number still matter. That is where comparing multiple expert opinions can help bettors avoid forcing one read.
ScoresAndStats gives bettors access to top sports handicappers with tracked records, different betting styles, and long-term performance data. The handicapper leaderboard makes it easier to see who is actually producing over time instead of just chasing one hot result.
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The Kansas City Royals head to West Sacramento on Tuesday night to face the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. First pitch is set for 9:40 p.m. ET, with coverage listed on NBC Sports California and MLB.TV. Kansas City enters at 11-17 and fifth in the AL Central, while the Athletics sit 15-13 and first in the AL West.
This is a strange little betting spot. The Royals are riding a three-game winning streak, but they are still just 2-10 on the road and trying to stop an eight-game road slide. The Athletics are only 5-5 at home, but they have been much better than expected overall and continue to cover numbers well as underdogs.
The matchup is Kris Bubic against Jacob Lopez, and that gives Kansas City a clear starting pitcher edge on paper. Bubic enters with a 2-1 record, 4.08 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 29 strikeouts, while Lopez is 2-1 with a 5.84 ERA, 1.95 WHIP and 18 strikeouts. The weather looks calm, with clear conditions, mild temperatures and only a light breeze, so this feels more about command and bullpen execution than the park doing anything extreme.
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Kansas City Royals vs Athletics Odds
These are the current betting lines for Royals vs Athletics, and bettors should always monitor the latest MLB odds because this number can shift once lineups and bullpen availability become clearer.
| Team | Moneyline | Run Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City Royals | -118 | -1.5 (+136) | O 9.5 (-102) |
| Athletics | -102 | +1.5 (-163) | U 9.5 (-118) |
Kansas City Royals Betting Form
Kansas City is finally showing some life after a rough stretch. The Royals have won three straight, and the offense just came through in an 11-9 win over the Angels where Lane Thomas, Bobby Witt Jr. and Isaac Collins all went deep. That matters here because this lineup has been inconsistent, but when the Royals are getting extra-base production around Witt, they become much tougher to price as a short road favorite.
The road record is the uncomfortable part. Kansas City is 2-10 away from home, so laying a road moneyline is not exactly automatic. Still, the offensive profile has some appeal against Lopez. The Royals rank well enough in on-base ability and doubles production to put pressure on a pitcher with shaky command, and Carter Jensen’s power gives them another bat that can change the game quickly. Bettors checking Kansas City Royals stats and results should see a team that is not elite, but is more dangerous than its overall record looks.
Bubic is the reason I can get to Kansas City. His ERA is not dominant, but the WHIP is strong, and the strikeout total gives him a cleaner path than Lopez. The walks are the one thing that can get him in trouble, especially against an Athletics team that can run into power. If Bubic gets ahead in counts, Kansas City has the first 5 innings edge. If he gives away free baserunners, this game can get messy quickly.
Athletics Betting Form
The Athletics are 15-13, and that alone makes this matchup interesting. They are not being priced like a division leader, which is understandable given the roster, but they have shown enough power and enough late-game fight to stay live in these near-pick’em spots. Shea Langeliers has been the most important bat, hitting .304 with eight home runs, while Carlos Cortes has been hot over the last 10 games.
The A’s also bring a real home total trend into this game. Their home games have gone Over in nine of the last 10, and that fits the way this roster plays. They can strike out, they can have empty innings, but the power shows up enough to create quick scoring. The concern is whether they can do enough early against Bubic before Kansas City gets into more favorable bullpen lanes. For more team-specific context, the Athletics schedule and stats page is useful for tracking how this club is priced from series to series.
Lopez is the problem for Oakland. His 5.84 ERA and 1.95 WHIP are tough to ignore, and the walk profile makes the Under feel a little fragile even with a model projection around nine runs. He has allowed too much traffic, and against a Royals lineup coming off a power-heavy win, that can turn into a crooked inning. Oakland can absolutely win this game, but it probably needs Lopez to be more efficient than he has been so far.
Kansas City Royals vs Athletics Matchup Breakdown
The starting pitcher edge belongs to Kansas City. Bubic has the better WHIP, better strikeout profile and more stable run-prevention numbers. Lopez has the higher ceiling if his command suddenly sharpens, but that is not the way I want to bet this game. The Royals should have more scoring chances early if they stay patient.
The bullpen piece is closer. Kansas City has some injury issues in the relief group, including Carlos Estévez and James McArthur being out, while the Athletics have fewer listed bullpen concerns but still do not profile as a shutdown late-game unit. That is why the first 5 innings market may be cleaner than the full-game side. It keeps the handicap tied to Bubic vs Lopez instead of asking either bullpen to protect a one-run lead.
Sutter Health Park adds another wrinkle. The weather is not extreme, but the total sitting at 9.5 tells you the market expects traffic. The Athletics have been an Over team at home, while Kansas City has gone Over in five straight. Even so, a high number gives Under bettors some protection if Bubic controls the first half of the game and Lopez avoids the one big inning.
This is the kind of matchup where an MLB betting guide approach helps. The side is not just about which team has the better record. It is about pitcher command, road splits, offensive contact profile, bullpen depth and whether the total is already inflated because of recent scoring trends. For me, Kansas City has the better pregame case, but the value is thinner than the pitching gap suggests.
Kansas City Royals vs Athletics Predictions and Best Bets
I lean Royals on the moneyline. It is not a huge edge, mostly because Kansas City’s road form has been ugly, but Bubic over Lopez is enough to make the short favorite playable. The Royals also come in with better offensive momentum, and if they make Lopez work early, they should be able to get into scoring spots before the middle innings.
The Athletics are tempting at plus money or close to it because they have been a strong run line team and have covered as underdogs. I just do not love the matchup for Lopez. A 1.95 WHIP is dangerous against any lineup, and it is especially dangerous against a Royals team that just showed some long-ball life. Oakland can win with power, but Kansas City has the more trustworthy starting point.
For the total, I lean Under 9.5. That may feel uncomfortable with both teams trending Over, but the number is high enough to create some room. Bubic can give Kansas City five decent innings, and the calm weather does not scream automatic offense. The worry is Lopez’s traffic, so I would not go lower than 9.5. At 9.5, Under is still playable.
The cleaner bet is Kansas City on the moneyline at the current short price. It is not a spot to get aggressive, but the pitching matchup and recent offensive lift point toward the Royals doing just enough.
Best Bet: Royals Moneyline -118.
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The top sports handicappers page is useful for finding experts with different baseball styles, from totals bettors to run line bettors to prop-focused cappers. The handicapper leaderboard also adds transparency, which matters when you are trying to separate long-term profit from one hot week.
For bettors who want stronger daily action, premium MLB picks can help narrow the card and identify where the best value sits before first pitch. That is especially useful in games like Royals vs Athletics, where the side, total and first 5 innings market all tell slightly different stories.
The Miami Marlins stay in Los Angeles for the middle game of their series with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium. First pitch is set for 10:10 p.m. ET, with coverage on SportsNet LA and Marlins.TV. After Monday’s 5-4 Dodgers comeback win, Miami enters at 13-16 while Los Angeles moves to 20-9 and keeps control of the NL West.
This is a tough bounce-back spot for the Marlins. They had the opener in reach, then lost it in the ninth after Pete Fairbanks left with a hand/thumb issue. The Dodgers, meanwhile, have won three straight and six of their last seven at home, which matters when pricing a heavy favorite.
The pitching matchup gives this game a clear shape. Shohei Ohtani starts for Los Angeles with a 2-0 record and a 0.38 ERA, while Miami counters with Janson Junk, who comes in at 1-2 with a 3.67 ERA. It is another matchup that fits into the daily board of MLB game previews where pitching price, bullpen availability, and lineup depth all matter more than just the record.
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Miami Marlins vs Los Angeles Dodgers Odds
These are the current betting lines for Marlins vs Dodgers, and bettors should always monitor the latest MLB odds because prices can move quickly once lineups and bullpen availability become clearer.
| Team | Moneyline | Run Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Marlins | +245 | +1.5 (+110) | O 8 (-112) |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | -300 | -1.5 (-132) | U 8 (-108) |
Miami Marlins Betting Form
Miami is not playing terrible baseball, but this is the kind of matchup where the weaknesses get exposed. The Marlins have dropped two straight, and Monday’s loss was especially rough because they had a late lead and still could not finish the game. Their offense has some real strengths, though. The batting average and on-base profile are better than the market probably gives them credit for, and their speed can create annoying innings for a favorite that is priced this high.
The Marlins’ path is pretty clear. They need traffic, steals, and some early pressure on Ohtani before the Dodgers can dictate the game script. Xavier Edwards and Liam Hicks give them contact and on-base pieces, and Hicks already hurt Los Angeles with a three-run homer in the opener. Still, Miami’s power profile is not as deep as L.A.’s, which makes it harder to trust them if they fall behind early. For bettors looking through the full MLB picks board, the Marlins are more interesting on the run line than the moneyline.
Janson Junk is the swing piece. His 3.67 ERA and 1.15 WHIP are respectable, but the low strikeout profile is a concern against this Dodgers lineup. One Dodgers-focused preview noted Junk’s 15.5 percent strikeout rate ranked near the bottom among pitchers with at least 20 innings, and that is not exactly what you want in Dodger Stadium against a lineup built to punish balls in play.
Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Form
The Dodgers continue to look like the best offense in baseball through the first month. They are hitting for average, getting on base, and slugging with enough depth that even the bottom half of the lineup can flip an inning. Ohtani had three hits in Monday’s comeback, and that matters because it looked like he was snapping out of a short cold stretch. When he is driving the top of the order, the Dodgers’ run expectancy changes fast.
The injuries are still worth noting. Mookie Betts, Tommy Edman, Blake Snell, Evan Phillips, Brusdar Graterol, Bobby Miller, and several other arms are listed out, so this is not a fully clean Dodgers roster. That said, Los Angeles keeps absorbing those losses because the lineup is still loaded and the rotation has given them quality. Four Dodgers relievers also covered the final four innings without allowing a run on Monday, which is useful but does create a small bullpen workload note for the next game.
Ohtani is the big reason the market is this wide. A 0.38 ERA with 25 strikeouts gives Los Angeles the starting pitcher edge, and the matchup fit is strong because Miami does not have the same power depth as the Dodgers. The only hesitation is price. Laying around -300 is never comfortable in baseball, even with the better side. That is where run line, first 5 innings, and team total angles become more useful than a straight moneyline bet.
Miami Marlins vs Los Angeles Dodgers Matchup Breakdown
This matchup starts with the starting pitching gap. Ohtani brings swing-and-miss upside, run prevention, and enough command to control the game early. Junk has been useful, but his contact-heavy profile is dangerous here. Against a Dodgers lineup that leads with Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, Max Muncy, Teoscar Hernandez, and Kyle Tucker, giving up balls in play can turn into crooked numbers quickly.
The bullpen angle is a little more complicated. The Dodgers used four relievers Monday, but they got clean work from that group. Miami’s bullpen is the bigger concern because Fairbanks left Monday’s loss after experiencing numbness in his right hand, and his status was unclear after the game. If the Marlins do not have their preferred late-inning structure, protecting a close lead becomes harder.
Dodger Stadium also helps the Under case a little when conditions are calm. Clear and mild weather is not the same as a heavy marine-layer night, but it still is not a major offensive boost. The danger for the Under is that Los Angeles may do enough damage by itself if Junk leaves too many pitches in hittable spots. That is why I would be cautious with a full-game Under unless the number stays at 8 or better.
From a betting perspective, this is a good example of why the full-game moneyline is not always the best way to attack a strong favorite. The MLB betting guide approach would push bettors to compare price, inning split, bullpen risk, and lineup edge instead of just saying the better team wins. Here, Dodgers first 5 innings or Dodgers team total may offer cleaner value than laying the full-game moneyline.
Miami Marlins vs Los Angeles Dodgers Predictions and Best Bets
I lean Dodgers, but I do not love the moneyline at this price. Los Angeles is the better team, has the better starter, has the deeper lineup, and has home-field momentum after stealing the opener. The model projection of Dodgers 5-3 also lines up with the market, which makes the side correct but not exactly cheap.
The run line is more playable than the moneyline. Miami’s speed and on-base profile make them dangerous enough to hang around, but if Junk is allowing contact early, the Dodgers can separate. Los Angeles also has the late-game lineup depth to add runs against a bullpen that may be down a key arm or, at minimum, a little unsettled after Monday.
For the total, I lean Under 8, but it is close. Ohtani can suppress Miami for five or six innings, and the Marlins do not have the same slugging ceiling as the Dodgers. The issue is Junk’s matchup. If the Dodgers get to him for three or four early, this Under becomes uncomfortable fast. I would rather tie the bet to Ohtani’s early-game edge and avoid needing both bullpens to cooperate.
The best angle is Dodgers first 5 innings. It isolates the Ohtani vs Junk matchup, avoids some late bullpen weirdness, and still backs the clearest edge in the game. The price matters, of course, but this is where I think the market is most bettable.
Best Bet: Dodgers F5 Run Line -0.5.
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The value is in transparency. Bettors can follow top sports handicappers with tracked records, long-term performance, and different betting styles across MLB sides, totals, props, and run lines. That makes it easier to see who is actually winning instead of just reacting to one hot pick.
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The St. Louis Cardinals stay in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night for the second game of their NL Central series with the Pirates at PNC Park. First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. ET, with coverage listed on SportsNet Pittsburgh and Cardinals.TV. St. Louis enters at 15-13, while Pittsburgh comes in at 16-13 after losing the opener in painful fashion.
The Cardinals stole Monday’s game 4-2 with a four-run ninth inning, snapping a four-game losing streak in the process. Pittsburgh had held St. Louis hitless into the seventh and scoreless into the ninth before Pedro Pagés and JJ Wetherholt hit back-to-back homers off Dennis Santana. Jose Fermin then delivered the two-run double that flipped the game.
Kyle Leahy is expected to start for St. Louis, while Bubba Chandler is the listed probable starter for Pittsburgh on multiple pitching boards, though some markets were still slower to fully confirm Pittsburgh’s starter earlier in the day. That uncertainty matters a little, but the main handicap is still pretty clear: Pittsburgh has the better overall pitching profile, while St. Louis brings the hotter late-game momentum into another tight divisional spot. This is a strong fit for the daily MLB game previews board because the side, run line and total all come with different levels of risk.
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St. Louis Cardinals vs Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
These are the current betting lines for Cardinals vs Pirates, and bettors should always monitor the latest MLB odds because this number can move quickly if Pittsburgh’s starter status or bullpen plan shifts closer to first pitch.
| Team | Moneyline | Run Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Cardinals | +138 | +1.5 (-156) | O 8.5 (+102) |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | -164 | -1.5 (+130) | U 8.5 (-124) |
St. Louis Cardinals Betting Form
The Cardinals did not exactly hit the ball all over the yard Monday, but the way they won still matters. They were almost completely shut down for eight innings, then suddenly changed the game with two swings and one clutch double. Pagés has now homered in back-to-back games, while Wetherholt has gone deep in three straight and is starting to look more comfortable in high-leverage spots. That kind of late push can carry into the next night, at least emotionally.
St. Louis has enough power to be dangerous as an underdog. Jordan Walker gives the lineup its biggest slugging presence, Wetherholt has added left-handed pop and Ivan Herrera’s on-base ability helps lengthen the order. Bettors checking St. Louis Cardinals stats and results should see a team that can be streaky, but one that has enough home run ability to punish a pitcher who gives away free passes.
Leahy is the issue. His 5.63 ERA and 1.67 WHIP are hard to trust, and he labored through five innings against Miami in his last start. He has allowed traffic, and his home run rate has been a concern through his first five starts. The one encouraging angle is his prior relief work against Pittsburgh, where he has had success, but starting is different. He needs to avoid the big inning and let the Cardinals’ offense keep this within reach.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Form
The Pirates should be annoyed more than panicked after Monday. They executed their bullpen game almost perfectly for eight innings, then Santana had his rare blowup in the ninth. Before that, Pittsburgh’s staff had been in excellent form, and Wilber Dotel gave them four perfect innings in just his third major league appearance. That is both impressive and a little frustrating, because the Pirates did almost everything right and still lost.
Pittsburgh’s offensive profile is not flashy, but there are useful pieces. Ryan O’Hearn has been one of the club’s steadier bats, Nick Gonzales is on an eight-game hitting streak, and Oneil Cruz remains the swing that can completely change a game if he is available and healthy enough to impact the lineup. The Pittsburgh Pirates schedule and stats page is worth tracking here because this team’s value often comes from pitching, run prevention and timely offense more than pure lineup depth.
Chandler gives Pittsburgh the better upside if he is indeed the starter. His walk issues are the concern, as he has issued at least three walks in three of his first five starts, but the raw stuff gives him strikeout upside against a Cardinals lineup that can go quiet for long stretches. If Chandler is around the zone, Pittsburgh can control the first half. If not, St. Louis has enough patient bats and enough power to make this favorite price uncomfortable.
St. Louis Cardinals vs Pittsburgh Pirates Matchup Breakdown
The starting pitcher edge leans Pittsburgh, but not without some risk. Chandler has better stuff and more swing-and-miss upside than Leahy. Leahy has more volatility, and that is not ideal on the road against a division opponent that just watched its bullpen give away a game.
The bullpen angle is interesting. Pittsburgh’s bullpen was excellent until Santana’s ninth-inning collapse, but the Pirates also used several arms in Monday’s opener. St. Louis, meanwhile, got two perfect innings from Ryan Fernandez and a save from George Soriano after Dustin May gave them six competitive innings. The Cardinals may have come out of that game with better emotional momentum, but Pittsburgh still has the deeper run-prevention profile.
The offensive edge is closer than the odds suggest. St. Louis has more home run punch than its overall batting profile might indicate, and Wetherholt’s recent power surge adds another problem for the Pirates. Pittsburgh has better contact pieces in O’Hearn and Gonzales, plus the Cruz power/speed element if he is in the lineup. Neither offense is a lock to explode, but both have enough to get this game into the 4-4 range.
From a betting standpoint, this is where an MLB betting guide approach helps. The Pirates have the better pitching case, but the Cardinals have the better price, the better late-game confidence and a lineup that can hit the ball out. I do not think Pittsburgh is a bad favorite. I just think the run line is risky after how Monday ended.
St. Louis Cardinals vs Pittsburgh Pirates Predictions and Best Bets
I lean Pirates on the moneyline, but the price is not cheap. Pittsburgh has the better staff, the better season-long run prevention and the bounce-back angle after a rare bullpen collapse. Teams do not usually lose many games when they carry a no-hit bid into the seventh and a shutout into the ninth, and I would expect a sharper response here.
The Cardinals are live, though. St. Louis has power, and Leahy’s shaky numbers are already priced into the market. If Chandler walks hitters, the Cardinals can turn one mistake into a crooked inning. That is why I do not love Pirates -1.5, even at plus money. Pittsburgh can win this game 4-3 or 5-4 and still never threaten a cover.
For the total, I lean Over 8.5. That is a slight shift from the original 8 projection, but the current number still has a path. Leahy gives Pittsburgh scoring chances, Chandler’s walk profile can create traffic, and both teams used key bullpen pieces Monday. PNC Park is not a launching pad, and the overcast conditions may keep the ball in the yard a little, but this matchup has enough baserunner risk to push past a modest total.
The best bet is Pirates moneyline. It is not a huge value play, but the pitching edge and strong after-loss trend put Pittsburgh in a good rebound position. For bettors comparing this game with other daily MLB picks, I would look at Pirates moneyline first and the Over as a secondary lean.
Best Bet: Pirates Moneyline -164.
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Cardinals vs Pirates is the kind of game where the box score does not tell the full betting story. Pittsburgh controlled most of Monday’s opener, then lost it in one inning. St. Louis got the win, but it was also held down for almost the entire night. That creates a tricky handicap, and it is exactly why MLB bettors need more than one angle.
ScoresAndStats gives bettors access to top sports handicappers with transparent records, different baseball betting styles and long-term tracking. The handicapper leaderboard makes it easier to see which experts are producing across the grind of a full MLB season.
For bettors who want stronger daily action, premium MLB picks can help narrow a busy baseball card before first pitch. That matters in matchups like this, where the moneyline, run line and total all have reasonable arguments.
The Boston Red Sox continue their series with the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night at Rogers Centre. First pitch is set for 7:07 p.m. ET, with coverage on SNY-adjacent regional feeds and Blue Jays broadcast coverage. Boston enters at 12-17 and last in the AL East, while Toronto sits 12-16 and fourth in the division. The roof at Rogers Centre makes the light rain less important, so this handicap is more about the starters, bullpen setup and lineup form than weather.
Boston took the opener 5-0 on Monday behind eight shutout innings from Ranger Suárez, and the Red Sox have now won three straight for the first time this season. That matters after the managerial change, with Chad Tracy now leading the club and the coaching staff still being reshuffled. Toronto, meanwhile, managed only two hits in the opener and continues to deal with a long injury list.
The pitching matchup brings a little intrigue. Payton Tolle starts for Boston after striking out 11 in his 2026 debut, while Trey Yesavage makes his season debut for Toronto after working back from a shoulder impingement. For bettors scanning the full slate of MLB game previews, this is a spot where pitcher uncertainty and a low total create a tighter betting decision than the records suggest.
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Boston Red Sox vs Toronto Blue Jays Odds
These are the current betting lines for Red Sox vs Blue Jays, and bettors should always monitor the latest MLB odds because this price can move quickly around Yesavage’s workload and lineup confirmation.
| Team | Moneyline | Run Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Red Sox | +100 | +1.5 (-175) | O 7.5 (-116) |
| Toronto Blue Jays | -120 | -1.5 (+145) | U 7.5 (-105) |
Boston Red Sox Betting Form
Boston is not suddenly fixed, but the last few games have at least changed the tone. The Red Sox have won three straight, and Monday’s win was their cleanest version of baseball in a while. Suárez handled the mound, Carlos Narváez added power, and the bullpen did not have to get overworked. That is useful coming into a game where Toronto may need to manage Yesavage carefully.
The lineup still has some rough patches, but there is enough to pressure a pitcher coming off the injured list. Willson Contreras gives Boston right-handed power, Wilyer Abreu has been one of the steadier bats, and Ceddanne Rafaela has been productive over the last 10 games. Bettors checking Boston Red Sox stats and results should see a team that has underperformed overall, but is starting to get better game-to-game offensive balance.
Tolle is the key. A 1.50 ERA and 11 strikeouts in his first real look is impressive, and the swing-and-miss gives Boston a path to neutralize a Toronto lineup missing several regulars. The concern is experience. Rogers Centre can get away from young pitchers if command slips, and the Blue Jays still have Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the middle of the order. Still, based on current form, Tolle gives Boston a real chance to win this game as a short underdog.
Toronto Blue Jays Betting Form
Toronto needs a response after Monday’s flat offensive performance. The Blue Jays were held to two hits, and while one bad game is not everything, the broader offensive inconsistency is becoming a problem. Guerrero is still the lineup anchor with a strong average and run-production profile, but injuries around him have made it easier for opponents to pitch selectively.
The Blue Jays still have enough contact and gap power to be dangerous. They rank well in doubles, and Rogers Centre can reward hard contact even when the roof takes weather out of play. Jesús Sánchez, Daulton Varsho, Kazuma Okamoto and Guerrero give Toronto a path to scoring if Tolle falls behind in counts. The Toronto Blue Jays schedule and stats page is worth tracking because this offense looks very different depending on who is available around Guerrero.
Yesavage is the wild card. His 2025 postseason run gave Toronto a real belief that he can handle big spots, including strong World Series work, but this is still his first start of the season after a shoulder issue. His rehab results were not clean, with a 7.50 ERA across four minor league appearances, though Toronto seemed more focused on health, stuff and workload than raw results. That makes him hard to price. The talent is obvious. The certainty is not.
Boston Red Sox vs Toronto Blue Jays Matchup Breakdown
The starter matchup is closer than the names make it feel. Yesavage has the bigger reputation after last year’s postseason, but Tolle has the current-season rhythm and the sharper recent strikeout look. That gives Boston a slight first 5 innings case, especially if Toronto limits Yesavage’s workload in his return.
The lineup edge is not clean either. Toronto has Guerrero and better overall contact numbers, but Boston has the better recent form and just shut this same lineup down. The Blue Jays are also missing important bats, including George Springer, Alejandro Kirk, Anthony Santander and Nathan Lukes. That thins out the order and puts even more pressure on the middle bats to produce.
The bullpen setup leans slightly Boston for this specific game because Suárez’s eight-inning start Monday helped protect the relief group. Toronto used multiple relievers after Dylan Cease lasted 5 2/3 innings, and while that is not a huge drain, the Jays may need bullpen length again if Yesavage is capped.
From a betting standpoint, this is a good game for an MLB betting guide mindset. The Blue Jays have the home field and a talented arm returning, but Boston has momentum, a rested bullpen and a starter who just flashed swing-and-miss. That makes the underdog more interesting than the market might want to admit.
Boston Red Sox vs Toronto Blue Jays Predictions and Best Bets
I lean Blue Jays slightly straight up, but I do not love laying -120 with the current form. Toronto is at home, and the lineup should be better than it looked Monday. Guerrero gives them the best pure bat in this matchup, and Yesavage has the upside to make the market look right if he is sharp from the first inning.
The problem is that there is too much uncertainty with Yesavage. First start of the season, recent shoulder issue, poor rehab results, and possible pitch-count management all matter. Boston is not a great team, but the Red Sox are playing with more energy since the managerial change and have the more settled starter for this specific night.
For the total, I lean Over 7.5. I know the opener stayed well Under, but Tuesday’s setup is different. Yesavage could be rusty, Tolle is still young, and both bullpens may have to cover meaningful innings. A 5-3 type game is very realistic, and that lines up with the model projection. I would not chase this if it moves to 8.5, but at 7.5, the Over is playable.
The best bet is Boston on the moneyline at plus money or even money. It is a value play more than a power-rating statement. Toronto may win, but the price feels too generous toward a Blue Jays team dealing with injuries, poor recent offense and starter uncertainty. For bettors comparing this game with other daily MLB picks, Boston is one of the better short underdog looks on the board.
Best Bet: Red Sox Moneyline +100.
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Red Sox vs Blue Jays is a good example of why MLB betting is rarely just about the listed favorite. Toronto has the home field and a talented starter returning, but Boston has the recent form, a rested bullpen and a live underdog price. That kind of split is where expert comparison can help.
ScoresAndStats gives bettors access to top sports handicappers with transparent records and different baseball betting styles. The handicapper leaderboard makes it easier to see which experts are actually producing over the long run.
For bettors looking for stronger daily action, premium MLB picks can help narrow a full baseball card before first pitch. That matters in games like this, where the moneyline, total and first 5 innings markets all make different arguments.
The Tampa Bay Rays continue their series with the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday night at Progressive Field. First pitch is set for 6:10 p.m. ET, with coverage listed on CLEG. Tampa Bay enters at 17-11 and second in the AL East, while Cleveland is 15-15 and second in the AL Central after falling back to .500.
The Rays took Monday’s opener 3-2, rallying from a two-run deficit behind Ryan Vilade’s go-ahead single and Jonathan Aranda’s game-tying homer. Tampa Bay has now won five straight, while Cleveland has dropped three in a row and is trying to avoid letting a short skid turn into something heavier.
Nick Martinez starts for Tampa Bay with a 1-1 record and 2.10 ERA, while Tanner Bibee gets the ball for Cleveland at 0-3 with a 4.45 ERA. The weather calls for light rain and a mild breeze, so run prevention, bullpen execution, and contact quality should matter more than raw park boost. This is one of the more interesting spots on the MLB game previews board because the hotter team is catching an underdog price.
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Tampa Bay Rays vs Cleveland Guardians Odds
These are the current betting lines for Rays vs Guardians, and bettors should always monitor the latest MLB odds because a low total like 7.5 can move quickly with weather, lineup news, and bullpen availability.
| Team | Moneyline | Run Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Rays | +114 | +1.5 (-185) | O 7.5 (-112) |
| Cleveland Guardians | -137 | -1.5 (+154) | U 7.5 (-108) |
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Form
Tampa Bay is playing with a lot of confidence right now. The Rays have won five straight, and Monday’s win was exactly the kind of game that makes this team annoying to price. They did not blow Cleveland out. They just kept working at-bats, got the tying homer from Aranda, and then got the late hit from Vilade to steal the opener.
Vilade has become a real part of this handicap. He is batting .458 over his last 10 games, and his ability to put the ball in play gives Tampa Bay another useful piece behind the bigger bats. The Rays also bring speed, ranking near the top of the league in stolen bases, which can matter against a Cleveland team that has not been clean late in games. Bettors checking Tampa Bay Rays stats and results should see a team that is not just winning with one thing. It is contact, speed, timely power, and enough pitching to stay in almost every game.
Martinez gives Tampa Bay a strong starting point. He just held Cincinnati to one run over eight innings while striking out six, and his 2.10 ERA gives the Rays the cleaner current form on the mound. The one hesitation is his history against Cleveland. He has struggled badly in previous meetings with the Guardians, so this is not a completely clean spot. Still, based on 2026 form, Tampa Bay has every reason to believe he can keep them in front early.
Cleveland Guardians Betting Form
Cleveland is in a small danger zone. The Guardians have lost three straight, and Monday’s loss had the kind of feel that can linger because they had a 2-0 lead and still let it slip. Daniel Schneemann gave them the offense with a two-run homer, while Parker Messick struck out nine and gave them a strong start. The issue was finishing. Again.
There is some fresh upside coming, though. Cleveland is expected to bring up Travis Bazzana, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, after he hit .287 with a .933 OPS in Triple-A Columbus. If he is in the lineup, he gives the Guardians another left-handed bat, more speed, and a needed jolt in the middle infield. The Cleveland Guardians schedule and stats page is worth watching because this lineup could look different quickly if Bazzana settles in and Chase DeLauter keeps producing.
Bibee is the key to Cleveland’s price. His overall line is not great at 0-3 with a 4.45 ERA, but he has been better lately, allowing two runs over 12 combined innings in his last two starts against Baltimore and Houston. That recent form gives the Guardians a real argument. If Bibee looks like that version again, Cleveland can absolutely justify being favored at home.
Tampa Bay Rays vs Cleveland Guardians Matchup Breakdown
The starting pitching matchup is close, but I lean Tampa Bay based on current-season run prevention. Martinez has been steadier overall, and his command gives him a good path against a Cleveland lineup that has been uneven. Bibee has the higher name value and better recent trend, but the full-season results still make him a little harder to trust as a favorite.
The lineup edge is not huge either way. Tampa Bay has the hotter offense, better speed element, and more momentum. Cleveland has José Ramírez, DeLauter, Schneemann, and potentially Bazzana, which gives the Guardians enough talent to answer if Martinez is not sharp. This is not a lineup mismatch. It is more about which side can create pressure without needing a three-run homer.
The bullpen angle is tricky. Tampa Bay’s relief group had to work through traffic Monday, with Bryan Baker escaping a ninth-inning jam for his seventh save. Cleveland’s bullpen let the opener get away, and that matters because the Guardians have already been dealing with late-game availability issues. If this is tied after six, I do not see a huge bullpen edge for the home favorite.
From a betting perspective, this is where an MLB betting guide approach helps. The Guardians are favored because they are at home and Bibee’s recent form is improving, but the Rays have the better momentum, the better starter ERA, and a live underdog price. That makes Tampa Bay more attractive than the moneyline suggests.
Tampa Bay Rays vs Cleveland Guardians Predictions and Best Bets
I lean Rays on the moneyline. Tampa Bay is the hotter team, Martinez has been more reliable than Bibee on the season, and the Rays have enough speed and contact to make Cleveland play clean defense for nine innings. At plus money, that is enough for me.
Cleveland can win, especially if Bibee’s last two starts are the start of a real turnaround. The Guardians also have the emotional bounce-back angle after dropping Monday’s opener, and Bazzana’s expected arrival could give the lineup a small spark. I just do not love laying -137 with a team on a three-game losing streak against a Rays club that has won five straight.
For the total, I lean Over 7.5. That may sound odd with Martinez and Bibee both capable of strong starts, but the number is low and the Rays have been automatic to the Over when totals are 7.5 or lower. Cleveland’s offense is not explosive every night, but it has enough left-handed pressure and late-game baserunning to contribute. A 5-3 result fits the game script.
The best bet is Rays moneyline. I would also look at Tampa Bay first 5 innings if the market offers a plus price, because Martinez gives them a fair early edge. For bettors comparing this matchup with the rest of the daily MLB picks board, Tampa Bay is one of the cleaner underdog looks.
Best Bet: Rays Moneyline +114.
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Rays vs Guardians is a good example of why MLB betting is not just about home-field advantage. Cleveland has the favorite price and the bigger starter name, but Tampa Bay has better recent form, a hotter lineup, and a starter who has been more consistent this season.
ScoresAndStats gives bettors access to top sports handicappers with transparent records, long-term tracking, and different baseball betting styles. The handicapper leaderboard makes it easier to see which experts are actually producing across the full MLB grind.
For bettors looking for stronger daily action, premium MLB picks can help narrow a busy baseball card before first pitch. That matters in games like this, where the underdog, total, and first 5 innings markets all make a reasonable case.
Mets-Nats to feature punchless offenses vs. generous pitching
No team in baseball has scored fewer runs than the New York Mets. And no team in the National League has allowed more runs than the Washington Nationals.
Something will have to give starting Tuesday, when the skidding Mets host Washington in the opener of a three-game series between the longtime National League East rivals.
Clay Holmes (2-2, 2.10 ERA) is slated to start for the Mets against Zack Littell (0-3, 7.56) in a battle of right-handers.
Both teams were off Monday after concluding a three-game series Sunday. The Mets continued slumping as they were swept in a doubleheader by the visiting Colorado Rockies, who won the opener 3-1 before recording a 3-0 victory in the nightcap. The Nationals recorded a series win by edging the host Chicago White Sox 2-1 in 10 innings.
The wins by the Rockies completed a three-game sweep of the Mets and dropped them to 2-15 since April 8, the worst 17-game stretch for the club since New York went 2-15 from Aug. 28 through the second game of a doubleheader on Sept. 13, 2004.
The Mets are 9-19 overall, tied with the division rival Philadelphia Phillies for MLB’s worst record entering Monday. The 28-game start is tied for the worst in franchise history, while New York’s 92 runs are the sixth fewest through 28 games and its fewest since the 1981 team that had 88 runs while starting 8-19-1.
Offense may remain hard to come by for the Mets, who will be without Francisco Lindor and Jorge Polanco — their Opening Day leadoff and cleanup batters, respectively — indefinitely. Lindor is out with a strained left calf, while Polanco is battling left Achilles and right wrist ailments.
“We’ve got to continue to go through it and find ways to get the guys going,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “There’s no other way to put it. I can sit here and tell you guys a lot, but at the end of the day, we’ve got to go out and do it.”
The series against the White Sox indicated the Nationals might be in the process of figuring out their pitching issues. Although Washington has given up the second-most runs in the majors entering Monday (171, three behind the Houston Astros’ 174), the Nationals surrendered just nine runs against the White Sox despite going to extra innings in each of the last two games.
That’s the second fewest Washington has allowed in a three-game span this season, behind the eight runs it gave up while taking two of three from the Chicago Cubs and the Phillies from March 29-31.
Two of the White Sox’s four runs over the last two games came in extra innings, when the automatic runner is placed at second.
In addition, the win and save Sunday were recorded by Richard Lovelady, who began the season with the Mets, and Paxton Schultz, who was recalled from Triple-A Rochester prior to the series finale.
“This team works, they get after it,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said. “We’ve made some mistakes, no doubt, along the way. But the one thing I couldn’t be more proud (of) is just the way these guys have worked every single day.”
Holmes didn’t factor into the decision in his most recent start last Wednesday, when he allowed two runs over seven innings in the Mets’ 3-2 win over the Minnesota Twins. Littell took the loss Wednesday after giving up eight runs (six earned) over six innings as the Nationals fell to the Atlanta Braves 8-6.
Holmes is 1-1 with a 1.76 ERA and one save in six career games (one start) against the Nationals. Littell is 0-1 with a 1.38 ERA in seven games (one start) against the Mets.
–Field Level Media
Tigers’ Spencer Torkelson eyes history in opener vs. league-best Braves
Detroit’s Spencer Torkelson could write his name in the franchise record book when the visiting Tigers open a three-game series against the red-hot Atlanta Braves on Tuesday.
Torkelson matched the franchise mark by hitting a home run in his fifth consecutive game on Sunday against Cincinnati. Another blast would also make him the first major leaguer with a six-game home run streak since Rafael Devers in 2024.
“Just seeing the ball well and just proud of the way I’ve stuck with my plan and my approach and putting my A-swing on a lot of pitches,” Torkelson said.
Torkelson tied Hank Greenberg, Rudy York, Vic Wertz, Willie Horton and Marcus Thames for the franchise record when he took Pierce Johnson deep in the seventh inning on Sunday.
Over the last six games, the first baseman is batting .409 (9-for-22) with five homers and six RBIs. He didn’t have a home run this season before the streak began.
“When my approach is right, I feel like I can hit everything without really trying to hit everything,” Torkelson said.
Torkelson will face Atlanta left-hander Martin Perez (1-1, 2.70 ERA) in the series opener. The Tigers will send right-hander Casey Mize (2-1, 2.51) to the mound.
Atlanta comes off winning two of three from Philadelphia. It became the first team to 20 wins with Sunday’s 6-2 win in the rubber match.
Detroit beat the Reds 8-3 on Sunday to salvage one win from their three-game series.
The Braves have swept their three-game series against the Tigers in each of the last two seasons.
Perez has made five appearances (three starts) this season. In his most recent start on April 17, he tossed six scoreless innings against the Phillies. In his last outing on Wednesday, he worked three innings of relief against Washington.
Perez has made 18 appearances (16 starts) in his career against the Tigers, going 2-7 with a 5.12 ERA. He made three appearances (two starts) against Detroit last year while a member of the Chicago White Sox and went 0-2 with a 5.27 ERA in 13 2/3 innings.
With the emergence of rookie JR Ritchie and the impending return of Spencer Strider, the Atlanta rotation is in flux.
Perez, Ritchie and Bryce Elder will start against the Tigers, with Reynaldo Lopez temporarily moving to the bullpen “for now,” according to Atlanta manager Walt Weiss, to work out a mechanical flaw in his delivery. Lopez allowed four runs in one-plus inning during his last start against Washington on April 21.
“Our rotation right now, to be honest with you, is series to series,” Weiss said. “I gave you the rotation for the Tigers, but we go to Colorado, I believe, after that and we don’t know what it’s going to be there. It’s series to series with the rotation right now.”
Mize will make his sixth start and has won his last two decisions, most recently a 5-2 victory over Milwaukee last Wednesday. He pitched six innings and allowed one run against the Brewers and has given up only two runs over the last 18 1/3 innings. Mize has allowed one or fewer runs in four of his appearances.
Mize has never beaten the Braves, going 0-2 with a 4.66 ERA. He faced Atlanta one time in 2025 and took the loss after giving up three runs in 5 2/3 innings.
–Field Level Media
Rockies-Reds series pits two of NL’s surprise teams
Two teams coming off impressive weekend series meet when the Colorado Rockies visit the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a three-game series Tuesday night.
The Reds have been one of the better stories in the National League to open the season. They’ve won all 11 of their games decided by two runs or less in racing to the top of the NL Central. Cincinnati dropped an 8-3 decision to the Detroit Tigers Sunday but still took two of three in the series and have won nine of 12 heading into the series with the Rockies.
Colorado is coming off a road sweep of the New York Mets, in which they allowed just four runs in the three-game set, capped by a Sunday doubleheader of 3-1 and 3-0 victories. Colorado has already won 13 games before the month of May after winning just 43 in all of 2025.
The series opener features a compelling contrast on the mound. The Reds will hand the ball to right-hander Chase Burns (2-1, 2.57 ERA), who has emerged as a cornerstone of their young rotation. Burns has been dominant early this season, recording 30 strikeouts in his first five starts and allowing two or fewer runs in four of those outings.
Colorado counters with veteran right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano (2-1, 3.42 ERA). Sugano has been a stabilizing force for a Rockies rotation that has struggled with depth, providing the experienced veteran presence the team was looking for heading into the season.
The Reds’ offense continues to be sparked by Elly De La Cruz, whose combination of speed and power remains a nightmare for opposing pitchers. Complementing him is third baseman Sal Stewart, who leads the team with a .291 batting average and a .385 on-base percentage.
Cincinnati had 10 home runs in the just-completed series against Detroit and has 37 homers on the season. The Cincinnati bullpen has been very reliable, though it was rocked for six runs in four innings of Sunday’s loss to the Tigers. Detroit scored four in the seventh and two more in the eighth after starter Rhett Lowder left with a 3-2 lead after five innings.
“Early on our guys were fine,” Reds manager Terry Francona said. “It went (bad) from there. I know it’s early. No matter what time of year it is, that’s a hard way to win.”
Francona has had to lean on his bullpen in the first month of the season as the rotation has dealt with inconsistency from Andrew Abbott and injuries that have sidelined Nick Lodolo and Hunter Greene.
Colorado outfielder Troy Johnston leads the club with a .315 average and a .371 OBP. As for the pitching, despite posting the second-most relief innings in MLB early on, the Rockies have maintained high efficiency. A shift in philosophy under new pitching coaches has improved the performance of young arms like Jaden Hill.
Five pitchers have at least one save for the Rockies, with veteran Antonio Senzatela and Victor Vodnik combining for six saves in their eight chances.
“There are 15, 16 or 17 guys who will ultimately take on a lot of the innings here,” Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer said of the bullpen. “The talent base of the pitching is there… the guys have to keep progressing.”
–Field Level Media
Orioles, Astros desperate for fast start, momentum entering series
The importance of getting off to a strong start is something the Houston Astros and host Baltimore Orioles are well aware of entering Tuesday night’s series opener.
“It just sets a different tone to your day (when) you score first,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “The momentum, you want to keep that on your side. … When we do that, we put ourselves in a really good spot to win games.”
The Astros have gone 3-7 in their last 10 games, but they beat the visiting New York Yankees 7-4 on Sunday to avoid being swept.
The Orioles have lost three of their last five games, including two in a row to visiting Boston. They fell behind in the last two games and weren’t able to recover.
The Astros and Orioles both had Monday off.
Right-hander Shane Baz (0-2, 5.08 ERA) will head to the mound Tuesday for the Orioles looking for his first victory in a Baltimore uniform in his sixth start. Baz has worked at least five innings in every outing, but he has been tagged for four runs in each of his last two starts.
In two home games, Baz has given up a total of seven runs in 10 1/3 innings. He has faced the Astros three times in his career, going 0-1 with a 4.00 ERA across 18 innings.
An injury-riddled rotation is forcing the Astros to move right-hander Kai-Wai Teng (1-1, 2.16) from the bullpen to start Tuesday’s game as an opener. Teng, who spent the last two seasons with San Francisco and started seven games last season, has thrown 16 2/3 innings over 11 relief appearances, striking out 16 and walking six.
This will be his first appearance against Baltimore.
Christian Walker had a home run and a double for the Astros on Sunday. He has homered in back-to-back games and in three of his last six. By the end, Houston had scored seven runs to match their second-highest total in the last three weeks.
“Really good at-bats from the very beginning,” Espada said.
Baltimore scored a total of four runs in its last two games combined.
“We know we can put up as many runs as the best teams,” Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson said. “I know we’re one of the best teams at doing it. We just got to go out and do it. It’s just a matter of going out there and proving it.”
Henderson has smashed nine home runs this season. Catcher Samuel Basallo has homered in two of the last three games for Baltimore.
The Orioles have lost three of their four last home series, dropping two of three games in each case.
This will be the second consecutive opponent to visit Baltimore holding last place in its respective division. The Astros are 11-18, while Boston was 11-17 when it departed.
By the end of the Boston series, the Orioles had made roster moves that included designating right-hander Albert Suarez, who threw four innings Saturday, for assignment. Baltimore brought back reliever Ryan Helsley from the family emergency medical list.
–Field Level Media
