Drama is afoot in the American League East, as the Boston Red Sox have reeled off a seven-game winning streak, opening up a 3 ½ game lead over Tampa Bay. Meanwhile, the New York Yankees are languishing in fourth place, nine games back. Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner has pointed the finger of blame squarely at the players, coming out in support of manager Aaron Boone. The Sox have the best record in all of baseball, but they are just a half-game better than the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have won six in a row to close within a half-game of San Francisco in the National League West. No team is hotter right now than the Milwaukee Brewers, who have won nine straight to build a 6 ½-game advantage over the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central.
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MLB News: Top Betting Games for the Weekend
Saturday, July 3
New York Mets at New York Yankees (1:05 pm ET)
Projected Pitching Matchup: Marcus Stroman (METS) vs Gerrit Cole (NYY)
Marcus Stroman struggled in his last start, only lasting three innings against the Phillies while giving up four runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks, fanning three. Before that, though, his last three starts had seen him make it at least to the seventh inning, permitting just four runs (three earned) over 19 ⅔ combined innings while striking out 23 and walking just six. The Mets’ offense, though, has only given him two runs of support in his last three outings.
Gerrit Cole got shelled in Boston by the Red Sox in his last start, permitting six runs (five earned) on eight hits, including three home runs while walking two and striking out six. His last three starts before that were quality outings, as he threw 21 combined innings and permitted just six runs while striking out 19, but he has allowed eight home runs in his last four starts. If he can’t keep the ball down, the Yankees will struggle to keep up with the Mets.
Final Prediction:
Yankees 4, Mets 2
Los Angeles Dodgers at Washington Nationals (7:15 pm ET, FOX)
Projected Pitching Matchup: Clayton Kershaw (LA) vs Paolo Espino (WAS)
Clayton Kershaw threw a gem on Sunday against the Chicago Cubs, spinning eight innings of four-hit, one-run ball while striking out 13. In his four starts before that, he threw 24 combined innings, striking out 25, and while the Braves touched him up for five runs on June 5, since then he has only permitted six earned runs in his last four starts, so his “ace” stuff appears to be on tap right now.
Paolo Espino threw five shutout innings in his last outing against the Mets on Monday, fanning three and scattering five hits without issuing a walk. He has pitched well in a spot start role; against the Pirates on June 16, he also threw five shutout innings. Can he do the same thing against a thunderous Dodgers offense, though?
Final Prediction:
Dodgers 5, Nationals 1
Sunday, July 4
Texas Rangers at Seattle Mariners (4:10 pm ET, ESPN+)
Projected Pitching Matchup: Mike Foltynewicz (TEX) vs Chris Flexen (SEA)
The Texas Rangers have played well over the last 10 days, but they still dwell far below .500 and in the American League West cellar. In Mike Foltynewicz’s last two starts, he has thrown for 13 combined innings, striking out 11 while permitting four earned runs on 10 hits and walking just one, with both outings coming against the Oakland A’s.
The Rangers have struggled against the Mariners, particularly in Seattle. Chris Flexen struggled a bit against the Blue Jays on Tuesday, giving up three runs on seven hits over five innings. In his two previous starts, though, he threw 14 ⅔ combined innings against the Twins and the Rockies, permitting just one earned run on a solo shot while striking out 14 and walking just two. The Texas offense has been hot lately, but Flexen has the stuff to cool them off.
Final Prediction:
Mariners 5, Rangers 3
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