Tuesday’s MLB Picks
It’s getting down to crunch time in Major League Baseball. Our team of writers and handicappers gathered three of their top picks for Tuesday’s MLB action.
Los Angeles Angels (76-47) at Tampa Bay Rays (76-48)
The Tampa Bay Rays don’t usually have to worry about weather once a game is under way at Tropicana Field, but a tropical storm could postpone their next game before it starts.
The Rays would prefer for nothing to interrupt their momentum inside the dome.
Weather permitting, Tampa Bay will look to improve upon baseball’s best home record on Tuesday when it continues its three-game set with the Los Angeles Angels, with the winner claiming the top spot in the AL.
The Rays (76-48) are a stunning 46-17 at home, a win total that’s already five more than the previous high in the 10-year history of the franchise. But as Tampa Bay prepares for a shot to overtake the West-leading Angels (76-47) for the AL’s best record, there are greater concerns in the state of Florida.
The Rays improved to 5-2 against Los Angeles this season, including 4-0 at Tropicana Field. They began their season series on May 9 as Tampa Bay’s James Shields – Tuesday’s scheduled starter – pitched a one-hitter in a 2-0 win.
Shields (10-7, 3.75 ERA) had a tough outing Thursday at Oakland, giving up four runs, five hits and five walks over five innings. He didn’t factor in the decision as the Rays won 7-6 in 12 innings.
Pick: Tampa Bay – View game matchup | Best line -110 SBG Global
Detroit Tigers (61-64) at Texas Rangers (62-64)
The Texas Rangers showed signs of breaking out of their surprising offensive slump in their latest game, but suffered yet another defeat.
Losing for the 10th time in 12 games, though, was hardly the worst thing to happen to the Rangers on Monday.
Texas will try to move on without leading hitter Ian Kinsler, who may miss the rest of the season with a sports hernia, as it continues its three-game home set Tuesday with the Detroit Tigers.
Already at a disadvantage without Kinsler, things won’t get any easier for the Rangers as Armando Galarraga (11-4, 3.11 ERA) will be on the mound looking to win his fifth consecutive decision for the Tigers.
Detroit’s pitching has been a disappointment, but Galarraga has been good by any standards. The rookie right-hander made his major league debut with the Rangers in September, but was dealt to the Tigers in February in exchange for minor leaguer Michael Hernandez, who has since been released by Texas.
Pick: Texas – View game matchup | Best line +105 SBG Global
Oakland Athletics (57-67) at Minnesota Twins (70-54)
While a rare off-night at the plate dropped the Minnesota Twins into second place in the AL Central, manager Ron Gardenhire isn’t concerned about his team falling apart.
The Twins look to avoid back-to-back home losses for the first time since May when they continue a three-game series with the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday.
Minnesota (70-54) had its four-game losing streak snapped Monday after losing 3-2 to the Athletics (57-67). The Twins had averaged 7.8 runs during the winning streak, but were held scoreless until Joe Mauer hit an RBI triple in the eighth.
Sean Gallagher (1-1, 4.60 ERA) takes the mound for Oakland on Tuesday. Gallagher is winless in his last five starts – all of which the A’s have lost. On Thursday against Tampa Bay, he allowed three runs and four hits over four innings of a 7-6, 12-inning loss.
Kevin Slowey (9-8, 3.94) counters for Minnesota, looking to win his third straight start. After allowing one run over 5 2-3 innings in a victory over Kansas City on Aug. 8, Slowey held the Yankees to one run and three hits in six innings of a 4-2 win on Wednesday. He would have likely returned for the seventh, but was pulled because of two injury delays that resulted in the top half of the inning taking nearly 30 minutes.
Pick: Minnesota – View game matchup | Best line -185 SBG Global
Did you like this article? Subscribe to our Baseball news feed for the fastest updates delivered right to you – Click here to Subscribe