It’s Deadline Day in the MLB and players are on the move. Teams are loading up before the playoffs and we’ve seen big players on the move. With just two games left on the slate, let’s jump right into my favorite hitters today.
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MLB Pitcher Report | July 31
Deadline Day
With so many players on the move today, it’s no wonder we’ve got just three games on the slate. Eugenio Suárez is now a proud member of the Seattle Mariners and Shane Bieber’s on his way north of the border. The Mets traded for Cedric Mullins and the Yankees are reportedly close to landing All-Star closer, David Bednar.
Now, let’s switch over and talk about today’s starting pitchers. For the Braves it’ll be the newly acquired Carlos Carrasco getting his first start for Atlanta. In eight games this year, Carrasco’s recorded a 5.91 ERA, given up seven home runs and is allowing the opposition to hit .300 on the year.
Carrasco’s allowing righties to hit .320, with five of the seven home runs he’s allowed being to right handed bats. Opposing Carrasco will be Andrew Abbott. Abbott’s got a 2.09 ERA this year, he’s given up 11 home runs and he’s holding opposing batters to a .214 batting average.
Out west we’ve got the Texas Rangers taking on the Seattle Mariners. Kumar Rocker will get the nod for the Rangers, recording a 5.73 ERA on the year and allowing opposing hitters to hit .275. On the road it gets a lot worse.
Rocker’s ERA balloons to 9.91 on the road this year, with eight of the nine home runs he’s allowed coming on the road. He’s allowing opposing teams to hit .354 when on the road and giving up 2.8 HR/9. Opposite of Rocker will be George Kirby.
Kirby’s having a decent year, 4.50 ERA, averaging 9.3 strikeouts/9 and giving up just 1.1 HR/9 at home this season.
Suns Out, Guns Out – July 31 Weather Conditions
Just two games on the docket, with conditions in Cincinnati looking amazing and Seattle not so much. Temperatures are in the high 70s with 10.3 mph winds blowing out and toward right field at Great America Ball Park. With Carrasco making his first start for the Braves, this loaded Reds lineup might just get to him early.
In Seattle the temperatures are in the mid 70s but with 8.5 mph winds blowing in towards home plate and slightly toward right field. If Rocker’s wasn’t pitching tonight for the Rangers, I may have ignored this game completely. That being said, let’s talk about Big Dumper.
Our Best MLB Pitcher vs. Batter Bets on the Diamond for Thursday, July 31
Cal Raleigh o1.5 Total Bases (+120 via BetOnline)
Cal Raleigh’s having the best season of his career. He’s hit 41 home runs, batting .257 and currently sits with 87 RBIs. Today’s weather in Seattle is why we’re getting this price for Mr. Raleigh. Despite the pitcher friendly park, Cal’s hit 18 of his 41 home runs here at home and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
Cal’s struggled against right handed pitchers, batting just .229 on the year. Despite the poor batting average, Cal’s hit 25 of his 41 home runs against right handed pitching. Rocker’s allowing left handed hitters to hit .320 on the year with four of the nine home runs he’s allowed being to left handed bats.
Bonus: Cal Raleigh Home Run (+260)
Elly De La Cruz o1.5 Total Bases (-105 via BetOnline)
Elly is so incredibly due to hit a home run, it’s crazy. He has 18 home runs on the season, batting .282; but hasn’t hit a single home run this month. That’s right, it’s been 30 games since Elly last hit a home run.
At home this season, Elly’s hitting .307 with seven home runs and 23 total extra base hits. When batting from the left hand side, Elly’ batting .302 with 13 of his 18 home runs coming as a southpaw. Today Elly will face Carlos Carrasco for the first time in career and Carrasco is allowing lefties to hit .288 this year.
Winds blowing out and in the direction of right field, Carrasco’s making his debut with a new team and he’s doing it in one of the most hitter friendly parks in the league. This feels like the perfect time for Elly to bust out of this home run funk.
Bonus: Elly De La Cruz Home Run (+345)
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