Happy Hump Day. We’ve reached the midway point of the work week and we’ve got a full day of MLB games to enjoy. Let’s jump straight into my favorite hitters today.
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MLB Pitcher Report | August 6
Hump Day Home Runs
With so many games kicking off during the day today, let’s focus up on these evening pitching matchups. Starting off in Washington D.C., we’ve got Jeffrey Springs taking the mound for the Athletics and Cade Cavalli for the Nationals.
Springs has been very middle of the pack this year, posting a 4.14 ERA and allowing 1.5 HR/9 across 126 innings of work. Springs struggles against right handed bats, allowing 18 of the 21 home runs he’s given up to righties. For the Nationals it’ll be the youngster Cade Cavalli.
Cavalli’s making just his 2nd career big league start today, his only prior game coming in 2022; he went 4.1 innings, gave up 6 hits, 7 earned runs and managed to hit/walk 5 batters. It was ugly, to say the least and part of the reason why it’s taken him three years to get back here.
In Seattle we’re seeing Jonathan Cannon on the mound for the White Sox. He’s got a 4.94 road ERA and has allowed 16 home runs in just 94.1 innings pitched. He’s allowing the opposition to hit .270 and against southpaws that number jumps to .290 (9 HR).
Let’s cap it off in the desert. The Diamondbacks will start Anthony DeSclafani tonight, up against Nestor Cortes of the San Diego Padres. This will be Cortes’ third start of the season and his first start since being traded to the Padres. Cortes has a 9.00 ERA this year, he’s given up five home runs in just eight innings and has allowed lefties to hit .375 this year.
Sunshine Report – August 5 Weather Conditions
Weather conditions today leave a lot to be desired. In Washington we’ve got 7.4 mph winds blowing from right to left field, temperature in the low 80s. In Boston, we’ve got winds blowing in towards the stadium at 6.7 mph with temperatures in the mid 60s.
Moving to Atlanta, 5.8 mph winds blowing in and towards right field. It is hot, with temperatures in the mid 80s and humidity at 71%. Both the Diamondbacks and Mariners have their ballparks’ roof closed so the weather won’t play a factor there.
As someone that loves to focus on weather, let me take you to this Nationals/Athletics game in the nation’s capital.
Our Best MLB Pitcher vs. Batter Bets on the Diamond for Wednesday, August 6
Nick Kurtz o1.5 Total Bases (-110 via BetOnline)
We love the Athletics around here and this man is a big reason why. Kurtz is hitting .312 this year with 23 home runs and a .658 SLG. He’s been one of the Athletics’ most dependable bats and it’s easy to see why we’re going right back to him tonight.
Kurtz is batting .326 on the road this year with 10 of his 23 home runs coming away from Sutter Health Park. His average jumps to .353 against righties and 19 of his home runs have come against right handed pitchers.
With little data on Cavalli, we’re going to have to go off what we have. His .375 batting average allowed to left handed bats makes me love Kurtz tonight.
Bonus: Nick Kurtz Home Run (+310)
Brent Rooker o1.5 Total Bases (+100 via BetOnline)
Like I said, I love the Athletics lineup this year. They haven’t been able to translate these big hitters directly into wins, but both Rooker and Kurtz have held their own on this team. Rooker’s hitting .275 this year with 23 home runs and a .501 SLG.
With winds blowing directly toward left field, it should benefit Rooker’s right-sided swing and maybe help carry this ball just a little farther tonight. Rooker’s been great on the road this year, hitting 13 of his 23 home runs away from the Bay Area and hitting .261 on the road.
He’s hit 18 of his 23 home runs against right handed pitching and tonight against the young Cade Cavalli, I like Rooker to add to the tally.
Bonus: Brent Rooker Home Run (+325)
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