Happy Saturday. We’ve got a full day of MLB Games, including the MLB’s Speedway Classic; taking place at Bristol Motor Speedway. Without wasting anymore time, let’s jump right into tonight’s matchups
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MLB Pitcher Report | August 2
Saturday Night Fever
With a day full of baseball like today, it’s important to pinpoint your favorite pitcher matchups and identify where we can find an edge. With just four games left for Saturday night, let’s kick it off at Bristol Motor Speedway. The Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds are set to face off in the MLB Speedway Classic, taking place in Bristol Tennessee.
Spencer Strider will get the start for Atlanta, he’s got a 4.42 road ERA but has done a great job containing opposing batters to a .222 batting average. For the Reds it’ll be Chase Burns, he’s got a 6.26 ERA this year and is giving up 1.3 HR/9. He’s allowing opposing batters to hit.266 and and has struggled against right handed bats (.278).
In Sacremento we’ve got Zac Gallen versus J.T. Ginn as the Diamondbacks and Athletics ready for Game Two of their series. Gallen’s 5.70 ERA this year is bad, but it gets even worse when you combine that with the 23 home runs he’s allowed.
We can finish in Anaheim, the Angels will have Kyle Hendricks take the mound against Aaron Civale and the White Sox. Both pitchers have struggled to keep the ball in the park this year, both giving up over 1.5 HR/9.
Summertime Fine – August 2 Weather Conditions
Once again, let’s kick it off at Sutter Health Park. Winds are blowing at 13 mph directly out toward the outfield, temperatures is in the low 90s and two pitchers that give up a good amount of contact. Down in Anaheim we’ve got 7.2 mph winds blowing out toward centre field, temperatures in the high 80s and Aaron Civale on the bump.
Lastly, the Bristol Motor Speedway. While the park dimensions seem hitter friendly, just 330 feet in the corners and deeper toward centre field; the total at just eight makes me look at this one twice.
Our Best MLB Pitcher vs. Batter Bets on the Diamond for Saturday, August 2
Brent Rooker o1.5 Total Bases (-110 via BetOnline)
Today we’re keeping it in the same game because both Brent Rooker and Nick Kurtz have been absolutely great this year. Rooker is hitting .274 this year with 23 home runs, and a .502 SLG. He’s been the other Athletic bat hot as all hell and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
Rooker’s got six home runs this month, batting .272 in 24 games and recorded a combined 31 runs/RBIs. Gallen’s given up 14 of the 23 home runs this year to right handed bats and has given up three home runs in his last three starts.
This park is a tough place to pitch, even tougher when it’s your first time. Look for the Athletics to get to Gallen tonight.
Bonus: Brent Rooker Home Run (+320)
Nick Kurtz o1.5 Total Bases (-105 via BetOnline)
I’m going right back to Nick Kurtz. He’s shown time and time again why he’s one of the best hitters in the MLB and he’s still just a rookie. Kurtz has a .342 batting average against right handed pitchers, a .749 SLG and 19 home runs.
At Sutter Health Park, Kurtz is batting .290 with 13 of his 23 home runs coming here in Sacremento. He sits top two amongst all his teammates in all major offensive categories and tonight he’ll face off with the struggling Zac Gallen.
Gallen’s allowing southpaws to hit .277 on the year, with a .464 SLG. He’s given up nine home runs to left handed bats and on the road is giving up 1.7 HR/9. This will be Gallen’s first start at Sutter Health Park and as we’ve seen all year, it’s a tough place to pitch.
Bonus: Nick Kurtz Home Run (+300)
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