Baltimore Orioles at Arizona Diamondbacks
Over/Under: 9
First pitch: 6:40 p.m. PT
Probable pitchers: Aaron Brooks (2-3, 4.69 ERA) vs. Robbie Ray (8-6, 3.92 ERA)
Ray, one of the big names rumored to be moved leading up to the trade deadline at the end of the month, is potentially making his last start in Arizona tonight. Don’t think that is unbeknownst to the left-hander, who has already addressed these talks.
In the meantime, such a scenario can be capitalized on by bettors when harnessing those circumstances with the right pitcher. Ray looks like he fits the mold of someone that will cherish his potential final assignment at home, and why wouldn’t he? Not only did he grow up at this level in his five years as a Diamondback, Ray established himself as one of the premier strikeout artists in the National League.
So, you know this one definitely means a little extra something to the 27-year-old (not to mention while trying to keep the D-backs in a playoff race). He has the right matchup to churn out one of his overpowering performances, with Baltimore being a team that can accumulate K’s at the dish — they even strike out more frequently against left-handed pitching (once every 3.54 at-bats).
In addition, the Orioles are ranked 25th in baseball in team OPS (.712) opposite southpaws, and their not-so-intimidating lineup will be handicapped this evening with a pitcher in the batting order.
That pitcher, at least for the first couple of innings, will be Brooks, the 29-year-old journeyman who is making his ninth start of the season and third with Baltimore. And despite being someone that’s bounced around, I think he can come in handy here.
Brooks has had solid stretches of pitching before — albeit few and far between in his career — but he might be in the midst of one right now. Since joining the Orioles, Brooks has served as the “opener” in his two appearances with the club and collectively produced 5.1 innings of one-run ball.
The O’s may also elect to let Brooks go deeper into the ballgame, being that he’s also being stretched out again after spending some time in the Oakland Athletics bullpen prior to being claimed off waivers.
That would be welcomed if he continues this steady pitching but even if that is not the case, Gabriel Ynoa is a candidate to eat up some middle innings, which isn’t too bad if there’s a low-scoring pace already intact. Play: UNDER 9 (-115)
Yesterday’s Result: Blue Jays-Tigers Under 11 (WIN)
Zylbert’s 2019 MLB Over/Under Betting Record*: 56-47-8, +3.5 units
*Each bet graded as if it were to win 1 unit
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