With so many games on every day in the MLB, it can be hard to keep up with the extremely busy season. With another 9 games on this Tuesday, the 23rd of May, we preview and give our tips for the key games below including the ESPN televised Giants at Cubs.
San Francisco Giants at Chicago Cubs (10.05am AEST ESPNHD2)
The Giants travel to Wrigley Field on Tuesday morning to start their series against the Cubs. The Giants have been better after a slow start at the beginning of the season, but are still a long way off the pace. The Giants have won their last two series 2-1 against Cincinnati and the Dodgers and are fourth in their division with an 17-25 record. The Giants have named pitcher Ty Blach for the opener, as he tries to regain momentum after claiming his first win of the season. Blach pitched extremely well against the Dodgers, only giving up one run over seven innings. The Giants need to lift up their efforts on the road, the 6-15 record is having a huge effect on their season. It's also a no brainer that the Giants need to produce more offence as they are ranked 29th for runs and 25th for hits.
The Cubs are also having their own troubles at the moment but have won the past three games as they swept the series over Cincinnati. In one of the closest divisions the Cubs are third with a 21-19 record and are only three places off top placed Milwaukee. The Cubs start pitcher Kyle Hendricks has been impressive in the last few weeks and will be looking for his fourth win of the season. Everyone is still waiting for the Cubs to show the kind of form we saw last year. They certainly haven't shown the consistency early, but they have welcomed back Jason Heyward this weekend that will help with the offense.
TIP: Chicago Cubs H2H - $1.50 at Crownbet
Colorado Rockies at Philadelphia Phillies (9.05am AEST)
The Rockies trek east to start their four game series against the Phillies. Colorado still sit top of the NL West and haven't shown any sign of slowing down. They are 6-4 in the last 10 and have a record of 26-16. Colorado have to thank the bullpen for early success, the signings of two veteran relief pitchers have paid off early. Pitcher Jeff Hoffman will be the likely candidate for Tuesdays game as he is coming off his first win against the Dodgers, where he allowed three hits and had eight strikeouts in five innings.
The Phillies are finding it hard to win at the moment and have lost the last four. It won't get easier in this contest with Rockies having great success on the road. The Phillies are struggling to find offence especially in the last series against the Rangers where they put together just eight home runs in three games. The Phillies bring in right hand pitcher Jerad Eickhoff for this game. In his first three starts he had an ERA of 8.40 but last game he registered a season high eight strikeouts, but did allow three runs on seven hits.
TIP: Colorado Rockies H2H - $1.91 at Ladbrokes
Detroit Tigers at Houston Astros (10.10am AEST)
The Tigers head into Texas to take on top of the table in the American League the Houston Astros. Detroit have shown some form in the past week, winning the series against Baltimore then breaking the Rangers 10 game winning streak on Sunday. Detroit are 5-5 in their last ten and seem to show some form on the road with a 9-11 record. They bring in their number one pitcher Michael Fulmer to the mound for this one. Fulmer has enjoyed a solid start ranked in the top 10 category for wins with a 5-1 record. His last victory over the Angels he pitched seven innings, allowing one run on three hits.
The Astros have made a pitching change in this one bringing in Brad Peacock for Dallas Keuchel who injured his neck and is bound for DL. Peacock is 2-0 for the year but is mainly used as a relief pitcher. Houston are the top team in the American League and have shown the kind of form that is destined for a World Series appearance. Pitching is a small worry but the bullpen is strong enough at this point of time, and with batting stars Correa and Altuve this could quite easily be their year. It's hard to write this team off at home with a 14-8 record, but they have dropped the last two games so anything is possible.
TIP: Detroit Tigers +1.5 - $1.53 at Sportsbet
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