It was a good time to take a week off in MLB betting tips last week as the major leagues threw up some unusual results. We are revitalised now and ready to make a big run at the upcoming playoffs but for now we preview some of the key games this Tuesday, the 5th of September.
Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates (6am AEST ESPN)
The Pirates host the Cubs in the game of the American Labour Day slate kicking off at 6am Australian time. We’ve been lucky to see a lot of Jake Arrieta on our tipping days this season with the Cubs ace regularly pitching on Tuesdays. Arrieta is on fire since the all-star break with a 6-1 record while maintaining a ridiculous 1.59 ERA. If it wasn’t for a slowish start to the season he would definitely be in Cy Young contention and he’ll get a favourable matchup Tuesday against Chad Kuhl of the Pirates.
Kuhl hasn’t been terrible throughout the season although a 6-10 record with a 4.54 ERA might suggest otherwise. The problem lies with the Pirates ability to back up their starters with runs, and with Arrieta on the mound Tuesday, we think they might struggle again here. Pittsburgh are a bottom six team in hits and runs and the away team represents good value here.
TIP: Chicago Cubs -1.5 - $1.87 at Ladbrokes
Toronto Blue Jays at Boston Red Sox (9.10am AEST)
While they are still 4 games up in the AL East, the Red Sox have been through a bit of a form slump of late, losing 9 of their last 16 games. A loss to the Yankees with ace Chris Sale on the mound on Monday was the icing on the cake of a poor run which they’ll be hoping to turn around with 2016 AL Cy Young winner Rick Porcello in action Tuesday.
Porcello was great against the Blue Jays last week, allowing just 1 run through 6.1 innings and seems to have picked up some of the form that saw him win the Cy Young last year. The matchup against J.A Happ is a favourable one and the Red Sox should relish the return to Fenway for Labour Day after a brutal stint in New York.
TIP: Boston Red Sox -1.5 - $2.20 at Sportsbet
Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers (10.10am AEST)
Two of the forces in the National League will face off on Labour Day as the Dodgers host the Diamondbacks from 10.10am. Lefty Robbie Ray will look to continue his stellar season for the Diamondbacks which sees him with a 11-5 record so far and an impressive 170 strikeouts. It’s the batting that has been impressive for the Diamondbacks though, they sit 7th in the majors for total runs and are led by first baseman Paul Goldschmidt who has a .314 average with 33 homers.
Rich Hill will be on the mound for the Dodgers and will be looking to bounce back after he allowed five runs in the first innings of his last start against, coincidentally, the Diamondbacks. The Dodgers have all but locked up top spot in the NL West, currently 14.5 games up on the Diamondbacks so they couldn’t be blamed for going into cruise control here. We like the Diamondbacks as away underdogs.
TIP: Arizona to win - $2.35 at Ladbrokes
Follow @andyrosos on Twitter for more tips and nonsensical sports comments
Always Gamble Responsibly.
