Cardinals at Dodgers: A battle between two of the the NL’s top three teams comes together in Los Angeles. There are rumors flying around that John Smoltz might be on his way to St. Louis after refusing an option. Until that happens, the Cards will offer up Mitchell Boggs in this one. He’s only started 7 games this season, with a relatively indecisive 1-1 record and 3.78 ERA. He has 31 K’s but a large 1.89 WHIP, which means he’s walking a lot of guys, not something you want to do against one of the top hitting teams in your league. Plus, the last time he pitched, he lost. The Cards are lucky to enjoy the breathing room they have with the Cubs unceremoniously tanking it on their own this month, but they have to win these big games to prove they’re a factor come the postseason. Unfortunately for them, even against Jeff Weaver (5-4, 3.84), it’s not going to happen in this game. Even though Weaver has to look back to around the 4th of July to see a check in his team’s W column when he starts, this is the game he’ll turn it around against a relatively cool-hitting Cards team. St. Louis is hitting .259 as a team, although they hope to improve that number with a home series against lowly San Diego. Still, expect the home team to roll in this one. Dodgers -170, Cards +145. Take the Dodgers, and take the over if it’s at 13 or less.
Minnesota at Texas: The Rangers have proven to be resilient this year, dispelling predictions that their quick start would soon crumble under unreliable pitching and one-dimensional power hitting. But these aren’t your 1990’s Rangers, and they’re not going away, right in the thick of the Wild Card fight. If you thought the Yankees AND the Red Sox making the playoffs was a baseball betting gimme, think again. Texas throws Scott Feldman (11-4, 4 ERA), who isn’t striking many guys out this year, but isn’t walking too many either. He faces Carl Pavano, the newly acquired starter for the Twins in their latest attempt to shore up a very shaky staff as they try to stay alive in the AL Central (something a little league team could do these days). Pavano has been healthy this year, if not effective (5.1 ERA). But Texas is only hitting .255 as a team, good for 13th in the AL, just out of the cellar. Neither team has been playing inspired baseball lately (both under .500 since August 1), so this one could really go either way. I can’t imagine Texas being thrown by not having seen Pavano in a Twins uniform this season, so as the home team they’ll likely get the small edge in the money line. Texas -115, Minnesota +110. I’d honestly take a chance on Minnesota here, it’s worth the small risk of them being the road team. And I’d take the under if it’s at 10 or more.