David Williams
We are at the final week of the shortened 2020 MLB season. With every team making its final post-season push this week should be full of amazing baseball action. Keep reading for my picks for the must watch and bet games of the week.
MLB Final Week Of The Season Picks
Monday, Sep. 21
Miami Marlins at Atlanta Braves
Miami starter Trevor Rogers is 1-1 with a 6.06 ERA. The Braves are undecided on who they will start on Monday. It may not matter. The last time Atlanta played the Marlins, on Sep. 9, they beat Miami 29-9. Freddie Freeman drove in 6 runs with 3 hits.
Tampa Bay Rays at New York Mets
Rays starter Josh Fleming could throw for at least 5 innings. The Rays could decide trying to beat Jacob DeGrom and his 2.09 ERA isn’t worth it, which means if Fleming gets into trouble, they may keep him in there longer than they usually would.
Tuesday, Sep. 22
Texas Rangers at Arizona Diamondbacks
Texas Jordan Lyles heads to the hill with his 1-5 record and 7.07 ERA. Luckily for Lyles, Arizona’s best hitter, David Peralta, bats less than .300. Peralta has a .295 average. The D’Backs also have a -49 run differential.
Oakland A’s at Los Angeles Dodgers
Some will say the weak link in the A’s rotation is Tuesday starter Mike Minor. But Minor had a great game on Sep. 14, throwing 7 innings and striking out 8 in a 9-0 Oakland win. Dodgers starter Dustin May is 1-1 with a 2.68 ERA.
Wednesday, Sep. 23
Chicago White Sox at Cleveland Indians
White Sox starter Reynaldo Lopez is 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA. Unless Reynaldo throws a gem, Cleveland looks difficult to beat in this. The Tribe sends Zach Plesac to the mound. Plesac gave up no runs and struck out 7 in 6 innings the last time he faced Chicago.
St. Louis Cardinals at Kansas City Royals
Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez has a 10.32 ERA and a 2.12 WHIP. Kansas City should have a pitching edge with Danny Duffy, who is 3-3 with a 4.24 ERA.
Thursday, Sep. 24
Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh is a terrible team. But, they have a shot to pick up a win on Thursday. The last time they faced Chicago starter Alec Mills they belted him for 4 earned runs in 5 innings and the Pirates beat the Cubs 6-2.
Milwaukee Brewers at St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals scored a run off Corbin Burnes the last time he started against them. Burnes must step it up on Thursday because St. Louis starts Kwang-Hyun Kim. Kwang-Hyun is 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA.
Friday, Sep. 25
Houston Astros at Texas Rangers
The Astros have a ton of work to do in the final week if they hope to either win the AL West or grab a wildcard. Jose Uriquidy figures to do his part on Friday. He held the Rangers to 1 hit in 7 innings in a 4-1 Houston win the last time he faced Texas. Rangers starter Kyle Cody didn’t last longer than 3 innings in that same game.
L.A. Angels at L.A. Dodgers
On August 15, the Dodgers ran Angels listed starter Andrew Heaney off the mound after 5.2 innings. Dodgers starter Tony Goselin has allowed 1 earned run in his last 16.2 home innings thrown.
Saturday, Sep. 26
Miami Marlins at New York Yankees
Yankees ace Gerrit Cole may have turned around his form. In his last 14 innings pitched, Cole has allowed 1 earned run off 5 hits. Miami’s top home run hitter, Corey Dickerson, has just 6 dingers. So, whomever the Marlins start on the mound must have a fantastic game for Miami to upset the Yankees on Saturday.
Philadelphia Phillies at Tampa Bay Rays
If Philadelphia finds a way to make the postseason, they could be tough. One of the reasons why is because starters like Zack Wheeler can dominate. Wheeler is 4-0 with a 2.62 ERA. If the Rays require this game to win the AL East, they’ll start someone other than a converted reliever. Wait and see what happens earlier in the week before going against Wheeler.
Sunday, Sep. 27
Chicago Cubs at Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are undefeated in the 7 games that Dane Dunning has started. Chicago is undecided as to who they will put onto the mound on Sep. 27. If the Cubs must prepare for the postseason, meaning they won the NL Central, they figure to start a reliever and rotate bullpen pitchers until the finish.
San Diego Padres at San Francisco Giants
The Friars list Zach Davies as their starter for Sunday. Unless the Dodgers fall apart, the Padres won’t win the NL West. San Diego looks like they’re a lock for a wildcard, though. Don’t expect SD to stick with Davies for this game. They may want to start Davies in the wildcard battle or save him for their first divisional playoff game after winning the wildcard contest.
