PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* AL Game of the Day
(MLB) Toronto vs. Houston,
Money Line: -155.00 Houston (Home)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -155.00 Houston (Home)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Blue Jays and the Astros met in last year's ALDS with Toronto rallying from an 0-2 deficit to win in five games. Both teams are in the thick of the playoff picture again in 2016. Toronto won 2-1 (14 innings) in the first of this four-game series last night and at 59-47, are in a virtual tie with the Red Sox for the AL's two wild card spots. Houston's loss leaves them at 56-49, 2 1/2 games back of Toronto and Boston, with the Tigers in between. Toronto made news before Monday's trade deadline by acquiring relievers Scott Feldman (Astros) and Mike Bolsinger (Dodgers) plus left-handed starter Francisco Liriano from the Pirates. Getting back to Houston, by moving Feldman to Toronto, Houston opened a spot on its staff for right-hander Joe Musgrove, the organization's seventh-best prospect, according to MLB.com.
The pitching matchup: Toronto's R.A. Dickey (7-12, 4.66 ERA) will take on Houston's Lance McCullers (6-4, 3.18 ERA). Dickey became the first knuckleball pitcher to win the Cy Young Award back in 2012, going 20-6 (2.73 ERA) for the Mets in 2012. He was traded to the Blue Jays before the start of the 2013 season and over the previous three seasons, has been a major disappointment with Toronto. He entered the 2016 season with a three-year 39-37 record for Toronto, which went 51-50 (minus-$474) in his 101 starts. Things have ‘gone south' in 2016, as Dickey checks in 7-12 (4.66 ERA), while Toronto is 7-15 in his starts (minus-$1007 vs. the moneyline). He's 2-5 with a 4.96 ERA over 13 games (11 starts) vs. Houston. McCullers owns a solid 3.18 ERA over 13 starts in 2016 (Houston is 8-5) and comes off two excellent outings in his last two turns, winning both with a 1.29 ERA and a 20-6 KW ratio.
The pick: Dickey is having an AWFUL season and comes in having lost three consecutive starts, allowing 17 ERs (as well as six HRs) in just 14 2/3 innings (10.43 ERA) during that stretch. Meanwhile, McCullers owns a 5.57 road ERA in 2016 but it's 2.28 at home over nine starts (Astros are 6-3). 10* play is on the Houston Astros.
The pitching matchup: Toronto's R.A. Dickey (7-12, 4.66 ERA) will take on Houston's Lance McCullers (6-4, 3.18 ERA). Dickey became the first knuckleball pitcher to win the Cy Young Award back in 2012, going 20-6 (2.73 ERA) for the Mets in 2012. He was traded to the Blue Jays before the start of the 2013 season and over the previous three seasons, has been a major disappointment with Toronto. He entered the 2016 season with a three-year 39-37 record for Toronto, which went 51-50 (minus-$474) in his 101 starts. Things have ‘gone south' in 2016, as Dickey checks in 7-12 (4.66 ERA), while Toronto is 7-15 in his starts (minus-$1007 vs. the moneyline). He's 2-5 with a 4.96 ERA over 13 games (11 starts) vs. Houston. McCullers owns a solid 3.18 ERA over 13 starts in 2016 (Houston is 8-5) and comes off two excellent outings in his last two turns, winning both with a 1.29 ERA and a 20-6 KW ratio.
The pick: Dickey is having an AWFUL season and comes in having lost three consecutive starts, allowing 17 ERs (as well as six HRs) in just 14 2/3 innings (10.43 ERA) during that stretch. Meanwhile, McCullers owns a 5.57 road ERA in 2016 but it's 2.28 at home over nine starts (Astros are 6-3). 10* play is on the Houston Astros.
