Rockies (Gomber) vs. San Diego (Knehr)

The Padres, after an unsuccessful trade deadline, took more lumps on Saturday, losing both Tatis Jr and Chris Paddack to injuries. This, on top of losing 5 of 7, including two to the Colorado Rockies, signifies a low point in this once-promising season. They look to Reiss Knehr, called up from Triple-A, to take the mound. Knehr has only started once before, lasting 3.2 innings against the same Rockies, allowing 2 runs and giving up 4 walks.

Knehr’s competition today is Rockies’ lefty Austin Gomber (8-5, 3.69). This will be his 4th start since returning from the IL; he is 2-0 in his last two, lasting 6 innings in each. Gomber has been a very effective starter and a rare bright spot for the Rockies this year.

Most of the general stats favor the Padres. They have a very good home record and are 18-9 against left handed pitching. The Rockies have a laughable road record and struggle against right-handed starters. Their pen pales in comparison to San Diego’s or anyone else’s for that matter.. None the less, the Padres ARE 2-5 for a reason. Losing Tatis takes a real chunk out of their offense. Losing another starter put pressure on their relief efforts. I am wagering on Gomber to limit access to the inept Colorado bullpen, and the Rockies to win three straight. Rockies to win outright.

Cincinnati Reds (Gutierrez) vs. NY Mets (Stroman)

The Mets, first in their division, must be peering over their collective shoulders. Three games up on the Phillies/Braves, if they fall out of first they likely stand no chance of holding down a wild card spot with their record. Their opponent on Sunday, the Reds, can flex lots of offensive muscle but sport a 29th place bullpen. Both teams made changes at the deadline. The Reds added 3 relievers, the Mets, a starter and Javier Biaz, and now the question is: have they done enough?

The Mets came back to win on Saturday night, and turn it over to Marcus Stroman (7-9, 2.63) on Sunday. In his last three starts, he has given up 4 runs in 18 innings pitched, and still had to be satisfied with a 1 and 2 record. His mound opponent is Vladimir Gutierrez (5-3, 4.75). He was beaten by the Mets the last time he faced them. He has had effective starts but seems to throw in the rare poor one, and allows opposing batters a high batting average.

We will see if the new additions to the Red’s pen will rescue it, as with a collective ERA of 5.38, it needs improvement. The Mets’ bullpen has been sharp as usual, the positive part of the Mets’ mantra of ‘score few runs, allow fewer..”

I am wagering on a total here. Stroman usually goes late into the game, allows few runs, and gets even less support. Gutierrez has his moments. I believe he won’t stink out he joint on Sunday and there are hopes for improvement from the Reds in their late innings relief. Take the total to go UNDER.

SF Giants (DeSclafani) vs Arizona Diamondbacks (Widener)

Firmly in the cellar with an abysmal record, and a covid-riddled lineup, things look bleak for the D-backs. Today, Giants starter DeSclafani (10-5, 3.10) faces youngster Taylor Widener (1-1, 4.42). He has 8 starts this season, spending considerable time on the IL. His last two starts have been poor, resulting in a bloated 7.82 ERA for July. He struggles against left handed hitting.

DeSclafani has pitched well this season, and has had plenty of support from his team-mates. The Giants are 14-7 with him on the mound. He can’t manage the Dodgers, resulting in a very poor start last time out, lasting only 2 plus innings and giving up 4 runs.

Arizona has not fared well against DeSclafani. They have a poor home record and are very poor vs right handed pitching. Their bullpen has been, you guessed it, poor and losing Soria at the deadline won’t help. The Giants, winners of two straight vs the powerhouse Astros added all-star Kris Bryant to their already effective lineup and will look to pad their lead over the Dodgers in this series against the D-backs. They are a heavy favorite but the spread is palatable. Take the Giants -1.5.

Philadelphia Phillies (Ranger Suarez) vs. Washington Nationals (Josiah Gray)

This is not your usual starting pitcher lineup. The Phillies have Ranger Suarez (5-3, 1.12 ERA) a very sharp reliever/closer starting for the first time. Starting! Facing Suarez, will be 23 year old rookie, Josiah Gray. Gray came to Washington with the Scherzer trade, unpacked his bags and will start the next day. He has no record, only two previous outings, an ERA of 6.75, unfamiliar team mates. I hope they at least found him a hotel room.

If it seems like Washington has auctioned off half the team, well, they did, losing 2 starters, two top relievers, and only a few vital parts of their offense. They managed a win today against the equally gutted Chicago Cubs, but it is hard to have anything but low expectations for the remainder of the season.

The Phillies off a massive win against against the Pirates, are still in play for a wild card spot. They added a starter and closer at the deadline plus baseball’s original nomadic shortstop, Freddy Galvis.. How many teams has he played for? I have lost count. The Phillies have helped themselves in the pitching department and likely this game will come down to the relievers. Suarez is effective but not stretched out at all, and who knows how Gray will respond.

Washington as a team used to struggle against against lefties but who knows now. The Phillies are good as a favorite, and pretty good against right-handers. I am wagering that they will take advantage of Gray and whatever relievers the Nationals can find to throw out there. Take the Phillies to win.