We preview the Major League Baseball match-ups happening on the 2nd of August 2017.
With the trade deadline under wraps, the Yankees and the Dodgers were the biggest winners, making crucial signings to boost their efforts of claiming a world series. The Astros still lead the AL conference, although, losing to 2-1 the Tigers.
The Yankees climbed to second in the American League, while the Red Sox dropped to fourth. The Dodgers are still streaking at the top of the NL and the Nats are unchanged at second in the National League. Let’s find out what’s to come.
Wednesday, 2 August
Baltimore Orioles 15/20 | Kansas City Royal 19/20
Baltimore Orioles’ Craig Gentry ran in a winning single run in the ninth innings, as Baltimore won 2-1 against the Royals in their first-round match. The Royals led from the first innings right through until the fifth when Orioles tied the game before sealing it courtesy of Gentry. The Orioles still have a slim chance of playing in the playoffs as a wildcard, with just less than two months to go, the question is can they do it?
The Royals are second behind the Indians in the AL Central Division, with only 455 runs scored, in comparison to the Orioles, who feature in a gritty AL East Division league amongst the Yankees and the Red Sox. The Orioles have scored 485 runs conceding 556. Back the Orioles to take the second match.
Pittsburgh Pirates 11/20 | Cincinnati Reds 13/10
The Pirates broke their four-game losing jinx, after a 7-1 win over the Padres, while the Reds were handed a 2-1 loss to the Miami outfit. The Reds who also ended a similar losing streak when they won against the Marlins, ending a six-game drought, currently sit bottom of their NL Central division.
Their upcoming opponents, Pirates, are just one place above them, leading by 9 wins. Both teams share a similar record, making it slightly harder to call the result. Take Cincinnati Reds to win by a close margin.
New York Yankees 5/10 | Detroit Tigers 29/20
The Yankees have acquired the services of Oakland Athletics pitcher, Sonny Gray, as a strategy to give their side an advantage going into the last two months of the season. All rise as Aaron Judge is back on his home run hitting ways. The Tigers were blown out the water 7-3 in their first game. Take the Yankees to continue on the winning path against a struggling AL Central Division side.
Boston Red Sox 11/20 | Cleveland Indians 5/4
The Red Sox come into the challenge with a one match advantage after a 6-2 win over the Indians. The former are expected to get themselves together, challenging for the top spot and maintain a guaranteed playoff spot. The Red Sox are behind the Yankees in the East, while the Indians lead the Central division. This is one of the unpredictable matches of this round, but I’m backing the Red Sox to come out on top.
Washington Nationals 9/20 | Miami Marlins 33/20
Gio Gonzales starred for the Nationals as the Marlins had no runs and no hits, as the Nats won 1-0 in game one. The Marlins are 14 wins behind their NL East Division leaders, Washington. Expect the next game to have more runs and we’ll see a more determined Marlins side. But I’ll stick with the Nationals for the win.
LA Dodgers 9/20 | Atlanta Braves 15/10
The Dodgers lead the NL West Division and are on an eight game winning streak, dominating the Giants and the Twins in the process. The Braves are struggling on five-match losing streak and look ripe for the taking. Back the Dodgers to maintain their winning streak.
Milwaukee Brewers 15/20 | St. Louis Cardinals 19/20
The Brewers lost 2-1 to the Cubs and the Cardinals won 2-1 against the Diamondbacks. The Brewers are second in the Central Division, one win away from the Chicago Cubs. The Cardinals are three away from the Brewers and this tie is set to manage the Central Division top flight team. Brewers to take the first match.
Chicago Cubs 5/10 | Arizona Diamondbacks 14/10
The Cubs commanded their way to the NL Central Division top spot after shrugging off the Brewers, 2-1. Second place NL West Division team, Diamondbacks, are 14 wins away from leaders – LA Dodgers. Bet on the Cubs to continue their dominance over the West Division team.
Houston Astros 8/10 | Tampa Bay Rays 9/10
The Astros scored 14 to beat the Rays in game one. The Astros were all over the Rays as they hit five home runs at will. The Tampa Rays only managed to score seven and the AL West Division leaders shouldn’t have any trouble with this match. Bet on the Astros to continue their dominance.
Toronto Blue Jays 4/10 | Chicago White Sox 7/4
The bottom sides in the AL East and Central Divisions saw the White Sox win by a single run after a dramatic finish to the match with Davidson sneaking in the comeback. Bet on the Blue Jays to win a game back.
Colorado Rockies 6/10 | New York Mets 23/20
The Rockies should easily beat the Mets, based on their current form, including a recent win against the Nationals. The Mets are struggling with one win in five matches played. Bet on the Rockies.
Oakland Athletics 8/10 | San Francisco Giants 9/10
The Athletics scored eight, to overcome the Giants as Semien’s homer sent them over the line. The Giants almost had a whiff of a chance but a strike out from Oakland’s pitcher secured the result. This will be a close one but the Giants are tipped to edge it.
Los Angeles Angels 8/10 | Philadelphia Phillies 9/10
The Angels face a five-game winning streak side – the Phillies – and have won two of their last five games. A fact the Phillies will want to capitalize on. Bet on the NL Western Division team.
Minnesota Twins 8/10 | San Diego Padres 9/10
The AL Central meets the NL West Division, as the Twins try to improve their one win in five games record. San Diego Padres have won four from their last five matches. Bet on the Padres to win the first match.
Written by Lungelo Mdladla for @Hollywoodbets.net
