Marc David – Sports Handicapper

      DODGERS @ CUBS

Buehler pitches for LA with a 2-0 record and a 5.40 ERA. In 4 starts he pitched past the 5th inning just once and that was his last outing. He pitched 6 innings and allowed just 3 hits and 1 run but in his 3 previous starts allowed a total of 11 runs and 13 hits in only 12 innings with 10 of the runs in 2 of the 3 games. In 9 total road innings pitched he allowed 6 runs and 8 hits with 4 walks. LA has lost 5 of their last 7 meetings with the Cubs and have lost 2 of their last 3 games which were on the road. Hamels takes the mound for Chicago with a 3-0 record and a 2.77 ERA. He was hammered for 5 runs and 6 hits in his 1st start but in his last 3 pitched 21 innings allowing just 3 runs while striking out 19 batters in 21 total innings. He was 9-12 last year with 7 of the losses in day games but is 32-12 at night since 2016 including this season where he is 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA. Chicago is 6-1 in their last 7 games and 5-2 in Hamel's last 7 home starts while LA is 1-4 in their last 5 games against lefties on the road.

Take Chicago

       DIAMONDBACKS @ PIRATES

Kelly pitches for Arizona in his 5th start of his rookie season with a 1-2 record and a 4.37 ERA. He lasted just 3.2 innings in his last game as he allowed 3 runs and 6 hits and it could have been a lot worse because he walked 7 batters. In his last 2 starts he allowed 7 runs and 14 hits in only 8.2 total innings. He has been terrible on the road in 2 starts allowing 6 runs and 11 hits while walking 9 batters in 9.2 innings pitched. Arizona is 7-3 in their last 10 games but 2 of the losses belong to Kelly. He is 1-1 on the road with a 5.59 ERA. Lyles takes the mound for Pittsburgh with a 2-0 record and a 0.53 ERA after 3 starts. In 17 total innings pitched, he has allowed just 10 hits and 1 run while striking out 18 batters. He has been mostly a relief pitcher since 2016, starting just 18 games in 113 appearances and last year started 8 of those games. In 3 of his 4 home starts he allowed a total of 3 runs and 12 hits in 19.1 innings pitched. In his last 10 appearance last season he allowed just 3 runs over 14 innings of relief. Last season the Pirates were 5th in the NL with 44 wins at home.

Take Pittsburgh

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