Tonight’s American League Preview
Yankees (German) Vs Mariners (Gonzales) 7:05 EST
Reports from Seattle have the Mariners trading three quality prospects for Cinncinatti’s top starter, Luis Castillo. It is a dramatic move by the Mariner’s front office who are choosing to move all-in on this move. The club has not appeared in the postseason in 20 years and feels it is time to end that drought by being buyers at the trade deadline this season.
Castillo joins an already strong starting rotation led by last year’s Cy Young award winner Robbie Ray and rising star Logan Gilbert. Castillo with his 2.86 ERA and 1.07 WHIP makes the Mariners a formidable opponent in the postseason if they can actually make the tournament. Seattle currently sits 1.5 games ahead of Cleveland in the race for the final American League Wild spot that is sure to go down to the final weekend of play.
The Yankees were also active today acquiring hard-throwing Frankie Montas from Oakland and reliever Scott Effross from the Cubs. These types of moves are expected by Yankees fans every year, and adding these arms will certainly improve the team. But the Yankees were already arguable the best team in the American League so there are diminishing returns on adding additional talent.
The Yankees host the Mariners tonight to start a three-game series. As always all eyes will be on Aaron Judge as he pursues the team record of 61 HR of which he is just 20 bombs away from breaking with two whole months to play.
American League Best Bets
July’s Best Bets: 32-26, +4.45 Units
It was a profitable month of July for me, that finished on a terrible losing streak. This mark seems a bit disappointing after a terrific start to the month. But as always we keep moving forward.
August’s Best Bets: 0-0, +0.00 Units
AL: White Sox (Kopech) [-148] Vs Royals (Keller) $
Just when I was about to give up on the White Sox for the season, they went on a mini-streak of 5 wins in 7 games. They get a favourable matchup tonight against the Royals who manage one win in their four-game set in New York this past weekend.
This is a series the White Sox have to sweep or at least win to keep pace in the standings. Michael Kopech starts for the White Sox tonight. His difficulties this season when he has trouble finding the strike zone, but when he is pitching strikes he can be dominant. A start against the weak-hitting Royals no longer with their team’s top hitting left fielder could be an excellent recipe for a win.
I have little faith in the Royals finishing the season up strongly. It is more likely their season will become an even bigger struggle heading into the fall call-ups.
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