Will Rogers

Two sharp starters and upgrades to both pens at the trade deadline will define this game.  Youngster Kyle Muller for the Braves has been an eye-opener in the start of his career. Woodruff for the Brewers has been solid all season, throwing long and well. Take the total to go UNDER! 

Brewers (Woodruff) vs. Braves (Muller)

Today’s game features two very good starters: Muller (2-3, 2.55) for Atlanta and Woodruff (7-5, 2.14) for Milwaukee. Kyle Muller is only 23 , but has impressive numbers in his first 5 starts. The length of his starts is an issue, averaging less than 5 innings. This could be a problem because the Atlanta bullpen has not rescued many starters with a W/L record collectively of 13 -23.

Lefty Brandon Woodruff has had a great season, supplying start length (6.3), wins, and ERA for the division leading Brewers. Milwaukee is 13-7 with Woodruff on the mound. He has the support of a fine crew of relievers which was bolstered at the trade deadline.

The Brewers made a couple of significant changes which should help down the stretch. Whether Atlanta’s pickups will address their needs remains to be seen. Rodriguez, given his recent performance, was risky.

Milwaukee has been terrific on the road, strong as a favorite on the road, and very good in low-scoring games, which this one is likely to be. I like what I have seen of Muller, but I am concerned what comes after the 5th, when he is likely finished for the day. The Brewers won in comeback style last night. I see today’s game in much the same way. Take Milwaukee to win outright

KC (Minor) vs BlueJays (Menoah)

After a long stretch of hapless baseball, the Royals have turned things around. They took 3 of 4 against the White Sox, swept Detroit, and took both games vs. Milwaukee in their last 3 series. The majority of these wins were at home. With the loss of Duffy and Soler at the trade deadline, a significant chunk out of their offense and starting pitching, is it even conceivable that KC can make a run for a wildcard spot now?

The Jays are a number of games out and in a much tougher division, but have gone all in at the trade deadline, buoying up their starting pitching and adding significantly to their bullpen in the last days and weeks. They are obviously in a win now mode.

It is a bit of an up-in-the-air match up on Saturday. Minor for the Royals (8-8, 5.33) has had some indifferent stretches this season, but his last two starts have been excellent; 6 innings per start, allowing 1 and 2 earned runs respectively.

Manoah, the Jays’ highly touted rookie right-hander struggled his last outing but was lights out in his two previous starts. Of the first 8 starts in his career, 5 have been of excellent quality. He is just off the ten day disabled list in time for Saturday’s start.

It would appear that Toronto has made great strides in improving their bullpen, which has been a large stumbling block this season. Their bullpen is showing the results of this improvement in the last few games. They are finally back to a “real” home stadium in Toronto; a point to consider.

Kansas city’s bullpen has been slightly better of late. They have a poor road record, and have been very poor vs right handed pitching.

I am wagering that Manoah will be back in form. Noting KC’s struggles on the road and vs. right-handers, I believe that the Jays’ big bats will be too much for Minor. Take the Jays -1.5 today.