Best Bets - 8/26/2024

Good Morning!

Another solid day for our A.I. posting another winning record and being accurate in the games it’s giving us. It’s Monday and time for a new round of games. We will continue on for now with our baseball coverage. We are going to pick up college football and begin previewing games this week. I’ll write in more detail on that later on!

Game Preview: Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

Date & Time: Monday, 6:40 p.m. EDT

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Team Overview

Pittsburgh Pirates

• Record: 62-68 (5th in NL Central)

• Home Record: 32-33

• Recent Form: The Pirates have been playing well lately, going 6-4 in their last 10 games with a solid team ERA of 3.47. Their ability to win games when they out-hit their opponents has been a key factor this season.

• Top Performers:

  • Oneil Cruz: Batting .265 with 29 doubles, 18 home runs, and 63 RBIs.

  • Joey Bart: Showing recent form, going 10-for-34 with two doubles and two home runs in the last 10 games.

Chicago Cubs

• Record: 65-66 (3rd in NL Central)

• Road Record: 29-37

• Recent Form: The Cubs have also been 6-4 in their last 10 games with a slightly better team ERA of 3.67. Their offense has been strong when hitting multiple home runs, which they’ve managed to do frequently this season.

• Top Performers:

  • Nico Hoerner: Contributing with 26 doubles, a triple, and five home runs.

  • Miguel Amaya: In great form, going 11-for-32 with three home runs and two doubles in the last 10 games.

Pitching Matchup

Chicago Cubs: Jameson Taillon (8-8, 3.77 ERA)

• Analysis: Taillon has been consistent for the Cubs this season with a respectable ERA and WHIP. He’s reliable but will need to bring his best to outduel Keller.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Mitch Keller (11-7, 3.76 ERA)

• Analysis: Keller has been one of the more consistent pitchers for the Pirates, with an ERA almost identical to Taillon's. He’s also been effective at striking out batters, with 134 strikeouts this season.

Favorite Bet: Under 8.5 Runs (-105)

• Explanation: Both teams have been pitching well recently, and their offenses have been inconsistent. Given the matchup on the mound, a low-scoring game seems likely, making the under a prudent choice.

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Game Preview: Houston Astros vs. Philadelphia Phillies

Date & Time: Monday, 6:40 p.m. EDT

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Team Overview

Philadelphia Phillies

• Record: 76-54 (1st in NL East)

• Home Record: 42-23

• Recent Form: The Phillies have been in strong form, going 6-4 in their last 10 games. Their offense has been clicking, with a .298 team batting average during this stretch. They also boast one of the best home records in the league.

• Top Performers:

  • Kyle Schwarber: Leading the team with 28 home runs and a slugging percentage of .471.

  • Trea Turner: Recently in great form, hitting .326 over his last 10 games with three doubles and a home run.

Houston Astros

• Record: 70-60 (1st in AL West)

• Road Record: 35-31

• Recent Form: The Astros have been steady, going 5-5 in their last 10 games. Their pitching has been solid with a team ERA of 2.97, but their offense has been inconsistent.

• Top Performers:

  • Jose Altuve: With 22 doubles and 18 home runs, he's a key contributor to the Astros' offense.

  • Alex Bregman: Red-hot in the last 10 games, with six home runs and 13 hits.

Pitching Matchup

Houston Astros: Ronel Blanco (9-6, 3.14 ERA)

• Analysis: Blanco has been reliable for the Astros, posting a solid ERA and WHIP. He’ll need to bring his best against a strong Phillies lineup.

Philadelphia Phillies: Zack Wheeler (12-6, 2.73 ERA)

• Analysis: Wheeler is one of the top pitchers in the league, with a sub-1.00 WHIP and high strikeout numbers. He’s a tough matchup for any team and will look to dominate at home.

Favorite Bet: Under 7.5 Runs (+110)

• Explanation: With two solid pitchers on the mound and both teams having strong recent pitching performances, a low-scoring game seems likely. The plus odds on the under make it an attractive option.

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Game Preview: New York Yankees vs. Washington Nationals

Date & Time: Monday, 6:45 p.m. EDT

Location: Washington, D.C.

Team Overview

Washington Nationals

• Record: 59-72 (4th in NL East)

• Home Record: 30-33

• Recent Form: The Nationals have been struggling recently, going 4-6 in their last 10 games. They’ve managed a decent team ERA of 3.86 but have been outscored by four runs during this stretch.

• Top Performers:

  • C.J. Abrams: Leading the team with 50 extra-base hits, including 26 doubles, six triples, and 18 home runs.

  • Keibert Ruiz: In good form, hitting 10-for-37 with three home runs and six RBI over the last 10 games.

New York Yankees

• Record: 77-54 (1st in AL East)

• Road Record: 41-25

• Recent Form: The Yankees have been solid recently, going 6-4 in their last 10 games with an impressive 2.74 team ERA. However, their offense has been struggling, with a team batting average of just .216 during this stretch.

• Top Performers:

  • Aaron Judge: Dominating with 51 home runs and a slugging percentage of .736.

  • Juan Soto: Showing power, with four home runs and nine RBI in his last 10 games.

Pitching Matchup

New York Yankees: Nestor Cortes Jr. (7-10, 4.00 ERA)

• Analysis: Cortes has had an up-and-down season but has the ability to deliver strong performances. His WHIP is solid, and with 137 strikeouts, he can be a key factor in shutting down the Nationals' lineup.

Washington Nationals: Mitchell Parker (7-7, 4.26 ERA)

• Analysis: Parker has been consistent but not spectacular. He has a slightly higher ERA and WHIP compared to Cortes and will need to be sharp against a potent Yankees lineup, even if they are currently struggling.

Favorite Bet: Under 9.5 Runs (-125)

• Explanation: With both teams featuring decent pitching and the Yankees' recent offensive struggles, a low-scoring game seems likely. The under provides a safer option based on current form.

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