We have officially entered the Twilight Zone or the Bermuda Triangle or whatever other inexplicable phenomenon that is out there that may explain how our 2* STRONG Diamondbacks can race to a 6-0 lead AT HOME, maintain a 6-2 lead entering the 8th inning and then watch two relief pitchers give up a 7 spot in the top of the 8th that lead to a 9-6 Pirates win. This is the second time Arizona manager Torey Lovullo has killed us by allowing his relievers to blow huge late leads when they are basically tossing batting practice. Corbin Burnes was excellent again allowing just 2 runs over 7 strong innings. Just unbelievable. Our 3* VERY STRONG play on Texas First 5 ended 0-0 for a PUSH. Nathan Eovaldi left after 2 innings with a possible injury and the Rangers bats could manage just 3 hits and no runs versus Bowden Francis. Texas needs Corey Seeger back in the worst way as this Ranger offense is hard to watch in its current form. Losing 2.6 Units brings our rolling 92 day record to 129-116 for Plus 57.09 Units.
3* VERY STRONG – (MLB) Texas First 5 Innings -160
The Rangers’ Nathan Eovaldi is a legitimate AL Cy Young candidate with a 1.60 ERA and MLB leading 0.79 WHIP on the season. Over his past six outings that ERA drops to 0.74 ERA with an opponents’ batting average of just .176. The Toronto starting pitcher Bowden Francis is 0-3 with a 4.43 ERA on the road and has been inconsistent the entire season. Only the Rangers limited offense (Seeger still out) keeps this from being a 4* play. We have been burned so often lately by relievers that we will take the bullpens out of the picture tonight.
2* STRONG – (MLB) Arizona -1.5 (-130)
The Pirates are 6-20 on the road and now they must face a red hot Corbin Burnes who has allowed three runs over his last 23 innings. This will be just the second major-league start for Pittsburgh right-hander Mike Burrows who sees a Diamondbacks squad who own a MLB best .808 OPS against right-handed pitching. Arizona holds advantages everywhere in this matchup and should take care of business tonight at HOME.
3* VERY STRONG – (MLB) Texas First 5 Innings -160 (0-0) PUSH
2* STRONG – (MLB) Arizona -1.5 (-130) 6-9 LOSS