MLB Games Of The Day For Friday, August 19
The best matchups of the day, all in one place
Matthew Horner - Aug 19, 2022, 11:42am EDTThis will probably be one of my favorite series' of the weekend to take in and watch, because we have a battle on our hands for the AL East division still. It looked like the Yankees would run away with this division faster than Forrest Gump breaking out of his stabilizers, but they really have taken one on the chin over their last 10 games. This type of streak is one that is going to come to an end as some point, and we will see if this series against the Blue Jays helps them do just that. As for this game, it is obviously important for both teams in the standings, but it should be pretty fun as well.
Kevin Gausman and Jameson Taillon take the hill, and with both guys being pretty average this season, we could see some offense here in the Bronx. Taillon has given up at least three runs in each of his last three starts, while Gausman got demolished by Cleveland in his last turnaround. For those of you that love offense, this could be the game for you, although I personally love pitching duels myself. Gausman does have a pretty impressive 1.83 road ERA this season, so maybe he just stinks when he is playing in Toronto. I don't trust Taillon, even against a very disappointing Blue Jays offense.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: The Rangers are not as bad as their record indicates. They may have canned their manager and team president, but if you look at the run differential for this team, it really isn't that bad for a team that is 20+ games behind first place in the AL West. Texas can get after the ball, and they have a good amount of power on the roster with Corey Seager and Adolis Garcia. Their pitching has been pretty porous at times, but they will have one of their very best on the mound in this one. Martin Perez has really bounced back this year with a 2.79 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. For a team with a record as bad as Texas, he is 9-3 on the season. He's been the bright spot in the rotation, and gives the Rangers their best chance to win when he is on the hill.
The Twins are fighting for every possible win, as they are in a battle with the Guardians and White Sox for the AL Central division. They are the better team here, and they are at home, so they will be the favorite. I think a lot of people may be sucked in to taking Texas because they will see Perez on the hill at plus money with his record and ERA. Meanwhile, the Twins have Dylan Bundy and his 4.76 ERA, but don't let that fool you. At home, Bundy has been an entirely different pitcher than when he takes to the road. In seven home starts, Bundy is 3-1 with a 2.83 ERA.
Let the offense begin. I may prefer a good pitchers duel, but heading to Coors for an outing is always a fun time. Even if the Rockies are terrible almost every year. People want to always take the over in games here, and I really don't blame them considering the thin air/small field that we are dealing with at Coors. That is probably what we will get here with two guys that aren't dominant on the hill, but sportsbooks will certainly account for that in their line. Alex Wood has been far worse in 2022 than he was last season, with a 4.18 ERA weighing him down. For the Rockies, they have former Miami Marlin Jose Urena on the bump. Urena has a 4.80 ERA and 1.60 WHIP, to go with his 1-4 record.
San Francisco needs every win possible after falling behind by 4+ games for the final Wild Card spot. They should be able to hammer Urena and his 5.40 ERA at Coors this season.