MLB Games Of The Day For Saturday, August 13

Odds and analysis for the most anticipated matchups

Despite Kansas City being a pretty bad team overall this season, they have been on a roll as of late. The offense still hasn't been that great, but they have shown signs of life after they traded away their best hitters in Andrew Benintendi and Whit Merrifield to the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays, respectively. What has been pushing them to be more competitive lately is their pitching, which has gotten so much better since the beginning of the season. Brad Keller gets the start for the Royals and he had a quality start his last time out, allowing one run on four hits and three walks over six innings of work, striking out four and earning a win over Boston. The Dodgers offer a much greater challenge, to be sure, but it is entirely possible he keeps the hot streak rolling.

LA shouldn't be worried that the Royals will be a threat on offense with Andrew Heaney on the hill. In his last start, he didn't factor into the decision during an 8-3 win against the Padres, allowing three unearned runs on four hits and one walk with three strikeouts in 4.2 innings of work. Heaney has allowed only one earned run in 12.2 innings since his return from injury, but he hasn't received a win as LA has eased him back into the rotation with no more than 81 pitches and 4.2 innings in any outing. He has allowed seven runs (two earned) in 28.0 innings across six starts this season, and it is going to be tough for Kansas City to get things going against him.

Don't look now, but this series is absolutely pivotal in the Wild Card race. The Baltimore Orioles have done what most of us thought was impossible and are competing for a playoff berth, despite a team full of unknowns and a low salary. Heck, they traded away their best player at the deadline in Trey Mancini, and they are still competing. Baltimore is just a half-game behind the third and final Wild Card spot, which is currently filled by the Tampa Bay Rays. This series will determine who leaves it with that spot, so it will be an exciting few games watching these division rivals battle it out when they know stakes are high. We get a pretty good pitching matchup here as well with Spencer Watkins and Shane McClanahan.

In his last start, McClanahan gave up four earned runs on six hits and no walks while striking out three over 6.1 innings of work to take the loss in a 9-1 defeat against the Tigers. He has now given up nine earned runs over his past two starts to raise his ERA to 2.24, which ranks fourth-best in all of MLB. It will be interesting to see if he can get back into a groove in this critical game for his team. For Watkins, he allowed four runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five in 5.1 innings of work to take the loss during his last game against the Pirates. He had posted a 1.85 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 34 innings over his six appearances after being recalled by the Orioles, but he took his second loss of the season. Orioles vs. Rays. Strap in.

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The White Sox are a large favorite? Are we serious here? I'm only adding this game because of that line, which is just ridiculous. If someone can tell me what Chicago has done to make them that much of a favorite over anyone, I would love to hear it. They just lost their series against the Royals, who aren't a very good team at all, and have looked absolutely pathetic lately. They haven't proven they can beat bad teams like this. Plus, Lucas Giolito is taking the hill for the White Sox, and he has been far from his usual self this season with a 4.91 ERA and 1.50 ERA.

Matt Manning will get the start for Detroit. In his last outing, he allowed four hits and three walks over seven scoreless frames in a loss to the Rays. He struck out seven and did not factor in the decision. Manning did not give up an extra-base hit and allowed just one runner to reach scoring position. He threw 63 of 95 pitches for strikes, including a career-high 13 swinging strikes and lowered his ERA to 2.25 with a 12:7 K-to-BB through 20.0 innings of work this season. I'll fade the White Sox all day; imagine how much money you would be up of you had done that all season.