MLB Gas Cans Of The Day For Saturday, Aug. 20
Opposing offenses are in great spots
Matthew Horner - Aug 20, 2022, 9:08am EDTPittsburgh Pirates vs. Justin Dunn (8.64 ERA), Cincinnati Reds
The Pirates certainly don't have one of the best offenses of the league, far from it actually, but they keep showing us that they can put up runs against bad pitching. They crushed the Red Sox the other day, putting up eight runs fairly quickly against an overmatched Boston pitching staff. They absolutely can do the same here against a terrible starter and shaky bullpen that no one should trust, plus the Reds are just a bad team in general. It wouldn't surprise me if Pittsburgh blew them out, regardless of how bad they are themselves.
Justin Dunn gets the start for the Reds in this one. In his last game, he allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks over 3.2 innings in a win over the Cubs. He struck out four and did not factor in the decision, however. Dunn served up three home runs in the rough outing, which isn't shocking in the least. He has given up four home runs through two starts (8.1 innings) at the big-league level this season. His 6.92 ERA with Cincinnati's Triple-A team won't inspire much confidence, either.
I like the Pirates to get an early lead off of Dunn. Take them or the over F5.
San Francisco Giants vs. Ryan Feltner (6.39 ERA), Colorado Rockies
The Giants are treading water right now around a .500 record, and they aren't overly impressive on offense, either. However, this is Coors Field we are talking about here. Every offense can put up a massive number at this venue, and even more so when you have guys like Ryan Feltner getting MLB starts at a ballpark like this. I have a feeling that he is about to toss some serious turkeys into the bleachers in this one, and San Francisco will be there to deliver them to the guests in the stands.
In his last start, Feltner took the loss during a 7-4 defeat at the hands of the Diamondbacks, allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 4.1 innings. Making a second turn through the rotation, Feltner is only there because Colorado truly does not have any other appealing options at all. They have one of the direst pitching situations in the league, but that is commonplace for the Rockies. Feltner has allowed five earned runs in consecutive starts and has given up 14 total runs across 13.2 innings in three starts this month. He carries a 6.39 ERA and 1.48 WHIP into this one, and it doesn't look promising for him.
Boston Red Sox vs. Kyle Bradish (6.38 ERA), Baltimore Orioles
A very average season saw the Red Sox try to trade away some of their veteran players at the trade deadline, but they couldn't manage to do so, and now the mediocrity continues. Boston will go on runs at times this season, luring us into thinking maybe they have turned a corner. Around that corner has always been a losing streak, which has made them painfully average this season off of last year's great performance. That doesn't matter though when you are taking on poor pitching, as any offense has the chance to explode for a large number against guys who shouldn't be out there.
Kyle Bradish gets the start for the Orioles in this one. In his last start, he didn't factor into the decision in a 7-3 win over the Blue Jays, giving up three runs on six hits and four walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out five. Even with the team spoting him a 6-2 lead in the game, he couldn't stay on the mound long enough to get the win, getting pulled after throwing just 54 of 96 pitches for strikes. Bradish hasn't lasted longer than 5.1 innings in any of his four starts since coming off the IL in late July, recording a 4.05 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 21:9 K-to-BB through 20 innings over that stretch while failing to record a decision in any of them.