This article is part of our MLB Picks series.
Previous article (8/21): 1-3, -1.95 RW Bucks
Season: 57-63-5, -9.36 RW Bucks
I'm focusing on two evening games in Wednesday's split slate that I believe will feature some strong pitching performances and relatively low-scoring games overall.
Chicago White Sox at Toronto Blue Jays, 7:07 PM ET
Starting Pitchers: Lucas Giolito vs. Robbie Ray
The Pick: Under 4.5 runs – first 5 innings (-134 on FanDuel Sportsbook) for 1 RW Buck
Secondary Pick: Blue Jays moneyline (-120 on FanDuel Sportsbook) for 1 RW Buck
Giolito has had a couple of blowups this season but pitched well overall, and he boasts a 5-3 record, 10.6 K/9 and 1.1 HR/9 over 74 road innings, with all three figures better than those at home. Meanwhile, Ray has allowed more than four earned runs just once since June 1 and faces a White Sox squad that sports just a .209 average and .254 wOBA versus lefties in the second half.
Washington Nationals at Miami Marlins, 7:10 PM ET
Starting Pitchers: Josiah Gray vs. Edward Cabrera
The Pick: Under 4.5 runs – first 5 innings (-132 on FanDuel Sportsbook) for 1 RW Buck
Secondary Pick: Under 8.0 runs (-102 on FanDuel Sportsbook) for 1 RW Buck
Gray has posted a 2.86 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 9.0 K/9 over 22 innings in his first four starts with the Nats. He's generated quality starts in each of his last two trips to the mound as well and faces a Marlins team that sports a .303 wOBA against visiting righties since the All-Star break. Cabrera will be making his first big-league start, but he brings excellent swing-and-miss stuff (double-digit K/9s in last five minor-league stops) and the Nats have just a .238 average and .290 wOBA against righties in the second half.
