Johnny Banks

LATE NIGHT MLB CA$H COW

The Cleveland Indians have won 25 of their last 26 games and they've already clinched the division. A good time to start fading the Tribe? I don't think so as they probably don't want to risk losing the momentum for the postseason.

Tonight they'll hand the ball to Josh Tomlin (9-9, 5.04 ERA) who has been excellent lately. The 32 year old right-hander has won five straight decisions and held the opposition to two runs or fewer in each of his last five starts. The Indians are 6-1 in Tomlin's last seven starts.

The Halos turn to Ricky Nolasco (6-14, 5.11 ERA) who has had a rough season. The veteran right-hander is winless through his last five starts, and he has not fared well in previous meetings with the Tribe. He's 0-3 with a 5.32 ERA in eight career appearances (seven starts) against the Indians and gave up three runs on nine hits in 6 2/3 innings of a loss earler this season.

This is a bad spot for Nolasco who most recently held Houston to a pair of runs through six innings on Sept. 14. The Halos are 3-12 in his last 15 starts with five days of rest and 2-7 in Nolasco's last nine starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.

My selection is an 8* play on Cleveland Indians. 

SUPER EARLY BASE BRAWLER

The Miami Marlins had lost 17 of their last 20 games prior to this three-game series, but they've outscored the Mets 18-5 through the first two games and I think they'll complete the sweep Wednesday afternoon. 

Jose Urena (13-6, 3.62 ERA) will take the ball for the Marlins. He's 1-1 with an excellent 2.25 ERA in four outings (two starts) against the Mets on the season and the right-hander is 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA in his last three starts overall. The Marlins are 8-1 in Urena's last nine starts vs. a team with a losing record and the 65-86 Mets certainly fit that criteria. 

Rafael Montero (5-10, 5.08 ERA) will take the ball for the visitors. In six games against the Marlins this year, including two starts, Montero is 1-0 with a 5.02 ERA. The right-hander has a 1.70 WHIP on the season and he has allowed eight runs on 16 hits and 12 walks through 15 innings in his last three starts combined. 

The Mets are 2-8 in their last 10 games after losing the first two games of a series. Take the Marlins for the sweep. 

My selection is an 8* play on Miami Marlins. 

MONEYLINE MONEYMAKER

Desperation breeds motivation, and the St. Louis Cardinals should have plenty of both right now as they try to make up ground in the National League Wild Card race. The Cards entered this three-game series with the Cincinnati Reds on the heels of three losses to the Cubs at Wrigley but showed good grit when they claimed the opener of this set 8-7 in extra innings on Tuesday. 

Tonight Luke Weaver (6-1, 1.89 ERA) will take the ball for the Cards. The 24 year old right-hander has been excellent in his 10 appearances (seven starts) on the season and he is 5-0 with a 1.15 ERA through his last five starts. He struck out six while limiting the Reds to one run on two hits in six frames his last trip to the mound. 

The Reds hand the ball to Rookie Davis (1-2, 7.71 ERA) who will make his seventh appearance (sixth start). The 24 year old right-hander surrendered two runs on four hits in two innings of relief pitching against the Cards on Sept. 12, and I think they'll put the pressure on him early tonight.   

Note that Davis has compiled a 2.24 WHIP (admittedly over just 21 innings of work so not a huge sample), and the Cardinals are 9-2 in their last 11 games against a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.

My selections is an 8* play on St. Louis Cardinals.