Saturday 8-17-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chris Jordan

My free play for Saturday is on the San Francisco Giants over the Arizona Diamondbacks, and I want you listing Logan Webb only.

You may not remember his name, but Webb just served an 80-game PED suspension, and now is being called up to face the Diamondbacks in his Major League debut.

The 22-year-old right-hander was outstanding in 12 Minor League appearances this season, posting a 1.85 ERA. He is the Giants' No. 5 prospect, ranked by MLB Pipeline, and if there was ever a day he wants to prove he belongs in the big leagues, it's right now, this game, off the suspension, and in his debut.

He catches the Diamondbacks off three straight losses, as the Giants won the last meeting 10-9. Will Smith recorded his fifth victory and Mike Yastrzemski went 3-for-6 with three home runs and four RBIs for San Francisco.

The offense will come together nicely tonight, to support Webb in his first trip to a Major League mound.

Take the road team and list only Webb.

4* GIANTS (List Webb only)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jack Brayman

Whenever I see a big price in Denver, on a weekend, I tend to lean toward the underdog, or at the very least, give it some consideration. The Rockies are 10-10 at home on Saturday and Sunday. Only once have they swept both days, and only once have they been swept.

Tells me the road team - no matter who it is - has a shot. I don't care about the price. You don't look at the price when you're in Denver. Not in that rare air.

And I'm going to list both pitchers, as I think Hector Noesi has a decent shot against German Marquez.

Noesi, who is 32, will be making his third start since being promoted from Triple-A New Orleans, where he was 11-4 with a 3.82 ERA. He is 0-2 with an 8.18 ERA, so it hasn't been pretty. But he obviously has potential, and if there is one spot he'll be looking to hit his corners, and dominate with his best stuff, it's here, at Coors Field.

Marquez has been respectable for the Rockies, but he also has a 4.75 ERA this season. His ERA this month is 5.54. His ERA since June is 6.14.

So please don't tell me the Marlins can't figure out a way to slug past Marquez and get Noesi some runs.

I'm taking the value here, as I think we're getting an extra 40 cents than we should. Marquez should be laying no more than $1.80 in this game.

Take the road pup.

4* MARLINS (Noesi over Marquez)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Tony Weston

COMPLIMENTARY WINNER

My free pick is on the Cleveland Indians in the Bronx, against the New York Yankees, and I want you listing Zach Plesac over James Paxton.

I've been thoroughly impressed with Plesac's rookie season, from his debut that resulted in a win for the Indians over the Red Sox, and his 14th-ever start last week that resulted in a victory for Cleveland against Boston.

Plesac labored through five innings on Monday against the defending champion Red Sox, allowing just three runs on seven hits. Now he gets the Yankees, in Yankee Stadium for the first time. When he pitched against New York on June 7, he lasted seven innings, scattered six hits, allowed two earned runs and struck out five to earn the win.

No doubt he brings the good stuff tonight, and gets back on track with a fastball he got away from last week against the Sox.

As for Paxton, I know he is 3-0 with a 2.89 ERA in August, and has limited opponents to a .182 average while averaging better than a strikeout per inning, but the Indians are seeing and hitting the ball well right now.

The Indians are hitting .266 their last 10 games while outscoring teams by 18 runs. On the flipside, the Yankees have won 7 of 10, but have been outscored by a run after the Indians opened this series with a 19-5 victory.

Take the Tribe and list both.

5* INDIANS (Plesac over Paxton)