The set-up: Baltimore’s looked like the much more “cohesive” unit so far in the preseason and I believe it carries that momentum over here. Ravens coach Jim Harbaugh takes the preseason seriously, as evidenced by his team’s 15-0 run in FLX action. Philadelphia’s first team offense will finally hit the field, but “rust” is going to be an issue.

The pick: Especially vs. this Ravens’ defensive unit which is “firing on all cylinders” (so far Baltimore is average 27.5 PPG in the preseason and allowing only 13.) The Eagles’ backup QB issue is a serious one as well, as Cody Kessler is concussion protocol and Nick Sudfeld has a broken wrist (where’s Nick Foles when you need him?!) Expect to see a lot of Josh McCown under center as well in this game for the home side. Regardless, I think Baltimore’s well oiled machines runs roughshod in the City of Brotherly Love. Lay the points.

Baltimore Ravens 10* play

The set-up: The Mets have rolled to victory in the first two games of this series and I believe the home side will once again find a way to get the job done here in what shapes up to be another favorable matchup on the mound for it. The sliding AL visiting side hands the ball to Aaron Civale, while the NL home side counters with Noah Syndergaard.

The pitchers: Civale (1-2, 1.50 ERA) most recently allowed three runs off eight hits with two walks over six innings in a loss to the Yanks on Friday. Civale has been good in his limited time, but clearly he faces a difficult task in this difficult road venue tonight.

Syndergaard (8-6, 3.86) gave up two runs while striking out six over six innings in a loss to the Royals on Friday. It was his seventh quality start since the All Star break, a span in which he’s posted a 2.05 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and a 50:12 K:BB over 48.1 frames.

The pick: Cleveland’s “desperate,” but it continues to get shaky starting pitching and it’s line-up continues to struggle at the plate. And I don’t see those trends changing vs. the red hot Mets. All things considered, this is an awesome price. Lay it.

NY Mets 10* play

The set-up: The Cubs have rolled to victory over the first two games of this series and I think the home side keeps the foot on the gas in the finale as well. Chicago has won four in a row now: "I would like to think it is coming together," Chicago president of baseball operations Theo Epstein remarked yesterday. "It is in our hands. We have a chance to go out there and play really well. You have to go out there and leave no room for doubt. We have to beat some really good teams." San Fran comes in on the other end of the spectrum, dejected after three straight losses.

The pitchers: Jeff Samardzija (9-9, 3.54 ERA) is 4-2 over his last eight starts, but he’s 0-2 with a 6.35 ERA vs. his former team.

Kyle Hendricks (8-9, 3.37) most recently allowed one run over seven innings vs. the Pirates.

The pick: It’s interesting to note that while he’s a poor 4-7 with a 4.76 ERA in 13 starts on the road this season, Hendricks is 4-2 with a 1.98 ERA in ten starts in “Friendly Confines.” I’m banking on Hendricks continuing that run of greatness at home. Consider the home side in this one.

Chicago Cubs 1* play

The set-up: Milwaukee is desperate, but the Cardinals’ momentum is for real right now in my opinion and i believe the home side executes the series sweep tonight. The visitors go with Adrian Houser, while the home side turns to veteran Adam Wainwright.

The pitchers: Houser (5-5, 3.76 ERA) enters off a song start vs. the Nationals on Friday, allowing just one run over seven innings. Note though that he’s 0-1 with a 6.53 ERA in three career appearances vs. St. Louis.

Wainwright (9-8, 4.33) has to be feeling confident here as he’s 16-8 with a 2.33 ERA in 39 career appearances vs. Milwaukee.

The pick: Note as well that Houser is 4-0 with a 1.47 ERA in 17 outings as a reliever this year and only 1-5 with a 5.28 ERA in ten starts. This is a great price. Lay it with confidence.

10* PLAY-BOOK on the Cardinals.

The set-up: I think the surging Nationals come in focused on the task at hand and find a way to get the job done here in the end. The visitors hand the ball to Patrick Corbin, while the home side goes with Joe Musgrove.

The pitchers: Corbin (9-5, 3.34 ERA) comes in off a gem vs. the Brewers on Friday, giving up one run off seven hits with eight K’s and four walks over six innings. He faced the Pirates once this season and dominated them, allowing one run over seven innings with 11 strikeouts.

Musgrove (8-11, 4.59) gave up two runs over seven innings with nine strikeouts in a no-decision to the Cubs on Friday. Musgrove had lost three of his previous four.

The pick: Washington can ill afford to take the foot off the gas at this point and after yesterday’s 4-1 setback, I think the stage is now set for a quick response (previous to yesterday’s loss the Nats had scored 62 runs over five games.) Lay the price.

8* PITCHING BLOWOUT on Washington.

The set-up: Luis Castillo has looked shaky at times over the second half for the Reds, but I still think he’ll have more than enough in the tank here to get the better of his erratic counterpart Matt Strahm.

The pitchers: Strahm (5-8, 5.21 ERA) is back in the rotation after a stint in the pen and he’s just 2-4 with a 5.91 ERA in all “day” games this season.

Castillo (11-5, 3.10) actually comes in off the worst start of his entire career, allowing eight runs in a 13-4 loss to the Cardinals. Castillo has to be feeling confident he can bounce back here though, as note that he’s still a sharp 7-4 with a 2.97 ERA at home.

The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but San Diego is just 21-24 in “day” games this season, while Cincinnati is 16-10 in its last 26 at home with a money line in the -100 to -150 range. I’m banking on Castillo bouncing back here. Great price.

8* DESTRUCTION on the Reds.

The set-up: This is an important game for both teams, despite not playing in the same League. The Indians though have a big advantage on the mound and in my opinion, that’s going to be more than enough to tip the scales in the visitors favor tonight. Cleveland sees Shane Bieber take the hill, while the home side goes with Stephen Matz.

The pitchers: Bieber (12-5, 3.27 ERA) comes in off a no-decision vs. the Red Sox on Wednesday, allowing two earned runs off seven hits while striking out seven over six innings.

Matz (7-7, 4.33) who has looked better of late, but who is still only 5-5 with a 4.86 ERA in all “night” games.

The pick: The Mets have been cursing of late, winning 18 of their last 23, but their schedule gets much tougher moving forward. Note that Bieber has allowed just eight earned runs over his last 38 innings while posting a 44:5 K:BB in that span. Matz has been better at home than on the road this season, but I still think he’s in over his head in this one. Lay the price.

10* DESTRUCTION

The set-up: While Ivan Nova hasn’t had a great overall season for the White Sox, he’s been a bit better of late. Kyle Gibson though is a big reason why his team will be in the postseason this year. Admittedly neither of these starting pitchers instills a ton of confidence, but I still believe this number is high.

The pitchers: Nova (8-9, 4.51 ERA) has actually won four of his last five stars and he enters off a 4-1 complete-game effort over the hard-hitting Astros on Tuesday, allowing four hits and one unearned run. Over his last two starts Nova has conceded nine hits, three walks and an unearned run.

Gibson (11-5, 4.28) gave up three runs over five innings in a no-decision to the Brewers on Wednesday.

The pick: Note that Nova is 3-2 with a 3.45 ERA in six career appearances vs. the Twins as well, while Gibson is 9-4 with a 2.74 ERA in 16 career starts vs. the White Sox. Expect these two hungry starters to battle deep.

10* TOTAL OF WEEK on under White Sox/Twins.

The set-up: This will be Denver’s third preseason game, as it played in the Hall of Fame Game as well. The Broncos lost four straight to end the regular season last year and they have high hopes with veteran QB Joe Flacco. Denver fell in Seattle last week and Flacco saw limited time in that one. He should see a bit more here, but the veteran will of course be saved for the official Week 3 preseason contest.

The pick: San Francisco was just 4-12 in 2018 and it’ll be expecting big things from QB Jimmy Garappolo. But the 49ers’ defense was impressive in its Week 1, 17-9 win over the Cowboys. Backup San Fran QB CJ Beathard had a TD pass in the victory. With Denver’s starting defense seeing limited time, I believe Beathard is a difference maker in this one tonight. Grab as many points as you can.

10* COACH’S CLINIC on the San Francisco 49ers.

The set-up: Trevor Bauer threw a gem in his first start for his new team, but he was then blown up for one of his worst starts of his career last time out. Erik Lauer has had an up and down season for the Padres as well and he’s been especially poor on the road. I think that Bauer can bounce back here and I believe that Lauer’s road issues continue in this difficult venue.

The pitchers: Lauer (6-8, 4.55 ERA) gave up three runs to the Rays on Tuesday and overall he’s just 3-5 with a 6.20 ERA on the road.

Bauer (10-9, 4.12) gave up nine runs over four innings in a 17-7 blowout loss to the Nationals in his last start.

The pick: This is a big game for the Reds, who come in having lost six of their last eight. San Diego is still without the services of slugger Fernando Tatis Jr. as well, still sidelined with injury. After back-to-back poor outings, I believe that Bauer gets back on track at home. Lay the price.

Cincinnati Reds 10* play