This story was originally published by Dead Spin
Baseball is back.
After a brief break to showcase some of the best players in the game, we’re ready to resume the pennant race and prepare for the trade deadline.
Here are the best bets on our radar Friday.
Cincinnati Reds at Washington Nationals, 6:45 p.m. ET
All signs point to offense in this one.
Frankie Montas (4-7, 4.38 ERA) gets the start for Cincinnati on Friday with the Reds chasing an eight-game deficit to the NL Central-leading Brewers and Nationals lefty Patrick Corbin (1-9, 5.57 ERA) is taking the ball for Washington.
Corbin’s record underscores the struggle of Washington’s rotation, which has the third-worst ERA in baseball as the second half begins. Corbin is 5-5 with a 4.50 ERA in 16 career outings (15 starts) against the Reds.
Montas has one decision – a win – but brings an ERA of 6.14 in three career appearances against Washington into game.
Over 8.5 runs at -115 (FanDuel)
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Chicago White Sox at Kansas City Royals, 7:05 p.m. ET
The White Sox are easy pickings and easy to pick against coming out of the break with zero to play for as the Royals push toward a playoff spot.
Michael Wacha is 3-1 with a 3.49 ERA at home and 6-6 overall this season. Wacha posted an ERA of 2.61 in his final nine starts before the break.
The White Sox lost seven of eight entering the break and are abysmal away from the Guaranteed Rate Field bandbox.
While lineup changes are promised with the signing of infielder Nick Senzel and the promotion of shortstop Brooks Baldwin, the White Sox are not likely to produce an instant U-turn. Starter Chris Flexen has a 4.86 ERA in road games.
Kansas City is 6-1 in head-to-head matchups with the White Sox this season.
Royals -1.5 at +100 (FanDuel)
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Pittsburgh Pirates at Philadelphia Phillies, 6:41 p.m. ET
The Phillies already have 62 wins and ace Aaron Nola lined up to take on the Pirates, who have every reason to be excited about the future but no reason to brag about their offense.
Pittsburgh ranks 26th in batting average (.231) and 27th in OPS (.669) and that hikes up the degree of difficulty for the Pittsburgh pitching staff when the Pirates’ starter isn’t named Paul Skenes.
Left-hander Martin Perez (1-5, 5.15) starts Friday night against Nola and the Phillies’ offense, which has plenty to brag about. Perez is trending the wrong direction. His most recent six starts produced an ERA over 7.00.
Now he faces a lineup with three All-Star Game starters, including shortstop Trea Turner, first baseman Bryce Harper and third baseman Alec Bohm. Bohm is 8-for-16 in his career against Perez.
Single-game parlay: Trea Turner over .5 hits, Aaron Nola 4-plus strikeouts, Phillies moneyline, +111 at FanDuel
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