This article is part of our MLB Picks series.
Previous: 3-1, +1.44 RWBucks
Season: 8-14, -8.48 RWBucks
We have another great slate of baseball this Saturday, with the majority of games from 4 p.m. EDT and later. A few great pitcher matchups stand out, so it's worth attacking those matchups. We'll pull odds exclusively from the DK Sportsbook.
Reds vs. Phillies
The Pick: Reds first 5 innings -160
The Pick: Luis Castillo to win +130
Matt Moore has been among the worst starting pitchers in the league this season. He's allowed 2.3 HR/9 and posted only an 8.2 K-BB% in the role. The team briefly demoted him to the bullpen after acquiring Kyle Gibson at the trade deadline, though an injury to Chase Anderson has put him back in the rotation. The Reds continue to hit well and should have no trouble continuing to put up runs on Moore. Luis Castillo struggled his last time out, but had maintained a 2.02 ERA in 13 starts spanning from May 29 to Aug. 4.
Dodgers vs. Mets
Walker Buehler vs. Taijuan Walker
The Pick: Walker Buehler to win -110
Speaking of pitchers in poor form, Taijuan Walker has been on a drastic slide his last five starts. In that span he's had a 9.86 ERA and surrendered 4.3 HR/9. Now, he'll match up against the Dodgers lineup — albeit not at full strength — and Walker Buehler. Buehler has been among the most consistent pitchers in the league and has worked deep into games regularly. He should exit with the lead. The one concern is that Kenley Jansen will almost certainly not pitch after throwing two innings Friday, and the Dodgers bullpen is otherwise shorthanded.
Yankees vs. White Sox
Jameson Taillon vs. Dylan Cease
The Pick: Jameson Taillon under 5.5 strikeouts (+120)
Taillon has a 23.7 K%, though his skills have diminished lately. In the second half of the season, he's managed only a 21.7 K%. That mark has been propped up by a 10-strikeout performance Aug. 4 against Baltimore. Meanwhile, the White Sox have been right on league average in terms of strikeouts, so the matchup isn't likely to aid him in racking up punchouts.
