This is an 8* play on the Atlanta Braves.

Atlanta earned a split in a four game series at Colorado, and I like the Braves in Game 1 of a home series versus Cincinnati.

R.A. Dickey will toe the slab for Atlanta, and he's been quite sharp at home. He's 6-2 with a 3.30 ERA in 12 starts in Atlanta, all the more impressive when you consider how most pitcher's have struggled at Sun Trust Park. He faced Oakland once previously this season, allowing one run on six hits over six innings in a no decision.

The Redshand the ball to Sal Romano, who has lost four straight starts. He was roughed up for seven runs on eight hits over five innings in a 7-4 loss to Milwaukee his last time out.

The Braves have won six straight when Dickey starts at home against a team with a losing record.

Take ATL.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Texas Rangers.

Texas has won seven of it's last eight overall, and the Rangers have a favorable matchup in Game 2 versus Chicago.

Andrew Cashner will toe the rubber for the Rangers, and the former Padres ace has pitched well in the second half of the season. He's 3-2 with a 2.76 ERA overall in his last five starts. He's been even better at home, going 4-3 with a 2.25 ERA in nine starts in Texas.

The White Sox hand the ball to James Shields, who has really struggled this season. Big Game James has just one win in his last 10 starts. He's 0-3 with a 6.96 ERA in his last six starts. Texas has crushed him in past meetings, batting a combined .321 over 165 at bats.

The Rangers have won five of their last six when Cashner pitches on four days rest.

Take TEX.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Houston Astros.

Houston split a home and home series versus Arizona this week, but I like the Astros in Game 1 of a home series versus Oakland on Friday.

Dallas Keuchel will toe the slab for Houston, and he's coming off another dominant performance. He allowed one run on six hits, striking out seven in 6 2/3 innings in a 2-1 win over Texas his last time out. He's 4-1 with a 1.59 ERA in six home starts this season, and 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA in two starts versus Oakland.

The A's hand the ball to Sean Manaea, who has been torched for 18 runs on 21 hits over 6 2/3 innings in his last three appearances. He won at Minute Maid Park earlier this year, but was quite lucky that nine hits and three walks over 5 2/3 innings resulted in just one run.

The Astros have won seven of the last eight meetings between the two teams, and all seven of those wins came by at least two runs.

Take HOU.

GL,

Jesse Schule