MLB picks: A's vs. Diamondbacks, Cardinals vs. Cubs

The St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs will add another chapter to their rivalry Tuesday night.

We’ll handicap that game, as well as the second of four in a home-and-home interleague series between the Oakland Athletics and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Oakland Athletics at Arizona Diamondbacks

Both the A's and Diamondbacks carried four-game win streaks into Monday’s series opener, and it was Oakland’s streak that was halted, thanks to Arizona’s David Peralta.

But “momentum is the next day’s starting pitcher,” and momentum seems to be on the A’s side Tuesday.

Frankie Montas will toe the rubber for Oakland, and he is putting together a strong 2020 campaign. Montas is 2-1, with a 1.57 ERA, 1.00 WHIP ,and .175 opponent batting average through four starts. The A’s bullpen is also second in the majors by ERA this season (2.34).

Luke Weaver is trending in the opposite direction. He is 0-3, with a 11.85 ERA, in four starts this season, and his bullpen is 21st in ERA (5.00).

Oakland’s sixth-rated offense by runs per game (5.26) should feast in this spot. Look for outfielder Robbie Grossman, who is 11-for-30 (with four home runs) over his last nine games, to continue his run of success.

MLB pick: A’s runline

St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs

Bettors should expect a low-scoring renewal of this classic MLB rivalry.

Yu Darvish will take the hill for Chicago, and he is fresh off an exceptional effort against the Brewers, in which he allowed just one hit and struck out 11 batters over seven innings. His 3-1 record and 1.88 ERA is imposing.

The Cubs’ bullpen is also on a remarkable run, with a 1.03 WHIP over the last seven days.

Countering for St. Louis is Daniel Ponce de Leon, who has a couple things working to his advantage.

He has some outstanding road splits, with a 2.16 ERA over 41 2/3 innings in away games (4.70 ERA in 44 innings at home). And the Cubs have only seen Ponce de Leon once — back in 2018 — and it was a clean inning of relief.

The well-rested Cardinals relievers own a 1.09 WHIP since they returned to action over the weekend and will pitch with a strong wind at their back.

MLB pick: Under