Tuesday MLB preview: Cubs at Phillies, Mets at Braves

MLB free play: Cubs moneyline

Few pitchers have been hotter lately than Jose Quintana (10-7, 4.23 ERA), who puts his six-game win streak on the line Tuesday against the Phillies. The 30-year-old southpaw has benefited from a copious amount of run support, but he has proven capable of getting the job done all on his own in his previous start, when he gave up just two hits over seven sensational innings against the A’s.

Quintana has had one other two-hit performance this season, and it came against none other than Philadelphia, whom he shut out over six innings May 21. The former all-star didn’t pick up the decision that day, but Chicago gutted out a 3-2 win to keep his ledger clean.

Taking the mound for the Phillies is Jason Vargas (6-5, 4.09). The veteran left-hander has gotten off to a rough start since coming over from the Mets and has failed to pick up a win in each of his first two starts. He’ll likely find his groove eventually, but it won’t be today at Citizens Bank Park.

New York Mets (61-57) at Atlanta Braves (70-50), 7:20 p.m.

MLB free play: Under

By now you've probably heard all about the red-hot Mets, who have won 14 of their last 16 outings and are within one game of National League's second wild-card spot. One of the chief architects of the team's resurgence will be on the mound tonight, when Mickey Callaway gives the ball to Zack Wheeler (9-6, 4.20 ERA).

The 6-foot-4 righty has won each of his last three decisions and is coming off a nearly flawless eight-inning shutout of the Miami Marlins. Yes, your neighborhood softball team could probably shut out the Marlins too, but Wheeler did more than just blank Miami. He put on a pitching clinic as he artfully painted the corners and induced 13 ground-ball outs. The 29-year-old hasn't issued more than two walks in a game since April 29 and appears to be peaking at just the right time for a club looking to sneak back into the playoffs.

Wheeler will face another pitcher who has been rolling lately—Max Fried (13-4, 4.11 ERA). The 25-year-old is 4-0 in his last four starts and fanned a season-high 10 batters in just 5 1/3 innings August 7 against the Twins. His 1.37 WHIP leaves a little something to be desired, but Fried is a rapidly maturing pitcher with a sneaky slider and a dependable four-seam fastball that produces a high volume of ground-ball outs.

Add it all up and we should be looking at a classic pitcher's duel. Ride the under all the way.

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