Tuesday MLB preview: Phillies at Red Sox, Brewers at Cardinals

MLB free play: Phillies moneyline

A rejuvenated Phillies lineup, under the guidance of new hitting coach (and former manager) Charlie Manuel, should build on its hot streak at Fenway Park on Tuesday night against Brian Johnson (1-1, 6.45 ERA) and the Red Sox.

Johnson owns a 2.015 WHIP in his sporadic major league appearances for Boston this season. Since Manuel was brought in Aug. 13, Philadelphia right fielder Bryce Harper is batting .333 with four homers and 10 RBIs. The team's OPS over the last seven days is .822, significantly better than their .742 rating for the year. Manuel's old-school approach—laying off breaking balls and sitting on fastballs—has paid off so far.

The Phillies will have their staff ace Aaron Nola (11-3, 3.56 ERA) on the hill in this one. He's allowed one earned run or fewer in eight of his last 11 efforts, and his strikeout/walk ratio in that span is 3.46.

Milwaukee Brewers (64-61) at St. Louis Cardinals (66-57), 7:45 p.m. ET

MLB free play: Brewers moneyline

Gio Gonzalez (2-1, 3.81 ERA) should bounce back from a rough start against the Twins and lead the Brewers to victory against the Cardinals on Tuesday night.

Gonzalez allowed three home runs to a Twins lineup that has feasted on lefties all year long (first in batting average and homers) in 3 2/3 innings Aug. 14. Excluding his two efforts against Minnesota this year, Gonzalez's season ERA drops to 2.74. The St. Louis lineup has averaged 3.87 runs per game over its last 15 games, and the Cardinals are in the bottom third in the majors in both batting average and home runs against southpaws in 2019.

Countering for the Cardinals is the underachieving Michael Wacha (6-6, 5.44 ERA). He has been worse at home than on the road this year, with a 5.51 ERA and .313 opponent batting average (5.40 ERA and .292 opponent batting average on the road). Look for left fielder Ryan Braun (1.122 OPS last 15 games) to keep his momentum at the plate going.