Identifying the Best Pitchers in Week 19

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As we head into the second full week of August, let’s look at some starting pitchers that you should have in mind as you plan your sports betting.

MLB Betting Analysis: Top Pitchers to Watch in Week 19 | MLB Odds

Paul Skenes (Pittsburgh Pirates) – 6-2, 2.25 ERA, 115 K, 0.96 WHIP

This rookie phenom has been at or near the top of MLB in innings pitched, WHIP, and strikeout rate (33.3% at this writing).

He did get roughed up a bit on Saturday in Los Angeles as the Dodgers touched him up for four runs on six hits over six innings, but the fact that the four runs he gave up were the most he had given up in any start this season just shows his dominance.

Could he be hitting some fatigue? We will see, but his ERA has been slowly creeping up from 1.90 since July 11.

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Tarik Skubal (Detroit Tigers) – 13-4, 2.57 ERA, 171 K, 0.93 WHIP

Skubal has been an innings-eater for the Tigers; in July, his starts averaged 6 ⅔ innings, and he posted a 2.45 ERA while permitting just a .531 OPS.

The Royals got to him for five runs over 6 ⅓ innings on August 2, but he bounced back five days later to hold the Seattle Mariners to a pair of runs over seven innings in a 6-2 victory.

When he’s pitching, the Tigers are still a smart choice.

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Chris Sale (Atlanta Braves) – 13-3, 2.75 ERA, 165 K, 1.00 WHIP

Sale has his ace stuff after all this time, and his durability has finally returned as well.

He has only surrendered more than two runs three times all season – and two of those outings came in April, and the third came on June 1. So consistency is the name of the game.

He hasn’t lost a decision since June 27, and that was the definition of a hard-luck loss after he threw seven innings, struck out 11 batters while issuing just one walk, and allowed one run on four hits in what would turn out to be a 1-0 setback.

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Dylan Cease (San Diego Padres) – 11-9, 3.41 ERA, 181 K, 1.01 WHIP

Yes, Dylan Cease had the no-hitter on July 25 in Washington. However, that was the third start in a row in which he had pitched at least six innings without permitting a run. Over 22 combined innings, he struck out 30 batters.

Since then, he has allowed just three earned runs over 11 combined innings (two starts and a one-inning relief appearance) in wins over the Dodgers, Pirates and Marlins.

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Corbin Burnes (Baltimore Orioles) – 12-4, 2.71 ERA, 137 K, 1.05 WHIP

Burnes’ strikeout numbers aren’t as gaudy as some of the other pitchers on this list, but that can lead to longer outings, as strikeouts tend to raise your pitch count.

August has been a bit rough in terms of runs permitted (eight runs, seven earned, over 11 innings in wins over Cleveland and Tampa Bay), but he’s consistently stacking up quality starts and going deep into games.

His five-inning night against Cleveland on August 4 was the first time since April 20 that he had a start go fewer than six complete innings.

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Zach Wheeler (Philadelphia Phillies) – 11-5, 2.78 ERA, 156 K, 1.00 WHIP

Since April 14, Wheeler has only permitted more than two earned runs in a game three times.

In his last two starts (in Seattle and Arizona) he permitted a combined two earned runs over 14 innings on nine hits, striking out 17 while walking just three.

As the postseason approaches, Wheeler looks like he’s locking in for the National League Division Series…and beyond.

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Did we get it right?

(MLB x Traveller Whiskey) pic.twitter.com/THsJLpaVnb

— MLB (@MLB) August 12, 2024

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