Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers (-125, 8)
We all know that Manny Ramirez is no angel. But he's starting to look like the White Sox's savior, or at least one heck of a good-luck charm.
Chicago was sleepwalking through the playoff race, going 7-13 over their last 20 before the White Sox claimed the controversial outfielder/designated hitter off waivers.
Manny has gone 4-for-11 since joining the ChiSox, who have rattled off six straight wins to get back in the race. He seems to have brought some swagger to a team that needed some.
"Manny did not come here to save this ballclub; he came here to make us better," manager Ozzie Guillen told reporters. "We have 25 guys and nine on the field. They all have to contribute for us to win games. If that happens to be Manny, good for us [but] we didn’t bring him here to be the savior, to be the guy."
Whatever the case, it's obvious they have a new shot of confidence after sweeping Ramirez's former team, the other Sox, in Boston on Sunday.
Chicago goes to Detroit with another player motivated by facing his ex-team - pitcher Edwin Jackson. He struck out 11 former teammtes last month but took a no-decision.
But this time his new teammates are swinging the sticks, batting .304 against right-handers in their last 10 outings. Manny is batting .364 lifetime against Tigers righty Max Scherzer.
Pick: White Sox
St. Louis Cardinals at Milwaukee Brewers (-130, 8.5)
You can tell a team is struggling when bad news starts leaking out of the clubhouse. The Cardinals, who are 6-16 in their last 22, certainly qualify.
This weekend news broke that outfielder Colby Rasmus asked to be traded after getting berated by manager Tony LaRussa for being late to a July 24 game against the Cubs. La Russa not only confirmed it, he went a step further and said Rasmus also asked to be traded last season.
It may not sound like the spirit you want in a clubhouse, but sometimes you have to clear the air before you can move forward. With Sunday's win over the Reds, consider the Cards' clubhouse officially fumigated.
St. Louis starts right-hander Jake Westbrook, who is 1-3 since joining the Cardinals but has pitched well despite his record. He faces Yovani Gallardo, who is 0-4 lifetime against the Cards. Look for St. Louis to take their frustrations out on the Brew Crew.
Pick: Cardinals
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