Toronto Blue Jays to beat Boston Red Sox

Boston won the first of this two-game series 13-4 on Tuesday, but Toronto has a great chance to escape with a win against the AL East leaders.

Robbie Ray will start for the Blue Jays amid a brilliant season that has seen him go 8-4 through 18 starts with an impressive 2.93 ERA.

Ray has earned the decision in his last two starts, including allowing just one hit over seven innings at Tampa Bay on July 11.

He also got the win in his only previous start against Boston this year as he went six innings and gave up three runs while striking out 10.

Veteran Garrett Richards will be on the mound for Boston. He has had an up-and-down campaign to date, going 5-5 through 18 starts with a 4.91 ERA.

Richards has three starts against Toronto this season, giving up 10 runs and 22 hits for a 1-1 record.

The Jays have a clear advantage on the mound here, so as long as Ray gets some run support they should tie this series. 

Chicago White Sox to beat Minnesota Twins 

Chicago is 2-1 up in this four-game divisional set and should wrap things up behind the arm of Dylan Cease on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old is 7-5 on the season with a 4.15 ERA, and the White Sox have won on both of his previous home starts against the Twins this season.

Cease pitches much better at home in general – he is 4-1 at Guaranteed Rate Field with a 2.15 ERA.

Starting for Minnesota is Michael Pineda, who is 3-5 with a 4.11 ERA on the season.

Pineda has struggled against the Sox in 2021, taking the loss on both of his previous starts against them, including his most recent outing in which he gave up five runs on 12 hits in 5.1 innings.

The White Sox are dominating the AL Central with a 9.5 game lead over Cleveland, and their 35-16 record at home is the best in the bigs, so backing them here looks a good bet.

Chicago Cubs to beat St. Louis Cardinals 

Both these teams are in danger of falling out of contention in the NL Central, with the Cubs now looking to retool for next season ahead of the trade deadline.

They managed to drown out the noise in the second of this four-game set on Tuesday, though, as a six-run ninth propelled them to a stunning comeback win to level the series.

This looks like great value for them to follow that up with another win in game three, with Kyle Hendricks set for the start.

Hendricks is having a great season to date – he is 12-4 through 19 starts with a 3.65 ERA. His 12 wins are tied for the most in the majors.

He has been particularly effective against the Redbirds, earning the win in each of his three previous starts against them in 2021.

On the mound for St. Louis is veteran Adam Wainwright, who is enjoying a solid season. He is 7-6 through 18 starts, with a 3.71 ERA.

Hendricks has the edge in this pitching battle, though, and the Cubs have some great momentum after their comeback win on Tuesday.

Los Angeles Dodgers to beat San Francisco Giants 

Will Smith mashed a three-run homer to secure a walk-off win that leveled up this four-game set at the top of the NL West on Tuesday.

That took the Dodgers back to within a single game of the Giants in the divisional race, and they look to have the pitching advantage on Wednesday.

Julio Urias is tied with Hendricks for most wins in MLB, with the Mexican southpaw currently 12-3 through 19 starts with a 3.78 ERA.

Urias has recovered from a rocky patch to earn wins in his last three starts, and he will be key for the Dodgers down the stretch amid their struggle for arms.

Starting for San Francisco is Logan Webb, who pitched well to go 4-3 with a 3.86 ERA over his first nine starts before suffering a shoulder injury.

Webb looked dominant on his return as he went for one hit over three innings against the Nationals on July 9, but struggled in his last start as he gave up five hits in four innings.

The Dodgers are 7-4 on the season series against the Giants, and look a good bet to extend their lead on Wednesday.