Daily tips for July 9

MLB for July 9

Chicago Cubs (38-48, 19-25 away) @ Chicago White Sox (34-51, 19-20 home), U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, IL, Tuesday, July 9, 10.10am

Matt Garza will seek to lead the Chicago Cubs to their first season sweep of the White Sox in 15 years in this make-up game at U.S. Cellular Field. Garza’s name has continued to swirl in trade rumours, but it's hardly hindered his pitching. He’s gone 3-0 with a 0.90 ERA in his last four starts. Garza (4-1, 3.45 ERA) will try to keep rolling by leading the Cubs (38-48) to a 4-0 finish against their crosstown rivals after their May 28 game was rained out. They didn’t take as much time to record their only other season sweep of the White Sox, winning three games June 5-7, 1998.

The Cubs have won seven of 11 after taking two of three from NL Central co-leader Pittsburgh this weekend. They recovered from their 18th blown save of the season for a 4-3 win in 11 innings Sunday. The Cubs also have a team-record 11 wins in interleague play this season, posting a 2.99 ERA while hitting 23 homers in 17 games against the AL in 2013. The White Sox (34-51) have been heading in a different direction, losing nine of 11 after a three-game sweep by Tampa Bay over the weekend. The club lost 3-1 on Sunday and has scored nine runs in its last five contests.

In his first start against the Cubs, Hector Santiago (3-5, 3.50) will try to build on a solid effort last time out. The left-hander gave up two runs over seven innings of a 4-2 defeat to Baltimore on Wednesday. Santiago, who matched a career high with nine strikeouts, has attempted to help himself by moving his bullpen sessions back one day. Santiago will likely have to face a rejuvenated Alfonso Soriano, who is expected to serve as the designated hitter for this game. Soriano, batting .342 with five homers and 14 RBIs in his last nine contests, has gone 8 for 17 with two HRs and six RBIs in four games as the DH this season.

Suggested bet: Cubs WIN (1.5 units @ $2.10) WIN, game total -8 (1.5 units @ $2.02) LOSE (8-2)

Other tips

IL: Athletics @ Pirates -7.5 $1.70 WIN (2-1)

AL: Rangers @ Orioles WIN $1.95 LOSE (8-5)

AL: Tigers WIN  $1.65 @ Indians WIN (4-2)

AL: Royals @ Yankees WIN $1.68 LOSE (5-1)

AL: Twins @ Rays WIN $1.63 WIN (4-7)

AL: Red Sox @ Mariners WIN $1.85 WIN -7 $1.83 LOSE (4-11)

NL: Nationals @ Phillies -9.5 $1.91 WIN (2-3)

NL: Braves -1.5 $2.05 @ Marlins WIN (7-1)

NL: Reds WIN  $1.78 @ Brewers LOSE (3-4)

NL: Rockies WIN $2.35 @ Padres WIN (4-2)

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