I'm backing the Houston Astros on Wednesday with Charlie Morton over Taijuan Walker.  Houston finally broke out of a slump at the plate tallying eight extra base hits in a 9-4 win on Tuesday.  I like backing good teams when they first snap out of a slump and we have a Houston team that leads MLB in several offensive categories, including HRs. That's a problem for Taijuan Walker, who has been giving up the long ball a little too often.  Walker has allowed eight homers in his last six starts, spanning 33 2/3 IP, for a 2.14 HRs per 9 IP ratio.  The righthander has been clobbered in his last six starts in Houston, saddled with a 6.91 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, a .312 BAA and a ridiculously high 3.30 HR's per 9 IP ratio.  Charlie Morton should receive a lot of help at the plate in this one and we expect it to be more than enough to put Houston in the win column again.  Arizona has dropped six straight Walker starts and they have won just two of their last nine on the IL road.  Meanwhile, Houston is on a 37-15 IL run, including an 8-3 mark in the last 11 meetings with Arizona.  I'm backing the Astros, our Wipeout on Wednesday.  Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm recommending a play on the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday with Eduardo Rodriguez over Lance Lynn.  We have backed the Cards several times with Lynn on the mound, but one alarming stat is just too much to overlook in this particular matchup -- Lynn's propensity to award hitters free passes.  He's been able to overcome walks, but he's facing the wrong team at he wrong time in our opinion.  The Cardinal righty has allowed 13 walks in his last 18 innings or work.  Boston has been top-10 in several key offensive categories in August, including owning the 5th best OPS.  Boston enters on a 9-1 run against righthanded starters and have won four straight when Rodriguez starts against NL teams.  Meanwhile, the Cardinals have struggled badly against AL lefties over the past few seasons.  I'm recommending a play on the Red Sox on Wednesday. Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.