Tuesday finished 2-2, moving the weekly record to 2-4.

Kansas City kept rolling, while Cleveland came from behind to win 8-6 in extra innings. The two losses came from Tampa Bay and Washington, whose offenses combined for only two runs.

That happens in baseball. The matchups were competitive; the bats simply never arrived. Grade it, move forward, and attack the next board.

Football returns this week, and the Daily Tax Report is beginning its transition toward a football-first format.

MLB and WNBA will remain part of the coverage, particularly on lighter football days, but the free report will become more selective as college football and the NFL take priority.

The College Football Betting Guide is available now for $19.99 standalone and included with Tax Code membership.

Now, onto the early baseball board.

1:10 p.m. ET — Play to -125

Today’s first play is driven primarily by the starting-pitching matchup.

Detroit sends Troy Melton to the mound, and his performance has been dominant. Tampa Bay counters with Freddy Peralta, who has struggled badly this season and has not pitched well since joining the Rays.

Detroit’s recent losing streak was snapped Tuesday, but one win does not suddenly erase the broader struggles. The difference today is the pitcher.

This is exactly the type of game where a dominant starter deserves substantial weight.

Classification: 🟢 OFFICIAL PLAY — Detroit Tigers ML

4:07 p.m. ET

Cleveland has now won six straight, including Tuesday’s comeback victory in extra innings.

The Guardians are not simply winning — they also hold the better starting-pitching profile today against an Angels club that continues to struggle.

The streak stays alive, the pitching matchup supports it, and there is no compelling reason to jump off Cleveland yet.

Classification: 🟡 STRONG LEAN — Cleveland Guardians ML

3:45 p.m. ET

The market is essentially treating this as a toss-up, and neither current form nor the pitching matchup creates enough separation.

Classification: 🔴 PASS

3:40 p.m. ET

Another closely priced matchup without the kind of clear pitcher, streak, or team-strength advantage we want to force onto the card.

Classification: 🔴 PASS

4:10 p.m. ET

Philadelphia’s nine-game winning streak has now been followed by two losses.

That does not mean the Phillies suddenly became a team to fade. They remain one of the better clubs in baseball and will continue receiving extra attention after the extended winning streak.

Today, however, there is not enough of a starting-pitching or market advantage to force a rebound play.

Classification: 🔴 PASS

4:10 p.m. ET

Paul Skenes always deserves attention, but current form and Pittsburgh’s inconsistent offense keep this from becoming a pitcher-driven play.

Classification: 🔴 PASS

Detroit Tigers ML

Cleveland Guardians ML

Everything beginning tonight will be evaluated separately for the Evening Edition after another market check.

Every day somebody pays the Square Tax. Don’t let it be you.