MLB Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (6/24)

We have a full 15-game MLB slate to bet on today and the action gets underway in London as the Cubs take on the Cardinals. I have a bet on that game and two others. Let's dive right into where I'm laying my money this afternoon!

MLB YTD: 49-91 (+0.87 units)

Saturday's Best MLB Bets

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

Chicago Cubs (-140) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (+120) | 13.5 (-105/-115)

The opening game of the day pits the Cubs against the Cardinals in the London Series. This will be the first time that Major League Baseball hosts an event in the UK since 2019, when the Yankees and Red Sox squared off for a pair of games. First pitch for today's matchup is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET from London Stadium.

The total for this two-game series opener sits at 13.5 runs. I'm locking in the over. This number is obviously much higher than a standard game, but we have a slightly shorter field today at London Stadium. The field plays just 392 feet to dead center, and then there are relatively standard dimensions of 387 feet to the gaps and 330 feet down the lines. In 2019, when the fence was 385 to dead center, we saw two games between the Yankees and Red Sox that totaled 30 runs (17-13 NYY) and 20 runs (12-8 NYY).

As for this matchup specifically, the red-hot Cubs are running into Adam Wainwright. The veteran right-hander hasn't been great this year, as he enters with a 5.56 ERA and 1.67 WHIP. When he pitches away from Busch Stadium, his ERA climbs to 6.04, and opponents are hitting .323 against him. I think the Cubs will set the pace in this game, and we'll see quite a bit of offense. I don't want to get too into the weeds, but I can't imagine the MLB would be satisfied with a lower-scoring game when trying to appeal to international fans. I think there will be no shortage of runs here - let's take a shot with the over.

Bet: Over 13.5 Runs (-105)

Texas Rangers (-130) vs. New York Yankees (+110) | 9.0 (-105/-115)

Back stateside, we have a matinee clash between the Rangers and Yankees in The Bronx. Jon Gray gets the nod for Texas, while New York counters with Luis Severino. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET from Yankee Stadium.

I will gladly back the Rangers at -130 with Jon Gray toeing the rubber today. The right-hander has been excellent this year, going 6-2 with a 2.96 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. He's coming off a clunker against the Blue Jays last time out, where he allowed six earned runs over just 2.1 innings of work. However, Gray was on a run prior where he limited teams to just four combined runs over six starts (43.0 IP).

Gray will be taking on a New York lineup that has completely floundered since Aaron Judge went to the IL a few weeks back. Over the last 14 days, the Yankees are dead last in all of baseball in BABIP (.220) and 29th in wOBA (.247). Factor in that they're taking on a rising Gray, and I think their run production will be down today.

On the flip side, the Rangers' bats have been hot, and they'll square off against Luis Severino. The right-hander is 0-2 with a 6.30 ERA and 1.57 WHIP. All things considered, the Rangers are far superior on paper in this matchup and should secure their third straight victory today.

Bet: Texas Rangers Moneyline (-130)

Boston Red Sox (-125) vs. Chicago White Sox (+105) | 8.5 (-110/-110)

The Red Sox took care of business last night in the series opener, defeating the White Sox 3-1 in Chicago. They'll look to keep things rolling when they send James Paxton to the bump. The Southsiders counter with Lance Lynn in this American League tilt slated for 4:10 p.m. ET from Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, IL.

While the White Sox have severely underperformed relative to expectations, they've done one thing well - hit left-handed pitching. Chicago is 15th in BABIP (.303) and 17th in wOBA (.316) against LHP this year. Their challenge today is taking on Paxton, who comes in with a road ERA of 4.43. As for the head-to-head numbers, the current roster is slashing .275/.275/.314 against the southpaw. Those aren't fantastic numbers, but in my opinion, I think it's enough to say they'll score a few runs today.

As for the Red Sox, they've been great offensively as of late. Over the last 14 days, they're sixth in BABIP (.318) and 10th in wOBA (.334). Considering Lynn owns a 6.51 ERA and 1.51 WHIP, I think we'll see Boston find some success at the plate today. On top of Lynn's woes this season, it's worth noting that Chicago's bullpen is 26th in ERA (4.70) and 25th in WHIP (1.39). All things point to an offensive game on this summer day in Chicago. Let's ride with the over.

Bet: Over 8.5 Runs (-110)

Check out our other best bets for Saturday: