We're in for another loaded sports slate on Saturday, and if you're looking to get some skin in the game, then you've come to the right place. Here are my three favorite MLB bets for Saturday's 16-game slate.
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- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
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Saturday's Top 3 MLB Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
San Diego Padres (-180) vs. Miami Marlins (+150) | 8.5 (-120/+100)
The Padres notched a 6-2 victory in last night's series opener, and the win marked their sixth straight. San Diego will look to keep things rolling tonight when they send Matt Waldron to the bump. Miami counters with Roddery Munoz in this National League tilt, which is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET from loanDepot Park in Miami, Fla.
San Diego is the hottest team in baseball right now, rattling off 15 wins in their last 17 games. Nine of those 17 games have seen the Friars cruise to a multi-run victory. Considering they're taking on one of the worst teams in the league tonight, I think they'll manage to cover the run line again. Their offense has been on a tear over the last 14 days, ranking fifth in both wRC+ (137) and wOBA (.358) while sitting first overall in strikeout percentage (15.4%).
As for the Marlins, they continue to struggle, as they're just 4-8 in their last 12 games. Overall on the season, Miami is 29th in runs per game (3.63). Over the last 14 days, the Marlins are sitting 25th in wRC+ (96) and 23rd in wOBA (.307). Ultimately, Miami doesn't have the offensive firepower to keep pace in this game, and they're going to need all of the scoring they can get with Munoz (5.68 ERA, 1.45 WHIP) toeing the rubber. I think San Diego takes care of business for their seventh straight win this afternoon.
Bet: San Diego Padres -1.5 (-108)
Chicago Cubs (-238) vs. Chicago White Sox (+195) | 9.0 (-105/-115)
The Crosstown Classic wraps up this evening, and it's the Cubs who are looking to complete the season sweep after winning the first three games. Interestingly, all three wins have finished with a 7-6 final score. Tonight's pitching matchup pits Justin Steele against Chris Flexen. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET from Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Ill.
The Cubs have been playing solid baseball recently, going 7-2 in their last nine games. The Northsiders are averaging 6.2 runs per game over the nine-game stretch, and they've scored at least six runs in six of those contests. Over the last 14 days, the Cubs are seventh in both wRC+ (122) and wOBA (.343), while sitting fifth in ISO (.213).
I expect the Cubs' bats to stay hot tonight, so I'll play their team total to go over 5.5 runs at -105. They'll square off against Chris Flexen, who enters the weekend at 2-11 with a 5.53 ERA and 1.49 WHIP. The Cubs have found success against the right-hander, as the current roster is slashing .344/.412/.508 against him over 61 at-bats. Finally, it's worth noting that the Sox's bullpen is one of the worst in the MLB, ranking 28th in ERA (4.96), 29th in both WHIP (1.51) and home runs allowed (60), and dead last in walks issued (231). The Cubs are primed for another big day offensively.
Bet: Chicago Cubs Team Total Over 5.5 (-105)
Philadelphia Phillies (-102) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (-118) | 8.5 (-108/-112)
The marquee series of the weekend continues out west, and the Phillies and Diamondbacks have split the first two games (PHI W: 6-4, AZ W: 3-2) of this four-game set. The two sides are back in action tonight, and we have a heavyweight pitching matchup between Aaron Nola and Zac Gallen. First pitch is set for 8:10 p.m. ET from Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ.
Aside from the Padres, the Dbacks are probably the hottest team in the league right now. They've won 13 of their last 16 games. Meanwhile, the Phillies are still slumping a bit, logging a 7-14 record over the last 21 games. I'm going to ride with the hotter squad. Give me the Diamondbacks on the moneyline.
Offensively, Arizona is the best team in the MLB right over the last 14 days, ranking first in wRC+ (156), wOBA (.396), and ISO (.396). They'll take on Aaron Nola (3.54 ERA, 1.10 WHIP), who just gave up four earned runs in 6.0 innings against the Dodgers. Philadelphia lost that game 5-3, and they're now 0-4 in Nola's last four starts. Momentum's a real thing, and I think it favors the Snakes in their home stadium tonight. Let's lock in Arizona to get the win.
Bet: Arizona Diamondbacks Moneyline (-118)
