MLB Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (8/20)
Let's dive into our top MLB picks. There is a good slate of games to choose from, so let's look at our top MLB picks to play on Tuesday, August 20.
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Tuesday's Best MLB Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Cleveland Guardians (+140) at New York Yankees (-166) | O/U 8.5 (-102/-118)
The Yankees continue their run against the American League Central as they host the Guardians. They faced the bottom of the division and they couldn't get the series win against the Tigers as they lost on a walk-off this past Sunday.
They were just one out away from sealing that victory, but Clay Holmes couldn't finish the job. After having a 19-inning scoreless streak snapped, Holmes has a 4.80 ERA in 30 innings. Another pitcher that has not been the same since earlier in the season is Luis Gil. In his last nine starts, the Yankees are 3-6 and he has a 5.62 ERA.
Just like the Yankees, the Guardians are also in a tight race as they hold a two-game lead against the Twins and three over the Royals. They still have two series against Kansas City and one against Minnesota, so they can keep that lead or give it away.
They made it tighter over the weekend when they were swept in Milwaukee. The offense continues to be the problem. In the past, this was a great contact-hitting team that played small ball. While they still can put the ball in the play, they don't have the same impact, especially when their batting average on balls in play (BABIP) has dropped 20 points from last year (.292 to .270). They are last in that category.
Matthew Boyd made his debut for the Guardians last week after missing time with Tommy John surgery. He went 5.1 innings and allowed one run.
It will be rainy during this game and it should have an impact on the offense.
Pick: Under 8.5 (-118)
Arizona Diamondbacks (-154) at Miami Marlins (+130) | O/U 7.5 (-122/+100)
Looking at the Diamondbacks in most of the first half, you didn't expect them to have a chance to make it back to the World Series, but they have changed narrative quickly. Since June 29th, they are 30-13 and went from 11.5 games out of first to 3.5. The offense has been the anchor. In that same span, they are leading the league in batting average (.281), on-base-percentage (.356) and slugging rate (.498).
What's pushed them back into contention is the improvement of the pitching. Getting Eduardo Rodriguez into this rotation is helping. In both starts, he's gone at least five innings and allowed three earned.
This is a favorable matchup going against the Marlins who are near the bottom in most statical categories. They were obvious sellers at the trade deadline and they've dropped seven of their last 10.
Edward Cabrera has a lot of potential to be a fantastic pitcher; great movement on his pitches and gets strikeouts. The problem has been he can't hit paint corners and tends to leave pitches at the heart of the strike zone.
That plays well for Arizona, who can make contact. When they put the ball in play they make things happen.
Pick: Diamondbacks -1.5 (+106)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Tuesday: