MLB Picks & Predictions: Sunday (5/24)
As usual, this afternoon is jam-packed with a lot of great MLB action, which means we have plenty of choices when it comes to today's top MLB picks. The beauty of it is, of course, that my top three choices are not the only great bets out there. You've got options, sports fans. But if you are looking for a head start on making your own picks, I've researched these two bets for you.
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Sunday’s Best MLB Picks & Predictions
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Houston Astros vs. Chicago Cubs
Houston still has a long way to go before it can pull into contention in the American League West. But things have been moving in the right direction lately. With yesterday's win over the Cubs, they've won six of their last 10 games and can go for the series sweep of the struggling Cubbies today.
Betting on them to win at +150 on the Moneyline offers some value. But I still don't trust them enough to back them, and the matchup doesn't look like the best bet on paper. Both lineups are struggling at the plate right now. Over the last week, Houston has hit .193; Chicago has hit .168. Both teams have averaged fewer than three runs per game during that stretch.
Both starting pitchers today have been solid this season, but they got hit hard in their last outing. They'll certainly want to take advantage of facing a struggling lineup, and there is no reason to think they will not. Runs will be hard to come by in this game.
Pick: Under 7.5 Runs (-122)
Texas Rangers vs. Los Angeles Angels
The Angels won 5-2 last night, but I don't see why oddsmakers made them the betting favorite in this game. They have struggled at home all season (11-16). Their lineup has hit just .212 over the last week. Reid Detmers has gone 0-3 with a 6.21 ERA in five home starts. Once he exits, a bullpen carrying the second-highest ERA in baseball (5.44) takes over.
Texas starter MacKenzie Gore has struggled on the road (1-4 in six starts with a 6.84 ERA). But when he gets pulled, one of the best bullpens in baseball takes over (3.01 ERA). Yes, the lineup only produced two runs yesterday. But the Texas lineup has the highest batting average in baseball over the last week (.297). The Rangers averaged seven runs per game over the five before yesterday.
I'd lean towards taking the over in this game if you are not sure who will win. But based on what we've seen from these two teams over the last week, Texas on the Moneyline at +108 odds is a solid value play.
Pick: Rangers Moneyline (+108)