MLB Picks & Predictions: Sunday (8/23)
We have another great Sunday of MLB action to look forward to today with a full 15-game slate. So many games mean lots of betting markets to consider. But not all MLB bets are created equal. Which should you consider betting on? The following are my best MLB picks for Sunday, August 23rd.
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Sunday’s Best MLB Picks & Predictions
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Baltimore Orioles
Tampa Bay has done a better job of making contact (.263) over the last week than Baltimore (.226), but the Orioles have done more with less, scoring 29 runs to 27 for the Rays. There is no real advantage there. However, I do see one on the mound.
Shane Baz has gone just 3-5 in 12 starts with an ERA of 3.74 and a WHIP of 1.35 at home for the Orioles (.280 opponents’ batting average). Nick Martinez, on the other hand, has been solid on the road for Tampa Bay, going 5-1 with a 2.14 ERA and a .243 opponent’s batting average.
The Orioles’ bullpen has a slightly better ERA (4.14) than Tampa Bay’s bullpen (4.07), which is why I'm taking the Rays on the Moneyline rather than risk the run line.
Pick: Rays Moneyline (-106)
Washington Nationals vs. Miami Marlins
Nationals starter Jackson Kent struggled in his first two outings, posting a 9.39 ERA and a 2.48 WHIP. Teams have hit .333 against him. Washington will likely have to turn to its bullpen early again, which is not a good thing (4.79 ERA, .260 opponent’s batting average).
Miami starter Janson Junk has done some of his better work at home this season, posting a 3.83 ERA and going 3-3 in 10 starts with teams hitting .254 against him.
Miami took Friday's game, 3-2, and won yesterday, 4-2. That doesn't give me a ton of confidence they can cover the run line, but Junk has pitched well at home, and the Nationals have hit just .180 over the last week. They may do better today, but Miami will hit well enough against Kent to cover the run line.
Pick: Marlins -1.5 (+134)
Atlanta Braves vs. Milwaukee Brewers
With wins over the Braves yesterday (4-1) and Friday (2-1), the Brewers have won six of their last seven games. Atlanta, on the other hand, has lost five of its last six. But we have seen enough from them this season to know they just need one solid game to turn things around.
Atlanta might have a shot at making that turnaround today. Shane Drohan has a respectable 6-4 record with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. But he was hit hard in his last two outings at home, giving up six runs to the Twins and five to the Rockies. Tyler Mahle has been solid since joining the Braves, going six or more innings in each of his three starts with just three earned runs allowed.
Milwaukee's batting stats over the last week are a bit loaded thanks to a 22-run outing last Tuesday, but Mahle may not get the support he needs even if he does quiet the Brewers’ bats, with the Braves struggling to score runs - .221, 16 runs scored over the last week. Because of that, I've got to go with Milwaukee to win and complete the sweep.
Pick: Brewers Moneyline (-123)