Top 3 MLB Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (4/26)
The MLB season continues on Saturday, and we have 17 games on the schedule, with the bonus games being makeup contests between the Red Sox and the Guardians and the Orioles and the Tigers. I've sifted through the matchups and statistics, narrowing in on three MLB best bets for today's slate.
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Saturday's Best MLB Bets
(Odds courtesy of bet365)
Milwaukee Brewers (+130) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (-155) | O/U 7.5 (+105/-125)
The Cardinals (11-15) captured a 3-2 series-opening win over the Brewers (13-14) last night, and they'll turn to Sonny Gray to try and make it two straight victories this afternoon. Milwaukee counters with Quinn Priester in this National League Central contest, which gets underway at 2:15 p.m. ET from Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MO.
One of the main questions that I always start with when diving into a game is: Is the favorite vulnerable? I believe that this Cardinals team is very vulnerable, as they're just 3-7 in their last 10 games. They also bring in a bullpen ranked 25th in ERA (4.94) and 23rd in opposing batting average (.252). I have no interest in laying a -155 price with the Red Birds in this spot.
Meanwhile, Quinn Priester, who came over from Boston this offseason, has looked sharp with his new club. The right-hander enters the weekend with a 1.93 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP over three starts (14 innings). Milwaukee also brings in the fifth-best offense in terms of runs per game (4.96). If they can get a decent outing from Priester, they should be live to win this game. I'll take a flier on the Brew Crew as a decently sized underdog.
Bet: Brewers Moneyline (+130)
Texas Rangers (-105) vs. San Francisco Giants (-115) | O/U 8.0 (-105/-115)
The Rangers (15-11) used a six-inning gem from Nathan Eovaldi to propel them to a 2-0 victory over the Giants (17-10) on Friday night. The two sides are back at it this afternoon, and we have a pitching matchup between Tyler Mahle and Robbie Ray. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET from Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA.
I'll ride the hot hand of Tyler Mahle and back the Rangers in this contest. The right-hander has been nearly untouchable through five starts (26.2 innings) this season, going 3-0 with a 0.68 ERA (first) and a 0.83 WHIP (eighth). Mahle hasn't allowed an earned run in two straight outings (13 innings). Texas is 4-1 in his starts this season.
As for Robbie Ray, he hasn't been overpowering, entering the weekend with a 4.07 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. The southpaw hasn't fared well against the Rangers in the past, as their current roster is slashing .290/.290/.565 against him over 62 at-bats. The Giants are just 5-5 in their last 10 games, so it appears they're coming back down to earth after that great start to the season. I'll play the Rangers in a pick’em spot this afternoon.
Bet: Rangers Moneyline (-105)
Atlanta Braves (+100) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (-120) | O/U 9.5 (-105/-115)
Don't look now, but the Braves (11-14) have rattled off six wins in their last seven games. That includes last night's 8-2 rout of the Diamondbacks (14-12), who have now dropped their last three games. Grant Holmes will head to the bump for Atlanta, while Arizona opts for Merrill Kelly tonight. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET from Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ.
I'll go ahead and back the Snakes as slight home favorites tonight. The Braves have seen their offensive production increase recently, but there's a good chance that comes to an end tonight. They're running into Kelly, who has shut them down in the past. The veteran right-hander has limited their current roster to a slash line of .170/.224/.340 over 53 at-bats. Arizona is 3-0 in his last three outings, and Kelly has allowed two or fewer earned runs in each of those starts.
As for Holmes, he's been solid this season with a 3.22 ERA, but I do think it's fair to question how he'll fare given he's only pitched 90.2 innings in his MLB career. This isn't a walkover matchup either, as Arizona is ranked third in both runs per game (5.27) and OPS (.770). Atlanta's bullpen has also been a liability, ranking 21st in ERA (4.28). This feels like a nice bounce-back spot for the Snakes, so I'll back them at a cheap price of -120.
Bet: Diamondbacks Moneyline (-120)