Top 3 MLB Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (6/20)
Several new series begin in Major League Baseball that will pave way for an exciting weekend. The Mets and Phillies are the top two teams in the NL East and first place could change hands by series end. In addition, the Red Sox and Giants meet less than a week after pulling off a blockbuster trade that sent Rafael Devers to San Francisco.
Do either of these games make our best bets column? Read on for our top MLB picks and bets for Friday, June 20.
Get instant alerts when a line reaches your target via the BettingPros App >>
Friday's Best MLB Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Baltimore Orioles (+188) at New York Yankees (-225) | O/U 9 (-115/-105)
Those who backed the Yankees’ opponents every day during the team’s six-game losing streak entering Thursday, their longest since a nine-game skid in August of 2023, stood to make good money from a moneyline perspective. But backing the Under in Yankee games lately has been just as profitable. New York finally broke a streak of 30 scoreless innings on Wednesday, but still lost 3-2 in a game that stayed well below the total of 9.5 runs.
New York was out-scored 16-6 during its six-game losing streak, while batting .095 with runners in scoring position, striking out 59 times, and owning a .223 on-base and .232 slugging percentage. The Yankees offense was also not able to overcome MVP favorite Aaron Judge’s struggles, as he was just 2-for-23 with a home run, two walks, and 14 strikeouts over the span.
While Baltimore’s starting rotation has been the worst in the American League from an ERA standpoint, I will remain not confident in New York’s offense until it proves it can get out of its rut. Meanwhile, it also helps the case for the Under cashing for the eighth time in New York’s last nine games that Max Fried is on the mound, who leads the league with an .818 winning percentage and ranks third in ERA (1.89), with an even better ERA at home (1.45).
Pick: Under 9 Runs (-105)
Arizona Diamondbacks (-186) at Colorado Rockies (+156) | O/U 12 (-104/-118)
Arizona entered Thursday having lost five straight and 10 of its last 13 road games. An anemic offense was a big reason for those struggles, as the Diamondbacks scored three of fewer runs in eight of the 10 losses.
While a series opener against the MLB-worst Rockies at Coors Field should be a remedy for those struggles, Colorado had won four straight games entering Thursday, with a plus-17 run differential in that span.
Rockies southpaw Austin Gomber is making his second start of the season after pitching five scoreless innings against the Braves in his season debut. Gomber is 3-1 in his last four decisions against Arizona since 2021, which gives us more confidence that the woeful Rockies can continue their hot stretch of play for at least one more night.
Pick: Rockies Moneyline (+156)
Washington Nationals (+168) at Los Angeles Dodgers (-200) | O/U 8.5 (-105/-115)
The Dodgers entered Thursday having won five straight games and 10-of-15, and their offense was a big part of that recent success while overcoming that fact that the team has used 16 starting pitchers this season (the most in the majors).
Washington throws its best pitcher tonight, southpaw MacKenzie Gore, who has made five consecutive quality starts. In that five-start stretch, Gore has pitched to a 1.45 ERA with a 35:5 K:BB ratio spanning 31 innings.
Gore’s fantastic season is a big reason why L.A.’s team total is not inflated like it usually is. But I am banking on the Dodgers running the lefty’s pitch count up early, while teeing off on a woeful bullpen.
In Washington’s 11-game losing streak entering Thursday, its relievers combined for a 6.16 ERA over 38 innings, while allowing 11 home runs and a .300 opponents’ batting average. If the Dodgers can get to the bullpen early, the ceiling is high for their run total, and for their chances of scoring five-plus runs for the seventh time in 12 games against teams under .500.
Pick: Dodgers Team Total Over 4.5 Runs (-115)
Mike Spector is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @MikeSpector01