Top 3 MLB Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (6/6)
Our 3-0 sweep of Wednesday’s MLB best bets got the momentum going into what should be an exciting weekend around Major League Baseball. Read on for our top MLB picks and bets for Friday, June 6th.
Get instant alerts when a line reaches your target via the BettingPros App >>
Friday's Top MLB Picks & Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Texas Rangers (-126) at Washington Nationals (+108) | O/U 9.5 (-110/-110)
The Texas Rangers played their first game with a new hitting coach after firing Bret Boone on May 6th. Up to that point, they had averaged 3.2 runs per game, batted .227, had an on-base percentage of .284, a slugging rate of .358 and a wRC+ of 81. However, since May 6th to yesterday, the team did not fare much better with an MLB-low .254 batting average on balls in play (BABIP), and slashing .214/.282/.352 with an 80 wRC+.
The Rangers have lost 12 of their last 16 games and are 9-21 on the road this season, the fourth-worst record in the majors. However, entering yesterday, their starting rotation had the second-best collective ERA in the league (2.97). I expect Patrick Corbin to add to that solid mark while being motivated pitching against his former team, and the lack of thump in the Rangers’ bats will cause the under to hit for the 13th time in their last 18 games.
Pick: Under 9.5 Runs (-110)
Boston Red Sox (+150) at New York Yankees (-178) | O/U 9.0 (-110/-110)
Through May 23rd, the Boston Red Sox were 26-26 while averaging five runs per game, with on-base and slugging percentages of .329 and .428, respectively, and a 108 wRC+. Since May 23rd, the Red Sox are 4-8 while averaging 4.8 runs per game and on-base and slugging percentages of .331 and .401, respectively, and a 103 wRC+.
Thus, while they may not be playing to the same .500 level as they were before May 23rd, the Red Sox have, for the most part, kept up their offensive success, which means the problem lies with their pitching. Walker Buehler pitched a masterclass against the Yankees in the World Series last year, but just one-third of his starts have been quality starts this season, and he has been rocked for seven earned runs in 10.2 innings in back-to-back losses.
The over has cashed 59.3% of the time following a Red Sox win this season (16-11-2), and has cashed the only other time the Yankees have been at a rest disadvantage this season (Boston had an off-day yesterday).
Pick: Over 9.0 Runs (-110)
Atlanta Braves (-134) at San Francisco Giants (+114) | O/U 7.5 (-106/-114)
Before yesterday’s high-scoring series finale against the Diamondbacks, which the Braves lost 11-10, they had been 3-10 over their previous 13 games, while averaging 3.5 runs per game, hitting 13 home runs and totaling a .661 OPS. While Atlanta had allowed opponents an OPS of .695 in that span, its rotation and bullpen still combined for a respectable 3.54 ERA.
Meanwhile, the Giants broke a streak of 16 consecutive games being held to four or fewer runs on Tuesday, and 13 of the 16 games in that span featured five or fewer total runs combined. I expect another pitcher’s duel in this series opener between Spencer Schwellenbach and Hayden Birdsong, and am backing the under to cash yet again, given these are two struggling offenses.
Pick: Under 7.5 Runs (-114)
Mike Spector is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @MikeSpector01