Top 3 MLB Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (8/16)
The MLB playoff race is heating up as we enter the final quarter of the regular season. The league rolls out a full 15-game slate today, and if you're looking to get some skin in the game, then you've come to the right place. Below, I've listed my top three MLB bets.
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Saturday's Best MLB Bets
(Odds courtesy of BetMGM)
Pittsburgh Pirates (+190) vs. Chicago Cubs (-235) | O/U 9.0 (-115/-105)
Let's pick it up in the Windy City, where the Pirates (52-71) are looking to build on yesterday's 3-2 victory against the Cubs (68-53). Mike Burrows gets the nod for the Buccos, while the Northsiders counter with Shota Imanaga. First pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET from Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL.
Speaking of the Windy City, the weather won't be a massive factor today in Wrigleyville. There will be a slight 7.1-mile-per-hour (MPH) crosswind at first pitch, which shouldn't have much of an impact. With that said, a total of nine runs seems pretty lofty considering Mother Nature won't have her hand in this game.
These have been two of the worst offenses in the Majors recently. Over the last seven days, the Pirates are 24th in wOBA (.277) and 27th in ISO (.105), while the Cubs are 22nd (.281) and 21st (.136), respectively. Plus, Chicago will send Imanaga to the bump, and he's turning in another great season. The southpaw is 8-5 with a 3.19 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP. It's also worth mentioning that Burrows (4.66 ERA) faced the Cubs back on June 14th, and he held them to one earned run over 5.1 innings of work. I'll play the under in this one.
Bet: Under 9.0 Runs (-105)
Tampa Bay Rays (+110) vs. San Francisco Giants (-130) | O/U 8.0 (-115/-105)
The Rays (60-63) took care of the Giants (59-63) in a 7-6 contest last night, issuing them their sixth consecutive defeat. San Francisco will turn to Justin Verlander to try and stop the slide, while Tampa Bay opts for Adrian Houser. This Interleague contest gets underway at 9:05 p.m. ET from Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA.
I'm a White Sox fan (unfortunately), so I've had my eye on Houser all season. The right-hander continues to be undervalued in the betting market, and we're once again getting him as an underdog. This time it's against a Giants squad that has lost six straight games and is without Matt Chapman (hand inflammation). Houser (2.84 ERA), who has held San Francisco's current roster to a slash line of .152/.200/.212 over 33 at-bats, should keep this floundering offense in check tonight.
On the flip side, we have Verlander toeing the rubber. The 42-year-old enters at just 1-9 with a 4.53 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. He just got shelled by the Nationals for five earned runs on 11 hits over five innings last time out. The Rays are crushing the ball recently, ranking 13th in wOBA (.330) and sixth in ISO (.200) over the last week. They should supply enough run support to take care of business behind a solid Houser start. Give me the Rays as short underdogs.
Bet: Rays Moneyline (+110)
Los Angeles Angels (-105) vs. Athletics (-115) | O/U 10.5 (-115/-105)
Neither the Angels (59-63) nor the Athletics (55-69) will be making the postseason this year, but tonight's divisional showdown in Sactown should still be an entertaining game. Tyler Anderson will start for the Halos, while the A's will send Luis Morales to the hill. First pitch is slated for 10:05 p.m. ET from Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, CA.
Over bettors at Sutter Health Park have done well for themselves this season, as the over is 30-27-4 (52.6%) at the hitter-friendly venue. Last night's series-opening game cleared the mark, as the A's hammered the Angels 10-3. I'm coming right back to the over in game two of the series. During the last week, the Angels are 11th in wOBA (.339) and fourth in ISO (.219), while the Athletics are 12th (.331) and ninth (.186), respectively.
This contest will also feature two of the league's worst bullpens. The A's are 28th in relief ERA (5.03) and 25th in opposing batting average (.255), while the Angels are 27th (4.87) and 23rd (.252). Los Angeles has seen 11+ runs in seven consecutive games, and that's a trend that I expect to continue tonight. Let's lock in the over.
Bet: Over 10.5 Runs (-115)