Top MLB Betting Odds & Picks for Saturday, April 16 (2022)
Yesterday was another slightly profitable day in the MLB. Slight profit throughout the entire season grows to massive profit. So take those small profitable days and be happy about them. It all adds up in the long run!
Here are my top three picks for today’s MLB slate for April 16.
(Odds courtesy DraftKings)
Oakland Athletics vs. Toronto Blue Jays Run Line (1.5, -120)
I’m not ready to cancel Hyun-Jin Ryu just yet. He had another miserable start to begin his campaign in 2022 but I still think there’s potential for him against the Oakland Athletics.
The projected lineup for the Athletics hit a .136 ISO with a wOBA of .250 against lefties dating back to last season. That’s just not going to get the job done. Meanwhile, Ryu has a 4.10 xFIP, limits walks, and has high enough strikeouts to succeed against this Athletics lineup.
The A’s have struck out 27.8% of the time, with the lineup dating back to last season and only forced 6.4% walks.
On the other hand, Paul Blackburn was excellent in his first start of the season. But he’s not going to finish the year with a 0.00 ERA. Combining this year and last year’s stats, Blackburn had a 4.36 xFIP with just 17% strikeouts. He struggled against righties and lefties and had an above-average wOBA and an above-average ISO to both sides of the plate. This is the game where the Blue Jays rake.
Bet: Blue Jays -1.5 (-120 at DraftKings)
Detroit Tigers vs Kansas City Royals First Five Moneyline (+105)
The Detroit Tigers have something in Matt Manning. Manning didn’t record a whole bunch of strikeouts in his first start against the Red Sox. However, he was able to go six innings while allowing just one run on one hit (which was a homer.) Manning will pitch against an inferior Royals lineup that, dating back to last year, has a .152 ISO and wOBA of .287. Those are very below-average numbers for an offense.
Meanwhile, Kris Bubic will get his second start of the season. Bubic allowed five runs in his first start and couldn’t get three outs against the Guardians. Now the lefty will have to face a Tigers lineup that is filled with right-handed bats. Best of luck to Bubic.
Take the Tigers in the first five innings.
Bet: Tigers F5 ML (+105 at DraftKings)
Washington Nationals vs Pittsburgh Pirates Total (9, -115)
The Pittsburgh Pirates deserve some credit offensively. The Pirates have a couple of key batters who can rake including Ke’Bryan Hayes and Bryan Reynolds. The offense looks powerful and rallies continue to happen with Pittsburgh.
The Pirates will now take on Jesse Rodgers who has a 6.26 xFIP dating back to last season. His strikeouts are low, walks are high, and he’s struggled badly against right-handed hitting.
You will see at least eight righties in the Pirates lineup to go up against Rodgers. It makes sense to back the Pirates here. But it also makes sense to back the Nationals against Pittsburgh’s Bryce Wilson. Wilson has a 5.41 xFIP dating back to last season and also struggles to get consistent strikeouts. He’s had more issues getting batters out than Rodgers and will have to face a meaty order that includes Juan Soto, Nelson Cruz, and Josh Bell.
Take the over.
Bet: Over 9 (-115 at DraftKings)
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