Top MLB Odds, Picks & Predictions: Monday (4/21)
One of the best traditions of the Major League Baseball season takes place Monday morning, as the Boston Red Sox play in their annual Patriots Day game.
However, with first pitch scheduled for 11:10 a.m. ET and only seven other games on Monday’s slate, I have narrowed my best bets down to my two best plays of the night slate.
Read on for our top MLB picks for Monday, April 21st.
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Monday's Top MLB Picks
(MLB odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Cincinnati Reds (-130) at Miami Marlins (+110) | O/U 8.0 (-110/-110)
The Reds are coming off a 24-2 walloping of the Orioles. It was the sixth time in franchise history that they scored 24+ runs in a game.
Per Sarah Langs, Cincinnati’s No. 8 and No. 9 spots in the lineup combined for the most hits from those two lineup spots in a game in the last 120 seasons (11). The 13 RBI from those spots were tied for the second-most in a game since RBI became an official stat in 1920.
That is what makes Cincinnati’s -130 odds most perplexing, especially when facing a Miami team three games under .500 and owns the third-worst run differential in the National League.
This line screams trap spot. Miami is a respectable 2-2 in Max Meyer’s four starts, as the righty ranks in the top 25 in ERA (2.63) and strikeouts (27). Meyer is one out away from all four of his starts being quality starts. This is a great opportunity to fade the Reds in a sell-high spot.
Pick: Marlins Moneyline (+110)
St. Louis Cardinals (+152) at Atlanta Braves (-180) | O/U 8.5 (+100/-122)
Don’t look now, but the Atlanta Braves may be starting to catch fire. They could soon make the National League East race the three-team race many expected it to be.
Atlanta is coming off its first series sweep of the season, outscoring the Twins 16-9. It is also Atlanta’s first three-game winning streak since September of last season.
The Braves should continue their momentum in this series opener with Spencer Schwellenbach on the mound. Schwellenbach has pitched to a minuscule 2.55 ERA and 0.85 WHIP. The only blemish on his resume so far is allowing three home runs in 24.2 innings.
However, St. Louis ranks 25th in ISO and 23rd in slugging in road games this season. I am backing Atlanta to cover the run line after being third among all National League teams in home runs over the last seven days.
Pick: Braves -1.5 (+116)
Mike Spector is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @MikeSpector01.