70-57-8 on the MLB season. 5 picks from predictive model for today's slate. Odds according to BetSaracen from Saracen Casino Resort.
LAA Angels F5 ML (-135)
As we approach the highly anticipated MLB matchup between the Los Angeles Angels and the Boston Red Sox, all eyes are on the multi-talented Shohei Ohtani. This dude's been straight-up crushing it on both sides of the ball, and it's crystal clear that he's the X-factor the Angels need to secure this "W" against the Red Sox.
First off, let's talk about Ohtani's pitching prowess. Since July 29, the guy's got a 1.37 ERA, which ranks second in the AL. It's no secret that the Red Sox have been struggling with their starting pitchers, who rank 28th in baseball with a 6.71 ERA. This is where Ohtani steps in and showcases his unique ability to shut down the Red Sox lineup. With their starting pitchers not throwing a pitch in the sixth inning this season, the Red Sox are bound to feel the heat from Ohtani's fire.
The Angels' Patrick Sandoval has been on an impressive run as well, allowing three earned runs or fewer in his last 13 starts. Sporting a 1.90 ERA, he's hot on Ohtani's heels, adding to the Angels' arsenal of weapons. The Red Sox will have a tough time getting their bats going against this dynamic duo, with the Angels' left-handed pitchers being a force to be reckoned with.
But it's not just about the pitching. Ohtani's bat has been equally explosive. The man's been on an absolute tear, and his presence in the lineup is enough to strike fear into the hearts of opposing pitchers. Logan O'Hoppe, a rookie for the Angels, has also been making waves by driving in 11 runs in his first 10 games of the season. These guys are locked and loaded, ready to rake the Red Sox's shaky pitching staff.
Speaking of the Red Sox, they've been on a bit of a rollercoaster ride lately. They've managed to pull off some come-from-behind wins, but those have come against a backdrop of some serious losses. With Adam Duvall out due to a fractured left wrist, their offense has taken a significant hit. The team's hitting numbers have plummeted, and they're averaging 2.60 runs per game without Duvall in the lineup.
Now, it's not all doom and gloom for the Red Sox. Rafael Devers is an offensive machine with five homers and at least 12 RBI through his first 12 games. His performance against the Angels at Fenway Park has been solid, boasting a .966 OPS, five homers, and 10 RBI in 12 games. But will that be enough to tip the scales against the powerhouse that is Shohei Ohtani and the Angels' pitching staff? It's a tall order, to say the least.
Despite the Angels having led in six of their first seven losses, they've shown resilience and a never-back-down attitude. This mentality is crucial as they look to avoid losing the series. With milestones like Mike Trout's 300th career double and Ohtani's on-base streak reaching 36 games, it's evident that the Angels have the talent and determination to turn things around.
The Los Angeles Angels have the firepower both on the mound and at the plate to take down the Boston Red Sox. Shohei Ohtani's dynamic pitching and explosive hitting, combined with the Angels' other rising stars, create the perfect storm for a victory. Meanwhile, the Red Sox's struggles with their starting pitching and the absence of Adam Duvall leave them vulnerable.
ARI Diamondbacks F5 ML (+130)
While the Cards' starting rotation has begun to stabilize after a rough start, the Diamondbacks are ready to shake things up once again. Let's dive into the stats and see why Arizona is set to make some noise at Busch Stadium.
It's no secret that Jack Flaherty (1-1, 1.76 ERA) has been struggling with control this season, walking 13 batters in just 10 innings during his first two starts. Though he managed to walk only one in his last outing against the Rockies, Flaherty himself admits that his command has been all over the place. Enter the hungry Diamondbacks, ready to feast on any mistakes he makes on the mound.
Arizona's lineup has the potential to get on base and, more importantly, score runs against Flaherty. The Diamondbacks have a knack for capitalizing on their opponents' weaknesses, and Flaherty's recent issues with control present the perfect opportunity for Arizona to strike. With a patient approach at the plate, the D-backs can force Flaherty to throw strikes and capitalize on any mistakes he makes.
On the flip side, Arizona's starting pitcher, Merrill Kelly (0-2, 2.93 ERA), has also had his share of control issues this season. However, his last start against the Milwaukee Brewers showed signs of improvement. Kelly struck out seven batters and allowed only one hit in six-plus innings, despite walking three. His changeup and curveball were on point, and he credited catcher Gabriel Moreno for their excellent teamwork.
In his post-game interview, Kelly expressed confidence and optimism, stating, "Tonight is definitely the best I felt in a while. I felt like I could execute pretty much everything when I needed it." With this renewed confidence and his arsenal of pitches working in his favor, Kelly is ready to take on the Cardinals' lineup and keep them in check.
When it comes to previous matchups, Kelly has a respectable 2-1 record and a 3.38 ERA in four career starts against the Cardinals. While Flaherty has a slightly better 2.77 ERA in two career starts against the Diamondbacks, his recent control issues could be his undoing in tonight's game.
Another factor working in Arizona's favor is the potential return of lefty reliever Joe Mantiply to their bullpen. After recovering from shoulder fatigue, Mantiply has completed his rehab assignment and may be available for this series. His presence could provide a much-needed boost to the Diamondbacks' relief corps, helping to secure a win against the Cardinals.
However, the Cards' outfielder Alec Burleson may be sidelined with a shin contusion, further tipping the scales in Arizona's favor. While Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol reported that Burleson's injury isn't severe, it remains to be seen if he'll be in top form for tonight's game. With a weakened Cardinals lineup, the Diamondbacks have an even better shot at scoring runs and securing a victory.
Taking into consideration Flaherty's control issues, Kelly's recent improvement, and the potential for Arizona's lineup to capitalize on mistakes, the Diamondbacks are primed to take down the St. Louis Cardinals tonight.
TOR Blue Jays/HOU Astros o8.5 (-105)
While the Astros and Blue Jays may have their respective aces in Cristian Javier and Kevin Gausman taking the mound, don't be fooled by the low betting line. These two MLB powerhouses boast impressive lineups that can light up the scoreboard and give us an exhilarating, high-scoring game.
Diving into the gritty details, the Astros have been known to flex their offensive muscle, especially at home. The reigning World Series champs may have come up short in their latest bid to hit .500, but their bats are far from cold. Look no further than their manager Dusty Baker's comments on the bullpen situation: "This is kind of what we had last year with (Justin) Verlander and Framber," he said. "And then you see how sharp it keeps your bullpen. That's what it does when you get that length, and if you can get consecutive length, now everybody is doing pretty good."
On the other side of the diamond, the Blue Jays are fresh off a series against the Tampa Bay Rays, where they nearly pulled off their first sweep of the season. Even though they fell short in that final game, Toronto's bats have been red-hot, winning nine of their last 12 overall. They're rolling into Houston with a four-series win streak under their belt, and with their eyes set on the postseason, they're not about to slow down.
With the game being played in Houston, weather won't be a factor, allowing both lineups to focus on racking up runs. This isn't a scenario where a rain delay or gusty winds will throw off the hitters or impact the game's trajectory. Instead, it's a prime opportunity for both teams to let their bats do the talking and send balls flying over the fence.
Now, let's talk about the starters. Cristian Javier (1-0, 4.24 ERA) may have had a shaky outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates last Tuesday, but that doesn't mean he's a slouch. He's only issued two walks while striking out 14 batters in 17 innings. However, he did struggle against the Blue Jays in their previous encounter, allowing five runs, including two homers, over 5 1/3 innings back in May 2021. He'll have to bring his A-game to keep the Blue Jays' hitters in check.
As for the Blue Jays' starter, Kevin Gausman (1-1, 1.35 ERA) has been on fire this season. Despite giving up his first earned runs of the year in his last start, he still managed to rack up 11 strikeouts over eight innings. Gausman, though, has a mixed record against the Astros, going 2-3 with a 4.55 ERA in five career starts. He did, however, put up a solid performance against them last season, striking out 10 in a 3-2 victory.
All things considered, both lineups have the firepower to capitalize on any mistakes the starters make, and with the game being played in Houston, there's no pesky weather to contend with. So, to my fellow sports betting enthusiasts, keep a close eye on this MLB showdown – it's shaping up to be a run-fest that could easily crush the currently low over/under total.
COL Rockies -1.5 (+135)
With the Rockies currently on a losing streak, it's time for them to bounce back and show what they're made of. Here's why I'm confident that the Rockies will not only win this game but also cover the spread of -1.5.
First, let's talk about Rich Hill. The Pirates' starting pitcher has had a rough start to the season, with a 0-2 record and a 7.20 ERA. While Hill has experience on his side, his recent performances have left much to be desired. In his seven career starts against the Rockies, he's only managed a 1-4 record with a 5.68 ERA. Hill's struggles don't stop there - his strikeout game is also lacking. Without the ability to consistently put batters away with strikeouts, he's leaving the door wide open for the Rockies' offense to capitalize on his mistakes.
Speaking of offense, let's dive into the potential for some serious run production from the Rockies. The game takes place at the legendary Coors Field, a stadium notorious for being a hitter's paradise. With its high altitude and thin air, the ball carries further, allowing for more home runs and extra-base hits. This is particularly advantageous for the Rockies, who have a lineup filled with power hitters ready to take advantage of Hill's weaknesses.
Even though the Rockies have been in a slump lately, their offense is still a force to be reckoned with. They've managed to avoid being shut out in games, consistently putting runs on the board. As they face the Pirates, the perfect storm of Rich Hill's struggles and the hitter-friendly conditions at Coors Field presents a prime opportunity for the Rockies to break out of their slump and put up some big numbers.
On the other hand, the Pirates have been dealing with injuries to key players, which has had an impact on their offensive production. With rising star Oneil Cruz on the injured list after breaking his ankle, the Pirates have struggled to fill the void at the top of their lineup. Ke'Bryan Hayes and Ji Hwan Bae have been platooning at leadoff, but they haven't been able to match Cruz's production. Without Cruz, the Pirates' average runs per game have dropped from 4.7 to just 3.4.
Given these factors, it's clear that the Rockies have a prime opportunity to not only win this game but to crush the spread of -1.5. With Rich Hill's recent struggles and the potential for a high-scoring game at Coors Field, the odds are definitely in favor of the Rockies taking this one.
With the right mix of Rich Hill's shortcomings and the Rockies' explosive offense at Coors Field, this game has all the makings of a bet worth taking. Just remember, while I'm confident in my analysis, there are no guarantees in sports betting. So, make sure to do your due diligence and bet responsibly.
MIL Brewers/SEA Mariners u7.5 (+100)
As the Milwaukee Brewers head to the Emerald City to take on the Seattle Mariners, it's time to sit back and prepare for a masterclass in pitching prowess. With both teams boasting dominant arms on the mound, this game has all the makings of a low-scoring affair that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Corbin Burnes, the 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner, headlines the Brewers' rotation, and he's no stranger to shutting down opposing offenses. After a couple of rocky starts to the 2023 season, Burnes returned to form in his latest outing, reminding everyone why he's considered one of the best arms in the game. His lethal combination of a blazing fastball and a knee-buckling curveball has hitters quaking in their cleats, and the Mariners' lineup is next in line to feel the heat.
On the other side, the Mariners are no slouches when it comes to pitching. Their rotation has been keeping them in games, and with their home crowd at their back, they'll be ready to match Burnes pitch for pitch. This battle of the arms is shaping up to be a classic that will have fans and bettors alike glued to their screens.
But it's not just the starting pitchers who will be turning heads in this matchup. Both teams' bullpens have been putting in work, with the Brewers' Devin Williams recently escaping a bases-loaded jam in the ninth to secure a 1-0 win over the Padres. The Mariners' bullpen has also been stepping up, keeping games within reach for their offense to strike. When the starters finally hand the ball off, expect the relief pitchers to keep the low-scoring theme going.
Offensively, both teams have had their share of struggles. The Brewers recently edged out the Padres in a tight 1-0 contest, with Wade Miley going head-to-head against Yu Darvish in a pitching duel for the ages. While the Brewers have shown flashes of offensive potential, consistency has been an issue, and they'll need to find their rhythm against a tough Mariners' pitching staff.
So, as you settle in for tonight's game, remember that sometimes, the best action comes from the mound. This Brewers-Mariners showdown is a prime example of that, and with both teams' pitching staffs firing on all cylinders, runs will be at a premium.
Comments