And....We're Back! Thank goodness real baseball is finally back in our lives. We were 85-66 in the first half and will look to keep reeling in some winners!
If you're just joining us for the first time this season, let me do a quick PSA. Betting baseball is a daily major league GRIND. Always shop around for the best possible price using our Odds Tool.
There are lots of highs and lows, and the best way to come out on top is to bet conservatively. Now that that's out of the way, here are 3 MLB best bets for Friday, July 14. Let's ride!
Best Bet: Orioles (-118)
Both of these teams are in good shape to start the second half of the season. However, something is wrong with Sandy Alcantara. His sinker just isn't getting the same movement that it did last year, and hitters are making him pay.
Alcantara is just 3-7 with a 4.72 ERA this year. Dean Kremer's ERA is around the same as Alcantara's, but his strikeout rate and walk rate are much better. Kremer struck out 10 against the Yankees just before the All-Star break.
Baltimore has a more solid lineup than Miami. Guys like Adley Rutschman, Anthony Santander, and Cedric Mullins are all tough outs who have some pop. The O's also have a slightly better bullpen, and we like their chances at home tonight.
Best Bet: Dodgers (-118)
Father Time is finally starting to catch up with Justin Verlander. He's still an effective starter but his K-rate is under 20% for the first time in years. The 40-year-old still has some bite on his curveball, but his hard-hit rate of 44% is a bit alarming.
We aren't crazy about Julio Urias, but he doesn't walk a lot of guys and his hard-hit rate is among the best in the majors at only 32.8%. The real reason we like the Dodgers tonight though is because of their fierce lineup.
LA has 6 hitters with an XSLG of .461 or higher. Freeman, Martinez, Betts, Muncy, Peralta, and Smith are a nightmare for any pitcher to face, even a wily old vet like Verlander. We'll lay the small number with the much better ball club.
Best Bet: Astros (+144)
Let's play an underdog, shall we? Both of these teams have been decimated by injuries. Houston misses Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez in a big way. LA is dealing with injuries to Mike Trout and Brandon Drury.
Yes, I know, fading Shohei Ohtani is a scary idea. However, Ohtani is 0-2 against Houston this year and has given up 7 earned runs to them. Astros starter JP France faced the Angels on June 4th, and he only allowed 3 hits through 7 innings of work.
Houston's bullpen is also much more reliable than Los Angeles's. Astros relievers only allow 4.21 runs per 9 innings, while Angels relievers allow 4.70. Let's take a shot with Houston at this nice juicy price.
Thanks for reading, and good luck with all of your action on the diamond tonight!
