After a couple of rough days, our MLB best bets bounced back with a nice 2-1 performance on Thursday night. The sweep was spoiled by a couple of insanely long home runs from Mr. Rafael Devers off of Gerrit Cole, but we'll take 2-1 any day!
As we head into the weekend, we'll look to build on that positive momentum as well as our 42-21 record. Here are 4 MLB best bets for Friday, July 8.
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Rays -1.5 over Reds
Best Available Odds: +102 at FanDuel
We haven't played this Rays team all that much but they impressed us with how they handled the Red Sox earlier this week. This is a typical scrappy Tampa Bay squad filled with blue-collar players and a few young hotshot prospects. We are thinking that they'll take care of business against a reeling Reds team.
Rays starter Shane McClanahan has been one of the top lefties in the American League this season. The 25-year-old is 9-3 with a 1.74 ERA and 133 strikeouts in only 98.1 innings of work. No one in this Reds lineup has ever faced McClanahan and we feel they'll all be in for a rude awakening tonight.
Luis Castillo has been the most reliable starter this year for Cincy. The 29-year-old is only 3-4 on the season but that's mainly because the Reds' hitters haven't given him any run support. Castillo's ERA is only 3.09 and his WHIP is only 1.14. Interleague play can be tricky, but we'll back the Rays and hope for them to expose Cincy's weak bullpen.
Twins over Rangers
Best Available Odds: -115 at Unibet
It'll be Gray vs. Gray facing off tonight at Globe Life Field in Arlington, and the Rangers will be looking to snap a four-game losing streak. Texas has played some decent ball but they are only 4-17 in one-run games, which has kept them under .500. Minnesota's bullpen will be looking for redemption after blowing a late lead against the White Sox on Wednesday.
It's nice to see that Twins starter Sonny Gray has resurrected his career. The 32-year-old righty is 4-1 this season with a 2.47 ERA. He's also owned the Rangers in his MLB career by posting a record of 9-3 against them in 14 starts.
Rangers starter Jon Gray has found something in his pitching arsenal, as he is 2-1 over his last 3 starts with an impressive ERA of only 2.95. That said, Gray did give up two homers against the Mets in his last outing. We'll look for Carlos Correa or Byron Buxton to do some damage against Gray in this one and lead Minny to a win.
Brewers -1.5 over Pirates
Best Available Odds: +106 at FanDuel
The Brewers burned us earlier this week but we'll forgive them if they blow out the Pirates tonight. Though we hate the pitching matchup in this one because Ashby (1-6, 4.60 ERA) has been AWFUL, we are going to put our faith in this Brewers bullpen. Milwaukee relievers have an ERA of 3.51 this season while Pittsburgh's pen is at 4.78.
We also like the fact that Milwaukee's lineup has had some success against Brubaker. Willy Adames, Victor Caratini, Jace Peterson, Rowdy Tellez, and Christian Yelich have all homered off of Brubaker in their careers. Let's look for a big win by the Beer Makers in this one!
Phillies over Cardinals
Best Available Odds: -118 at Unibet
The Phils also hurt us earlier in the week but you have to have a short memory when betting baseball. St. Louis has played well at home this year but we think Philadelphia is a better team. Zack Wheeler has been dealing all year long, as he is 7-4 with a 2.66 ERA and a WHIP of only 1.07.
Though we hate fading a wily ole veteran like Adam Wainwright, he is giving up an average of 11.4 hits over his last three starts. Waino has struggled a bit with his location of late. That could be a huge issue against Kyle Schwarber, who has been the hottest hitter in baseball over the last couple of weeks (9 homers in 15 games). We like the Phils in a close one.
Have a fabulous Friday and an outstanding weekend everyone! Thanks as always for reading.
