MLB Best Bets Today (Fade Angels with Cristian Javier Pitching)
It’s the middle of the week, so let's celebrate "Hump Day" with some MLB winners.
We’re going back to one of the most plentiful wells in baseball; betting at plus-money, backing a pitcher who’s on fire, and fading a pitcher in what should be a tough matchup.
Let’s get right into the bets for today, with odds coming from multiple consensus lines.
MLB Best Bets Today
- Tarik Skubal UNDER 4.5 Strikeouts (+100)
- Tony Gonsolin OVER 4.5 Strikeouts (-143)
- Cristian Javier OVER 7.5 Strikeouts (+110)
Tarik Skubal UNDER 4.5 Strikeouts (+100) - Detroit Tigers at Kansas City Royals
Skubal is going to have his work cut out for him today. He’ll face the Royals, who have the fifth-lowest strikeout rate in baseball (20.3%). In the last three games, that number has dropped down to a league low of 15%.
If Skubal isn’t able to make it out of the fifth, as has been the case in three of his last five starts, I like a slow day for him.
Tony Gonsolin OVER 4.5 Strikeouts (-143) - Los Angeles Dodgers at St. Louis Cardinals
Gonsolin has cleared this line in three of his last five starts, and has been showing an encouraging trait over his last two starts. He’s starting to go even longer in his starts.
Gonsolin has pitched into the seventh inning in the last two starts, giving me hope he will have a long and productive day.
He remains undefeated on the season, and I’m expecting another dominant performance from him today.
Cristian Javier OVER 7.5 Strikeouts (+110) - Houston Astros at Los Angeles Angels
You already know the deal. We have a strikeout-oriented pitcher facing the Angels, which means we have to take the OVER on their props.
Javier threw for 14 strikeouts against the Angels two weeks ago, and is set to do it again.
The Angels have the highest-strikeout rate in baseball, which makes them a must-fade.
You can find Donnavan Smoot’s full betting record here.