MLB Best Bets Today (Predictions for Yankees-A's, Red Sox-Blue Jays and Lucas Giolito on Monday)
By Peter Dewey
The Major League Baseball season is heating up, with teams like the Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves going on major winning streaks in June and other teams losing superstars to injury.
I’m eyeing a total, a moneyline pick and a player prop for Monday’s action, from consensus odds at the odds at WynnBET:
MLB Best Bets Today
- Oakland Athletics-New York Yankees UNDER 8.5 (-115)
- Boston Red Sox Moneyline vs. Toronto Blue Jays (+155)
- Lucas Giolito UNDER 6.5 Strikeouts (+130)
Oakland Athletics vs. New York Yankees: UNDER 8.5 (-115)
New York hosts the worst team in baseball, the Oakland A’s on Monday night. Paul Blackburn (6-3, 2.97 ERA) has arguably been Oakland’s best starter this year, and gets the ball against Jordan Montgomery (3-1, 2.97 ERA).
I am taking the UNDER in this game and I won’t look back.
The Yankees have really struggled hitting the ball, going 16.1 innings without A HIT over the weekend against the Astros.
Blackburn was tagged for seven runs in his last start, but he’s allowed over three runs just three times in 11 outings this season. Montgomery has also been impressive, holding opponents to under four runs in all but one start (he’s made 14 this season).
Oakland ranks dead last in baseball in OPS this season and 29th in runs scored. With the Yankees slumping and Blackburn on the mound, I think both of these teams struggle to score on Monday night.
Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays: Red Sox ML (+155)
The Boston Red Sox are the hottest team in baseball right now, winning seven straight games heading into their Monday matchup with the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Blue Jays have the pitching edge in this matchup with Kevin Gausman going against Connor Seabold, but Gausman has allowed three or more runs in three of his last five games, including seven in 2.1 innings against Baltimore.
The Jays have lost seven of their last 10 games and are DEAD LAST in baseball in ERA over the last 15 days.
Boston, on the other hand, is No. 1 in OPS and is absolutely rolling. I’ll take a shot on the Red Sox at this number to get another win.
Lucas Giolito UNDER 6.5 Strikeouts (+130)
Normally, Lucas Giolito would be a pitcher I’d like to back in a strikeout prop, but there is just too much value on the UNDER in his matchup with the Los Angeles Angels on Monday.
Giolito has struck out exactly three batters in three of his last four starts, and he’s allowed 24 runs in those outings across just 21 innings.
If Giolito continues to struggle going deep into games, his strikeouts are going to drop, and the Angels have a scary offense with Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani in the lineup. I’ll fade Giolito until he proves he’s back on track.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.