Top MLB Picks and Predictions Today (Astros Set To Dominate On The Road)

There’s a full day of baseball today and we know figuring out which games to bet on can be tough. BetSided has a preview for every game on today, but there are a few games our team think stand out above the rest. 

The BetSided crew of Reed Wallach, Joe Summers and Josh Yourish has you covered with their favorite picks for the games today, via WynnBET Sportsbook.

Astros vs. Athletics Prediction and Pick

This may be Oakland’s best chance to steal a game from the first place Astros with Paul Blackburn on the mound. Blackburn is their best pitcher with a 6-3 record and a 2.90 ERA. However, it might also be the best time to get value on the Astros in this series. 

Blackburn has already faced Houston once this year, which was a 5-1 Astros win. He allowed four runs on five hits, two of them home runs. The stars for Houston seemed to have Blackburn's number in that outing, Jose Altuve homered and Yordan Alvarez hit one off Blackburn and one off reliever, A.J. Puk. 

If Alvarez has a pitcher’s number then he can carry the Astros to a win. The 25-year-old DH has a 1.076 OPS, 26 home runs, 59 RBI, a 202 OPS+, and has a weighted on-base average of .449 which ranks in the top 1% of the league. He doesn’t just hit the ball, he hits it hard. His average exit velocity is 96.0 MPH, also top 1% and his hard hit rate is 61.2%, you guessed it, top 1%. 

Yordan Alvarez is just too much for Oakland to handle, as a team they have 60 home runs, Alvarez might reach that himself, by the end of the year. Blackburn pitching just means there is value betting Houston. – Josh Yourish

Pick: Astros -1.5 (-110)

Follow all Josh’s bets HERE

Rockies vs. Diamondbacks Prediction and Pick

Chad Kuhl is a much more effective pitcher at home than on the road, yet the Diamondbacks still scored five runs on him at Coors Field last week. Now that the matchup moves to Chase Field in Arizona, I'm expecting an even stronger performance from the Diamondbacks' lineup.

Were it not for a collapse from Arizona's bullpen courtesy of some heroics from CJ Cron, Zac Gallen would have picked up the win last week. He hasn't earned a win since the end of May after laboring through June, but last week's outing was a step in the right direction.

Gallen ranks in the 83rd percentile in hard hit percentage and should find success once again against a Rockies' lineup that's 28th in OPS against right-handed pitchers over the last two weeks. The Diamondbacks' impressive defense gives them an edge as well, and Gallen is no stranger to strong defensive plays:

I picked the Rockies to win last week's matchup, but I'm backing Arizona tonight. Chad Kuhl gave up nine runs over his last two road starts and the Diamondbacks' lineup ranks fifth in OPS against righty's during the previous two weeks.

Gallen threw seven scoreless innings against Colorado at home earlier this season. After getting his mojo back in last week's start, I expect a sharp appearance in a victory while Kuhl struggles. – Joe Summers

Pick: Diamondbacks -1.5 (+130)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.

Tigers vs. White Sox Prediction and Pick

It's been tough sledding for Skubal over the past month or so, he has allowed 23 earned runs over his last 23 innings pitched including five home runs. Starting for the last place Tigers, the team's offense hasn't bailed him out very much, the team has lost his last five starts. Overall, the offense is 27th in wRC+ since the beginning of June.

Now, they run into a mercurial but still talented White Sox team that has the second best batting average against left handed pitching this season. Yes, the South Siders may be well below their preseason projection of AL Central leaders at the moment, but this is an explosive lineup that can pounce on a lefty pitcher.

Lucas Giolito has also been in fine form over his last two starts, allowing two earned runs and striking out 13. I think this is a bargain on the White Sox at home against an outmatched opponent. – Reed Wallach

LEAN: White Sox ML -145

You can find all of Reed's plays on Betstamp HERE!