Top MLB Picks and Predictions Today (Back Dodgers & Blue Jays as Favorite, Predictions for Battle of Chicago)
There’s over 15 games on tap for MLB today, with a couple teams being involved in a doubleheader. With all the games going on, we know figuring out the best plays of the day can be tough.
The BetSided crew of Ben Heisler, Donnavan Smoot and Matt De Saro has you covered with their favorite picks for the games today, via WynnBET Sportsbook.
Blue Jays vs. Angels Prediction and Pick
I really want to like the Angels tonight but I am having a hard time convincing myself to trust Michael Lorenzen; especially considering how well Toronto has hit in May. While the Blue Jays are emerging from their funk, the Angels appear destined to regress after starting the year on a tear.
Getting back to Lorenzen, I am very suspicious of how well he has been so far to start the year. Lorenzen is getting his first crack at being a full-time starter and his stats are strong with a 3.05 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 41 ⅓ innings. The problem is that only six of those innings came against a team with a winning record. In fact, Lorenzen has been dominating some of the worst offenses in the league including back-to-back wins over the Oakland Athletics.
The Blue Jays, meanwhile, start Yusei Kikuchi tonight as they look to keep their chances of a four-game sweep alive. Kikuchi has been very good in May with a 2.08 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 21 ⅓ innings pitched. While two of those games were against the Reds and Mariners, Kikuchi also kept the Yankees in check in back-to-back starts.
As far as I see it, these teams and pitchers are heading in different directions. I’m not going to fight that current and will take a chance on the Blue Jays to keep their winning ways going.
Pick: Blue Jays -101 -- Matt De Saro
Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE
Cubs vs. White Sox Prediction and Pick
After two terrific starts since his call up, I see some regression coming for Cueto today against a Cubs lineup that's seen their bats wake up as of late.
Over the last seven days, the Cubs have averaged 6.14 runs per game; only scoring less than five runs one time.
Give Cueto his due. In his two starts, he's gone six solid innings in each; not recording a run against both the pitiful Kansas City Royals, but also the terrific New York Yankees' offense. Now with 12 innings under his belt, I expect the Cubs to have an updated scouting report on how to better approach him.
Thompson has been the Cubs' swingman out of the bullpen for much of the season, but has been very effective all season along. In 35 innings, he's only allowed 24 hits, pitching to contact with a ground ball rate of 53.4%, and an ERA of 1.54. If he can go four innings or so, Thompson can hand the ball off to a very effective Cubs' bullpen that's been one of the best in baseball this season.
I think the Cubs are worthy underdogs to back on the moneyline today, against a White Sox team that's been a head scratcher for consistency all season long.
LEAN: Cubs ML +127 -- Ben Heisler
Follow all of Ben Heisler's betting plays in real-time HERE
Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks Prediction and Odds
After losing two games to the Diamondbacks early in the season, the Dodgers have really turned it up on the Arizona. The Dodgers have won six straight games against the Diamondbacks and have covered in the last four.
I expect more of the same tonight with Tony Gonsolin taking the mound. Gonsolin has been fantastic this year. He has a 1.62 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP. His average starts goes around five innings, making the Dodgers F5 moneyline an intriguing play. However, I don’t see the Dodgers giving up the lead tonight.
With that in mind, I’ll stick to the Dodgers against the run line – as they’ve covered in 62% of their games this season and cover in games they win at a 90% clip.
Lean: Dodgers -1.5 (-110) – Donnavan Smoot
You can find Donnavan Smoot’s full betting record here.