Top MLB Picks and Predictions Today (Double Down On Braves, Trust Favorites On Friday)
With every team in action today, we have you covered with the best plays of the day. Today's best bets go over everything: Spreads, moneylines and totals.
The BetSided crew of Joe Summers, Donnavan Smoot and Josh Yourish has you covered with their favorite picks for the games today, via WynnBET Sportsbook.
Braves vs. Rockies Prediction and Pick
The Braves' offense is rolling, averaging 5.6 runs per game over their last 10 as they've moved into second in the NL East standings. Their hot streak should continue against Chad Kuhl, who has fallen back to earth in a big way after posting a 1.90 ERA in April.
Kuhl had a 5.18 ERA in May and got shelled for eight hits and five runs against the Giants in his last home start. He ranks in just the 20th percentile in average exit velocity, which should be a big problem at Coors Field against an Atlanta lineup that averages the fifth-most home runs per game in MLB.
Max Fried, on the other hand, has been a marvel of consistency with seven quality starts in his last eight outings. He's in the 91st percentile in walk rate and 95th in chase rate, so he's preventing free passes while generating tons of swings-and-misses. That's a beautiful combination and it's helped the Braves go 6-2 in Fried's last eight starts.
Colorado is 1-4 in Kuhl's last five starts and I expect them to have trouble again today. They've allowed their opponent to score at least 12 runs in three straight home games. With the league's worst bullpen backing Kuhl up, I love the +100 odds for Atlanta's team total over 6.5.
Behind Fried, the Braves should win convincingly. They're 8-3 in their last 11 on the road, with six wins coming by multiple runs. I'll back Atlanta on the run line as their offense excels and Fried limits the Rockies.
Pick: Braves -1.5 (-115) and Braves Team Total Over 6.5 (+100)
Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.
Mariners vs. Rangers Prediction and Pick
This is a series of two pretty evenly matched squads who are trying desperately to make up ground out West. Neither team has been able to put together enough of a run to separate themselves so far, and I don’t expect that to start now.
The Rangers bats have begun to wake up some as of late. Marcus Semien hit his first home run of the season, and quickly followed it up with another. It's a good sign for the Rangers, who are finally getting production from the other half of their $500 million middle infield.
The Mariners are a slight favorite on the road in this one because of Gilbert, and I think that is the right call. When there is no advantage to be found, we side with pitching.
Lean: Mariners ML -115
Follow all of Josh's betting plays in real-time HERE.
Red Sox vs. Athletics Prediction and Odds
I’m going with the Red Sox in this one. If you take out a 1-run win over the Rangers last week, the A’s have lost six games in a row. Even as underdogs on the run line, they aren’t covering.
On top of the A’s looking helpless over the last two weeks, the Red Sox have Nathan Eovaldi on the mound. He had a tough matchup against the Astros two weeks ago, but has recovered since then. He has 17 strikeouts and only four earned runs in his last two starts. If he can continue pitching the way he has, Boston can open this game up quickly.
Oakland’s offense doesn’t inspire much confidence, as it’s last in the majors in batting average and hits per game. Fade the cold, sluggish offense tonight.
Lean: Red Sox -1.5 (+105)
You can find Donnavan Smoot’s full betting record here.