Top MLB Picks and Predictions Today (Favorites A Popular Play On Saturday)

There’s a full slate of baseball today -- and then some today. BetSided has already done the hard work, figuring out which plays are the best to follow through with today. The team has a preview for every game on today, but there are a few games that the team likes over the rest.

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

White Sox vs Astros Prediction and Pick

If you remove the 10 runs Houston scored in the fifth inning yesterday, then the White Sox and Astros actually tied, so good job Chicago!

Unfortunately for the Southsiders, you can't do that. Blow-up innings have become a common problem in the Tony La Russa era, as he frequently mismanages his bullpen and low-damage innings turn into massive problems quickly. I expect Dusty Baker to outclass La Russa again, and today he's got a significant starting pitching advantage to work with.

Johnny Cueto has been good this season since being signed to replace Dallas Kuechel, but Verlander is the Cy Young favorite for a reason. And he's at home, where the Astros have won four straight behind him by a combined score of 22-8.

Verlander allowed only one run over his last two starts as he's maintained his dominant form, while Cueto surrendered four home runs in his three June outings already.

The Astros average the third-most home runs per game in MLB and belted five yesterday. With a limited bullpen after La Russa's shenanigans yesterday, the White Sox arms should struggle to limit Houston's lineup once again.

Chicago lost three straight behind Cueto by a combined score of 5-17 and I see more of the same today. They're 1-5 in their last six as a road underdog while the 'Stros are 16-6 in their last 22 as a home favorite. Roll with Verlander to nab a statement win against the overmatched White Sox. – Joe Summers

Pick: Astros -1.5 (-125)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.

Rays vs. Orioles Prediction and Pick

The Rays offense is a mess at the moment. 24th in batting average since the start of June and 23rd in wRC+. The injuries are an issue for sure, but this team is lost of late and it was on display in a 1-0 loss on the road to the last place Orioles.

You can't trust this offense right now, even though Tampa Bay has a stud lefty in Jeffrey Springs on the mound. Baltimore is bottom 10 this season in OPS against left handed pitching and Springs should be in line to dominate this lineup. While he has operated as an opener this season he has a 1.32 ERA in eight starts (16 appearances) in 2022.

I can't back the Rays as road favorites given their hitting struggles, but I like the under at this number given the fact that Springs should keep this to a low scoring matchup. – Reed Wallach

LEAN: UNDER 8.5

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

Yankees vs. Blue Jays Prediction and Pick

I'm backing the Blue Jays in a critical bounce back spot today with their most consistent pitcher on the mound in Manoah.

Toronto's most reliable starter is 8-1 with a 1.67 ERA through 75.2 innings pitched so far in 2022. His peripherals are all excellent as well with an expected ERA of 2.54 over at Fangraphs, so while he's been a tad lucky, even if he were to slightly regress, he's still be amongst the best in baseball this season.

New York's starter is no slouch either. Former No. 2 overall pick Jameson Taillon is in the midst of his best professional season; going 7-1 with a 2.91 ERA in 12 starts. He's no longer the dominant strikeout arm of his 20's. Rather, he's evolved into more of a pitch-to-contact guy that's also eliminated a ton of walks, and most importantly, the long ball. Taillon went from giving up 1.5 HR/9 last season to just 0.8 HR/9 so far in 2022, and when you pitch half your games at hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium; eliminating deep fly balls is critical to your success.

So with both pitchers looking like studs on the mound, why not just back the under as opposed to taking a side? It's a fair argument, but ultimately I simply trust Manoah more and lean him with the odds slightly in his team's favor.

Toronto feeds off his confidence and is 9-3 this year in games he starts this year, and 26-7 in games he's pitched overall. I expect that number to go to 27-7 after today. – Ben Heisler

LEAN: Blue Jays ML -135

Follow Ben's betting plays in real-time HERE!