Top MLB Picks and Predictions Today (Lean On Underdogs Out West)
Every team is in action today and the BetSided team has you fully covered.
The BetSided crew of Reed Wallach and Joe Summers has you covered with their favorite picks for the games today, via WynnBET Sportsbook.
Rangers vs. Athletics Prediction and Pick
Gray has been struggling this season, posting an ERA of 5.14 through 6 starts with his new club. While his FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) hints that regression is on the way, sitting at 3.32, I can't lay this price with him against Paul Blackburn of the A's on the other side.
The left hander has been the far superior pitcher to date, posting a 1.70 ERA with a 5-0 record and will be facing a mediocre Rangers lineup. Texas is 14th in the big leagues against southpaws, but Blackburn's ability to yield soft contact has been the key to his success, and I see more on the way Friday. The 6-year pro has generated ground balls on more than half of balls put in play and a low home run rate, just 3%.
This is a play on price more than anything as Gray has been combustible on the mound and unable to get through long outings. He has pitched 6 innings just once this season and I don't trust this Rangers pen as road favorites.
I'll take a stab on Blackburn to keep it up and outlast Gray, leading to an Athletics early lead.
LEAN: Athletics F5 +115 – Reed Wallach
You can find all of Reed's bets HERE!
Dodgers vs Diamondbacks Prediction and Pick
Arizona is quietly having a great month. They've won five of seven behind a lineup that ranks fourth in OPS against right-handed pitchers this month. Ryan Pepiot has a ton of promise but a significant command issue. Through seven major league innings, he's issued eight walks.
Thanks to a patient approach, the Diamondbacks average the fifth-most walks per game in MLB. The Dodgers happen to lead baseball in walks per game, but Madison Bumgarner has allowed only three free passes total his last four starts, so he should be able to mitigate the damage.
While the former World Series MVP has been much worse in May than he was in April, three of his four starts were on the road. He clearly prefers pitching at Chase Field, as evidenced by his 1.88 ERA at home.
The Diamondbacks have won four of Bumgarner's last five starts. Because they were underdogs in each, a $100 bettor would be up $455 if you bet Arizona's moneyline in each game. That one loss did come to the Dodgers, but it was in Los Angeles instead of the comfy confines of Arizona.
Arizona is a team I'm looking to target moving forward. They're on an 11-8 outright run as a underdog but an incredible 14-5 stretch on the run line. With a potent offense, stellar rotation and strong homefield advantage, I love the value on the Diamondbacks to continue their feisty play and keep this game close.
Pick: Diamondbacks +1.5 (-115)
Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.