Top MLB Picks and Predictions Today (Take Astros at Any Number, Marlins a Live Dog in New York)

The BetSided team of writers and editors have put together betting previews and offered up their top picks for every Major League game on Saturday's slate.

So which of the 15 games do they hold the most conviction on? Here are our top MLB picks and predictions for Saturday, July 9.

Astros vs. Athletics Odds, Prediction and Pick

Run Line:

• Astros -2.5 (-115) | Athletics +2.5 (-105)

Moneyline:

• Astros -300 | Athletics +260

Total:

• 8 (OVER -120 | UNDER +100)

There's no better way to get today's action started thanwith the most lopsided pitching matchup on the slate.

Framber Valdez has 13 consecutive quality starts for Houston. He's been great and the Astros have won nine of 11 with him on the bump.

Oakland is awful vs. left-handed pitching, but even their dreadful lineup can score on Zach Logue, who starts today. Logue had a 5.22 ERA in the minors before his call up, and his MLB Statcast Pitching Profile spells disaster:

The Astros lead the Majors in OPS against left-handed pitchers over the last three weeks and are 10-2 in their last 12 as road favorites. Meanwhile, the A's won just four times over their last 24 games as road underdogs. Give me the better pitcher, lineup, defense, and bullpen with Houston.

PICK: Astros -2.5 (-115)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.

Rays vs. Reds Odds, Prediction and Pick

Run Line:

• Rays -1.5 (+105) | Reds +1.5 (-125)

Moneyline:

• Rays (-146) | Reds (-136)

Total:

• 10 (OVER +115 | UNDER -135)

The Reds won Game 1 last night 2-1, courtesy of a walk-off balk in the 10th inning. Only 23 games ever have ended in such fashion. 

Cincinnati is 4-6 in their last 10, but could easily be much worse. They have been outscored by 22 runs, are hitting under the Mendoza line as a club and have an ERA north of five in that stretch of games.

The Reds got the win last night, but only managed two runs on four hits; one of them runs on the game-winning balk. It appears the offense for Cincy is hardly keeping them competitive and with Hunter Greene on the mound, that could mean a big win for Tampa. 

Greene is 3-10 with a 6.01 ERA in almost 80 innings of work so far. Earlier this season, he had some stats indicating he was better than his traditional numbers suggested, but as he continues to struggle, it's safe to say it's been a failure for Cincinnati's highly touted prospect in the early going.

Pick: Rays -1.5 (+105)

Follow all Josh’s bets HERE

Marlins vs. Mets Odds, Prediction and Pick

Run Line:

• Marlins +1.5 (-140) | Mets -1.5 (+115)

Moneyline:

• Marlins (+160) | Mets (-175)

Total:

• 8 (OVER -105 | UNDER -115)

BetSided's Reed Wallach is leaning under, but I like the Marlins outright today as sizable underdogs to come through.

Carlos Carrasco over the last month has an ERA above 7.00, and while he bounced back vs. Texas with just one run his last time out, I'm not so sure he's back on track.

Via SNY Mets, Carrasco had a 3.19 ERA through his first six starts, but had a 9.00 ERA over his last nine starts entering the month of July. That's enough of a sample size to know that one decent start over 5.2 innings vs. an inconsistent Rangers' offense is good enough for me to take New York as a noticeable favorite. Furthermore, via Inside Edge, Carrasco is allowing the highest slugging percentage in the league (.755) on inside fastballs in 2022. The Marlins

Meanwhile, Garrett's 4.25 ERA compared to his Fielder Independent Pitching of 3.14 hints that he's been rather unlucky through his six starts this season. New York is 20th in OPS vs. left-handed pitching this year and Garrett should take advantage of the Mets' uneven splits vs. southpaws.

PICK: Marlins +160

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