Top MLB Picks and Predictions Today (Expect Low-Scoring Game in Atlanta, Back White Sox and Tigers on Tuesday)
Major League Baseball is back in full force on Tuesday with 15 different games on the docket and plenty of matchups to bet on.
BetSided's Reed Wallach, Joe Summers and Josh Yourish are breaking down these matchups, and here are some of the top picks they have, with all odds via WynnBET:
San Francisco Giants vs. Atlanta Braves Prediction and Pick
Anthony DeSclafani is back from ankle inflammation that has kept him out since April 21, but I'm going to bank on a strong outing in his first start despite struggling in 2022. He's only made three starts this season and has an ERA north of 6.00, but his FIP suggested he was pitching far better with a mark of 3.80. Could his poor start to the season be a mix of his injured ankle and poor luck in the field? I think it could be with the total bumped up this high.
On the other side, Spencer Strider has been fantastic since transitioning into the starting rotation. On the year, in four starts, he has a 2.45 ERA with a FIP that is closer to 2.00. He is striking out nearly 14 batters per game and should keep a lid on the Giants offense that thrives on the long ball. Overall, San Francisco is 20th in batting average in the month of June.
After a 2-1 final on Monday, I think we see another rock fight, I'll grab the cheap under.
Pick: UNDER 9 (+100) -- Reed Wallach
You can find all of Reed's bets HERE!
Toronto Blue Jays vs Chicago White Sox Prediction and Pick
After the White Sox shelled Jose Berrios yesterday and Toronto's comeback attempt fell just short, the Blue Jays have lost four of five and hope to get on track behind the suddenly struggling Kevin Gausman.
The Cy Young candidate got shelled in his last outing, giving up seven runs in 2.1 innings to the Orioles. He's got a 6.75 ERA in June after entering the month with a 2.51 ERA and he's down to the 36th percentile in expected batting average.
I'm not confident he'll rebound against a White Sox lineup that ranks fifth in OPS against right-handed pitchers over the last two weeks. At the least, I'm not comfortable betting Gausman over Dylan Cease as a home underdog.
Cease had a weird few weeks. Over his last four starts, he's given up 10 runs but none of them were earned. That Chicago defense, Cease included, is not good. But the 26-year-old righty is quite good on the mound. His 2.82 expected ERA is much better than Gausman's 3.40, and Cease's MLB Statcast Pitching Profile is still elite stuff:
In fact, Cease hasn't allowed a single earned run in six of his last nine starts. If he can keep his walks down, he's as good as any pitcher in MLB. He issued only one in his most recent outing, so I'm optimistic he's turned a corner with his command.
The Blue Jays are 1-4 in their last five as favorites and the White Sox have won three of four behind Cease. This matchup is nearly equal in my eyes, and in those situations I'll back the better pitcher at home. Cease knows a strong performance today will put him right back in the Cy Young conversation - I'm betting he delivers.
Pick: White Sox (+118) -- Joe Summers
Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.
Detroit Tigers vs. Boston Red Sox Prediction and Pick
Detroit’s offense is absolutely lifeless and has been all year, but they have at least been a little less bad against left-handed pitching. Their team OPS is about 90 points higher facing southpaws than against righties which could be a good sign for the Tigers on Tuesday. Even though that OPS against left-handers is still south of .700.
The other good sign for the Tigers is Beau Brieske. The rookie is only 1-5, but with a 3.79 ERA and he’s been much better than that recently. He has not given up a run in either of his last two starts, and has three straight quality starts. The Tigers have lost two of those three games, but he was good enough to win.
If the offense for Detroit can get anything going against Rich Hill it seems like Brieske will give them a chance.
Pick: Tigers +1.5 (-125) -- Josh Yourish
Follow all Josh’s bets HERE