Top MLB Picks and Predictions Today (Two Favorites to Back, Plus Bet on Phillies to Rack Up Runs)
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The BetSided team of Iain MacMillan, Donnavan Smoot and Reed Wallach have been breaking down all of the games in MLB today, and we're going to share some of the top picks all in one place, with all odds via WynnBET:
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Oakland Athletics Prediction and Pick
I have no desire to bet on the Athletics with the way they've been hitting the ball this season. Heading into today's game, they rank 28th in batting average at .208, and 29th in OPS at .608. The only team whose offense is worse is the lowly Cincinnati Reds.
Meanwhile, the Rays stumbled out of the gates to start the year, but they now rank in the top 10 in most offensive stats, while also ranking sixth in bullpen ERA (2.87), which has been a staple of their success over the past number of seasons.
Tampa Bay has the advantage in every facet of the game, so I think they'll complete the series sweep this afternoon.
Pick: Rays -118 -- Iain MacMillan
You can track Iain's bets on Betstamp here.
Texas Rangers vs. Philadelphia Phillies Prediction and Pick
It's not all doom and gloom for Wheeler, who has a FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) of 3.61, down more than 2 runs from his ERA. He's been on the wrong side of variance when the ball is in play, but he also has seen his walk rate balloon from below 2 last season to nearly 4. However, he should find success against a Rangers lineup that is bottom 10 in on-base percentage this season.
I'm not going to get invested in Wheeler and his slow start, even though I think he should be fine long term, and instead fade Rangers' starter Martin Perez. The left hander has been stellar this season, pitching to a 3.00 ERA with a 2.55 FIP. While the numbers have been great for the journeyman, I'm going to fade him in this matchup against a strong offensive lineup in Philly especially against left handed pitching. The team is 6th in slugging percentage against southpaws and can challenge Perez, who is due for some regression in the types of contact he allows.
Over the last three seasons, Perez has allowed ground ball contact on about 43%, but that number has shot up to 55% this season. I'm going to bank on more fly balls against a dominant Phils lineup and for them to tag the Rangers starter, going over their team total.
LEAN: Phillies Team Total OVER 4.5 (-105) -- Reed Wallach
You can find all of Reed's bets HERE!
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Kansas City Royals Prediction and Pick
The Royals were able to get a dominant win in the middle of the series, but that is a lucky win. Kansas City was terrible in the games leading up to last night’s game. The Royals had lost four out of five and were shut out twice. The Cardinals didn’t play well, but today will be a regression to the mean.
St. Louis’ offense just needs to wake up, as it’s scored one run in each of the last two games. The Cardinals’ offense has fallen to the middle of the pack in MLB, but they get to go against Kris Bubic today.
Bubic has had a rough go of the early part of the season, giving up three home runs and 8 runs in his last two starts.
I think the Cardinals take advantage of Bubic’s poor start and get the win today.
Lean: Cardinals ML (-141) -- Donnavan Smoot
You can find Donnavan Smoot’s full betting record here.