Daily MLB Tips – Saturday, August 17

Daily MLB Tips – Saturday, August 17

Ryan Cook
Seattle Mariners @ Pittsburgh Pirates, 8:40am 
Tip: Paul Skenes Over 8.5 Strikeouts @ $2.00 

Ten straight losses has the Pirates quickly slipping out of the NL Wild Card picture, but they have a great opportunity to finally stem the bleeding on Saturday with All-Star Paul Skenes on the mound.  

The rookie sensation struck out eight and gave up four earned runs to the Dodgers in his last start, but this Seattle lineup presents a much weaker challenge, one that currently ranks first in strikeout percentage over the last seven days.  

Skenes will hopefully get some needed run support with the Buccos returning from an off day, and with three of his last five outings resulting in eight strikeouts or more, he looks a nice bet to hit on the Over. 

Bet now: Mariners vs Pirates
Washington Nationals @ Philadelphia Phillies, 8:40am  
Tip: Back the Phillies Over 5.5 Runs, J.T. Realmuto 2+ Hits, Bryce Harper to Hit A Home Run 

Good luck to Nats veteran Patrick Corbin in this start against the Phillies. 

In case you missed it, Philly bullied the Nats last night for a comfortable 13-3 win, a game highlighted by home runs from Alex Bohm and Nic Castellanos, but most importantly, left fielder Weston Wilson hitting for the cycle.  

Corbin is sporting an ERA close to 6.00 this season and is fresh from a four run outing against a much weaker Angels lineup last week.  

Bohm and JT Realmuto have both clubbed multiple homers against the righty, so aside from backing the Phillies to cover, you can feel pretty good about backing a number of their top names to rake.  

Bet now: Nats vs Phillies
Cleveland Guardians @ Milwaukee Brewers, 10:10am 
Tip: Back the Brewers to Win @ $1.94 

This should be a fascinating interleague series between the top two teams in the respective Central divisions.  

The Brewers have won seven of their last 10, while the Guardians come in red-hot after sweeping the Cubs at home earlier in the week.  

Cleveland looks a serious dark horse come September and October, but my money is with the Brew Crew in Game 1 based on two things: their league-leading 26-14 record in interleague play, and the fact they rank fifth in runs scored over the last seven days.  

Bet now: Guardians vs Brewers

Daily MLB Tips – Wednesday, August 14

Ryan Cook
Wednesday's MLB Multi

Toronto Blue Jays to Win, Cincinnati Reds to Win, Yankees/White Sox Under 9.0 Runs @ $5.40

Seattle Mariners @ Detroit Tigers (8:40am)  
Tip: Tarik Skubal Over Strikeout Total

Tarik Skubal is in the driver’s seat for the AL Cy Young award ahead of his 24th start against the Mariners on Wednesday.  

The 27-year-olds 2.57 ERA is the best among qualified starters in the American League, and he should find this another favourable matchup against a Seattle team that leads the league with a 32% strikeout rate over the last seven days.  

Having gone close to double-digit K’s against this same Mariners lineup only last week, I think the Over on Skubal’s Strikeout Total is one of the better bets of the day.   

Bet now: Tigers vs Mariners
New York Yankees @ Chicago White Sox (10:10am) 
Nestor Cortes Over Strikeout Total  

After losing 12-2 to the worst team in the Majors, all eyes will be on the Yankees to see how they respond with Nestor Cortes on the mound

It’s been an up and down season for the lefty so far, particularly over the last month where he’s allowed five earned runs or more in three starts.  

That said, the White Sox have been notoriously awful against southpaws, ranking Top 5 in strikeout percentage with the fewest runs scored in the league.  

Nestor struck out six and allowed just one earned run across seven frames against the South Siders back in May, so I’m going to play on his Strikeout Total in this one. 

Bet now: Yankees vs White Sox
Colorado Rockies @ Arizona Diamondbacks (11:40am)  
Tip: Ketel Marte 2+ Hits & Ketel Marte to Hit a Home Run  

There haven’t been many players hotter than Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte since the All-Star break.  

Last year’s NLCS MVP has slashed .326/.408/.814 over the last 14 days to go with 14 hits and a whopping seven homers, while his career numbers against Rockies left-hander Austin Gomber are just as good. 

In 23 plate appearances, Marte has recorded eight hits and sent two balls out of the yard, so I’m happy to take a couple bites at the cherry here.  

Bet now: Rockies vs Diamondbacks

Daily MLB Tips – Tuesday, August 13

Ryan Cook
St Louis Cardinals @ Cincinnati Reds, 8:40am 
Tip: Nolan Arenado 2+ Hits 

Interesting pitching matchup here with the veteran Sonny Gray taking on Cincinnati’s second-year lefty, Andrew Abbott.  

Abbott is coming off a rough outing that saw him give up six earned runs across five frames against the lowly Marlins, which doesn’t bode well against his newfound arch-nemesis, Cardinals third baseman, Nolan Arenado.  

Arenado has recorded five hits and two homers in 11 plate appearances against Abbott, while he’s also hit .243 against southpaws this season.  

Bet now: Cardinals vs Reds
Los Angeles Dodgers @ Milwaukee Brewers, 10:10am 
Tip: Brewers Over 3.5 Runs @ $1.75 

Even money on offer here between two respective NL division leaders.

It’s been a slow return to the mound for future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw over the last month or so, but he did look strong in limited innings last week when allowing just the one earned run against the Phillies.  

This is another tough test against a young, potent Brewers lineup though – one that currently ranks Top 5 in walks and the bottom half of the league in strikeout rate against left-handed pitching.  

Bet now: Dodgers vs Brewers
Atlanta Braves @ San Francisco Giants, 11:45am 
Tip: Blake Snell Over 7.5 Strikeouts @ $1.92 

Blake Snell takes the mound for his 13th start looking to build on a stellar second half to the season.  

The two-time Cy Young winner has racked up 19 combined K’s this month across two starts, allowing just the three earned runs in last week’s start against the Nats. 

The Braves have been low-key sliding in the NL East with a strikeout percentage that currently ranks Top 5 in the league over the last seven days.  

Their 24.2% K-rate ranks seventh in the Majors against left-handed pitching, so I’m happy to lock in on Snell Over 7.5 Strikeouts. 

 

Bet now: Braves vs Giants

Daily MLB Tips – Saturday, April 13

Ryan Cook
Minnesota Twins @ Detroit Tigers, 8:40am
Tip: Back the Tigers to Win @ $1.78

Sitting 4-6, the Twins are off to a miserable start in the AL Central as the prepare for a key division series against the Tigers.

Runs have proven hard to come by for Minnesota, currently ranked last in the league with only 29 scored.

Tarik Skubal is a sneaky Cy Young contender this year, although he’ll need to improve on last week’s outing against the A’s that saw him give up four runs.

Still, Skubal’s numbers against the Twins were good last year, pitching 17 innings where he allowed only five combined earned runs to go with 14 strikeouts.

With his best stuff, a Tigers win looks likely against this struggling Twins lineup.

Bet now: Twins vs Tigers
Cincinnati Reds @ Chicago White Sox, 9:40am
Tip: Back the Reds to Cover the Line (-1.5 Runs) @ $1.90

It’s been a rough week for White Sox fans with Luis Robert and Yoan Moncada both suffering serious injuries.

The south siders are a hapless 2-10 to start the season and now match up with a Reds team hungry to snap a two-game losing streak.

Andrew Abbott is on the mound for Cincy coming off a five-inning outing against the Mets that last week that saw him slapped with his first loss after giving up a pair of earned runs.

Even so, the White Sox have been the worst team in the league against left-handed pitching this year, striking out at a clip of 31%.

With the heart of their order missing, the Reds look a good bet.

Bet now: Reds vs White Sox
Chicago Cubs @ Seattle Mariners, 11:40am
Tip: Back the Cubs to Win @ $2.00

Jordan Wicks is off to a strong start this year for the Cubbies, allowing just four earned runs over his first two starts with 13 strikeouts to match.

The 24-year-old has limited experience against this dangerous Mariners lineup, but I do think he has an edge given Seattle’s struggles against left-handed pitching.

The Mariners rank 25th in the league in runs scored against southpaws, not to mention the fact they’ve also managed just three wins from their last 10 games.

Bet now: Cubs vs Mariners

Daily MLB Tips – Tuesday, April 9

Ryan Cook
Houston Astros @ Texas Rangers (10:05am)
Tip: Back the Rangers to Win @ $2.20

The Battle of Texas heats up with a couple of lefties on the mound.

Andrew Heaney allowed just the one earned run in 4.2 innings of work against the Rays in his first start last week, while Framber Valdez bounce back with a seven inning shutout against the Jays after getting hit hard by the Yankees on Opening Day.

Valdez was a hit and miss in three starts against the Rangers last year, allowing one earned run on two occasions, and six in just three innings of work back on July 26.

So far, the Rangers hold better numbers against southpaws, so I’m leaning the way of the defending champs at home.

Bet now: Rangers vs Astros
Arizona Diamondbacks @ Colorado Rockies (10:40am)
Tip: Diamondbacks to Win, Zac Gallen Over Strikeout Total

Pitching in the altitude at Coors Field is always tough, but that hasn’t stopped Zac Gallen from posting decent career numbers in Colorado.

Last year alone, the Diamondbacks ace made three starts and compiled a tidy 2.82 ERA, combining for 21 strikeouts and just one homer allowed.

On the back of a six inning shutout against the Yankees last week, I think the Diamondbacks are the play here.

Bet now: Diamondbacks vs Rockies
Washington Nationals @ San Francisco Giants (11:45am)
Tip: Back the Giants to Cover the Line (-1.5 Runs) @ $1.90

Blake Snell toes the rubber for his first start in a Giants uniform on Tuesday.

The reigning Cy Young winner hasn’t spent a great deal of time in Giants camp, but he does draw a favourable start against a Washington side that currently ranks 27th in the league in runs scored against left-handed pitching.

Bet now: Nationals vs Giants

Daily MLB Tips – Saturday, April 6

Ryan Cook
Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Dodgers, 4:20am  
Tip: Bobby Miller Under Strikeout Total  

Second-year righty Bobby Miller takes the mound for the Dodgers coming off a stunning six-inning shutout against the Cardinals last week.  

The 25-year-old finished with 11 strikeouts and just one walk, a potential sign of things to come as he looks to establish himself as the third arm in the Dodgers’ rotation.  

St Louis’ lineup has sputtered to start the season, but the Cubs do present a different challenge with Seiya Suzuki and Dansby Swanson both off to hot starts.  

Kyle Hendricks is the big unknown coming off a tough outing against the Rangers last week in Texas, but at home, I think the Cubs bats can keep them in this.  

Bet now: Cubs vs Dodgers
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Baltimore Orioles, 6:15am  
Tip: Back the Orioles to Win @ $1.70 

Not a bad price here for the Orioles with Grayson Rodriguez on the rubber.  

The former first round pick was solid in his season debut last week against the Angels, allowing just the one run over six innings to go with nine strikeouts.  

The Pirates have been sneaky good to start the year and look as though they might challenge for a Wild Card spot sooner than expected.  

Health is the key to their chances, but this is still a tough assignment for their rookie pitcher Jared Jones going up against a loaded O’s lineup from top to bottom.  

After allowing three earned runs to the winless Marlins last week, I think Baltimore is the play here.  

Bet now: Pirates vs Orioles
San Francisco Giants vs San Diego Padres, 6:35am 
Tip: Over 7.5 Runs @ $1.90 

Dylan Cease is back on the mound for San Diego to face the Giants for a second time.  

San Diego’s big offseason acquisition failed to make it through five innings last week, tossing 85 pitches where he gave up two earned runs in the process.  

On the other side, Jordan Hicks takes the mound for San Francisco after blanking the Padres in that same game for five innings

It’s hard to know if each lineup will adjust a second time around to facing the same arm, but with both teams ranking inside the Top 10 in runs scored so far, we could be in for a high-scoring game.  

Bet now: Giants vs Padres

Daily MLB Tips – Friday, April 5

Ryan Cook
St Louis Cardinals vs Miami Marlins, 6:15am
Tip: Back the Cardinals to Win @ $1.65

Lance Lynn is on the mound for his second start in Cardinal red on Friday.  

The veteran righty tossed four shutout innings last week in limited work against the Dodgers, and now gets a winless Marlins team that so far holds the worst record in the league.  

On the other side of the rubber stands Ryan Weathers, a fourth-year lefty coming off a rough outing against the Pirates that saw him give up three earned runs.  

The Cardinals have found it tough to score against southpaws, but they do own a strikeout rate well below 20% through the first week of the season. With some okay value on offer, St Louis looks a good play outright.  

Bet now: Cardinals vs Marlins
Kansas City Royals vs Chicago White Sox, 9:30am
Tip: Back the White Sox to Win @ $2.35

There’s a slight edge here on the White Sox if you’re willing to roll the dice on a team that looks destined to finish with one of the worst records in the league.  

At 1-4, wins have already proven hard to come by, but I thought there were plenty of positives to draw from Mike Soroka’s first start with the team last week against Detroit. 

The former Brave gave up four earned runs across five innings of work, walking only three and failing to record a strikeout.  

It’s very early, but the Tigers have looked good winning all four of their games so far, making this a nice step back in grade against a Royals team off to a slow start.  

Bet now: Royals vs White Sox

Daily MLB Tips – Opening Day Special

Ryan Cook
Texas Rangers vs Chicago Cubs (9:35am)
Tip: Over 8 Runs @ $1.83

The defending World Series champs raise their first banner in Arlington in the primetime slot on Opening Day.

The Total has been set as high as eight runs for this one, which comes as no surprise with Nate Eovaldi and Justin Steele taking the mound.

Eovaldi had a tidy year last season in Texas, but he was susceptible to giving up some runs in the hitter friendly Globe Life Park – notably allowing five earned in Game 1 of the World Series last year to Arizona.

Steele was in NL Cy Young contention for most of last year, but a recent knee scare during Spring Training does make him a name to watch over these first couple of starts.

With this in mind, I think we’ll get a high-scoring game between two offences that promise to deliver this year, particularly in a ball park that saw 111 home runs hit last year.

Bet now: Rangers vs Cubs
Chicago White Sox vs Detroit Tigers (6:10am)
Tip: Tarik Skubal Over 6.5 Strikeouts @ $1.83

This might be the shortest the Tigers have opened on Opening Day for some time, largely due to the fact Cy Young smokey Tarik Skubal is taking to the rubber.

The 27-year-old lefty was one of the most dominant pitchers in the American League during the second half last year, posting a solid 3.11 ERA with only four homers allowed across 13 starts.

The White Sox aren’t the worst team in the league, but they do shape as a rebuilding side that lacks any real depth in their rotation and some inexperienced faces around the infield.

Skubal’s hype is real right now, and since I’ve backed him myself to win the Cy, I think he shuts down this White Sox lineup and makes a statement.

Bet now: White Sox vs Tigers
Seattle Mariners vs Boston Red Sox (11:40am)
Tip: Red Sox to Cover the Line (+1.5) @ $1.70, Luis Castillo Over 6.5 Strikeouts @ $1.70

Should be a fun pitching matchup here between two righties that look set for big seasons respectively.

Brayan Bello emerged onto the scene in Boston last year as their verified starter, but this is still a big test against a Mariners side that has scored a combined 20 runs over their last three spring training games.

Opposite Bello stands Luis Castillo, a fifth-year starter who led the league in starts last year with 219 strikeouts across a career-high 197 innings of work.

On one hand, Bello’s numbers on the road last year paled in comparison to his splits at home, but on the other, the Mariners are the sort of team that could back up a solid week of spring training offence by laying a goose egg in their home opener.

The Red Sox +1.5 at the line is good value in a game that could easily swing either way, but with Castillo posting six shutout innings of six strikeout ball on Opening Day last year, I think he’s a good bet to also rack up some K’s.

Bet now: Mariners vs Red Sox

World Series – Game 6

Tim Hollis
LA Dodgers vs Tampa Bay Rays, 11:10 am
Over 7.5 Runs

This could very well be the last match of what has been a whirlwind MLB season.

I’ll be going back to the well with a total play here, going over 7.5 runs.

This play has been money so far during this series, cashing in 4 out of 5 games.

The Dodgers are going with a ‘by-committee’ approach at pitcher here, starting reliever Tony Gonsolin.

This didn’t work particularly well last time they tried it and I can see the Tampa bats having success as a result.

Despite his pedigree, Rays pitcher Blake Snell appears to have regressed of late.

He has struggled especially during these playoffs and I don’t think he matches up well with the Dodgers hitters.

Moreover, this ballpark is definitely friendly to the hitters and geared towards more high-scoring games.

The pitchers are also under huge pressure given the stakes involved and I can see one or both of these starters cracking.

Combine all of these factors and I think there’s value in backing over 7.5 runs again here.

Bet now: Dodgers vs Rays

World Series – Game 5

Tim Hollis
Tampa Bay Rays vs LA Dodgers, 11:10 am
Dodgers

The Dodgers have generally responded well to adversity this season and I’m backing them to do the same here.

After a tough loss in game 4, I think they’re good value to right the ship and win this very pivotal game 5.

I think they’ve definitely got an edge in the pitching matchup, with Clayton Kershaw going up against Tyler Glasnow.

Kershaw has been one of the best pitchers in the majors in recent seasons and there are few men you’d rather have pitching here.

While his play hasn’t been great throughout these playoffs, he looks to finally be getting back to full health and had an excellent outing in game 1.

Tyler Glasnow is definitely a solid pitcher at this level, but he enters this game in some horrendous form.

He has really struggled in his last few starts and I’m not sure how he turns that around against an in-form Dodgers batting lineup.

The Dodgers appear to have talent advantages across the field and I think a solid outing from Kershaw gets them this much-needed win.

Bet now: Rays vs Dodgers