MLB Free Picks for
Posted at 11:00 AM EST. Odds are subject to change.
NY Mets -1½ +110 over Washington
7:05 PM EST. The Mets are 21-26 and sitting in last place, which is exactly why we're getting a reasonable price here. Nobody wants to back an underachieving team, but records don't always tell the whole story. New York entered the season with far more talent than Washington and still possesses significant advantages throughout its roster. The Nationals have been more competitive than expected, but they're still a rebuilding club that has likely squeezed every ounce out of its current talent level. Tonight, the gap between these teams is most evident on the mound.
Nolan McLean (RHP - NYM) continues to establish himself as one of the better young starters in the National League. The former Oklahoma State two-way standout has followed up an outstanding rookie campaign with an even stronger season. McLean has struck out 64 batters while issuing just 15 walks in 52 innings. His 3.92 ERA doesn't come close to telling the whole story, as his expected ERA sits at an outstanding 2.82. That's the profile of a pitcher who has actually pitched much better than his surface numbers suggest. His ability to miss bats, limit free passes and generate ground balls gives him multiple paths to success, and now he draws a favorable matchup against a Washington lineup that lacks impact throughout most of the order.
The Nationals counter with Foster Griffin (LHP - WAS), a 30-year-old journeyman who has spent most of his professional career trying to secure a permanent major-league role. Griffin is coming off a nightmare outing in which Cincinnati lit him up for nine earned runs in just 4.1 innings. One bad start doesn't define a season, but it highlights the risk attached to a pitcher who lacks overpowering stuff and survives primarily on location and sequencing. Against a Mets lineup that still features far more offensive talent than its season statistics indicate, that's a dangerous proposition.
The betting market continues to downgrade New York because of its disappointing record, but there are signs this team is capable of playing much better baseball moving forward. The Mets have the superior starter, the deeper roster and the greater upside. Washington deserves credit for competing harder than expected, but this matchup favors New York in every important area.
With McLean holding a significant edge on the mound and the Mets facing a vulnerable left-hander, laying the run and a half at plus money offers excellent value.
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Our Pick
NY Mets -1½ +110 (Risking 2 units - To Win: 2.20)
Posted at 11:00 AM EST. Odds are subject to change.
Toronto +115 over NY Yankees
7:07 PM EST. This looks like a great spot to grab plus money with Toronto. The market continues to price the Yankees as if their offense can overcome every weakness, but this matchup sets up extremely well for the Blue Jays. Toronto brings one of the toughest lineups in baseball to strike out, while New York sends a pitcher to the mound whose success appears to be built on a foundation that doesn't entirely add up.
Will Warren (RHP - NYY) has recorded an impressive 59 strikeouts in 47 innings, but some of the underlying numbers raise legitimate questions. His swinging-strike rate sits at just 10.3%, which is far lower than what you'd normally expect from a pitcher producing strikeouts at this level. That's a difficult profile to sustain over a full season, especially when facing a lineup that simply refuses to give away at-bats. The Blue Jays have struck out fewer times than any team in Major League Baseball, making them one of the worst possible opponents for a pitcher whose value depends heavily on generating strikeouts. Warren also doesn't generate many ground balls and has battled command issues throughout his professional career. If the strikeouts don't show up, he becomes far more vulnerable.
The Blue Jays counter with Dylan Cease (RHP - TOR), who appears to be finding another gear. Cease has piled up 75 strikeouts in 52 innings and continues to generate elite swing-and-miss numbers with a 15.8% swinging-strike rate. Even more encouraging is his recent form. Over his last five starts, Cease has struck out 43 batters while walking just nine across 31.2 innings. During that stretch he has posted a 2.84 ERA supported by an equally impressive 2.77 expected ERA. Those are the numbers of a pitcher in complete command of his arsenal.
Toronto also matches up well offensively against power pitchers because of its ability to make consistent contact and extend counts. The Blue Jays force opposing starters to work for every out and rarely beat themselves with empty swings. If Warren's strikeout rate regresses toward his underlying metrics, this is exactly the type of opponent capable of exposing it.
Cease gives Toronto a clear edge on the mound, the Blue Jays own one of the most disciplined offensive approaches in baseball, and we're getting a plus price on the better starting pitcher. That's enough for us.
Take advantage of BET365's early NFL payout offer
Bet365 Early Payout – How It Works
Straight Bets:
If the team you back to win goes up by the designated number of points at any time during the game, BET365 will pay out your bet in full immediately, even if the opposing team later comes back and wins the game.
Parlays & Same Game Parlays:
If a team you’ve selected goes up by the designated number of points that selection will be marked as WON in My Bets. Any remaining legs of the parlay will continue to run as normal.
Once a selection is marked as won under the Early Payout rules, it cannot be reversed, regardless of what happens later in the game.
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Our Pick
Toronto +115 (Risking 2 units - To Win: 2.30)
Posted at 11:00 AM EST. Odds are subject to change.
Milwaukee -1½ +135 over Chicago
7:40 PM EST. There is no reason to jump off Milwaukee right now. The Brewers took the opener of this series in convincing fashion and continue to play winning baseball. They own one of the best run differentials in the National League, have been excellent away from home, and are squaring up baseballs from top to bottom. Now they hand the ball to one of the most dominant young arms in baseball.
Jacob Misiorowski (RHP - MIL) has been nothing short of electric. The 6-foot-7 flamethrower brings triple-digit velocity, a devastating swing-and-miss arsenal and improving command every time he takes the mound. Through 51 innings he has piled up 80 strikeouts against just 17 walks while carrying a microscopic 0.90 WHIP. His 20% swinging-strike rate is absurd territory, his 53% ground-ball rate prevents damage when hitters do make contact, and there simply are not many pitchers in baseball capable of matching his combination of velocity and movement. He has not allowed a run this month and enters this start off consecutive dominant outings. Chicago's lineup is ice cold, carrying a .583 OPS since May 9, and several current Cubs hitters have already looked completely overmatched against Misiorowski's repertoire.
Ben Brown (RHP - CHC) is still searching for consistency at the major-league level. Brown possesses quality raw stuff, but the results have rarely matched the tools. Last season he posted a 5.92 ERA while bouncing between the rotation and bullpen, and although underlying indicators suggest some bad luck contributed to those struggles, he remains a pitcher with plenty left to prove. Brown is also being stretched out after beginning the year in relief, increasing his workload from 47 pitches to 65 pitches in his last two appearances. That transition often comes with bumps in the road, especially against a disciplined lineup that makes pitchers work.
Milwaukee is a difficult assignment for a pitcher still trying to establish himself. The Brewers don't strike out much, they grind through at-bats, and they have consistently performed well. Brown may possess upside, but Milwaukee owns significant advantages in starting pitching, current form, bullpen reliability and offensive momentum.
With one of baseball's most dominant young pitchers on the mound and a struggling Cubs offense on the other side, Milwaukee is in an excellent position to win this game comfortably.
Take advantage of BET365's early NFL payout offer
Bet365 Early Payout – How It Works
Straight Bets:
If the team you back to win goes up by the designated number of points at any time during the game, BET365 will pay out your bet in full immediately, even if the opposing team later comes back and wins the game.
Parlays & Same Game Parlays:
If a team you’ve selected goes up by the designated number of points that selection will be marked as WON in My Bets. Any remaining legs of the parlay will continue to run as normal.
Once a selection is marked as won under the Early Payout rules, it cannot be reversed, regardless of what happens later in the game.
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Our Pick
Milwaukee -1½ +135 (Risking 2 units - To Win: 2.70)
MLB Historical - Totals
| Range | W | L | P | +/- (Units) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yesterday | 2 | 1 | 0.00 | +3.60 |
| Last 30 Days | 32 | 29 | 0.00 | +29.30 |
| Season to Date | 57 | 64 | 0.00 | +23.60 |