MLB betting odds lines picks predictions best bets – Page 350

Chicago Cubs at Chicago White Sox Team odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Friday’s Chicago Cubs at Chicago White Sox odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Chicago Cubs (56-73) kick off a five-game road trip Friday night with the first game in a three-game series against the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox (74-55). First pitch Friday night is at 8:10 p.m. ET at Guaranteed Rate Field. Let’s analyze the lines around the Cubs vs. White Sox odds with MLB picks and predictions.

Cubs RHP Keegan Thompson (3-3, 2.42 ERA) makes his third major-league start. He has a 1.32 WHIP, 4.8 BB/9 and 8.9 K/9 through 44 2/3 IP.

Thompson is making consecutive starts for the first time this season. He had one start May 4 and his most recent Aug. 28.
In his last start, he took the loss, allowing two runs in four innings.

White Sox LHP Dallas Keuchel (8-7, 4.71 ERA) makes his 25th start. He has a 1.36 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 5.4 K/9 through 135 2/3 IP.

The White Six have lost five of his last six starts.
He has 12 appearances that he has allowed two earned runs or less. He has nine where he has allowed four or more. He last five starts have alternated between good and bad with his last one being bad. He allowed six runs on nine hits in five innings.

Cubs at White Sox odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 7:50 a.m. ET.

Money line: Cubs +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | White Sox -220 (bet $220 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Cubs +1.5 (-112) | White Sox -1.5 (-108)
Over/Under: 9.5 (O: +105 | U: -130)

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Prediction

White Sox 6, Cubs 3

Money line (ML)

The Cubs are 23-41 on the road this season and have lost 12 of their last 19 road games. They are 0-3 against the Sox this season getting swept at Wrigley Field Aug. 6-8.

The White Sox have the second-most home wins in the majors with 42 and are 45-22 against teams that are under .500. If Keuchel continues his trend of good start-bad start every other appearance, he will be very good tonight.

Take the WHITE SOX (-220).

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

Both teams have an identical 66-63 ATS record this season, although the White Sox are an average +0.2 ATS while the Cubs are -0.6.

The Cubs have covered the spread in 59.4% of their road games this season. However, they are 5-14 ATS in their last 19 games and failed to cover the spread in any of their three games against the White Sox this season.

The White Sox are 33-31 ATS at home. They are only 6-10 ATS in their last 16 games.

Take the WHITE SOX -1.5 (-108).

Over/Under (O/U)

Two of the three games they played against each other earlier this month had double-digit totals.

52.5% of the games played at Guaranteed Rate Field have hit the Over this season.

However, neither of Thompson’s two starts this season have had totals of 10 runs or more, and only two of Kuechel’s last six starts have.

Only three of the Sox’s last 12 games have finished with 10 runs or more.

Take UNDER 9.5 (-130).

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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Toronto Blue Jays at Detroit Tigers odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Friday’s Toronto Blue Jays at Detroit Tigers odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Toronto Blue Jays (66-60) and Detroit Tigers (61-67) open a three-game series Friday at Comerica Park. First pitch is slated for 7:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze the lines around the Blue Jays vs. Tigers odds with MLB picks and predictions.

Season series: Tigers lead 2-1

The Blue Jays lost 10-7 to the Chicago White Sox Wednesday, splitting a four-game home stand.

The Tigers had Thursday off after 5-game road trip. They split a two-game series at the St. Louis Cardinals, concluding with a 3-2 loss in 10 innings Wednesday.

LHP Steven Matz is the Blue Jays’ projected starter and will face the Tigers for the second time in six days. He is 10-7 with a 3.94 ERA (112 IP, 49 ER), 1.36 WHIP, 8.8 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 in 22 starts this season.

Last outing: No-decision, 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 1 K in 5-3, 11-inning home loss vs. Detroit Sunday
Career vs. Tigers: 0-0, 1.50 ERA (6 IP, 1 ER) in the one start Sunday

Rookie RHP Matt Manning is the Tigers’ projected starter. He is 3-5 with a 5.91 ERA (53 1/3 IP, 35 ER), 1.56 WHIP, 4.9 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in 11 starts.

Last outing: No-decision, 4 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 4 BB, 4 K in 13-10 home loss vs. Los Angeles Angels Aug. 19
Career vs. Blue Jays: No appearances

Blue Jays at Tigers odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 7:20 a.m. ET.

Money line: Blue Jays -180 (bet $180 to win $100) | Tigers +145 (bet $100 to win $145)
Against the spread/ATS: Blue Jays -1.5 (-110) | Tigers +1.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 9.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)

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Prediction

Blue Jays 4, Tigers 3

Money line (ML)

With Matz being the better starter in this matchup and the Blue Jays having the better offense, TORONTO (-180) is the play.

Toronto’s .263 batting average ranks second in the majors, while Detroit is 15th at .241.

However, with the price more expensive than I like, just BET TORONTO (-180) to WIN a HALF UNIT.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

ATS records: Blue Jays 66-60 | Tigers 71-57

DETROIT +1.5 (-110) is the STRONGEST PLAY – 1½ times your usual wager. Don’t fret that the Tigers are 6 games under .500 straight up. They own the fifth-best ATS mark in the majors.

They covered in two of their three games vs. the Blue Jays last weekend and are 4-1 ATS in their last five games. Plus, they have the third-best home ATS record at 36-27.

Meanwhile, the Jays are 3-10 ATS in their last 13 games.

Over/Under (O/U)

O/U records: Blue Jays 56-65-5 | Tigers 56-67-5

UNDER 9.5 (-107) is the way to go.

When they met last weekend in Toronto, all three games cashed Under tickets.

Plus, the Under is 6-1 in the Blue Jays’ last seven games and 5-0 in the Tigers’ last five.

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JOHNNY’S RECORD	W-L	SP	ROI
SINCE JULY 8	17-12	7-5	+4.007
–SP: Strongest plays; ROI*: Return on investment

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Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego Padres odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Thursday’s Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego Padres odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Los Angeles Dodgers (80-47) and San Diego Padres (68-60) wrap up their three-game set at Petco Park with the series finale’s first pitch scheduled for 9:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze the lines around the Dodgers vs. Padres odds with MLB picks and predictions.

L.A. beat San Diego 5-3 in 16 innings Wednesday for what was the longest MLB game since 2019.

The Dodgers are going for the series sweep and have won 11 of their last 12 games while the Padres are just 2-8 over their last 10 games.

Season series: Padres lead 7-5.

RHP Max Scherzer gets the start for the Dodgers. He is 11-4 with a 2.65 ERA (132 1/3 IP, 39 ER), 0.91 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 12.1 K/9 through 23 starts.

Last outing: Win, 4-3, with 5 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 1 BB and 8 K Saturday against the New York Mets.
Scherzer has two no-decisions against San Diego this season with a 9.28 ERA (10 2/3 IP, 11 ER), 9 H, 4 BB and 15 K in two starts.
- vs. Padres on the current roster (177 PA): 3.98 FIP with a .239 batting average (BA), .328 wOBA, .463 expected slugging percentage (xSLG), 33.3 K% and 90.9 mph exit velocity (EV).

RHP Yu Darvish is San Diego’s projected starter. He is 7-7 with a 3.70 ERA (131 1/3 IP, 54 ER), 1.03 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9 and 10.8 K/9 through 23 starts.

Last outing: Loss, 12-3, 2 2/3 IP, 5 ER, 6 H, 1 BB and 4 K at the Arizona Diamondbacks Aug. 12.
Darvish is 2-1 with a 1.35 ERA (20 IP, 3 ER), 0.65 WHIP and 4.8 K/BB rate in three starts against L.A. this year.
- vs. Dodgers on the current roster (118 PA): 3.17 FIP with a .133 BA, .215 wOBA, .226 xSLG, 36.4 K% and 85.4 mph EV.

Dodgers at Padres odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Money line: Dodgers -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Padres +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
Against the spread/ATS: Dodgers -1.5 (+122) | Padres +1.5 (-155)
Over/Under: 7.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)

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Prediction

Dodgers 6, Padres 3

Money line (ML)

BET the DODGERS (-145) for 1 unit because backing Scherzer as a road favorite in recent seasons has been very profitable and Scherzer has been far better than Darvish over the past couple of months.

Scherzer’s teams are 13-3 overall when they are -135 or greater money line favorites on the road with a plus-25.3% return on investment since the beginning of 2019.

Furthermore, Scherzer has been awesome since joining L.A. and Darvish has really struggled since the “spider tack” memo went into effect.

With the Dodgers, Scherzer is 3-0 with a 2.11 ERA (21 1/3 IP, 5 ER), 0.98 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9 and 13.1 K/9 over four starts. Since June 21 when the pitching substances policy became official, Darvish is 1-5 with a 5.70 ERA (47 1/3 IP, 30 ER), 46 H, 9 BB, 61 K and 12 home runs allowed in nine starts.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

PASS because Darvish has pitched very well against the Dodgers this season and his only win in his last nine starts was against L.A. June 21.

Plus, this series has a playoff-like intensity to it so I don’t think the Dodgers -1.5 (+122) is a fat enough payout considering these factors.

Over/Under (O/U)

Slight “LEAN” to the OVER 7.5 (-115) for a small wager as a “contrarian play” against the majority of the market that is backing the Under because of the big-name starters on the mound.

It makes sense, however, both pitching staffs have to be weathered after Wednesday’s 16-inning affair and each lineup is due for a slump buster as neither club scored more than 5 runs in any of its last six games.

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New York Yankees at Oakland Athletics odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Thursday’s New York Yankees at Oakland Athletics odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The New York Yankees (74-52) and Oakland Athletics (70-57) battle Thursday as they open a four-game series at Oakland Coliseum. First pitch is slated for 9:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze the lines around the Yankees vs. Athletics odds with MLB picks and predictions.

RHP Jameson Taillon is the projected starting pitcher for the Yankees. He is 8-4 with a 3.94 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 8.8 K/9, and 2.6 BB/9 over 123 1/3 IP through 24 starts.

Has held current Oakland batters to an aggregate .640 OPS.
Walked just 1 batter over his last 10 1/3 IP across two starts.
Owns a 1.72 ERA and 1.04 WHIP over his last six starts away from home.

RHP James Kaprielian is the projected starting pitcher for the Athletics. He is 7-4 with a 3.25 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 8.8 K/9, and 3.3 BB/9 through 88 2/3 IP across 16 starts.

Has posted a 3.31 ERA over his last three starts.
Has clocked a 1.47 ERA and 0.95 WHIP through seven starts at Oakland Coliseum.
Has been aided by a .257 batting average on balls in play.

Yankees at Athletics odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 2:35 p.m. ET.

Money line: Yankees -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Athletics -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Yankees -1.5 (+140) | Athletics +1.5 (-180)
Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -120 | U: -105)

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Prediction

Yankees 5, Athletics 4

Money line (ML)

The Yanks tote an 11-game win streak to Oakland. It’s the club’s longest since 1985. New York has played .757 ball (28-9) since the All-Star break.

Oakland heads into this four-game set having lost four in a row. All four losses were at home where it’s just 10-11 with a .682 OPS since June 29. The Athletics got out of the gate quickly this season but they have been a solid fade candidate for much of the second half. While they ran counter to that lean with a seven-game win streak earlier this month they are just 3-9 with a 4.81 ERA since.

New York took two of three games from Oakland when the two clubs met at Yankee Stadium June 18-20.

With some general “fade the A’s” lean added to some fade Kaprielian analytics and an Oakland bullpen getting by with very generous rates around the margins this month, TAKE THE YANKEES (-110).

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

STEER CLEAR of the wide gulf between these tags. Plus the Yankee bullpen turns a lot of multi-run leads into nail-biters by the ninth.

Over/Under (O/U)

The weather forecast calls for a breeze out to center and both starters are prone to yielding more than their fair share of fly balls. With some nearly across the board leans against the pitching and some significant growth potential for the New York offense, BACK THE OVER 8.5 (-115).

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San Francisco Giants at New York Mets odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Thursday’s San Francisco Giants at New York Mets odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The San Francisco Giants (82-44) and New York Mets (61-65) conclude their three-game set Thursday at Citi Field with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze the lines around the Giants vs. Mets odds with MLB picks and predictions.

San Francisco won the first two games of the series including a 3-2 victory Wednesday thanks to yet another late-inning rally with SS Brandon Crawford‘s 2-RBI double in the 7th inning.

Season series: Giants lead 4-1.

LHP Alex Wood is San Francisco’s projected starter. Wood is 10-4 with a 4.11 ERA (120 1/3 IP, 55 ER), 1.22 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 9.7 K/9 in 22 starts.

Last outing: Loss, 4-1, with 5 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 BB and 9 K at the Oakland Athletics Friday.
vs. Mets on the current roster (52 PA): 3.74 FIP with a .220 batting average (BA), .260 wOBA, .389 expected slugging percentage (xSLG), 21.2 K% and 88.1 mph exit velocity (EV).

RHP Carlos Carrasco makes his sixth start for the Mets. Carrasco is 0-2 with an 8.82 ERA (16 1/3 IP, 16 ER), 23 H, 4 BB and 18 K.

Last outing: Loss, 3-2, with 5 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 1 BB and 6 K Friday at the Los Angeles Dodgers.
vs. Giants on the current roster (29 PA): 1.70 FIP with a .111 BA, .163 wOBA, .248 xSLG, 31.0 K% and 84.4 mph EV.

Giants at Mets odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 1:38 p.m. ET.

Money line: Giants -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Mets +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
Against the spread/ATS: Giants -1.5 (+130) | Mets +1.5 (-165)
Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)

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Prediction

Giants 6, Mets 2

Money line (ML)

GIMME the GIANTS (-130) for 1 unit because they have an edge in the three most important phases of the game, they’ve been profitable in similar situations and both the pros and the joes are backing San Francisco.

San Francisco’s bullpen has the second-best FIP since the All-Star Game, Wood has a much better FIP than Carrasco on the season and the Giants’ hitters rank sixth in wRC+ while the Mets are 19th.

On top of that, the Giants are 12-5 overall on the road against righty starters as -120 money line or greater favorites and 4-1 in those spots when Wood gets the start.

Since both sides of the market are betting San Francisco according to pregame.com, oddsmakers have moved New York from a slight favorite on the opening line to the current price.

Also, the Mets are just 14-25 overall against lefty starters and the Giants have the second-best road winning percentage in baseball.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

PASS because New York is 10-5 ATS as a home underdog and San Francisco is 11-19 ATS as a road favorite so I don’t see much value in laying it with the Giants -1.5 (+130).

For what it’s worth, three of Wood’s four road victories against righty starters as a -119 money line or greater favorite have been by at least 2 runs, San Francisco has the cover rate in MLB at 77-49 ATS and New York has the third-worst cover rate at 54-72 ATS.

Over/Under (O/U)

Slight “LEAN” to the UNDER 8.5 (-110) for a tiny wager – if at all – because San Francisco’s money line is my favorite bet in this Giants-Mets contest.

However, we have an obvious “line freeze” as roughly 75% of the cash is on the Over according to Pregame.com yet the total hasn’t budged from the opener.

More importantly, both teams have played more to the Under in their location-based splits and the Under has cashed in four straight meetings between the two clubs.

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Kansas City Royals at Seattle Mariners odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Thursday’s Kansas City Royals at Seattle Mariners odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Kansas City Royals (56-70) open a four-game series with the Seattle Mariners (69-58) Thursday. First pitch at T-Mobile Park is set for 10:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze the lines around the Royals vs. Mariners odds with MLB picks and predictions.

Royals RHP Brad Keller (8-12, 5.43 ERA) makes his 26th start. He has a 1.65 WHIP, 4.2 BB/9 and 8.1 K/9 through 129 1/3 IP.

Has a 3.93 ERA, 3.2 BB/9 and 8.9 K/9 over 34 1/3 IP across six starts in the second half.
Sports an xFIP and FIP nearly a full run lower than his surface ERA and has been hurt by a .348 BABIP – the highest in the league amongst qualified starters.

Mariners LHP Yusei Kikuchi (7-7, 4.22 ERA) makes his 24th start. He has a 1.26 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9 and 9.7 K/9 through 132 1/3 IP.

Gave up 7 ER on 7 H and 3 BB with 2 K over 2 2/3 IP Aug. 20 at the Houston Astros.
Has given up 7 ER twice while logging a 6.35 ERA across seven second-half starts; he has just two quality starts in that span.

Royals at Mariners odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 1:10 p.m. ET.

Money line: Royals +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Mariners -180 (bet $180 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Royals +1.5 (-155) | Mariners -1.5 (+122)
Over/Under: 7.5 (O: -130 | U: +105)

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Prediction

Mariners 5, Royals 3

Money line (ML)

These two clubs probably aren’t as far apart as their records suggest and it’s difficult to find a very strong reason to take one over the other.

Both pitchers have faced their share of struggles throughout the season, neither team’s offensive platoon splits are particularly favorable and both bullpens have performed similarly over the second half of the season and in August.

The Mariners are one of only four teams in the league to have a .500 or better record and a negative run differential. They have the worst run differential and the best record of those four teams. Seattle is probably the play, but I’m not looking to lay 80 cents on the dollar to back it.

PASS on the money line and seek value elsewhere.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

There may be value to back the Mariners on the run line despite concerns about the game in general.

Seattle has the second-best cover percentage in the league and the fifth-best percentage at home. The Mariners are rested after a day off Wednesday while the Royals are entering their seventh game of a 10-game road trip.

Seattle won by 2 or more runs 10 times in its 13 August victories. The confidence isn’t super high but consider a value-based partial-unit play on the MARINERS -1.5 (+122).

Over/Under (O/U)

Though neither team is particularly electric with the bats, both pitching staffs are capable of giving up crooked numbers with shaky starts and very average bullpen arms.

This number feels just too low and we’re seeing it slightly higher around the industry so hit the OVER 7.5 (-130) while you can.

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Arizona Diamondbacks at Philadelphia Phillies odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Thursday’s Arizona Diamondbacks at Philadelphia Phillies odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Arizona Diamondbacks (43-85) and Philadelphia Phillies (63-63) tangle Thursday at 7:05 p.m. ET as they open a four-game set at Citizens Bank Park. Let’s analyze the lines around the Diamondbacks vs. Phillies odds with MLB picks and predictions.

RHP Zach Gallen is the projected starting pitcher for the Diamondbacks. Gallen is 1-7 with a 4.59 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 10.8 K/9, and 3.9 BB/9 over 80 1/3 IP across 16 starts.

Has been tagged by a 17.3% home run/fly ball rate.
Tossed 7 scoreless frames in his last outing but still owns a 5.61 ERA over his last six starts.

RHP Zach Eflin is the projected starting pitcher for the Phillies. He is 4-7 with a 4.17 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 8.4 K/9, and 1.4 BB/9 through 105 2/3 IP over 18 starts.

Has been hurt by a .328 batting average on balls in play.
Current Arizona bats own a .503 OPS against him.
Returning to action after a kneecap injury. Hasn’t pitched an MLB game since July 16.
Owns a 3.52 ERA and 1.23 WHIP at home since 2019.

Diamondbacks at Phillies odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 12:23 p.m. ET.

Money line: Diamondbacks +130 (bet $100 to win $130) | Phillies -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Diamondbacks +1.5 (-160) | Phillies -1.5 (+125)
Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -130 | U: +105)

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Prediction

Diamondbacks 4, Phillies 3

Money line (ML)

Arizona is 2-4 through the first six games of a 10-game road trip. The Diamondbacks have been hitting well on the journey with a .773 OPS over the six games despite the losing record, and they have a hard-hitting .803 OPS since Aug. 10.

Philadelphia started August by winning eight straight games but is 4-10 since. The Phils have scored just 2.9 runs per game with a .606 OPS over that span.

Both bullpens have struggled of late, but both Zachs here are more likable than their surface lines. Overall, Arizona has been hurt by its 7-24 record in 1-run contests while Philly has been buoyed by its 23-17 mark in such games.

Figure on some value on a hard-to-bet Snakes team bumping along on a tough road trip. Consider a partial-unit play on ARIZONA (+130).

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

PASS on the extra juice applied to these run-and-a-half lines.

Over/Under (O/U)

Both offenses have Statcast quality-of-contact numbers that peg them as being a tad too far over their skis with their production. Lean into both starters on this angle, and TAKE THE UNDER 8.5 (+105).

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St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Thursday’s St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The St. Louis Cardinals (64-61) are still holding on to slim playoff hopes as they begin a four-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates (46-81) Thursday. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET at PNC Park. Let’s analyze the lines around the Cardinals vs. Pirates odds with MLB picks and predictions.

Cardinals RHP Miles Mikolas (0-1, 1.00 ERA) makes his third start. He has allowed 5 H and 3 BB with 8 K through 9 IP.

Mikolas squared off against Keller and the Pirates last week in his first big-league start in three months. He surrendered 2 unearned runs in 5 innings while allowing 2 hits and recording 5 punch-outs.
He has recorded a 3.82 ERA and 7.9 K/9 with just 2 HR allowed in six career games at PNC Park.

Pirates RHP Mitch Keller (4-10, 6.35 ERA) makes his 17th start. He has a 1.82 WHIP, 4.7 BB/9 and 8.9 K/9 through 66 2/3 IP.

Keller had been struggling heading into his last start but held the Cardinals scoreless across 5 IP while recording 6 K.
He has a 7.82 ERA over 38 IP at home this season. While a .424 BABIP has worked against him he hasn’t done himself any favors with a 5.4 BB/9.

Cardinals at Pirates odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 10:07 a.m. ET.

Money line: Cardinals -170 (bet $170 to win $100) | Pirates +140 (bet $100 to win $140)
Against the spread/ATS: Cardinals -1.5 (+100) | Pirates +1.5 (-125)
Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -122 | U: -102)

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Prediction

Cardinals 5, Pirates 4

Money line (ML)

Keller had one of his best starts of the year against the Cardinals last time out but he has been very inconsistent throughout the season with more bad starts than good ones.

Mikolas’ velocity was way down in his first start of the season in May and it was encouraging to see it back up to typical levels in his most recent outing. However, we’ll need to see more in order to be fully confident in his skills and this is a pretty hefty price to pay on the road.

PASS on the money line.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

Walks have been a major issue for Keller this season but he has been better lately in issuing no more than 1 free pass in three of his last four starts. He can’t be counted on to spin another gem as he did in his last start against St. Louis but the Pirates should at least keep this one close.

Side with the PIRATES +1.5 (-125)

Over/Under (O/U)

Neither offense has been performing at a high level lately. The under is 4-0-1 in the last five games for the Cardinals and 8-1-2 in Pittsburgh’s last 11 contests.

That being said, Mikolas is tough to fully trust after such a long layoff and Keller has had his fair share of blowups this season. A repeat of last week’s pitchers duel between these two seems unlikely and this total is just a little too low.

A small play on OVER 8.5 (-122) is the way to go.

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Los Angeles Angels at Baltimore Orioles odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Thursday’s Los Angeles Angels at Baltimore Orioles odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Los Angeles Angels (63-65) fell to the Baltimore Orioles (39-86) Wednesday, finally putting an end to Baltimore’s 19-game losing skid. The teams finish their three-game series Thursday with a 1:05 p.m. ET first pitch from Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Let’s analyze the lines around the Angels vs. Orioles odds with MLB picks and predictions.

Angels RHP Jamie Barria (2-2, 5.87 ERA) makes his sixth start and eighth appearance. He has a 1.47 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 5.0 K/9 through 30 2/3 IP.

Barria has struck out just 12.5% of the batters he has faced which is the fourth-lowest mark among all pitchers with 30 or more IP. He entered the season with a 7.4 K/9 over 244 1/3 career innings but hasn’t missed many bats this season.
He allowed 8 ER, 2 HR and 13 H over just 5 IP while struggling through his last two starts.
Allowed 5 ER while lasting just 2 frames in a 9-1 loss at the Cleveland Indians Aug. 20 in his last start.

Orioles LHP Keegan Akin (0-8, 7.92 ERA) makes his 19th appearance (12th start). He has a 1.81 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9 and 8.1 K/9 through 63 2/3 IP.

A .374 BABIP and 60.1% LOB% indicate Akin has been a little unlucky but poor skills have also clearly contributed to his bloated ERA that is second highest in the majors among pitchers with 60 IP.
Has posted a 10.21 ERA with 9 homers allowed over 39 2/3 IP in his last 11 appearances.
He is sporting a 7.48 ERA and 9.1 K/9 in seven outings (four starts) at home.

Angels at Orioles odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9:32 a.m. ET.

Money line: Angels -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Orioles +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Angels -1.5 (+122) | Orioles +1.5 (-155)
Over/Under: 10.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)

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Prediction

Angels 7, Orioles 5

Money line (ML)

Baltimore has been in a tailspin and they own a league-worst 18-41 record at home. Akin has been getting roughed up by everyone and typically doesn’t give the Orioles a great chance to win – they are 1-17 in games he has pitched in this season.

Go with the ANGELS (-125).

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

21 of Baltimore’s last 22 losses have been by more than 1 run. Their -235 run differential is easily the worst in the majors and they were outscored 163-55 during their 19-game losing skid.

The Baltimore offense should put some runs on the board themselves against Barria, but the Angels should come out on top.

The odds are good enough to make a play on the run line here. Take the ANGELS -1.5 (+122).

Over/Under (O/U)

Both starting pitchers possess very mediocre skill-sets and it would come as a surprise if either shut down the opposition on Thursday. This sets up to be a high-scoring affair with plenty of offensive fireworks.

Get in on OVER 10.5 (-107) before the total goes up.

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Chicago White Sox at Toronto Blue Jays odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Thursday’s Chicago White Sox at Toronto Blue Jays odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Chicago White Sox (73-55) and Toronto Blue Jays (66-59) tangle Thursday in the finale of a four-game series at Rogers Centre. First pitch is set for 3:07 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze the lines around the White Sox vs. Blue Jays odds with MLB picks and predictions.

LHP Carlos Rodon is the projected starting pitcher for the White Sox. He is 9-5 with a 2.38 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 13.1 K/9, and 2.5 BB/9 over 109 2/3 IP across 19 starts.

Is coming off the 10-day IL (shoulder) and hasn’t pitched since Aug. 7.
Has held current Toronto bats to a .586 aggregate OPS.

LHP Hyun Jin Ryu is the projected starting pitcher for the Blue Jays. He is 12-6 with a 3.54 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 7.1 K/9, and 1.9 BB/9 with 140 IP over 24 starts.

Threw 7 scoreless frames Aug. 20 against the Detroit Tigers in his last start. He had allowed 11 ER over 10 IP in his previous two outings.
Has held current Chicago bats to an aggregate .598 OPS in a small sample.

White Sox at Blue Jays odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 8:56 a.m. ET.

Money line: White Sox -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Blue Jays -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: White Sox -1.5 (+145) | Blue Jays +1.5 (-190)
Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)

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Prediction

Blue Jays 5, White Sox 4

Money line (ML)

This series has Toronto up two games to one with all three games surprisingly playing to the Under.

There is some systemic fade-the-White Sox lean in this series, pegging Chicago as an offense that has faced a lot of weak pitching in the AL Central and by a slightly fortunate overall tumble of pitching schedules.

The flipside has the Blue Jays being undersold by their win percentage. They’ve been undone by a 9-14 mark in 1-run games.

The Jays are 3-1 in their last four series finales at home; the Sox are 2-3 in their last five series finales on the road.

Both clubs are solid against lefty pitching and both make liberal use of righty bats. That plays as less of a deficit for Ryu, and with Rodon returning from an arm issue you can TAKE TORONTO (-115).

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

PASS on the aggressive, juice-stained run-line odds.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Under has hit the last three nights and is 5-0-1 in the six Chicago-Toronto meetings this season.

With some fade lean into the pitching and both offenses being of top-10 quality, BACK THE OVER 8.5 (-108).

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