It’s an all-baseball Friday! After looking at multiple matchups, I found not one, not two, but three spread bets with great value in the MLB. The Big League’s best go to work in my favorite bets to kick start the weekend.
Check out all the details, with all odds referenced from BetMGM:
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS VS WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Three of the best teams in baseball right now reside in the NL West and the Giants are one of them. San Francisco is currently 2nd in the MLB in ERA (2.32) and 5th in Runs per Game (4.79), which both contribute to their division-leading 13-6 record.
The Giants draw the Nationals today for the start of two teams’ second series of the year. Washington continues to struggle this season, falling in the bottom five for ERA (5.01) and Runs per Game (3.19).
San Francisco is 11-8 Against the Spread this season, another sharp contrast to Washington, who sport a 6-14 ATS record through 20 games. In their first series in Washington, the Giants won all three games, covering in each one.
A bounceback win following a tough loss to the Athletics is due for the Giants. After outsourcing the Nationals 24-6 in their first series, expect the same or better out of San Francisco at home.
PICK: SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS -1.5 (-105)
SAN DIEGO PADRES VS PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Speaking of NL West powerhouses, the Padres top ten offense delivered in three straight wins against the Reds. San Diego is 8th in the MLB in Runs per Game (4.55) and 5th in OBP (.329) following 24 total runs in their series against Cincinnati.
The Padres also have one of the best records Against the Spread (13-7) heading into their series with the Pirates. Pittsburgh struggled to get runs on the board against the Brewers, who swept them for the second time this year. The Pirates were held to two runs or less in five of their six games against the Brewers.
To make matters worse, Zach Thompson starts on the mound today for Pittsburgh. Thompson has had a less than stellar start to the season, allowing 20 hits and 12 earned runs through 10 innings pitched.
Yu Darvish starts today for the Padres. Darvish looks elite in his last 12 innings, giving up only five hits and one earned run while striking out 15. This included a scoreless six innings against the Dodgers, one of the best offenses in the league.
San Diego is one of the best teams Against the Spread this season for a reason and Darvish gets a lopsided pitching matchup in their first game against Pittsburgh. They should cover on the road today.
PICK: SAN DIEGO PADRES -1.5 (-105)
NEW YORK YANKEES VS KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Two times now I’ve bet with the Yankees bullpen and two times their slugging made me pay. New York is one the most balanced teams in baseball and are playing lights out. They have the 3rd best ERA in the league at 2.92, but also rank among the top ten in Runs per Game (4.47) and Batting Average (.246).
Winners of six straight, and wins in eight of their last ten, the Yankees are red hot enroute to Kansas City today.
The Royals will attempt to stop the streak with Kris Bubic on the mound for the first game of the series. Bubic struggled in his first three starts, allowing 11 earned runs on 12 hits in seven innings pitched. The Royals haven’t been much better, falling in the bottom third of the MLB in Runs per Game, Batting Average, OBP and ERA.
Nestor Cortes Jr., who has been excellent for the Yankees this season, draws the start tonight. Over 15 innings, Cortes Jr. allowed only two runs and seven hits, striking out 25 in the process.
Their balanced offense and defense should propel the Yankees to a 7th win in a row. After covering in their last four, New York will improve to 12-8 Against the Spread tonight.
Wolveridge Langan 