The Major League Baseball season is heating up, and division races are starting to take shape in both Leagues. It is becoming more clear as to who the true playoff contenders are, and what teams will be sellers at the trade deadline. Let’s take a look at a few top betting picks from this weekend’s MLB slate.
Saturday, June 23rd:
Washington Nationals vs. Philadelphia Phillies: National League East rivals will meet this weekend in our Nation’s capital as the Washington Nationals host the Philadelphia Phillies. Both teams are trying to chase down the Atlanta Braves in the division standings. The pitching matchup on Saturday favors the Phillies in a big way. Aaron Nola will make the start for Philadelphia and he has been one of the top pitchers in baseball this season. The Nationals will counter with young Erick Fedde, who has struggled in his three starts this season. The Washington Nationals have been playing better of late, but it’s hard to pick against Aaron Nola. The Philadelphia Phillies are the pick on Saturday.
Boston Red Sox vs. Seattle Mariners: The Boston Red Sox and the Seattle Mariners are squaring off this weekend in a battle of two top AL Teams. The Mariners are the surprise team in baseball, but face a tough task at Fenway Park on Saturday. The Red Sox will send Eduardo Rodriguez to the mound looking to improve upon his 9-1 record. Seattle will counter with veteran Mike Leake (7-4), but the Red Sox have a clear pitching edge in this game. Look for the Red Sox offense to provide enough run support for Rodriguez in this one. The Red Sox are the favorites to beat the Mariners on Saturday.
New York Mets vs. Los Angeles Dodgers: The New York Mets are suffering through another rough year, but Jacob DeGrom continues to be one of the best pitchers in baseball. Jacob DeGrom will get the start against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday at Citi Field. The Dodgers will be sending young Caleb Ferguson to the mound for his 4th career start. The Dodgers might be the better team in this matchup, but DeGrom is too good to bet against. If the Mets are able to score even just one run on Saturday, it might be enough for DeGrom. The Mets are the pick over the Dodgers in this game.
Sunday, June 24th:
Houston Astros vs. Kansas City Royals: The defending champion Houston Astros are hosting the Kansas City Royals this weekend at Minute Maid Park. The Astros have been on fire in the month of June, and are taking on a rebuilding Kansas City team. Houston will be the favorite in every game this weekend, but Sunday might be their biggest advantage as Justin Verlander will be making the start. Verlander is 9-2 with a 1.60 ERA so far this season, and appears to be the frontrunner to start the All-Star game for the American League. The Astros should have little trouble defeating the Kansas City Royals in the series finale on Sunday afternoon.
Milwaukee Brewers vs. St. Louis Cardinals: The Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals will be wrapping up their four game series on Sunday afternoon at Miller Park. The Brewers came into this series with one of the best home records in baseball, and appear to be a real threat to the Cubs in the Central division. The St. Louis Cardinals struggle to score runs, and their struggles might magnify on Sunday. The Brewers will be sending Jhoulys Chacin to the mound, and he has been one of the hottest pitchers in baseball since late May. Chacin has won 5 of his last 6 starts and should be able to outduel the Cardinals’ Luke Weaver. The Brewers are for real, and they are the pick to beat the Cardinals on Sunday.
There is a look at the best MLB games to bet on this weekend!
