The Major League Baseball season is nearing the All Star break, and pennant races are starting to heat up. Below is a quick look at some of the top games to bet this weekend around the league.
Friday, July 6: New York Mets vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Both the New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays are struggling this season, so this should be a competitive series in New York. The pitching matchup in the series opener gives the Mets a sizeable advantage. Jacob DeGrom will be making the start for the Mets, and will be opposed by Ryne Stanek of the Rays. DeGrom is just 5-4 this season, but has a sparkling 1.84 earned run average. DeGrom should be able to shutdown a struggling Rays’ offense and lead the Mets to the win.
Friday, July 6: Kansas City Royals vs. Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox travel to Kansas City for a weekend series, and it might be wise to bet the Red Sox all weekend long. Friday night’s game appears to be the safest time to pick Boston, with Chris Sale making the start. Sale will be opposed by Jason Hammel (2-10, 5.56 ERA), who has struggled mightily this season. The Red Sox have a potent lineup, and they should be able to score a ton of runs against Hammel. Boston has had a great first half of the season, and it will continue on Friday night.
Saturday, July 7: Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees
The Yankees and Blue Jays will meet up in Canada this weekend for an American League East battle. The Blue Jays have struggled this season, and face a tough task in trying to slow down a very hot Yankees team. The pitching matchup on Saturday is a good one, with Luis Severino (Yankees) taking on the Blue Jays’ J.A. Happ. Happ has been solid this season, but the Yankees lineup presents a great challenge. Severino could be the AL Cy Young at this point in the season, and he will lead the Yankees to a victory in this one.
Saturday, July 7: Washington Nationals vs. Miami Marlins
The Washington Nationals have been the biggest disappointment in baseball this season, but they hope to turn things around against the Miami Marlins. Miami is in total rebuild mode, and they will be sellers again at the trade deadline. Max Scherzer will start for the Nationals on Saturday, and that’s enough to pick them to defeat Miami. Scherzer looks like he is on his way to winning his third straight Cy Young Award.
Sunday, July 8: Cleveland Indians vs. Oakland Athletics
The Cleveland Indians and Oakland Athletics are meeting this weekend in what should be a very great series. The A’s are trying to keep pace with the Astros and Mariners in the AL West, and the Indians are running away with the Central division. Corey Kluber will be making the start for the Indians in the series finale. Kluber is 12-4 with a 2.64 earned run average. The A’s present a challenge this weekend for the Indians, but Kluber is just too good, and will get the Indians a win on Sunday.
Sunday, July 8: Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds
The last time these two teams met, the Reds swept a four game series against the Cubs at Great American Ball Park. The Cubs will be looking for revenge this weekend, and will have their ace on the mound in the series finale. Jon Lester has been excellent in 2018, and comes in with an 11-2 record. The Cubs bats are getting hot, and they will provide Lester will plenty of support on Sunday. The Chicago Cubs are the pick in this game.
Those are a few of our favorite games to bet on this weekend.
