The division races across the majors are getting tighter as the postseason inches closer. We feature some of the teams caught in these thrilling races in our list of five best baseball games to bet on today.
There is no sure thing in baseball, but Clayton Kershaw on the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers is one of the closest things to it. With Kershaw pitching tonight, the Dodgers are looking to extend their unbeaten streak when the reigning National League Cy Young winner starts against Atlanta. The Braves, though, aren’t too shabby either with young Julio Teheran going up against Kershaw.
In another matchup, the Los Angeles Angels and the Baltimore Orioles play the third and last game of their series. Read a full preview of that game here, and see which other games make our list of best baseball games to bet on today below.
[sc:MLBArticles ]MLB Picks and Predictions for Thursday, July 31, 2014
Los Angeles Angels vs. Baltimore Orioles (7:05 PM ET)
Line: Los Angeles Angels (-114) at Baltimore Orioles (+104); total: 9.0– see all MLB lines
[sc:MLB240banner ]Dating back to his stint with the Houston Astros, Bud Norris (8-7, 3.94 ERA)’s teams have won four of his five career starts against the Angels.
That stretch includes Baltimore’s 4-2 win at Angel Stadium on July 21, where Norris pitched six-plus innings, scattering eight hits and giving up just one earned run, while striking out eight batters. As for the Angels, they’ll start Tyler Skagg’s (5-5, 4.49 ERA), whose last three outings all resulted in wins.
Writer’s prediction: Bud Norris and the O’s win again over the Angels, 4-2.
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Washington Nationals (7:05 PM ET)
Line: Philadelphia Phillies (+140) at Washington Nationals (-155); total: 7.0 – see all MLB lines
Cliff Lee (4-5, 3.78 ERA) hasn’t been in fine form since returning from a long layoff (elbow injury). He’s gone 0-2 with an ERA of 7.59 in his last two starts. The Phillies, though, are 4-1 in Lee’s last five starts.
The Nationals, meanwhile, will send Gio Gonzalez (6-6, 3.56 ERA) to the mound. Washington has lost its last two games against the Phillies against the 28-year-old lefty, but the Nats have a strong 9-1 record in their last 10 home games against Philadelphia.
Writer’s prediction: Washington beats the Phillies, 5-3.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Miami Marlins (7:10 PM)
Line: Cincinnati Reds (-120) at Miami Marlins (+110); total: 6.5 – see all MLB lines
With their winning streak broken after a close 4-3 loss yesterday against Washington, the Marlins move on and host the Reds for a four-game series starting tonight. The Marlins are 6-1 in their last seven games and are 3-1 in their last four at Marlins Park.
The Marlins, who averaged 4.8 runs in their last five games, will face National League Cy Young candidate Johnny Cueto (11-6, 2.08 ERA) of the Reds. Cincinnati is 3-1 in Cueto’s last three starts. The Reds are also 4-0 in their last four games at Miami.
Writer’s prediction: The Marlins prove they’re still hot, as they defeat Cincinnati, 3-2.
Create a betting account now and see if you can get each of your own predictions right.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Houston Astros (8:10 PM ET)
Line: Toronto Blue Jays (-127) at Houston Astros (+117); total: 8.5 – see all MLB lines
After flattening the Boston Red Sox in a three-game series sweep, which extended their winning streak to five games, the Blue Jays head to Houston to face the slumping Astros.
However, the Blue Jays haven’t had much success in Minute Maid Park in their previous visits there. The Astros are 5-1 in their last six home games against Toronto. The Blue Jays and Astros have met three times thus far this season, with the last two going over the totals.
Writer’s prediction: The Blue Jays continue to roll and upends Houston, 7-4.
Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (10:10 PM ET)
Line: Atlanta Braves (+155) at Los Angeles Dodgers (-175); total: 6.5 – see all MLB lines
With a 3-2 win in extra innings against Atlanta last night, the Dodgers improved their winning streak to five games. They have an even more impressive 10-game win streak when Clayton Kershaw (12-2, 1.76 ERA) is on the mound. The Braves, meanwhile, have won in two of Julio Teheran’s (10-6, 2.71 ERA) last three starts. The over is also 4-1 in the Braves’ last five road games.
Writer’s prediction: The Dodgers bring out the brooms and sweep Atlanta with a 3-2 victory.
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