The hunt for a slot in October continues tonight in the majors. Below are five games that are the best baseball games to bet on today.
Who ya got in tonight’s huge series opener between the Los Angeles Angels and the Oakland Athletics? The Angels are on a mean winning streak, but the A’s have the advantage in their regular season series matchup thus far this season.
In another matchup, Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez steps on the mound, looking to dismantle Boston Red Sox anew. If that sounds like a cue for bettors to avoid betting on the Red Sox, then they must not have heard how dominant Boston has been at home when the Mariners pay Beantown a visit.
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MLB Picks and Predictions for Friday, August 22, 2014
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Toronto Blue Jays (7:07 PM ET)
Line: Tampa Bay Rays (+125) at Toronto Blue Jays (-135); total: 8.0 – see all MLB lines
[sc:MLB240banner ]Toronto finished July with 120 runs but have only scored 56 thus far this August, currently the lowest in the majors. Offense may not be a problem later, though, against Tampa Bay, which the Blue Jays swept in their most recent series at Rogers Centre while averaging 7.3 runs during that three-game set. Tampa Bay’s Drew Smyly (7-10, 3.66 ERA), however, hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in any of his last three road starts. The Rays are also 6-2 in their last eight road games.
Writer’s prediction: The Rays top Toronto.
Seattle Mariners vs. Boston Red Sox (7:10 PM ET)
Line: Seattle Mariners (-170) at Boston Red Sox (+150); total: 7.0 – see all MLB lines
Felix Hernandez (13-4, 1.99 ERA) stands in the way of the Red Sox, who last night dropped their fifth straight game with a shutout 2-0 loss to the LA Angels. The Mariners have dominated the Red Sox in recent years whenever The King is on the mound, going 4-1 in Hernandez’s last five starts against Boston. But before bettors count out the Red Sox in tonight’s game, they must consider the fact Seattle hasn’t won at Fenway Park in its last nine visits there.
Writer’s prediction: The Mariners win.
Atlanta Braves vs. Cincinnati Reds (7:10 PM ET)
Line: Atlanta Braves (+110) at Cincinnati Reds (-120); total: 7.5 – see all MLB lines
Maybe it’s Mat Latos (4-3, 3.10 ERA) who can lead the plummeting Reds into breaking their dry spell when he steps on the mound against Atlanta. Latos is doing well this month, having won two games in his last four starts to go along with a 2.70 ERA. The Reds are in a debilitating slump, losing all of their last six games, and are just 2-11 in their last 13 overall. The Braves, on the other hand, are looking to extend their winning streak against Cincinnati. They are 4-0 in the last four meetings with the Reds.
San Francisco Giants vs. Washington Nationals (7:05 PM ET)
Line: San Francisco Giants (+140) at Washington Nationals (-155) – see all MLB lines
The Nationals have swept the NY Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Arizona Diamondbacks on their way to a 10-0 record in their last 10 games. They begin another series tonight, as they go up against San Francisco, a team that is also doing well lately. The Giants, who’ll start Tim Hudson (8-9, 3.03 ERA) later, are 4-1 in their last five games. Dating back to his days as a Brave, Hudson’s teams are 4-0 in his last four starts against Washington. The Nationals, meanwhile, are 3-0 in Doug Fister’s (12-3, 2.20 ERA) last three mound appearances.
Writer’s prediction: The streak ends for Washington, as Giants win.
Los Angeles Angels vs. Oakland Athletics (10:05 PM ET)
Line: Los Angeles Angels (+140) at Oakland Athletics (-155); total: 7.5 – see all MLB lines
Oakland now has the perfect chance to reclaim the No. 1 positon in the AL West, as the A’s begin a three-game with the current division leader. The A’s are 3-0 in their last three home games against LA, and are 6-3 overall in nine meetings with the Halos this season. If the A’s win tonight, that means they’ll break the Angels winning streak which now stands at four games. The Angels are also 4-0 in their last four road games.
