October is calling, which means we only have a few games left to bet on teams in the MLB this season. Below are five games that are the best baseball games to bet on today.
The Texas Rangers are merely playing out the rest of the season, but they can still play a major role in how the American League postseason shapes up when it begins a three-game series with the Oakland Athletics today, who are trying to hold on to their lead in the AL wild card race. It’s going to be an interesting night of baseball at O.co Coliseum and around the league.
If you’re not strictly a baseball fan, don’t miss our complete NFL Week 3 picks and predictions, then read on for more on America’s past time.
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MLB Picks and Predictions for Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles (7:05 PM ET)
Line: Toronto Blue Jays (EVEN) at Baltimore Orioles (-110); total: 8.0 – see all MLB lines
[sc:MLB240banner ]A win tonight for the Orioles would be more than just a regular season win. It will also give Baltimore its first American League East division title in 17 years.
On the precipice of pitching history is Ubaldo Jimenez (4-9, 4.96 ERA), whose last five starts have given Baltimore a 4-1 record. Toronto can rain on the Orioles’ parade when they send Drew Hutchison (10-11, 4.36 ERA) to the mound. Hutchison is 2-0 with an ERA of 1.78 over his last four starts. The Blue Jays have also won in their last two games versus Baltimore when Hutchison starts.
Writer’s prediction: Toronto wins.
Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves (7:10 PM ET)
Line: Washington Nationals (-130) Atlanta Braves (+120); total: 7.0 – see all MLB lines
Like the Orioles, Washington also has the opportunity to clinch a division title when they face Aaron Harang (11-10, 3.72 ERA) and the rest of the Braves tonight. Harang is no pushover, as the right-hander is 2-0 with a 0.90 ERA in two starts this season against the Nats. Washington, meanwhile, will start Tanner Roark (13-10, 2.96 ERA), who keeps an identical 2-0 record with a 2.63 ERA in four career starts against Atlanta.
Line: New York Yankees (+107) at Tampa Bay Rays (-117); total: 6.5 – see all MLB lines
Michael Pineda (3-4, 2.20 ERA) has been dogged by a lack of run support throughout the season, which is highlighted by the fact that the Yankees have failed to score a run when he’s on the mound in any of his last three outings.
Pineda will look to hold off the Rays’ offense tonight with an array of pitches that has prevented opposing teams from scoring more than two earned runs in nine of his last 10 starts. Tampa Bay will counter the Yankees with Jake Odorizzi (10-12, 4.08 ERA), who prior to picking up a loss against the Yankees on September 10 – an 8-5 Rays’ defeat – had a 14.1-inning streak of scoreless innings.
Writer’s prediction: Tampa Bay wins.
Texas Rangers vs. Oakland Athletics (10:05 PM ET)
Line: Texas Rangers (+210) at Oakland Athletics (-250); total: 7.0– see all MLB lines
The Rangers, who are 3-0 in their last three games, will have Nick Tepesch (4-10, 4.47 ERA) testing Oakland’s shaky offense. The Rangers are 5-1 in Tepesch’s last six starts during the first game of a series. The A’s, meanwhile, will give the ball to Scott Kazmir (14-8, 3.32 ERA). Oakland is 7-3 in Kazmir’s last 10 home starts. Dating back to his days in a Tampa Bay uniform, Kazmir’s teams are 5-1 in six starts at home against Texas.
Writer’s prediction: Oakland wins.
Seattle Mariners vs. Los Angeles Angels (10:05 PM ET)
Line: Seattle Mariners (+110) at Los Angeles Angels (-120); total: 8.5– see all MLB lines
As it seems, the Angels’ 6-1 loss to Houston the other night is a mere aberration, as Los Angeles brought the hammer down hard at the plate again, scoring an 8-1 blowout victory yesterday against Seattle. The Angels are now 11-1 in their last 12 games and are 4-1 in their last five meetings against Seattle.
The unenviable task of trying to limit Los Angeles’ offensive juggernaut falls to Roenis Elias (10-12, 3.81 ERA). The Mariners have won five of their last seven games as underdogs when Elias is on the mound.
