An action-packed day of baseball is in the offing, as teams begin to test their new-look rosters after the trade deadline expired. To get you set for the fun, here is our list of five best baseball games to bet on today.
After a wild day of trades, the Oakland Athletics look to resume padding their lead atop the American League West as they welcome the Kansas City Royals for the first game of their three-game series. You can read a complete preview of that game here. Before that matchup, the classic rivalry of the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox will take place at Fenway Park, where former Athletic Yoenis Cespedes could make his debut in Red Sox uniform.
[sc:MLBArticles ]
MLB Picks and Predictions for Friday, August 1, 2014
Seattle Mariners vs. Baltimore Orioles (7:05 PM ET)
Line: Seattle Mariners (+130) at Baltimore Orioles (-140); total: 8.5 – see all MLB lines
The Orioles are 4-0 in Wei-Yin Chen’s (11-3, 3.92 ERA) last four starts, which includes his fantastic performance on July 24, when he pitched eight scoreless innings in their 4-0 win versus Seattle. He’ll face the same team again in the Mariners, who are coming off a 6-5 win last night against the Cleveland Indians. The Mariners have defeated Baltimore in their last two meetings at Camden Yards.
Writer’s prediction: The Mariners win, 5-2.
New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox (7:05 PM ET)
Line: New York Yankees (+105) at Boston Red Sox (-115) – see all MLB lines
[sc:MLB240banner ]After trading away reliable veteran starters John Lackey and Jon Lester, the Red Sox will have untested Anthony Ranaudo on the mound tonight against their bitter rivals, the Yankees.
Rookie starters have fared fairly well against the Bronx Bombers this season with a collective record of 5-5 and an ERA of 3.91.
The Yankees, who are just 1-4 in their last five games, hold the edge against Boston thus far this season with a 6-4 record in 10 meetings.
Writer’s prediction: The Yankees defeat Boston, 8-5.
Los Angeles Angels vs. Tampa Bay Rays (7:10 PM ET)
Line: Los Angeles Angels (+103) at Tampa Bay Rays (-113); total: 8.0 – see all MLB lines
After avoiding a series sweep with a 1-0 win against Baltimore last night, the Angels tackle another hot American League East club in Tampa Bay. LA will parade Matt Shoemaker (8-3, 4.13 ERA), whose four road starts this season has resulted to a 3-1 record for the Angels. The Rays will pit Jeremy Hellickson (0-0, 1.00 ERA) against Shoemaker.
Hellickson, who’s back after missing most of the season due to elbow surgery, has logged just nine innings in two games thus far with one earned run allowed. The Rays are 3-1 in Hellickson’s four career starts against Los Angeles.
Writer’s prediction: The Angels hand Tampa Bay a 3-1 loss.
Milwaukee Brewers vs. St. Louis Cardinals (8:15 PM ET)
Line: Milwaukee Brewers (+150) at St. Louis Cardinals (-170); total: 7.0 – see all MLB lines
After defeating the David Price-led Rays in their previous game, the Brewers face another Cy Young awardee when they begin a three-game series on the road against St. Louis. Milwaukee is 3-1 in their last four trips to Busch Stadium.
Adam Wainwright (13-5, 1.92 ERA) will toe the slab tonight for the Brewers. The Cards are 4-0 in Wainwright’s last four starts against Milwaukee. In addition, the Cards are 4-1 in his last five starts overall.
Writer’s prediction: Wainwright tosses another gem, leads the Cards to a 4-2 win.
Kansas City Royals vs. Oakland Athletics (9:35 PM ET)
Line: Kansas City Royals (+170) at Oakland Athletics (-200); total: 7.5 – see all MLB lines
Dating back to 2012, Oakland has dominated the Royals with a 6-1 record in the last seven meetings. With Sonny Gray (12-3, 2.65 ERA) on the mound, the A’s have a big shot at improving that record. They are 7-0 in Gray’s last seven starts. Meanwhile, the Royals, who did not stir up as much action as the A’s during the trade deadline, have won their last two road games.
Writer’s prediction: The A’s shuts down Kansas, 4-0.
