Wouldn’t it be nice to end your week with a couple of won bets on baseball? Below are five games that are the best baseball games to bet on today.
The Seattle Mariners and the Kansas City Royals have been the hottest teams not only in the American League, but also in the majors since the start of August . Should bettors be confident on their chances to win their respective games tonight? Read on to see some of the trends that will help you determine which teams to trust on the betting lines.
We also have a complete and longer preview of the tonight’s Milwaukee Brewers-Los Angeles Dodgers series opener here.
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MLB Picks and Predictions for Friday, August 15, 2014
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Washington Nationals (7:05 PM ET)
Line: Pittsburgh Pirates (+135) at Washington Nationals (-150); total: 7.0 – see all MLB lines
[sc:MLB240banner ]After sweeping the Queens-based New York club in their three-game series, the Nationals head back home with Tanner Roark (11-7, 2.86 ERA) scheduled to take the ball in the first game of the series versus Pittsburgh. Roark, whose last five starts resulted to a 4-1 record for the Nationals, will face the Pirates for the first time. Pittsburgh will counter Roark with Charlie Morton (5-11, 3.62 ERA), who is looking to lead the Pirates to a third straight win against Washington when he’s on the mound.
Writer’s prediction: The Nationals clobber Pittsburgh.
Seattle Mariners vs. Detroit Tigers (7:08 PM ET)
Line: Seattle Mariners (+120) at Detroit Tigers (-130); total: 8.0 – see all MLB lines
Five straight wins have improved the Mariners chances of clinching at least a second wild card spot, and they’ll look to extend their streak when they face Rick Porcello and the rest of the Tigers tonight. Detroit, though, rarely lose when Porcello (13-7, 3.11 ERA) starts at Comerica Park, going 7-3 in the right-handers’ last 10 home appearances. Likewise, the Mariners don’t drop that many games when James Paxton (2-0, 2.38 ERA) takes the mound. They are 8-2 in the lefty’s last 10 starts overall.
Writer’s prediction: The Mariners continue winning, beat Detroit.
Oakland Athletics vs. Atlanta Braves (7:35 PM ET)
Line: Oakland Athletics (+104) at Atlanta Braves (-114); total: 7.0– see all MLB lines
The Braves will send Alex Wood (8-9, 3.08 ERA) to the mound, hoping to get another strong outing from the lefty. Woods, who is 1-1 with a 1.33 ERA in his last three starts, will look to win his second in a row against the owners of the majors’ best record, the Oakland A’s. The Athletics, though, have been on a mini-slump of late, going 1-4 in their last five games. It doesn’t bode them well either, that they are just 1-5 in Jason Hammel’s (1-4, 5.90 ERA) last six starts. On the bright side, the A’s are 5-1 in their last six interleague games away from home.
Writer’s prediction: Woods contains A’s, as Braves win.
Kansas City Royals vs. Minnesota Twins (8:10 PM ET)
Line: Kansas City Royals (-170) at Minnesota Twins (+150); total: 8.0– see all MLB lines
Everything is clicking again for the Royals, who are now 9-1 in their last 10 games after demolishing the A’s last night, 7-3. With the underrated Danny Duffy (7-10, 2.57 ERA) set to start later, the Minnesota appears to be in trouble, as the Royals are 4-0 in the left-handed pitcher’s last four starts. However, the Twins looked to be in fine form of late, as they went 3-1 in their last four games overall. Furthermore, they have won four of their six home games against Kansas City thus far this season.
Writer’s prediction: Duffy shuts down the Twins, leads Royals to third straight win.
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (10:10 PM ET)
Line: Milwaukee Brewers (+145) at Los Angeles Dodgers (-160); total: 7.0 – see all MLB lines
Milwaukee has a penchant of opening a series with a win lately, as evidenced by its 4-0 record in their last four first game of a series. That includes their 9-3 win on August 8 to begin their three-game homestand against LA, finishing the series with two wins. The Dodgers, however, went on to win four of their next five contests following that series. It helps their chances that Zack Greinke (12-8, 2.84 ERA) gets the ball tonight. They are 7-3 in Greinke’s last 10 home starts.
Writer’s prediction: Milwaukee gets to former Brewer Greinke, defeats Dodgers.
