Major League Baseball’s second half is in full swing, and divisional races are getting more interesting – both for fans and bettors alike. Here are five of the best baseball games to bet on today.
A few days after the Midsummer Classic, teams are back jostling for the no.1 position in their respective divisions as the heat of postseason races begins to heighten. Arguably the most intense race is in the National League Central, where every team — except for the forever rebuilding Chicago Cubs – is at least 2.5 games behind of the division’s pacesetters, the St. Louis Cardinals.
Over in the American League, the Baltimore Orioles are in just as precarious of a position, as they only lead the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays by a mere three games. All these teams are set to see action tonight, and you can read more about those games below.
We also have a full-game preview of the first game of the Baltimore Orioles-Los Angeles Angels series here.
[sc:MultiSportArticles ]MLB Picks and Predictions for Monday, July 21, 2014
Texas Rangers vs. New York Yankees (7:00 PM ET)
Line: Texas Rangers (+150) at New York Yankees (-170); total: 9.0 – see all MLB lines
Not much has changed for the Texas Rangers since the start of the season’s second half. The Rangers are coming off a 9-6 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday to suffer their second defeat in three games. Up against the surging Yankees, the Rangers could find confidence in their 3-1 record over their last four trips to New York. The Yankees, meanwhile, are 3-0 in their last three games, all of which came from home. They’ll also have Shane Greene (2-0, 1.32 ERA) on the mound. Greene allowed no earned runs and struck out nine Baltimore Orioles’ batters in his last start, helping the Yankees win, 3-0.
Writer’s Prediction: Greene continues to sizzle, leads Yankees to fourth straight win.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (7:05 PM ET)
Line: Los Angeles Dodgers (-105) at Pittsburgh Pirates (-105); total: 7.5 – see all MLB lines
[sc:MLB240banner ]Hyun-Jin Ryu (10-5, 3.44 ERA) was spectacular in his last start, allowing no earned runs and striking out 10 batters in six innings of work in LA’s 1-0 win over the San Diego Padres. Still, the Dodgers must improve on their offense as they have averaged just 3.5 runs in their last three games. The Dodgers are 7-3 in Ryu’s last 10 road starts. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Pirates have come out of the All-Star break on fire. They just swept the Colorado Rockies in a three-game homestand to extend their winning streak at PNC Park to six games.
Writer’s Prediction: The Pirates rob the Dodgers off a win.
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Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays (7:07 PM ET)
Line: Boston Red Sox (-104) at Toronto Blue Jays (-106); total: 8.5 – see all MLB lines
Despite occupying the bottom of the American League East, the Boston Red Sox will carry a ton of confidence to tonight’s ballgame, as they are on a four-game roll. Furthermore, they are 7-1 in their last eight games. The Toronto Blue Jays, though, have dominated Boston when John Lackey (10-6, 3.79 ERA) takes the mound for the Red Sox at Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays are 3-0 at home against Boston when the right-hander starts.
Read more of our complete analysis of this game here.
Writer’s Prediction: The Blue Jays win.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers (8:10 PM ET)
Line: Cincinnati Reds (+115) at Milwaukee Brewers (-125); total: 7.5 – see all MLB lines
Searching for their first win after the All-Star break are the Cincinnati Reds, who are 0-3 in their last three games and 0-6 in the last six road games. The elusive win may come tonight, though, as the Reds keep a strong 7-3 record in their last 10 outings against the Milwaukee Brewers. Tasked to silence the Reds’ offense will be Wily Peralta, who’s beaten Cincinnati this season. Peralta pitched eight innings of shutout baseball in the Brewers’ 2-0 win over Cincinnati last May 2. Milwaukee is 6-2 in Peralta’s last eight starts overall.
Writer’s Prediction: Cincinnati gets first victory of the second half.
Baltimore Orioles vs. Los Angeles Angels (10:10 PM ET)
Line: Baltimore Orioles (+128) at Los Angeles Angels (-138); total: 8.5 – see all MLB lines
Back when he was with the Houston Astros, Bud Norris (7-6, 3.96 ERA) has had a ton of success when facing the Los Angeles Angels. Houston went 4-1 in Norris’ five starts against the Halos. Norris looks to continue his fine form against Los Angeles when he faces the Angels for the first time as an Oriole. It’s going to be easier said than done, however, as the red-hot Angels are 8-2 in their last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction: Orioles hold off the Angels in a low scoring game.
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