The postseason is getting nearer. Make the most out of the remaining regular season games in the MLB. Below are five games that are the best baseball games to bet on today.
For casual fans, the matchup tonight between the scorching Los Angeles Angels and the Houston Astros has little to pique their interest. After all, the Angels own the current longest win streak and the best record in the majors, while the Astros have, well, a 65-81 slate.
But don’t underestimate the ability of the Astros to win against huge favorites. They’ve been money for dog players lately. Would you trust them to pull off a shocker versus the Halos later? Or will Los Angeles mercilessly crush the Astros? Find out more about this game below, along with four other games that comprise our list of five best baseball games to bet on today.
We also have a full-game preview of the first game of the Dodgers-Giants series, which you can read here.
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MLB Picks and Predictions for Friday, September 12, 2014
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Toronto Blue Jays (7:05 PM ET)
Line: Tampa Bay Rays (+130) at Toronto Blue Jays (-140); total: 8.5– see all MLB lines
[sc:MLB240banner ]Toronto’s bats have come to life in its three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs, capped by a dominating 11-1 win over the Loveable Losers on Wednesday. The win pushed the Blue Jays winning streak to four games, putting the team back in the running for a wild card spot. The Rays, meanwhile, are coming off a heart-breaking walk-off 5-4 loss to the New York Yankees last night. They could catch a break tonight, though, against Toronto, which has J.A. Happ (9-9, 4.44 ERA) on the mound.
The Blue Jays have a woeful 1-6 record in the lefty’s last seven starts overall. Happ also gave up two earned runs in .2 innings of relief in Toronto’s 10-3 loss to the Rays last July 12th.
Writer’s prediction: Tampa Bay wins.
Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets (7:10 PM ET)
Line: Washington Nationals (-150) at New York Mets (+135); total: 7.0– see all MLB lines
Washington is one happy camper in Queens, as the Nats are now 6-0 in their last six games at Citi Field after taking down the Mets last night, 6-2. They’ll aim for their seventh win in a row there later, when they start Gio Gonzalez (8-9, 3.78 ERA), whose last five road starts brought the Nats a 4-1 record. He’ll take on the Mets, who haven’t lost in consecutive fashion in more than two weeks. The Mets are 4-0 in their last four games after a loss.
Houston Astros vs. Los Angeles Angels (10:05 PM ET)
Line: Houston Astros (+170) at Los Angeles Angels (-200); total: 8.5 – see all MLB lines
Los Angeles is the hottest team in the majors – 8-0 in its last eight games overall – so it’s going to be understandable if the entire roster of the lowly Astros would rather call in sick tonight and miss the game. However, the Astros are showing some fight at this juncture of the season and are among the most profitable teams to bet on lately, as they are 6-2 in their last eight games as underdogs. The Angels will start C.J. Wilson (11-9, 4.64 ERA), who is 3-1 over his last six starts, while the Astros will counter with Brett Oberholtzer (5-10, 4.38). The Astros are 6-1 in Oberholtzer’s last seven starts as underdogs.
Writer’s prediction: Los Angeles wins.
Oakland Athletics vs. Seattle Mariners (10:10 PM ET)
Line: Oakland Athletics (+135) at Seattle Mariners (-150); total: 7.0 – see all MLB lines
There is something extremely wrong in the offense of the A’s, who managed to score just one run total in their last two games, both were losses to the Chicago White Sox. With a scarcity of runs lately, the under is now 7-3 in Oakland’s last 10 games. The over, on the other hand, is 8-3 in the A’s last 11 road games against teams with losing home records – Seattle is 37-38 at home.
The Mariners are fresh off a 5-2 loss to the Astros, and will look to bounce back tonight by starting hotshot pitcher James Paxton (5-2, 1.87 ERA). Seattle is 8-2 in the lefty’s last 10 starts. The A’s will have Jason Hammel (10-10, 3.55 ERA), whose last two starts – one each with Oakland and Baltimore – against Seattle have each ended in a win for his team.
Writer’s prediction: Seattle wins.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Francisco Giants (10:15 PM ET)
Line: Los Angeles Dodgers (+118) at San Francisco Giants (-128); total: 6.5 – see all MLB lines
A huge pitching matchup is set to occur tonight at AT&T Stadium, as the Dodgers and the Giants begin their penultimate series of the regular season. On the mound for the Dodgers is Hyun-jin Ryu (14-6, 3.16 ERA), who has a 5-1 record in his last eight starts with a 2.24 ERA over that span. The Giants, meanwhile, parades Madison Bumgarner (17-9, 3.02 ERA), who is aiming for his 18th win this season. San Francisco is 4-0 in Bumgarner’s last four starts. The Giants are also 9-0 in their last nine home games.
