As October draws near, each baseball game suddenly becomes more intense as teams continue their hunt for a playoff spot. Below are the best five baseball games to bet on today.
Once the MLB’s best, the Oakland Athletics are licking their wounds after suffering from a series of devastating losses. They’ll have a chance to regroup tonight against the Chicago White Sox. Elsewhere, Clayton Kershaw continues to impress and will be gunning for his 18th win of the season when he pitches against the San Diego Padres. Read on for all the five best baseball games to bet on today.
MLB Picks and Predictions for Monday, September 8, 2014
Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals (7:05 PM ET)
Line: Atlanta Braves (+128) at Washington Nationals (-138); total 7.5 – view all MLB lines
[sc:MLB240banner ]Atlanta’s bats were shutout against Miami in a 4-0 loss yesterday. However, the Braves have a chance to liven up their bats when they make a trip to Nationals Park tonight. The Braves will be going up against Washington’s Doug Fister (12-6, 2.66 ERA), who has lost his last three outings, surrendering 13 runs over 16.2 innings. However, Fister threw a shutout against the Braves on June 21, allowing five hits while issuing a walk over eight innings in a 3-0 win.
Writer’s prediction: Fister regroups as Washington defeats the Braves.
Chicago Cubs vs. Toronto Blue Jays (7:07 PM ET)
Line: Chicago Cubs (+160) at Toronto Blue Jays (-180); total 8.5 – view all MLB lines
The Chicago Cubs are coming off a three-game series sweep to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Cubs have struggled with their hitting, as typified by the slumping Arismendy Alcantara (2 for his last 19) and Javier Baez (2-for-29 with 14 strikeouts in his last seven outings). Chicago’s struggles at the plate will play into the hands of the Blue Jays’ Marcus Stroman (9-5, 3.83 ERA). The Jays are 4-1 in Stroman’s last five home starts, with the starter going seven innings with two earned runs or less in the four wins.
Writer’s Prediction: Toronto takes this one from the Cubs.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds (7:10 PM ET)
Line: St. Louis Cardinals (-120) at Cincinnati Reds (+110); total 8.0 – view all MLB lines
The NL Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals are fresh off winning three of four at Milwaukee. Jhonny Peralta went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer in his last outing. At the plate, Peralta will challenge Cincinnati’s Dylan Axelrod (1-1, 3.18 ERA) who surrendered four runs on three homers over six innings in a 6-0 loss to Baltimore on September 3.
Writer’s Prediction: The Cardinals extend their lead over NL Central.
Oakland Athletics vs. Chicago White Sox (8:10 PM ET)
Line: Oakland Athletics (-160) at Chicago White Sox (+145); total 8.0 – view all MLB lines
The Oakland Athletics continue to implode as they are now just 2-8 in their last 10 outings. Starting for the A’s will be Sonny Gray. Once a formidable pitcher for the A’s, Gray has gone 1-5 his last seven starts. He surrendered six runs on seven hits in a home loss to Seattle on September 2.
Gray will have a chance to regroup when he faces the Chicago White Sox tonight. The White Sox are in a scoring slump, having only scored two runs in their last three games (all losses).
Writer’s Prediction: The A’s wake up from their slump and pound the White Sox.
San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (10:10 PM ET)
Line: San Diego Padres (+110)at Los Angeles Dodgers (-130) – view all MLB lines
The San Diego Padres are in for a rough night. They have scored a run or none at all in four of their last five games, all of which resulted in losses.
They’ll have their hands full when they open a three-game series with the Dodgers against Clayton Kershaw (17-3, 1.70 ERA). The Dodgers ace is in prime position to become baseball’s first 18-game winner this season. He has won three consecutive starts against the Padres behind a 0.75 ERA surrendering just two runs and striking out 21 over 17 innings.
Writer’s Prediction: Kershaw takes home his 18th win in the season as the Dodgers top the Padres.
