Friday, April 14 MLB Best Bets

We swept the board over at PointsBet Sportsbook with last Friday’s MLB Best Bets! Julio Rodriguez came up huge to send the Mariners to a comeback 5-3 win over the Guardians. Jack Flaherty’s wildness got the best of him once again and Brandon Woodruff dominated as expected to lead the Brew Crew to the 4-0 shutout of the Cardinals. Closing the perfect showing against the MLB odds out were the Washington Nationals who pounded Jose Urena for six runs (4 ER) through 2.2 innings to easily cash in as a slight road underdog on the first five inning betting odds. Here’s to raking in more profits with this Friday’s edition of Best Bets – SLAM YOUR MAN!!

YTD: 12-11 ($272)

LW: 9-9 ($211)

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Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Miami Marlins

Hat tip goes out to the D’backs for getting out to an 8-5 start to their 2023 campaign by way winning and splitting series against the Dodgers, Padres, and Brewers. The offense is what’s catapulted the team into first place with it batting .265 overall (No. 8) and ranking No. 15 in OPS. Its ability to steal bases has also been a major bonus (No. 3)! While the offensive production hasn’t come as easily against left-handed pitching (3.2 RPG), I foresee Christian Walker and Co. having a good go of it against Trevor Rogers who still doesn’t look to be himself through two starts.

The southpaw’s ERA clocks in at 6.00 and he’s conceded eight hits (2 HR) and 6 ER through his 9.0 innings of work. Zona’s actually fared pretty well versus LHP overall in batting .294 with a .807 OPS, so I envision another rough showing for Rogers. Same goes for Madison Bumgarner whose stay in the starting rotation is likely to be short-lived with the veteran right-hander getting peppered to the tune of nine hits (3 HR) and 7 ER through 8.2 innings over two starts. His 10.3 BB/9 is something else! Look for many ducks to be on the pond and for both offenses to pad their counting stats because of it. Once the starters depart, both lineups will get to tee off upon two of the worst bullpens in the Bigs!

BET THE F5 & FG OVER 8.5 -120

Baltimore Orioles vs. Chicago White Sox

We already went to “Tyler’s Well” in his 2023 debut at Texas where he spun five innings of shutout ball to help lead the O’s to the 2-0 win. I’m still interested in him regardless of taking the “L” against the Yankees in his second start. Even though he gave up two bombs to the Bombers, he only surrendered six hits through six innings. The behemoth right-hander was limited to 47 pitches in his debut, but went for 89 against New York. I love that he sports an 8:0 K/BB ratio entering start No. 3!

I can’t and won’t say the same for Mike Clevinger whose been ripped for 11 hits but only 4 ER while issuing five walks and striking out nine through 10.1 innings of his first two starts. He just got tattooed by the Pirates and has averaged 18.1 pitches per inning through his pair of showings – No Bueno! For reference sake, Wells is only averaging 12.1. This series figures to find Baltimore running wild on the base paths as well with it ranked No. 2 in stolen base percentage and Yasmani Grandal only throwing out two of 11 attempted baserunners. Taking a flier on the Orioles to win this series is advised regardless of running up against Dylan Cease on Sunday.

BET THE ORIOLES -110

Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees

Tyler Mahle failed to come through for us in his last start against Houston, but he was up against it from the get go with the Astros looking to avoid getting swept in the Twin Cities. Even so, he spun six innings and tossed a season-high 90 pitches all the while registering 6 K and only issuing one free pass. That only makes it two walks through 11 combined innings to go along with an impressive 11 strikeouts. The Yankees strike out at the 10^th highest rate in the league against RHP, so I’ll be banking on Mahle’s slider keeping Aaron Judge and Co. guessing. Hopefully his fastball velocity ticks back up – shouldn’t be an issue with the Gotham crowd killing him with kindness 😉

Though 2-0 with a 2.61 ERA and 8:2 K/BB ratio, Nestor Cortes hasn’t been as dominant to start 2023 as he was in 2022. That’s highly evidenced by his 1.26 WHIP and .275 BAA after surrendering 11 hits over 10.1 innings of two made starts. Still, his ERA is in line with his 2.44 FIP so I think it’s only a matter of time until his ghastly 9.6 hits per nine innings is dramatically reduced. The Twins rank No. 23 in OPS and No. 26 in OBP against lefties. With both squads sporting top-5 ranked bullpens, we’ll attack the total with first five and full game wagers.

BET THE F5 & FG UNDER 7.5 -105

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