Welcome back to a preview of some MLB games to close out the weekend of sport. It’s been a tough run the last week, and anyone who has profited on MLB in the last 7 days is lying. A lot of favourites not only getting beaten but getting beaten well . A few of the usual run scoring teams had an off week and that stifled the results, we got the pitching displays we were after but the cold bats were our enemy. The trade deadline has arrived so we will start to see which teams think they are still in this and a few on the borderline who decide to sell. Another decent looking day ahead, however as we know in baseball nothing is so simple. Let’s see how we go.
Sunday 31st
Plays
Tigers $1.70 (1u) Best Bet
Jays -1.5 $2.10 (0.5u)
Indians/Red Sox $2.63 (1u)
Rangers -1.5 $2.32 (0.5u)
Toronto Blue Jays vs Baltimore Orioles (3.05am AEST)
Blue Jays ($1.56) – Happ (13-3, 3.27 ERA)
Orioles ($2.50) – Gallardo (3-2, 5.27 ERA)
Prediction
Jays. Now only half a game back from the top of the AL East, the Toronto Blue Jays are on a roll. Winning 7 of their last 10, they have caught up on the slumping Orioles, who’s bats have cooled off dramatically. J.A Happ has been in great form this year, and of late getting 7 wins in his last 8 starts. A 3.22 home ERA in the run friendly Rogers Center, he really has been flying under the radar in 2016. He will be up against the erratic Yovanni Gallardo, who has 6.94 road ERA. Only one way you can play this. Jays to win be a couple.
Suggested Bet
Jays -1.5 $2.10
Detroit Tigers vs Houston Astros (9.10am AEST)
Tigers ($1.70) – Verlander (10-6, 3.64 ERA)
Astros ($2.20) – Fiers (7-4, 4.69 ERA)
Prediction
Tigers. Watch out American League, the Tigers are making a move. Winners of 4 straight, and only 4.5 games behind the division leading Indians. One of the main reasons for their success of late has been their pitching. Justin Verlander looks to be getting back to his best of season past, regularly pitching deep into games he has protected that somewhat fragile Tigers pen. The Astros are are somewhat annoying team to bet on as they are usually very hot or very cold, no in between. A young lineup may be part the issue, they still strike out a lot so some days there are just going to struggle to score. Hoping today is one of those days. Mike Fiers is 1-2 with a 6.75 road ERA and with the Tigers bat swinging like they are, could be a few home runs. I like the price on the Tigers and Verlander to get it done.
Suggested Bet
Tigers $1.70
Cleveland Indians vs Oakland A’s (9.10am AEST)
Indians ($1.53) – Tomlin (10-3, 3.48 ERA)
A’s ($2.58) – Overton (1-1, 8.40 ERA)
Prediction
Indians. With Detroit hot on their heels, Cleveland need to be winning the games against the arguably weaker teams and keep that win column ticking over. Tomlin has been up and down in his last few starts but the ability is there to bounce back and he is having a breakout season. Not much to say about the A’s and Dillion Overton, they are just treading water and trying to rebuild. I can’t put money on a team not built to win now. Cleveland are much better and a price that is nice enough to have something on.
Suggested Bet
Indians $1.53
Other Games
Los Angeles Angels vs Boston Red Sox
Drew Pomeranz heads back to the West coast where he was so good for the Padres this season. It’s been a rocky start to his Sox career but the stuff is there. Boston can score runs like the best of them, and the Angles pitching is a huge weakness. Great price for the Sox $1.72
Texas Rangers vs Kansas City Royals
Kansas are going backwards and are even looking to move some of their key pieces that help them win the 2015 World Series. The Rangers are going the other way, a 32-17 home record and a lineup that hits from all positions, I’ll take the team from Texas. Rangers -1.5 $2.32 not bad.
All Prices Quoted via Crown Bet at time of writing.
Hopefully your thoughts on the games match up with mine. As always these are only a select few games I was interested in, feel free to share your opinions on any games at @MLB_TheProfits on Twitter. Happy Punting.
