Welcome back to a preview of some MLB action to start your week. Going to get straight to it, looks to be some pretty confident plays around. Last week was good however the weekend was not, let’s get back to winning ways. The Postseason picture is starting to take shape with the AL Wild card race being rather random. Apart from the Royals no one else in the AL can take charge. The Blue Jays have cooled off a tad you could say and neither team a top the AL West really has taken control. An interesting month ahead. The NL is looking a little more settled. Oh and how bad is everyone’s pre season pick (including me) the Nats going. Ouch.  On to the games!

Tuesday 18th

Best Bet –  Pirates -1.5 at $2.20
Next Best – Cardinals at $1.68
Mulit – Pirates/Rangers/Cardinals at  $4.24
Best Totals Line – Astros/Rays U7.5 at $1.92

Arizona Diamondbacks vs Pittsburgh Pirates (9.05am AEST) 
D-Backs ($2.59) – Hellickson (8-8, 4.73)
Pirates ($1.53)  –  Cole (14-6, 2.38)

Prediction
Pirates. Coming off a road sweep of the Mets the Pirates return home after going 4-2 in 6 games away from PNC Park. 39-18 at home for the season it’s hard to bet against Pittsburgh no matter the opponent when in the confines of their home field. With Gerrit Cole on the mound it becomes even harder. In his 11 home starts for the season the Pirates are 9-2. His home ERA sits at 2.76 with both home losses coming against the division rival Reds. With a batting lineup that is heating up at the right time plus possible return of regular starters Jordy Mercer and Josh Harrison this series looks to be theirs.  The D-backs will throw Jeremy Hellickson on the mound, and he has been really poor on the road all season.  6.09 road ERA while going 2-5 over 11 starts. Pittsburgh have the most series sweeps in baseball at 13, looks like it could be 14 and game one should be theirs pretty comfortably. While I’m taking the line I think the head to head value is pretty solid and a strong anchor for any multi.

Suggested Bet
Pirates -1.5 at $2.20

San Francisco Giants vs St Louis Cardinals (10.05am AEST) 
Giants ($2.24) – Heston (11-7, 3.38)
Cardinals ($1.68)  –  Wacha (14-4, 2.93)

Prediction
Cardinals. After dropping the final game of their series with the Marlins, the Cardinals will look to bounce back with their stand in ace Michael Wacha getting the start. 6-2 at home with a 2.56 ERA he has been the rock for their rotation. Chris Heston gets the start for the up and down Giants where his road form and form of late has been worrying. 4.45 road ERA  and struggling to only pitch into the 6 inning once in his last 3 starts.  While he has had a no hitter this season he has been up and down at best. The Cards have a crazy home record of 44-18 and im shocked to see the price on offer. $1.68 head to head is good. The Giants have been struggling on the road of late and when you add that to the fact the Cardinals have lost only 5 times in Wacha’s 22 starts, Cardinals at that price is generous !

Suggested Bet
Cardinals at $1.68

Seattle Mariners vs Texas Rangers (10.05am AEST) 
Mariners ($2.29) – Walker (8-7, 4.60)
Rangers ($1.65)  –  Hamels (6-8, 3.86)

Prediction
Rangers. Since his move from the Phillies, Hamels is yet to get his new team a win in 2 starts. The Rangers are pushing for the post season while the Mariners look like their season will fizzle out. Texas have struggled against the Mariners this season, however I feel like the tides may turn. Not with huge confidence but Hamels will get a win with the Rangers soon. Amongst a Wild Card race he should thrive. Tajun Walker has been super impressive since the roughest of rough starts to the season. He got a win against the Rangers in April and his number have been on the improve. However that  5.03 road ERA still lingers and it’s hard to have much faith in him still. Rangers are hitting well and I think they get enough runs to grab this one.

Suggested Bet
Rangers at $1.65

Chicago White Sox vs Los Angeles Angels (10.05am AEST) 
White Sox ($2.29) – Rodon (5-4, 4.61)
Rangers ($1.65)  –  Heaney (5-1, 2.53)

Prediction
Angels. Los Angeles have struggled of late wining only 1 of their last 6 games all on the road. Which did consist of a sweep at the hands of the White Sox. Rodon pitched a gem against the Angels last week going 7 innings giving up only 4 hits and 0 runs. You have to think the Angels have studied the tape. 36-26 at home with Heaney on the mound who has been impressive. 3-0 at home with 2.84 ERA over 5 starts. He wasn’t terrible in his start against the Sox last week but he had limited run support. Slight edge to the Angels because they have the better bats.

Suggested Bet
Angels at $1.65

For records. Best Bet 2 Units, Next Best 1 Unit, Multi 0.5 Units (unless stated otherwise)

Hope you all have a good week with your MLB betting. 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.