The All-Star break is over, which means it’s time to get back to the daily grind of the MLB season. The second half is when things start to get a little more serious for the teams in the hunt for a postseason spot. For Saturday, we have selected the top MLB betting picks with the latest game previews.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are trying to keep pace with the Dodgers in the West, and will head to Atlanta to face the Braves. The Washington Nationals will be out trying to pad their lead in the NL West, which they can do with a weekend series win over the Cincinnati Reds. The Cardinals and Pirates are in a tough spot in their division, and both need to start winning if they want to keep playing when the regular season ends.
Best MLB Betting Picks & Predictions for Saturday
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Arizona Diamondbacks (53-36) at Atlanta Braves (42-45)
When: Saturday, July 15 at 7:10 PM EST Where: SunTrust Park, Atlanta TV: FS-A (Arizona) / FSSO (Atlanta) Radio: KHOV 105.1 (Arizona) / 93.7 FM (Atlanta) Live Stream: MLB.tv Probable Pitchers: Patrick Corbin Vs Mike Foltynewicz Analysis: The Diamondbacks were probably happy to see the break last week, as they ended the first half in a bit of a slump, losing 5 of their last 6 games. They are now 7.5 games back of the LA Dodgers in the NL West, but are in a very good position in the Wild Card. The D-Backs have been mediocre on the road this season, going just 20-21, but they should be able to handle the rebuilding Braves. Patrick Corbin (6-9, 4.71 ERA) will start. The Braves are currently sitting in second place in the NL East, but they are 9.5 games back of the Washington National, who do not look as though they are going to give up that lead. One bright spot for Atlanta this season has been against teams from the West, as they have a 9-5 record against that group. The Braves are below .500 at home, and would like to improve that in the second half. Mike Foltynewicz (7-5, 3.77 ERA) has been very good this season, and will start on Saturday. MLB Betting Pick: Arizona Diamondbacks 3 Atlanta Braves 5Latest MLB Betting Trends
- Diamondbacks are 4-2 ATS in the last 6 games
- Braves are 6-3 ATS in the last 9 games
- Diamondbacks are 1-5 SU in the last 6 games
- Braves are 2-4 SU in the last 6 games
- The total went UNDER in 6 of Arizona’s last 8 games
- The total went OVER in 5 of Atlanta’s last 6 games
Washington Nationals (52-36) at Cincinnati Reds (39-49)
When: Saturday, July 15 at 7:10 PM EST Where: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati TV: MASN (Washington) / FS-O (Cincinnati) Radio: 106.7 The Fan (Washington) / WLW 700 (Cincinnati) Live Stream: MLB.tv Probable Pitchers: Max Scherzer Vs Luis Castillo Analysis: The Washington National had what can best be described as a rather comfortable first half. They are playing in a division where they are really the only team with a legitimate playoff shot, and their 9.5 game lead is testament to that. The Nats have been solid on the road, posting a 26-17 record, and they don’t often lose when Max Scherzer (10-5, 2.10 ERA) is on the mound, and it is he who will start on Saturday. It was a rather awful first half of the season for the Cincinnati Reds, although they did show some signs of life at the end, going 4-2 in their last 6 games against very good opposition in the Rockies and the Diamondbacks. While the big picture is not great, the Reds have been tough to beat at home, going 23-20 so far. They will send Luis Castillo (1-1, 3.13 ERA) to the mound. MLB Betting Pick: Washington Nationals 5 Cincinnati Reds 1Latest MLB Betting Trends
- Nationals are 3-7 ATS in the last 10 games
- Reds are 4-2 ATS in the last 6 games
- Nationals are 5-2 SU in the last 7 games
- Reds are 4-2 SU in the last 6 games
- The total went OVER in 4 of Washington’s last 5 games
- The total went UNDER in 9 of Cincinnati’s last 10 games
St. Louis Cardinals (43-45) at Pittsburgh Pirates (42-47)
When: Saturday, July 15 at 7:05 PM EST Where: PNC Park, Pittsburgh TV: FS-M (St. Louis) / AT&T SportsNet-PIT (Pittsburgh) Radio: KMOX 1120 (St. Louis) / KDKA-FM 93.7 (Pittsburgh) Live Stream: MLB.tv Probable Pitchers: Lance Lynn Vs Chad Kuhl Analysis: The St. Louis Cardinals ended the first half 5.5 games out of the lead in the NL Central, but there are signs that they may be able to make a move in the second half. They have either won or spit each of their last 7 series, and that consistency could serve them well in a division filled with inconsistent teams. Getting above .500 is probably the first goal for the second half. Lance Lynn (7-6, 3.61 ERA) will start. The Pirates have some real work to do if they want to get back into the division race in the second half, and there are an awful lot of trade rumors swirling around them. They did finish the second half strong, winning 5 of 6, but they are still 7.5 games off the pace. The Pirates are 2-4 versus the Cardinals this season, so this is not going to be an easy start for them in the second half. Chad Kuhl (3-6, 4.96 ERA) will be on the mound for the Pirates. MLB Betting Pick: St. Louis Cardinals 6 Pittsburgh Pirates 3Latest MLB Betting Trends
- Cardinals are 2-4 ATS in the last 6 games
- Pirates are 5-1 ATS in the last 6 games
- Cardinals are 8-4 SU in the last 12 games
- Pirates are 5-1 SU in the last 6 games
- The total went UNDER in 4 of St. Louis’s last 6 games
- The total went UNDER in 7 of Pittsburgh’s last 9 games
