It’s the start of another week in the MLB betting season, which means it’s time to take a closer look at the games on tap to see if we can pick out a few winners. We are getting to the stage of the season where the teams challenging for a playoff spot start to tighten up a little, while those who are already out of the picture look to play the role of spoiler. I’m going to pick one game for each day of the coming week, and hopefully we can all continue to build our bankrolls with the following sets of betting lines for the MLB season.
A Closer Look at the Free MLB Betting Predictions – August 14th
Arizona Diamondbacks over Houston Astros – Monday
The Houston Astros may now be regretting standing pat at the trade deadline given that they have gone stone cold since then. Collin McHugh has not pitched poorly since returning from injury, but has yet to pick up a win in 4 starts, and has seen his team lose and deliver little in the way of run support in the last 3. Consider the fact that Zack Greinke will be on the mound for Arizona and you get the ingredients for a Diamondbacks win.Arizona Diamondbacks Team Statistics
Average Score For 4.95 Offensive Hits 8.74 Offensive Walks 3.52 Average Score Against 4.03 Defensive Hits 8.10 Defensive strikeouts 9.22Houston Astros Team Statistics
Average Score For 5.75 Offensive Hits 10.08 Offensive Walks 3.23 Average Score Against 4.44 Defensive Hits 8.21 Defensive strikeouts 9.95NY Mets over NY Yankees – Tuesday
Rookie phenom Aaron Judge has seen his bat turn cold in the second half of the season, and it appears as though the rest of the Yankees have followed suit. While you might ordinarily like them to win a series against the struggling Mets, you need to wonder if the offense has what it takes to ruffle the feathers of Jacob deGrom, who has been lights out this season. I like the Mets in this one.New York Mets Team Statistics
Average Score For 4.71 Offensive Hits 8.53 Offensive Walks 3.16 Average Score Against 5.18 Defensive Hits 9.52 Defensive strikeouts 8.79New York Yankees Team Statistics
Average Score For 5.18 Offensive Hits 9.05 Offensive Walks 3.79 Average Score Against 4.22 Defensive Hits 7.95 Defensive strikeouts 9.43San Diego Padres over Philadelphia Phillies – Wednesday
This might be a match-up that you would ignore, especially given that it is essentially a meaningless game, but I think there is a good wagering opportunity here. Clayton Richard has delivered back to back solid starts for the Padres, giving up just 3 ER in those games. He will go against Nick Pivetta, who has been victimized for 11 runs in his last 2 starts, one of which lasted just 2.2 innings. Let’s go with the Padres here.San Diego Padres Team Statistics
Average Score For 3.82 Offensive Hits 7.81 Offensive Walks 2.85 Average Score Against 5.15 Defensive Hits 8.79 Defensive strikeouts 8.20Philadelphia Phillies Team Statistics
Average Score For 3.97 Offensive Hits 8.43 Offensive Walks 3.04 Average Score Against 4.82 Defensive Hits 9.10 Defensive strikeouts 7.77Colorado Rockies over Atlanta Braves – Thursday
The Rockies have a losing record against teams for the East this season, but I like them to get the win on Thursday night. The Braves will send Lucas Sims to the mound for his 4th start, and he will still be looking for his first win of the season. The Braves have given him little in the way of run support in those starts, and have come out on the losing end all 3 times. Let’s go with the Rockies here as the MLB betting pick.Colorado Rockies Team Statistics
Average Score For 5.18 Offensive Hits 9.40 Offensive Walks 2.92 Average Score Against 4.82 Defensive Hits 8.97 Defensive strikeouts 7.82Atlanta Braves Team Statistics
Average Score For 4.56 Offensive Hits 8.97 Offensive Walks 2.82 Average Score Against 5.09 Defensive Hits 9.012 Defensive strikeouts 7.56Chicago Cubs over Toronto Blue Jays – Friday
This is a game that could also be a solid candidate for the UNDER pick, as we have a great pitching match-up on tap. J.A. Happ has been hot for the Blue Jays, winning his last 3 starts, but that still pales in comparison to what Jake Arrieta has been delivering on the mound for the Cubs. Arrieta has only allowed 9 ER in his last 6 starts, making him very tough to beat during that stretch.Chicago Cubs Team Statistics
Average Score For 4.72 Offensive Hits 8.38 Offensive Walks 3.72 Average Score Against 4.35 Defensive Hits 7.87 Defensive strikeouts 8.78Toronto Blue Jays Team Statistics
Average Score For 4.30 Offensive Hits 8.18 Offensive Walks 3.49 Average Score Against 4.97 Defensive Hits 8.93 Defensive strikeouts 8.60LA Angels over Baltimore Orioles – Friday
When a team trades for a player, the hope is that he will make an immediate impact, but it doesn’t always work out that way. The Orioles picked up pitcher Jeremy Hellickson from the Phillies, but he has not been particularly solid in his first 3 starts with his new ball club. That may not bode well for Baltimore on Saturday when they go against the red-hot LA Angels, so go with LA as the MLB betting pick.
