Good weekend of MLB betting action for this Friday around the diamond as we close in on the All-Star break. The marquee series of the weekend looks to be a battle for first in the NL West between the streaking Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers. And with that in mind, here’s a look at three series openers on Friday with the latest MLB odds projected.
Red Hot MLB Betting Picks for This Friday
Back on top. #LetsGoDodgers pic.twitter.com/QLi6ZENlR6
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 22, 2017
Los Angeles Angels at Boston Red Sox
When: Friday, June 23, 7:10 PM ET Where: Fenway Park, Boston MLB Betting Odds: TBA The Sox will be solid MLB betting favorites here behind reigning Cy Young winner Rick Porcello, but there’s going to be a total likely of 10 or higher because Porcello is really struggling and the Angels are starting young Alex Meyer. This game is also on the MLB Network. Porcello (3-9, 5.05) looks nothing like he did last year. Last time out, he was shelled again, this time for seven runs and 10 hits in six innings in Houston that dropped him to 3-9.Click Here to View Yesterday’s MLB Picks
The first Cy Young Award was awarded following the 1956 season and since then only three pitchers lost nine games in their first 15 starts of the next season and that has occurred in each of the last three seasons: Corey Kluber in 2015 (3-9, 3.65 ERA), Dallas Keuchel in 2016 (3-9, 5.32) and Porcello this season. Porcello has allowed five or more earned runs in his last three starts, 10 hits or more in four of his last six games and no fewer than five hits in any of his 15 starts.What’s Going on With Alex Meyer?
“To me, the very specific goal is to achieve being down in the bottom of the zone more consistently, then it opens it to be able to do more other things,” Manager John Farrell said. This is the first time Meyer (3-3, 3.52) has ever faced Boston. Meyer won after allowing two hits and one walk with nine strikeouts over six scoreless innings Saturday vs. the Royals. Meyer entered Saturday”s start having walked 29 in 40 innings, so the improvement in control with one free pass and 62 of 94 pitches thrown for strikes is a welcome sign. Go over whatever total here.Colorado Rockies at LA Dodgers
When: Friday, June 23, 10:10 PM ET Where: Dodger Stadium, L.A. MLB Betting Odds: TBA I believe the National League MVP has a good chance of coming from these teams, either Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado or Dodgers rookie Cody Bellinger, who has been simply unbelievable and leads the NL in homers despite not being called up until late April. Earlier this week Bellinger became the first player in MLB history with 5 multi-HR games in his first 51 games. The previous fastest to 5 was Mark McGwire (84g). The Dodgers have shifted around their rotation for this big series. They will go with lefty Alex Wood and start fellow lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu on Thursday vs. the Mets.Is Alex Wood a Good Choice for the Dodgers?
Wood allowed five hits over six scoreless innings when he last faced the Rockies, May 13 at Coors Field, and earned the win. The southpaw finished with 10 strikeouts, his second-most in a start this season. Conversely, Ryu is 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA in three starts against the Rockies this year. He failed to complete five innings in two of the three outings. Wood is 6–0 with a 2.08 ERA in 10 starts this season (7-0 overall), making him the fourth Dodgers pitcher since the team relocated to Los Angeles in 1958 to compile a record of 6-0 or better in his first 10 starts of a season. Colorado rookie Kyle Freeland (8-4, 3.42) is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA in two starts this year vs. the Dodgers. His incredible 58.7 percent groundball rate now leads the National League. Take L.A. at home as the MLB betting pick here.
Detroit Tigers at San Diego Padres
When: Friday, June 23, 10:10 PM ET Where: Petco Park, San Diego MLB Betting Odds: TBA Interleague matchup, and the Tigers will be without the designated hitter. Their usual DH, Victor Martinez, is hurt anyway. Detroit started with an even 6-6 record over their first 12 road games, but they’ve lost 16 of their last 24 away from home (.333). They are 1-5- 2 in their last seven road series. The Padres are also without a regular in 2B Yangervis Solarte, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right oblique strain. It came with unfortunate timing for Solarte, who was batting .317/.394/.667 with seven home runs and 15 RBIs in 16 games this month. Catcher Austin Hedges suffered a bad bruise on his right thigh in a nasty home-plate collision with Anthony Rizzo in the sixth inning of Monday’s series opener vs. the Cubs. Hedges hasn’t played since but the Friars think he will Friday.Who Will Pitch in Both Teams?
For Detroit, it’s Michael Fulmer (6-5, 3.45). He allowed three runs on six hits in 6.2 innings during last Saturday’s loss to the Rays. He struck out three batters and walked four. After allowing 10 runs over his previous two starts (11.2 innings), Fulmer bounced back to toss a quality start despite getting tagged with his fifth loss of the season. He’s 5-for-5 in quality starts for his career on the West Coast. It’s rookie Dinelson Lamet (2-2, 7.50) for the Padres. Lamet came close to making franchise history in a no-decision against the Brewers on Saturday. The righty struck out 12 batters using just 75 pitches, marking the second-highest single-game strikeout total for a Padres rookie. Neither pitcher has faced the opposing team so I like the under total here, which should be 8.5-9.Upcoming MLB Betting Schedule
Angels vs Red Sox
- Saturday, June 24th @ Boston. 8:15pm ET
- Sunday, June 25th @ Boston. 2:35pm ET
Rockies vs Dodgers
- Saturday, June 24th @ Los Angeles. 11:10pm ET
- Sunday, June 25th @ Los Angeles. 5:10pm ET
Tigers vs Padres
- Saturday, June 24th @ San Diego. 11:10pm ET
- Sunday, June 25th @ San Diego. 11:10pm ET
