MLB Best Bets for Monday, July 19th
We went 1-2 yesterday, losing on a Cubs rally that fell just short and the Athletics scoring in the second to tie up the game which prevented us from hitting our +220 play.
Twins vs. White Sox
Can you guess who leads the AL in ERA? If you said anyone other than Lance Lynn, you are wrong. Lynn, who has been rewarded with an extension, is pitching lights out this year for the White Sox, and has actually been good for a couple of years now. On the other side, Griffin Jax is pitching for the Twins and in 17.2 innings pitched, he’s surrendered 17 runs. While he has never faced the White Sox, and that usually benefits the pitcher, he simply doesn’t have the stuff to make an impact on this game and prevent the Sox from cruising. Take the Sox runline at -1.5 and -115. I also really like the Sox to get over 4 runs in this game at -118.
Rangers vs. Tigers
This exact same matchup played out last week in Texas, same teams, same pitchers. The Rangers’ Kyle Gibson has been the bright spot in the Rangers rotation this season, but in his last start, against these same Tigers, was a sore spot. He gave up five runs in just over six innings pitched. Casey Mize, for the Tigers, went four innings giving up two runs. He only went the four innings despite throwing only 50 pitches, so that maybe be something to consider. My angle for this one is going to be under 4.5 runs in the first half of the game. Both Mize and Gibson have been very profitable first five-inning pitchers and that is generally the result of two things, being underdogs regularly, and keeping opposing hitters off balance the first couple times through the order.
Astros and White Sox
I’m double-dipping a bit here, but I also gave out two plays in the Sox game, and in case you can’t tell, I’m all over them today. I like the Astros and White Sox to win in a moneyline parlay +119. You’ve read about why I like the White Sox above, but I also like the Astros to win their game against the Indians. Not only do they have their ace, Zack Greinke on the hill tonight, but they are also facing a guy in J.C. Mejia that has surrendered six earned runs in back-to-back starts and three of his last four starts. I’m playing the Astros to pounce and coupled with the Sox, they are at +110.