MLB Best Bets for Tuesday, August 31, 2021
Not great results yesterday losing two of our three picks, but we can get that back today. Let’s get to it with our Tuesday plays.
Braves vs. Dodgers
Only about a month until we cash our Walker Buehler Cy Young tickets. Tonight is another game on his campaign towards the trophy and he faces the Braves. Buehler has a 2.13 ERA at home and face a Braves team that has lost three of its last five games. Charlie Morton has been a better pitcher on the road and also during night outings. Lately, he has pitched very effectively. Over his last nine starts, only his last one was one where he gave up over three runs. The total is set low because of two quality starting pitchers tonight. I’m playing the under 7.5 for the game at -106.
Rockies vs. Rangers
Neither of these teams have much left to play for this season, but it does allow a good opportunity to see what the future holds for each team. Jordan Lyles pitches for the Rangers, and he has been hit very hard this season, with a 5.70 ERA – one that goes up slightly during night games. The biggest problem with Lyles has been home runs allowed. Lyles has given up 29 home runs during night games this season. In his last two home starts, he’s given 11 earned runs over 11.1 innings pitched. Having seen the Rockies 52 times in his career, he’s had some success, keeping them to just a .226 average against him. I’d like to play the over on this game, but I don’t know the Rangers will score enough off of Rockies starter, Austin Gomber. I’m going to play the Rockies team total over 4.5 total runs at -105.
Padres vs. Diamondbacks
Blake Snell has been more like Blake Smell on the road… because he stinks. Alright, I’ll stick to betting advice and leave the standup routine at the door. Anyway, Snell has a 7.01 road ERA. He was very good against the Diamondbacks the last time he faced them, and it was a road start as well. He’s held Diamondback hitters to only a .192 average and over three starts this season only allowed two earned runs over 16.2 innings. Zack Gallen pitches for the Diamondbacks and he is coming off back-to-back starts without allowing an earned run. In two starts against the Padres, he gave up six earned runs in 9.2 innings. Padres hitters are hitting .305 against him as well. I think that Snell can hold the Diamondbacks down enough at win on the run line at +100. I also am sprinkling Tatis to hit a home run at +230 – he is 3 for 7 against Gallen with two leaving the yard.