MLB Best Bets for Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Not a bad day yesterday with two winners and a close loss on one game. Let’s move on to Wednesday and see what kind of cash we can make.
Padres vs. Rockies
Jake Arrieta used to be a really good pitcher. Now, he has been unceremoniously released from the Cubs and scooped up by the Padres. This doesn’t have anything to do with betting, but if Jake wants to continue his career, I think his best bet would be to go to the bullpen and do some late-inning work. In any case, tonight he starts for the Padres against the Rockies. He’s faced the Rockies once this year and gave up four runs in four innings of work, including giving up three home runs. For the Rockies, Chi Chi Gonzalez throws and he too has had a struggle of a season. His home numbers are not as bad as his road numbers. At home, he’s given up only one home run every ten innings, as opposed to his road work where he has given up one home run every four innings. I like the Rockies to win this game at +118.
Athletics vs. White Sox
Though not nearly as drastic as it once was, the White Sox are still a better team versus left-handed pitching than right-handed pitching. The A’s lefty Cole Irvin will have a tough task tonight when he takes the mound to face the White Sox. The Sox have taken the first two games of the series, and the A’s have lost four of their last five games. The biggest difference-maker in this game, though, is Lance Lynn. The probable Cy Young candidate is pitching great and at home, he is a force. He’s the proud owner of a 2.13 home ERA and has a 6-2 record when starting there. Play the White Sox to win on the run line at +105.
Phillies vs. Diamondbacks
It is always difficult to tell how a reliever will transition to the starter role. Ranger Suarez has seen Diamondbacks hitters 14 times and given up five hits. Overall, his performance has been stellar and if he can translate that to a full game, the Phillies have an ace in the making. Luckily, the Diamondbacks are one of the worst hitting teams in the majors, so Suarez could post a very dominant outing tonight. On the other side, Humberto Castellanos, also a reliever-now-starter, pitches in his second start of the season. He went a solid four innings against the Rockies last start, giving up only four hits. I think this game has a similar feel in that both pitchers should be strong through four innings and the game will be low scoring. The juice is high on this one too, but play the under 5.5 runs through five innings. If you prefer, I think the game will be under, but I don’t trust the Phillies pen at all.