MLB Best Bets for Monday, August 16, 2021

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Onto another week of baseball, we have a decent-sized slate of options for a Monday. Let’s get right to it.

Athletics vs. White Sox

If there has been a weak link in the White Sox, it has been the back end of the rotation. Tonight, one of those starters goes for the team – Dallas Keuchel. Keuchel is just 7-6 and carries a 4.51 ERA, which isn’t awful, but it isn’t screaming dominance either from the former Cy Young winner. Having pitched for the Astros those years, the A’s players have some familiarity with him, hitting .298 against him. Frankie Montas has had six consecutive quality starts. He has also been better on the road than at home. As a visitor, he has pitched to a 3.49 ERA. Couple that with the A’s being slightly better against lefty pitching and the play is the A’s at -112 tonight.

Indians vs. Twins

Cal Quantrill faces Griffin Jax tonight in the start of a divisional series between the Indians and Twins. I know what you’re thinking… who vs. who? Quantrill, for the Indians, has actually been very good for the Indians over the last couple of months since he became a rotation regular. He has six of his last seven starts as quality starts. Griffin Jax has been fine as a starter lately, with a few ups and downs. In his one start against the Indians, he gave up three runs in 4.1 innings. Wind won’t really help the offense in this game. I like the under 9.5 runs for the game. I also think the Indians take this one at +110, but that’s not an official play. Feel free to parlay it if you want.

Cubs vs. Reds

I’m sorry to say this because I was born and raised a Cubs fan, but they suck. Watching them has been painful. They are trying out players to see what they have for the future though. One of those players is Justin Steele who pitches tonight for the Cubs. He is a left-hander that is vying for a future in the rotation. The Reds are not good against lefty pitching – they are only batting .232. That’s 27 points lower than what they are hitting against righties. Wade Miley has been a very nice surprise for the Reds this season posting a 3.00 ERA. I think he likely has the Cubs' number tonight and the Reds win by 2+ runs. However, I’m going to play the under on the game as I think Steele can at least keep the game close. Under 9.5 at -118.