MLB Best Bets for Monday, September 20, 2021
Another week closer to the looming playoffs, some teams really need to stay strong this week and others are just brushing up for their upcoming playoff run. Let’s get it!
Pirates vs. Reds
Dillon Peters is making his sixth start for the Pirates and he has already turned in five solid performances. Over 23 innings, he has allowed only seven earned runs. His last start was against the same Reds team in a 6-5 Pirates win in which he allowed no earned runs in five innings. Vladimir Gutierrez is throwing tonight for the Reds and while he’s been fine overall, his home starts have left a lot to be desired. Over eight home starts, he’s thrown to a 4.91 ERA, allowing 11 of his 18 home runs on the season. He hasn’t been that much better against the Pirates this season either. He has allowed five earned runs over two starts that spanned 9.2 innings. I’m going to play the Pirates to steal this one tonight at +140.
Braves vs. Diamondbacks
The total of 9 runs in this one seems too low to me. I don’t ever have much confidence in the Diamondbacks to score runs in just about any game, but tonight they face a 4.18 road ERA pitcher in Huascar Ynoa. He’s only faced the Diamondbacks 18 times, but he has shown a lot of success, holding them just to one hit. The Diamondbacks are sending Humberto Mejia to the hill for his third start of the season. He’s allowed six earned runs over 11 innings thus far and I think that it continues today with him surrendering even more. I expect the Braves to do most of the work in the scoring department tonight but think that a 7-3 final is realistic for the Braves. Play the over 9 runs at -115.
Mariners vs. Athletics
Both teams are sending lefties to the mound tonight in an AL West battle. Tyler Anderson throws for the Mariners and after a nice August, he has struggled a bit in September. He has yet to face Oakland this season, but he has allowed nine hits in 33 at-bats against him from Oakland hitters. The Mariners are a soft-hitting team to begin with and have basically identical righty/lefty splits. Tonight, they face a tough left-hander in Sean Manaea. Manaea has also been fairly inconsistent, but he should excel against a Seattle team that is hitting just .137 against him over their collective careers. I think that Oakland should win this game with ease. Play the Athletics -1.5 at +110.