MLB Betting Preview: 3 Best Bets for Monday, April 15
Our MLB selections took a step back last Friday, as they went 2-3 to run the yearly total to 24-15 on the season. The player props went a nice 2-1, but our sides were a disappointing 0-2. Brandon Pfaadt and Tanner Houck really let us down in the starting pitching department.
After a beautiful 16-4 first week, we came back down to earth with an 8-11 mark last week. It's time to find the positive MOJO once again. Check out our 3 MLB best bets below!
Rangers -105 (F5) (BetMGM)
I love betting on pitchers whenever they face their former teams, and that's just what we have on tap in this game. Michael Lorenzen was an All-Star for the Tigers last season, but the club traded him away to the Phillies before the 2023 campaign ended. Lorenzen will be highly motivated to get some sweet revenge against his former mates in this one.
The Tigers have impressed me quite a bit so far this season, but they don't have anywhere near the offense that the Rangers do. Even with a slew of injuries, Texas is still averaging 5.5 runs per game. Detroit is only averaging 3.6!
Reese Olson has some nice offspeed pitches, but he's been walking way too many hitters to start the year. Look for Texas to jump on him early in this one. Let's play the defending champs in the first 5 innings!
Royals -0.5 (F5) (-120) (DraftKings)
This matchup is a classic case of two divisional opponents going in opposite directions. The Royals are off to a 10-6 start and look desperate to prove to their fans that the long rebuilding process is finally over. Bobby Witt Jr. is off to a tremendous start, as he's hitting .333 with 4 homers and 17 runs scored.
The White Sox remind me an awful lot of last year's A's squad. Both their starting pitching and their bullpen has been flat out terrible. The South Siders are just 2-13 so far, and things could keep getting worse with Yoan Moncada, Luis Robert, and Eloy Jimenez out of the lineup with injuries.
The Chi-Sox will also send Nick Nastrini to the hill on Monday to make his Major League debut. The 24-year-old righty has strikeout potential, but he had a 7.71 ERA in 2 AAA starts this year. Look for KC to rough up the youngster in this one.
Brewers +107 (BetRivers)
The wrong team is favored in this spot! Sure, the Pads are coming off a nice comeback win over the Dodgers on Sunday Night Baseball. However, now they have to fly to Milwaukee in what is a sort of a letdown spot.
With the Brew Crew, we're getting a home underdog that has the best record in the National League so far (10-4). Milwaukee is also one of the best teams in baseball in hitting with runners in scoring position. That should come in mighty handy tonight against veteran righty Joe Musgrove.
Musgrove had a great 2023, but he's looked out of sorts so far this year. He's given up 14 earned runs in 4 starts, which is why his ERA is a robust 6.87. I also prefer Milwaukee's bullpen over San Diego's (Brewers Pen = 4.23 runs allowed per 9 innings; Pads Pen = 5.23).
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