MLB Betting Preview: 5 Best Bets for Friday, April 19
We suffered an 0-1 setback with our MLB picks on Thursday evening. Our best bet on the D'Backs went down in flames, mainly because their offense just couldn't get anything going. Our other selection on the Cubs was rained out.
It's been another up and down type of week, but we're locked, loaded, and ready to finish it off on a high note. Check out our 5 MLB best bets below. Good luck with all of your weekend action, folks!
Cubs -162 (FanDuel)
Even though the price is a little bit higher than what we paid yesterday, the same logic applies to this bet on the Cubbies. Jameson Taillon will be making his season debut, and although he's nothing special, he's far more reliable than Miami starter AJ Puk.
Puk's insanely high walk rate of 24.1% should come back to bite him against this dangerous Cubs lineup. Michael Busch has been knocking the cover off the ball, as he leads the North Siders in homers with 6.
Even though I'm nervous about the Cubs bullpen, they still have much better numbers than the Fish. Chicago's reliever ERA of 4.25 isn't all that great, but it's a heck of a lot better than Miami's 5.87. Hey Chicago, what do you say? Cubs are gonna win today!
Nationals +1.5 (-111) (FanDuel)
I came close to pulling the trigger on the Natties outright at +150, but I love getting the run line at home with a very live dog. I respect Justin Verlander, but he doesn't deserve to be this big of a favorite. He may be a future Hall of Famer, but he gave up 11 earned runs in his 2 rehab starts.
I've always liked MacKenzie Gore and he's started off like gangbusters this season. His strikeout rate is one of the best in the Majors at 35.4%. The 25-year-old has a 97 mph fastball, but he gets a ton of extension, so it looks more than 101 to the hitters.
Houston has the better lineup in this matchup, but I'm betting Washington is going to be brimming with confidence after taking 2 of 3 from the Dodgers. Let's play the Nats on the run line!
Braves -1.5 (+105) (ESPN)
This may sound elementary, but anytime I can get this Braves offense at plus money (even on the run line) I'm going to be interested. Though I rarely like needing to win by 2 runs, there's a lot to like about Atlanta tonight.
I think the move to Atlanta will rejuvenate Chris Sale's career. Though his ERA isn't the greatest at 4.58, his 28.2% K-rate tells us that he still has plenty of break on that nasty curveball. I like Sale a lot more than Texas starter Andrew Heaney, who still hasn't had a quality start in 2024.
Marcell Ozuna continues to be in a good groove at the plate, as he's in the midst of a 16-game hitting streak. Atlanta's bullpen has also outperformed Texas's to start the season. Give me the Bravos to make a statement against the defending champs!
Brewers -120 (FanDuel)
It wouldn't surprise me in the least if Freddy Peralta ends up winning the NL Cy Young Award. The 27-year-old has been lights out for Milwaukee so far, as his ERA is 2.55 and opponents have an expected batting average of just .191 against him.
Peralta's walk rate is also one of the best in the Majors, at only 3%. Although these two teams have pretty equal bullpens, the lineup comparison heavily favors the Beer-Makers.
Milwaukee is averaging 5.9 runs per game while St. Louis is averaging just 3.7. Give me the better starter with the better lineup any day!
Mariners -130 (BetMGM)
Seattle's bats have to wake up at some point, don't they? A little trip to Coors Field should be just what the doctor ordered. Guys like Julio Rodriguez, Mitch Garver, and Ty France are too good not to start heating up soon.
Colorado may have better offensive stats than Seattle, but the Rockies just had to put Kris Bryant on IL. Even though the former World Series champ hasn't been hitting well, losing him is still a blow to their lineup.
Seattle has the pitching edge in this one in a big way. Emerson Hancock doesn't impress me at that much, but he never seems to walk too many guys, which is a plus at Coors. I also like the Mariners bullpen quite a bit more than the Rockies. Let's lay the moderate price with the Ms.
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