Happy Friday Awesemo bettors! Major League Baseball ushers in the weekend on a full day of matchups including all 30 teams and 13 games beginning from 7:05 p.m. ET providing a plethora of options to make our expert MLB picks and predictions while utilizing the gamut of Awesemo tools and data. In tandem with the ability to rapidly filter and sort the updated betting lines at OddsShopper, this article will aim to identify the best MLB bets today.
This article will seek out the best expert MLB bets today based on the potentially most profitable, according to xROI%. Utilizing the groundbreaking tools at OddsShopper to identify outstanding value with optimal returns on investment, parsing and prioritizing daily wagers is easy to filter, sort and bet. OddsShopper not only provides up-to-date odds featured across all major stateside sportsbooks, but also the creation of a Prop Party Parlay, combining your choice of top picks to maximize returns.
Best MLB Bets Today: Free MLB Picks & Predictions
St. Louis Cardinals Moneyline vs. Cincinnati Reds (-125)
The St. Louis Cardinals (7-4) begin a three-game road trip against the Cincinnati Reds (2-11). Steven Matz will take the mound for the Cardinals against the high velocity of Hunter Greene, and each is drawing a third start. Given a 6:40 p.m. ET first pitch the weather at Great American Ball Park forecasts a cloudy 73 degrees. Looking to OddsShopper the Cardinals are -125 moneyline favorites with an 8.1 Vegas run total while Awesemo data projects a 52% xWin, including a 2.9% return on investment for the Cardinals moneyline. Matz (14-7, 2021) bounced back with a win following a brutal first start to the season as he earned six strikeouts, three hits against, no walked batters and no runs against in 5 2/3 innings pitched against the Brewers. Last season was one of Matz’s best, with a 22.3% strikeout rate, .264 average against, 1.33 WHIP, 1.08 home runs per nine innings, 6.6% walk rate and 3.82 earned run average. Today Matz is projected to face six righties, two lefties and one switch-hitter. Facing opposite-handed opposition in 2021, Matz delivered a 20.1% strikeout rate, .261 average against, 1.33 WHIP, 1.16 HR/9, 6.8% walk rate, 4.12 FIP, 11.7% HR/FB rate and 29.6% hard contact. The Reds’ offense when facing southpaw pitchers last season produced a .225 batting average, 23.6% strikeout rate, .685 OPS, .153 ISO, 13.4% HR/FB rate and 80 wRC+. The Cardinals’ bullpen relief of 2021 demonstrated an admirable 23% strikeout rate, .219 average against, 1.32 WHIP, 0.79 HR/9, 3.97 ERA and 8.8% HR/FB rate.
Greene’s start to the season, topped by a 102 mph fastball, has earned a win and a hard-fought loss, pitching a combined 13 strikeouts, nine hits against, five runs earned against and two walked batters in 10 1/3 innings pitched against the Dodgers and Braves. Last season in the minor leagues, Greene delivered a 28.6% strikeout rate, .239 average against, 1.29 WHIP, 1.52 HR/9, 9.1% walk rate, 4.46 FIP and 16.9% HR/FB rate. Greene is slated to face six righties, one lefty and two switch-hitters. Greene’s tenure against fellow righties in the AAA minors last season earned a .202 average against, 1.01 WHIP and 37 strikeouts in 24 1/3 innings pitched against the split. The Cardinals’ hitting against right-handed pitching in 2021 managed a .240 batting average, 22.2% strikeout rate, .706 OPS, .155 ISO, 92 wRC+ and 11.9% HR/FB rate. Considering two pitchers finding their rhythm to start the season, Awesemo data projects for solid returns on the Cardinals offensive to get the best of Cincinnati lending to one of Friday’s best MLB bets today.
Use OddsShopper to find the best betting odds and check out the MLB betting page for the rest of our free MLB betting picks today.
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Rangers vs. Athletics Over 7.5 Total Runs (-110)
The Texas Rangers (3-9) continue their road tour in the American League West with a three-game stint against the Oakland Athletics (8-6) as they hand the ball to Glenn Otto to face off with righty Adam Oller. With a 9:40 p.m. ET first pitch the weather at Oakland Coliseum forecasts a cool 59 degrees. On OddsShopper the Rangers are -133 moneyline favorites including a 7.6 Vegas run total with Awesemo data projecting a 7.5 expected run total and -1.6% return on investment for the over due to moderate juice. Otto (0-3, 2021) is recalled from the minor leagues for Friday while he produced a 25.2% strikeout rate, .317 average against, 1.71 WHIP, 0.77 HR/9, 9.26 ERA, 3.49 xFIP and 10.5% HR/FB rate in six starts. Otto will face six righties and three left-handed hitters. Facing right-handed opposition in 2021, Otto earned a 28.6% strikeout rate, .261 average against, 1.35 WHIP, 1.06 HR/9, 3.17 xFIP and 27.1% hard contact. The Athletics’ hitting engineered a .237 batting average, 22.4% strikeout rate, .721 OPS, .167 ISO, 11.6% HR/FB rate and 101 wRC+. The Texas bullpen relief of 2021 delivered a .240 average against, 22% strikeout rate, 1.32 WHIP, 1.12 HR/9, 9.3% walk rate, 4.13 ERA and 11.9% HR/FB rate.
Oller made his first two Major League starts to the tune of a loss and a no-decision earning a combined six strikeouts, 10 hits against, six walked batters, and seven earned runs against in just 4 2/3 innings pitched against the Rays and Blue Jays. In the minor leagues last season, Oller demonstrated a 24.3% strikeout rate, .176 average against, 1.02 WHIP, 0.20 HR/9, 10.2% walk rate, 3.34 FIP and stranded 78.6% of batters reaching bases in eight starts. Oller will face five lefties and four right-handed hitters. Facing left-handed hitting in the minors last season, Oller delivered a .200 average against, 1.25 WHIP and 45 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings pitched. The Rangers’ hitting resume against right-handed pitching in 2021 produced a .232 batting average, 23.5% strikeout rate, .678 OPS, .150 ISO and 86 wRC+. Oakland’s relief effort from the bullpen manufactured a 20.5% strikeout rate, .240 average against, 8.3% walk rate, 1.28 WHIP, 4.21 ERA and 11.5% HR/FB rate. Seeing as both offenses have been putting up runs to the extent of a 99 and 100 wRC+ each respectively, shaky starting pitching coupled with Awesemo data projecting a narrowly divided scoring output in contrast to a lower Vegas run total establishes the over in Rangers vs. Athletics as another of Friday’s best MLB bets today.
Use OddsShopper to find the best betting odds and check out the MLB betting page for the rest of our free MLB betting picks today.
More Quick MLB Picks & Predictions Today
- Giants vs. Nationals Under (- 120), 7.9% xROI
- White Sox vs. Twins Over (-115), 5.8% xROI
- Blue Jays vs. Astros Over (-110), 6.5% xROI
- Kansas City Royals Moneyline (+115), 5.4% xROI
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