The MLB playoff races are heating up as we move into the third weekend of August. Let’s take a closer look at three games in the Senior Circuit from a betting perspective and decide where we should place our MLB picks.
New York Mets at
Washington Nationals
The Washington
Nationals enjoyed an off day after going 8-2 on their recently completed
10-game road trip, which helped to push their record to a major league-best
12-4 in August. The New York Mets came away with an 8-4 win over the
Cincinnati Reds as +138 road underdogs on Thursday night, but have failed to
win consecutive games since the first two days of the month.
Mets starting pitcher
Johan Santana (6-8, 4.58 ERA) pitched a career low-tying 1.1 innings in his
first start off the disabled list in a 9-3 home loss to the Atlanta Braves,
allowing eight runs and eight hits in the process. The left-hander hasn’t
enjoyed much success away from Citi Field this year, posting a 2-4 record and
5.36 ERA in nine road starts, surrendering eight home runs in 48.2 combined
frames. In 10 career outings versus the Nationals, Santana is 6-3 with a
2.91 ERA.
Ross Detwiler (6-5,
3.18 ERA) is the least talked about pitcher in the Nationals starting rotation,
but he’s putting together a solid 2012 campaign. The left-hander is 5-1
with a 2.51 ERA in 12 home appearances (nine starts), serving up just four
round trippers in 61 combined innings. In eight lifetime appearances
(five starts) versus the Mets, Detwiler has produced a 3-1 record and 2.81 ERA,
which includes a no-decision effort in leading the club to a 5-4 home win on
July 17 in the series (7 IP, 5 H).
When it comes to making our MLB picks, us bettors should
be confident in laying this number with the Nationals against Santana, as
they’ve won 16 of the last 21 meetings.
MLB Picks: Washington
Nationals -160
Arizona Diamondbacks
at Houston Astros
Arizona hit two solo
home runs in the top of the ninth inning to come away with a 2-1 road victory
over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday night, which is the type of victory
that may start a long winning streak. Houston is the perfect team to open
a three-game series against, as the club has compiled a 7-37 record in its last
44 games.
Diamondbacks starting
pitcher Wade Miley (12-8, 3.02 ERA) has been handed consecutive defeats in
facing the Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals, but has a chance to
bounce back in a big way in this spot. The left-hander earned a 12-3 home
win over the Astros on July 21, allowing just a single run and four hits over
seven frames.
Dallas Keuchel (1-4,
5.29 ERA) has failed to earn a victory since June 23, with the club falling in
defeat in six of his last seven outings. The 24-year-old southpaw has
registered an even 1-1 record and 3.27 ERA in five home starts, issuing eight
walks and striking out 16 batters in 33 combined innings. Keuchel ended
up on the losing end in facing Miley last month at Chase Field.
The MLB betting odds
are a bit inflated in this contest, but it’s hard to ignore that the
Diamondbacks are 15-6 in their last 21 games against left-handed starters,
while the Astros have lost eight of their last nine in the same situation.
MLB Picks: Arizona
Diamondbacks -180
San Francisco Giants
at San Diego Padres
San Francisco heads
out on a dangerous six-game road trip against National League West rivals, as
it still copes with All-Star outfielder Melky Cabrera being suspended for the
remainder of the regular season following a positive test for
testosterone. San Diego is playing its best baseball of the season, and
has won four of its last five home games following a road trip of seven or more
days.
Giants starting
pitcher Matt Cain (11-5, 2.99 ERA) snapped a personal two-game losing streak in
capturing a 9-3 home win over the Colorado Rockies last time out, allowing two
runs and seven hits over 7.1 innings. The right-hander has gone 5-2 with a
3.91 ERA in 11 road starts, with opposing hitters batting .243 against
him. In 29 career starts versus the Padres, Cain has produced a 6-11
record and 3.26 ERA, including a 3-6 mark and 2.59 ERA in 14 efforts at Petco
Park.
Ross Ohlendorf (4-3,
6.41 ERA) isn’t going to receive much attention at the betting windows, but
must be respected due to his 2-0 record and 2.61 ERA in five home appearances
(three starts). The right-hander has failed to earn a decision in two
games (one start) against the Giants, allowing four earned runs in seven
combined innings.
I recommend backing
the home underdog in this divisional affair, considering the Giants have lost
eight of Cain’s last 10 starts as a road favorite, including seven of eight at
a price of -110 to -150.
MLB Picks: San Diego
Padres +140