Major League Baseball's regular season is starting to come to a close, but there's still a number of opportunities left for us to take advantage of with our MLB picks. Let's start by adding a parlay to our list of plays today.
The two big favorites on the MLB odds board today: the
Philadelphia Phillies at -215 over the Miami Marlins with Roy Halladay on the
mound and the Texas Rangers hosting the Cleveland Indians as a -230 favorite.
Other than those two, there's a lot of tight lines on offer
today, so let's pick and choose wisely as we try to outsmart the books.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Seattle Mariners
Brandon Morrow (TOR): 8-5, 2.94 ERA, 1.05 WHIP
Erasmo Ramirez (SEA): 0-2, 3.69 ERA, 1.07 WHIP
I'm primarily adding the Blue Jays to tonight's baseball picks because I firmly
believe in Morrow's ability.
Having returned from a long 10-week layoff, Morrow has made
three starts and has only given up a total of five earned runs in those
appearances. Moreover, those assignments came against on-fire teams in
Baltimore and Tampa Bay.
I think we can agree that the Mariners aren't really in the
same league, especially as of late. Seattle just got swept at home by Oakland,
and they won't be feeling very confident up against Toronto's ace.
In his lone appearance against them this season, Morrow shut
down the Mariners to the tune of six shutout innings. He gave up only five hits
and struck out nine without walking a batter.
Seattle has Ramirez pitching, and he's still essentially an
unknown quantity. The team is giving him a spot start to get a better look, but
I think the Blue Jays will be able to figure him out and get Morrow a lead he
can work with.
It's been a great week for Toronto, winners of four in a
row, and I'm going to be adding them as the first leg of this parlay.
Free MLB Pick: Toronto Blue Jays -154
Baltimore Orioles vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Jason Hammel (BAL): 8-6, 3.46 ERA, 1.26 WHIP
Matt Moore (TB): 10-9, 3.66 ERA, 1.34 WHIP
Pitching should rule the day tonight when the Orioles and
Rays kick off a three-game series.
Hammel made his return last week and pitched five solid
innings at home against the New York Yankees. He had missed close to two months
because of a knee injury.
Before going down, Hammel had been Baltimore's most reliable
starter and the team's hoping he can provide another boost late in the season
as the Orioles try to secure the top spot in the AL East.
The Rays give the ball to Matt Moore, who's turning into the
pitcher everyone thought he could before our very own eyes. Moore had his best
month of the season in August, going 3-1 with a 2.19 ERA and holding batters to
a .232 average overall.
The second-year starter has had tons of success against the
Orioles already this season. He's 2-1 with a 1.15 ERA against them in three
starts, giving up only two earned runs in close to 16 innings.
So while Baltimore's been swinging the ball great lately, I
suspect Moore has it in him to cool them down and keep this total score UNDER
the posted O/U of eight runs. Two efficient starters should keep an offensive
explosion off the board.
Free MLB Pick: UNDER 8
Parlay Blue Jays & Orioles/Rays UNDER 8