Three picks are taken from the MLB with one from the NFL. A winning ticket gives us a nice payout with odds at +987 with FanDuel; that’s more than 9/1! Let’s break down each of these plays.
MLB: Cincinnati Reds ML (-174) vs Pittsburgh Pirates, 6:40pm ET
The Reds are 10-3 against the Pirates this season, and this is a series they have to win. Cincinnati sits 3.0 games back of the second National League wild card spot, and they will begin a 3-game series against Pittsburgh at Great American Ball Park on Monday evening.
The Pirates have won just 30% of their road games this season. They are 22-51 as a road underdog, so even though the Reds have been shaky as of late, they are the team to back in this matchup.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for this matchup. You can also read the rest of our MLB picks and predictions, as well as our prop bets, parlays, and MLB Best Bets.
MLB: Washington Nationals vs Miami Marlins ML (-112), 6:40pm ET
Miami’s Jesus Luzardo isn’t posting other-worldly numbers, but the Marlins are 5-4 in his 9 starts since acquiring him from the A’s. He is also throwing the ball well at home. The 23-year-old left-hander has allowed a total of 5 earned runs over his last 3 home starts (17.1 innings).
Erick Fedde will be on the mound for the visitors. He is 3-5 with a 5.24 ERA and .276 BAA on the road this season. The Marlins won on a walk-off in extra innings last night, and they should be able to take that momentum into this matchup. Take the Marlins at home.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for this matchup. You can also read the rest of our MLB picks and predictions, as well as our prop bets, parlays, and MLB Best Bets.
MLB: Toronto Blue Jays vs Tampa Bay Rays – Under 8 runs (-106), 7:10pm ET
It’s understandable that the oddsmakers want to set a total this high with a pitcher making his big-league debut, but Shane Baz has excelled at every level of the minors he’s pitched at. He had a 2.48 ERA in Double-A this year and did even better after earning promotion to Triple-A, pitching to a 1.76 mark in 10 starts while holding opposing hitters to a .174 average.
The Blue Jays are certainly a step up from that, but the rookie should be up to the task to keep their bats quiet for 5 or so innings before turning it over to the Rays’ league-leading bullpen. Robbie Ray is a legitimate contender for the AL Cy Young Award, and if he gets it, it would be nothing but deserving – he comes into what is likely his 3rd-to-last start of the season with a 2.64 ERA and 233 strikeouts. Expect a low-scoring game with lots of punchouts, and take the under.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for this matchup. You can also read the rest of our MLB picks and predictions, as well as our prop bets, parlays, and MLB Best Bets.
NFL: Detroit Lions vs Green Bay Packers – Over 48.5 points (-114), 8:15pm ET
The Packers should have their way with the Lions’ run defense. That will obviously lead to points for Green Bay. The question is, will the Lions hold up their end of the bargain? I am going to say yes. Jared Goff used his running backs in the pass game more than any other quarterback in Week 1. If they get down, they should be able to move the ball the same way against the Packers. It won’t be pretty, but this one should get over 48.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for this matchup.
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