Ricky Dimon
Show Bio
We are beginning a new week in Major League Baseball, one that will merge August into September. Yes, that means we are coming down the home stretch. What better time of year is there to cash some bets?! The YRFI/NRFI market has become extremely popular, so you definitely want to dive in and join the fun – especially when the Pickswise experts are giving you advice! For the season we are sporting a 62-38 record (62% win rate).
Here are my two favorite plays for Monday’s MLB slate. Make sure you also read our MLB Picks for all of today’s games.
Boston Red Sox vs Minnesota Twins: YRFI (-115)
The Red Sox have scored 23 runs in their last four games, during which they have not been held to fewer than four runs on any occasion. In a 3-game sweep of the Giants this past weekend, the Twins crossed the plate a total of 20 times.
Monday’s pitching matchup does not suggest that the bats will cool off. Brayan Bello is getting the ball for Boston, opposed by Minnesota’s Dylan Bundy. Bello is 0-3 with a 7.36 ERA, while Bundy is saddled with a 4.56 ERA. The 23-year-old Bello has allowed a first-inning run in 4 of 6 starts this season, including a disastrous stretch of 7 first-inning runs given up in back-to-back appearances against the Rays and Blue Jays last month. The YRFI has cashed in three consecutive Bundy starts, most recently because he surrendered a run to Houston on Wednesday. The right-hander has a tough matchup on his hands in this game, especially at the top of Boston’s lineup. Xander Bogaerts is 14-for-39 lifetime against Bundy with three home runs and five doubles. Rafael Devers has two homers among his six hits off Bundy.
Be sure to check out our full Boston Red Sox vs Minnesota Twins predictions
San Diego Padres vs San Francisco Giants: NRFI (-135)
Monday’s series-opening pitching matchup is a great one. Mike Clevinger is toeing the rubber for San Diego and he will be opposed by San Francisco’s Carlos Rodon. In Clevinger’s last 7 starts he has surrendered more than 2 runs only twice, and in one of those he gave up just three. In his last 11 outings he has allowed a first-inning run just once.
Rodon is 12-6 with a 2.81 ERA and he has been even more masterful of late. The left-hander is sporting a 1.85 ERA through 4 August starts and that was preceded by 7.0 innings of scoreless baseball against the Cubs at the end of July. Rodon has made 6 straight starts without allowing a run in the first inning and 5 in a row blanking opponents in each of the first two frames. It should also be noted that the 29-year-old has recorded 21 strikeouts over his past 2 appearances. When you are limiting contact, it eliminates the chances of fluke hits and fluke runs.
In two outings against the Padres this season, Rodon has a 1.80 ERA with 18 strikeouts through 15.0 innings. No hitter on either team has enjoyed any notable success at the opposing pitcher’s expense during his career, so expect more pitching dominance to continue on Monday night.
Be sure to check out our full San Diego Padres vs San Francisco Giants predictions
Pickswise is the home of free MLB picks and predictions. Make sure to also check out our MLB parlays and MLB prop bets tabs for more expert picks.
