This article is part of our MLB Picks series.
Previous day: 3-0, +1.91RWBucks
Season: 15-5, +5.13 RWBucks
In the infamous words of Frank Ricard in "Old School" — LETS GO STREAKING!!! After having the 9-0 streak broken, I got back on the horse Monday with a 3-0 streak. I love betting MLB on Sunday as we get a huge edge on the lines, which usually do not reflect weaker Sunday lineups with players resting.
Giants at Pirates, 1:05 p.m. EDT
If you have been reading my articles, you will notice a recent trend of picking on the Pirates. Well, it continues again as everything lines up great for Alex Wood. Pittsburgh's lineup is by far the weakest in the National League over the last month, and the Pirates are 4-13 to the under in their last 17 games. Even though they do not strikeout a ton, they lack zero punch. Add that Wood should be working with a lead in the game, he can afford to throw strikes.
Wood is 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 29 strikeouts in five starts. I will throw out the start at Coors that saw him go five innings and only strike out two batters. Excluding Coors, Wood has a 27:6 K:BB in 25 innings. As you know, I love taking the over when I think the starting pitcher is in a great spot to be working with a lead and deeper in the game.
On the other side, Mitch Keller got bombed his last time out against the Reds, and I was all over that game last Monday. I ended up with three bets on a short slate and swept the board 3-0.
Much like Monday, I will triple dip and also go with the Giants on the run line 1st five innings and Pirates under.
BET: Alex Wood over 5.5 strikeouts (+115) for 1 RWbuck
BET: Giants -0.5 runs 1st 5 innings (-110) for 1 RWbuck
BET: Pirates under 2.5 runs (+125) for 0.5 RWbuck
Angels at Red Sox, 1:10 p.m.
Jose Quintana vs. Nathan Eovaldi
Two constants we know of so far this season, Jose Quintana has a WHIP over 2.00 in all six starts and the Red Sox can hit. The Red Sox offense is the best in baseball, and while Sunday's projected lineup appears to be a tad weaker with Michael Chavis, Kevin Plawecki and Jonathan Arauz, all three could be starters on a lot of teams. I just don't see how Quintana survives in this game allowing the amount of contact and base runners he has all year. Eovaldi has been up and down, so I am not looking at a strikeout prop on him. I think the Red Sox jump all over Quintana early and have the lead after five innings and go over 4.5 runs. If you notice, I am avoiding picking the Red Sox for the game. I can envision a situation where the Angels get to Eovaldi and to the Red Sox bullpen to salvage the series.
BET: Red Sox -0.5 runs 1st 5 innings (-115) for 1 RWbuck
BET: Red Sox over 4.5 runs (-135) for 1 RWbuck
