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The MLB is back from the All-Star break and it was quite the busy one. The Dodgers added Manny Machado and the Indians also did a blockbuster trade to add relievers Brad Hand and Adam Cimber from the Padres for top prospect Francisco Mejia. The Dodgers move was just filling a hole (filling a hole with the best player out there, but still) while the Indians are definitely making an all-in type of move.
Cleveland is a sure-fire winner of the AL Central, but they addressed a weakness and set themselves up for a playoff run. With the Astros, Yankees and Red Sox all having great offenses with superhuman offenses; the Indians need guys who can get them out in the playoffs. A nice move.
MLB Betting Tips:
Before I get into my baseball betting tips for the day’s game I wanted to mention one MLB future bet that I saw at Bovada. Most of the division betting odds don’t offer a lot of value, but the National League East is very interesting. The Phillies, Braves and Nationals are all between +140 and +190. Despite having the worst record of the three, I think the Nationals +190 have the best odds of winning this thing.
They have the best starters, the best bullpen and in the second half I see the offense making a major step forward. Bryce Harper should bounce back and this team is very capable of a big run. They have the weakest remaining schedule of the three and FanGraphs gives them the highest percent chance to win the division. A great betting opportunity to grab an underdog price for what should be the favorite.
As for games that take place today, there are three that I am looking at.
The Indians -1.5 over the Rangers is a great one. They face Martin Perez who has looked absolutely horrible early this season. He’s gotten rocked in his six starts and faces an Indians offense that headed into the break red hot. Trevor Bauer is having an incredible season and has actually been better in road starts. With the improved Indians bullpen, I feel better about laying the runs with them than I have in months.
I love the Red Sox half of this one more than the Tigers half, but the over Red Sox/Indians 8.5 runs is one of my favorite plays of the day. The Red Sox offense is just dangerous and Matt Boyd has a high flyball rate. That is not what you want to do against this team. David Price is solid, but the Tigers hit lefties a bit better than you would expect.
My final play of the day is the Diamondbacks/Rockies over 7.5 runs. I have no idea why this one is so low. Robbie Ray has really struggled in his home starts this year while German Marquez isn’t what I’d call a great pitcher. The Rockies hit lefties pretty well and the Diamondbacks offense has been heating up of late.
