The 2023 MLB season rolls on and we’re looking to build up that bankroll of ours to where we were after that first week. Things really tightened up, but we took another step in the right direction yesterday thanks to the backing of Shohei Ohtani and the bats for the White Sox and Rays. We could/should have had a clean sweep, but the Twins bullpen collapsed and the Nationals stole a game they never should have in the first place. Still, the MLB Best Bets and Betting Picks turned a profit and we are, once again, heading in the right direction.

  • Yesterday’s Record: 2-1
  • Season Record: 36-24
  • Bankroll: +7.17 units

We’ve got 16 games on the slate thanks to a Miami Marlins/Cleveland Guardians double-header. Let’s see what looks good.

 

 

MLB Best Bets for April 22

Chicago White Sox at Tampa Bay Rays

This has all the earmarks of being a fantastic pitchers’ duel as Shane McClanahan faces Dylan Cease. There is no denying McClanahan’s talent and he’s been absolutely dynamic to start the season, posting a 1.57 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP and 27 strikeouts over just 23 innings. The White Sox have been a middling offensive team thus far and I don’t see a whole lot of damage coming from them, but could they get to a Rays bullpen that has a 4.82 ERA over the past seven days? Maybe a little. I do have confidence in the Rays getting to Cease a little more. He’s had a very up-and-down start to the season and his command has been way off, walking 12 batters in his last three starts. The Rays are patient and they have been powerful. Not only do I think they can touch up Cease, but they can definitely get to the White Sox bullpen which has the worst ERA (6.78) of any team since the start of the season. We’ve seen a lot of runs scored this season, so we’re going to follow the scoring trend.

Pick: White Sox/Rays over 7 runs (-115 on BetMGM)

Toronto Blue Jays at New York Yankees

DO we believe Alek Manoah can turn things around? He’s struggled mightily in three of his four starts, allowing 15 earned runs over 19.1 innings, and has walked 15 and allowed four home runs. Not great, Bob. Not great. I believe in the talent, but when a guy like that is struggling, a battle in the Bronx is rarely the cure for what ails you. The Yankees have a .323 wOBA with a solid .195 ISO against righties this season and they should be able to put some runs up on the board against him. Gerrit Cole, on the other hand, has been lights-out for the Yanks this season and has 32 punch-outs in 28.1 innings with just three earned runs allowed. His overall numbers against Toronto look strong – 6-2 with a 3.75 ERA – but he’s actually allowed 15 earned runs over his last four starts against them (24 innings), so with their recent surge of offense, I’m not so sure Cole keeps them completely at bay. You have to shop around the books a little to find the best odds, but we’re backing the offenses in this one too.

Pick: Blue Jays/Yankees over 7.5 runs (+100 on Caesars Sportsbook)

New York Mets at San Francisco Giants

The books have the Giants as a fairly strong favorite in this game, likely because they don’t believe in a New York sweep, especially with Logan Webb on the bump for San Francisco. However, the Mets are throwing lefty David Peterson and the Giants are easily the worst team against southpaws. OK, maybe the second-worst behind Detroit, but still, we’re talking about a .260 wOBA with a 30-percent strikeout rate and almost no power, as evidenced by the .103 ISO. Peterson hasn’t been the greatest hurler in the game this season, but he’s had some fine moments and shouldn’t struggle against an impatient team on a losing streak. Not to mention the Mets bullpen has been fantastic over the past week so I don’t see them giving the game away either. As for taking on Webb, the Mets have been solid against righties this season and their plate discipline has been surprisingly strong. I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t want to tail me on this one, but I’m going to use this as a chance to get some plus-odds and boost the bankroll.

Pick: New York Mets Money Line (+115 on Caesars Sportsbook)

**all bets are one unit unless specifically mentioned