Another day, another slate of MLB expert picks today!
We'll start with a big OVER bet in the Texas Rangers-New York Yankees game (beware of Aaron Judge!), and then follow that up with a fade of the Chicago White Sox, which all smart bettors should do.
Here are my two MLB picks for August 9th:
MLB Expert Pick Today: Rangers vs Yankees OVER 9.0 Runs (-105)
Rangers vs Yankees Odds -- Game Time 7:05 p.m. ET
I highlighted this game in my YRFI picks today, as I expect quite a few runs in the first inning and onward. While the Yanks are currently the best first-inning offense in baseball, the club is also generally raking, with its .886 OPS third in MLB over the last two weeks. At the same time, New York starter Carlos Rodon is very conducive to OVERs. The OVER 9.0 is 5-0 in Rodon's last five starts, which represents a nice little payday if you stuck with that trend. Rodon, for all he does well, allows lots of hard contact, making him a bit of a wild card. For example, the lefty has allowed at least one home run in eight consecutive contests, with 13 total home runs allowed during that span.
Rangers starter Cody Bradford hasn't been much better since his return from the IL on July 30. He's allowed eight runs in 5.2 IP (12.71 ERA), including three home runs as opponents slug .731 against him. You can bet your butt Aaron Judge (+300) is in line for a homer off Bradford, so place that bet if you'd like. For now, I'm sticking to the OVER 9.0 runs and calling it a day.
MLB Expert Pick Today: Cubs ML (-140) vs White Sox
Cubs vs White Sox Odds - Game Time: 8:10 pm ET
With the White Sox on pace for baseball's worst record ever, the Chicago showdown doesn't have quite the same spark to it. So let's add a little spice to the contest by placing a unit or two on the Cubs ML at -140 odds. I love this play.
Firstly, fading the White Sox is generally a great call, as they are worth -$4,077.76 if you bet them every time as an underdog. I don't know why anyone would do that, but that number demonstrates the consistency of Chicago's suckage this year. This is why it's a nice treat that we get the Cubs at short-ish odds.
The sportsbooks think Garrett Crochet will salvage the Sox's fate. He won't. The White Sox have lost eight consecutive games started by Crochet and are 7-16 SU in games he starts. On the flip side, Jameson Taillon has been very reliable in his last 10 outings, yielding a 3.08 ERA while the Cubs have gone 6-4 SU during that span.
