I'm coming in hot for some more MLB expert picks. Yesterday, we cashed on both bets, including some plus-money odds. Let's rinse and repeat with Tuesday's baseball slate.
Here are my MLB expert picks for June 18th, 2024:
MLB Expert Picks: June 18th, 2024
You can jump directly to today's picks here:
Pick 1: Cardinals (-155) vs Marlins
Matchup Preview - Game Time: 6:10 pm ET
In this case, we are playing the value. Miami is truly awful, and we've got to back the Cardinals with a slight pitching edge in their favor. I'll emphasize slight.
Lance Lynn is king of the five-and-dive this year. Lately, it's been more like four-and-dive. The burly righty has allowed seven runs in his last 12.1 innings (5.11 ERA), yet the Cardinals are 3-0 SU in those three outings. He's been hit around but his offense always comes through.
We know the Fish are barren on offense, which leaves the door open to a good Lynn outing. If Lynn delivers a classic five-inning, four-run outing, we'll count on Miami starter Roddery Munoz to cough up the game. The rookie has good stuff but has been prone to homers and walks.
Pick 2: Reds (-130) vs Pirates
Matchup Preview - Game Time: 6:40 pm ET
Nick Lodolo has that Lance Lynn energy in that Cincy wins every game he starts, more or less. The Reds have won eight of the lefty's 10 starts, often low-scoring affairs. In fact, eight of those 10 contests have gone UNDER 8.5 runs, so I don't hate a Reds ML parlayed with the game to go UNDER 8.5 runs.
Now back to Lodolo for a minute. He has tossed three straight quality starts, scooping up the W in each contest. While the Reds have lost three games in a row, they aren't ready to roll over. Only 1.5 games back of a playoff spot, the club's big pieces are back on track. For example, Jeimer Candelario owns a 1.027 OPS and five homers over the last two weeks. Elly De La Cruz has three homers, five steals, and a .927 OPS during the same span.
Lodolo. Candelario. De La Cruz. The Reds are a sum of their studs, and Tuesday's matchup vs the Pirates brings each player into the fold.
