Finish your week off in style with our MLB betting preview for Friday, August 23. We've carefully analyzed each game on the board to bring you 2 best bets! Let's ride!
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STL at MIN - 8:10 PM EDT
The Fade the Cards train will make its weekend stop in Minnesota and we have no problem backing the Twinkies at this reasonable price. David Festa has only made 6 starts in the big leagues, but I've liked what I've seen from him so far. The 24-year-old hits 95 on the gun with relative ease with his fastball and he gets great extension.
I don't expect Festa to have much trouble with this light-hitting Cardinals lineup. Saint Louis ranks just 20th in WRC+ since July 23rd. The addition of Tommy Pham has helped a little bit, but this is still a subpar offensive squad.
Minny, on the other hand, has hit the ball well all year long. Royce Lewis, Matt Wallner, and Trevor Larnach could give Cards starter Andre Pallante a tough time on Friday evening. The Twins rank 6th in WRC+ against righties, so let's lay this moderate number with the home team!
NYM at SD - 9:40 PM EDT
San Diego burned us pretty badly on Wednesday night, but we won't let that stop us from backing them against New York. Paul Blackburn was a decent pickup for the Metamucils at the trade deadline, but I'm not sure he's that much better than Pads starter Joe Musgrove.
Musgrove has been dogged by injuries for most of 2024, but he finally looks to be hitting his stride. Mets hitters are batting just .220 against Musgrove through 128 career plate appearances. Musgrove uses 2 different types of curveballs to keep opposing hitters off balance.
Almost nobody has been hotter at the plate than the Pads. San Diego ranks 3rd in WRC+ over the past month, and that's with Fernando Tatis Jr. still on the IL. Just think of how dangerous this team will be when he gets back in a few days! Let's ride the Padres!