Get ready for Tuesday's MLB slate by diving into our betting guide below. We've analyzed the entire board to bring you 2 best bets and our top player prop for August 13.
We pounded the 2 sides at open, but the player prop will be posted by 8:30 AM EDT on Tuesday! Good luck, sports betting compadres!
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HOU at TB - 6:50 PM EDT
We talked a few days ago about how the move from Toronto to Houston would light a fire under Yusei Kikuchi. So far, our theory has held true, as he's looked like a different pitcher during his first 2 starts with the 'Stros. Kikuchi's fastball hits 96 on the gun with relative ease, and it looks even faster than that because of his excellent extension.
Kikuchi has racked up 19 strikeouts during his time in Houston and has only given up 4 earned runs in those 2 starts. The veteran southpaw got 11 of those Ks against this Tampa Bay squad back on August 2nd. Rays hitters have an expected batting average of just .187 against Kikuchi through 87 plate appearances.
The Rays are a scrappy bunch, but I expect a large dropoff from them since they traded away a lot of their key bullpen arms. The Astros bats have finally woken up, and that has helped them win 5 in a row. Look for Kikuchi and the Astros to stay hot in this one!
TEX at BOS - 7:10 PM EDT
This play scares me quite a bit because of Kutter Crawford's poor current form. Despite that, I still have him rated a lot higher than Texas starter Jose Urena. I think this is the perfect "get-right" spot for Boston after getting swept by Houston over the weekend.
The Red Sox may be scuffling, but they have the edge in a ton of key categories. Boston's offense ranks 3rd in WRC+ over the last month while Texas only checks in at 27th. Guys like Rafael Devers and Jarren Duran continue to be thorns in opposing pitchers sides.
According to my numbers, Boston also has the better bullpen. The BoSox rank 14th in reliever K minus BB rate while the Rangers rank only 24th. Let's ride the Sox and hope that Crawford can find his footing.
SEA at DET - 6:40 PM EDT
I know that this play is as square as it gets, but hear me out. Skubal has been a major roll lately in his home ballpark. The dominant young lefty has struck out 8 or more hitters in 5 of his last 6 starts at Comerica Park.
Skubal gets a great matchup at home against the M's. Even with the addition of two nice hitters, this Seattle team is still striking out a ton! The Mariners have 8 guys with K-rates above 24%, 3 of which are fanning more than 30% of the time.
As you might have guessed, Skubal has done remarkably well against this M's offense. He's posted a K-rate of 29.2% against the Seattle roster through 65 plate appearances. Give me the Over!