Get a head start on your weekend MLB betting by checking out our guide for Saturday, August 17. After careful analysis of the board, we've come up with 2 best bets for your investing pleasures! It's been a fantastic season so far and we're just looking to finish it on a high note!
Remember to choose listed pitchers when playing these openers to avoid getting burned by any last minute changes to the starters. Let's cash some tickets, folks! Have a blessed weekend!
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KC at CIN - 6:40 PM EDT
This best bet sets up very nicely for me (Real Nice Clark, as Cousin Eddie from Christmas Vacation would say). I'm a big believer in Nick Lodolo and I love fading Michael Wacha any chance I get. Lodolo would be a solid No. 2 starter on any squad but Wacha is a back of the rotation kind of guy.
I'm not in love with Cincy's offense, but they have a nice track record against Wacha in our favor. Through 60 plate appearances against him, this Reds roster is batting .321. That tells me that Elly De La Cruz and Tyler Stephenson could go off in this one!
The starter edge is nice, but the real advantage Cincy has is with their relievers. The Reds bullpen ranks 6th in K minus BB rate this year while the Royals top out at just 29th (next to last). I also like that Kansas City hasn't hit the ball all that well against lefties this season.
CLE at MIL - 7:15 PM EDT
I may get some hate mail from folks in Cleveland for saying this, but I have Tanner Bibee and Freddy Peralta rated as about equal. Both have excellent stuff, but Peralta has a slightly better K-rate. On the other hand, Bibee has better control and is in better current form.
Now that we've established that I think there's no real edge to be found with the starting pitchers, let's examine the bullpens. Cleveland has a pretty substantial edge in that department, mainly thanks to Emmanuel Clase. My numbers say the Guardians have the 2nd best bullpen in MLB while the Brew Crew relievers rate out as right at average (16th).
The main reason I'm playing Milwaukee is because of their offense. It's amazing what this squad has accomplished, even with star slugger Christian Yelich on the shelf. Guys like William Contreras and Willy Adames have really stepped up for the Beer Makers.
The Brewers rank 9th in WRC+ over the last month. That's a huge offensive edge over the Guardians, who rank just 27th! Give me the Brew Crew at home on Saturday night!