Wednesday’s MLB Tips: Orioles Lead Wednesday’s Best Bets

With the trade deadline in the rearview mirror, the full focus is now on the tight Playoff races in both leagues. Wednesday night is packed with fascinating matchups – here are our three best bets…

Orioles v Astros

First pitch: 12:05am Thursday

Two of the American League’s best teams meet on Wednesday night after a Kyle Tucker grand slam in the ninth inning handed the Astros a dramatic win on Tuesday. Cristian Javier gets the ball for the Astros after posting an ERA north of six in July and a subpar first start in August. Javier has a 4.75 xERA, and some pretty poor underlying numbers. 

Jack Flaherty wasn’t having his best season with the Cardinals, pitching at around a league-average level with no outstanding numbers. He did, however, put in a six-inning gem in his first start as a Baltimore Oriole. Flaherty found better velocity than he did with St Louis on his way to recording his second-most whiffs in a start this season.

These offences rank 11th and 13th since the start of July. Baltimore has dropped only three games since 26th July as they continue to surge towards the division title, however, which suggests they can bounce back from Tuesday’s disappointing loss with another win here.

Prediction: Orioles to win @ 1.84

Mets v Cubs

First pitch: 12:10am Thursday

The Chicago Cubs and New York Mets have trended in opposite directions since the trade deadline. Chicago is 6-2 in August, while New York has gone 1-7 this month following their re-tool trades of Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. The bookies are not leaning too heavily towards either team for Wednesday’s game, however, with Kyle Hendricks and David Peterson taking the mound.

Only five teams have a better wRC+ than the Cubs since the beginning of July, led by the inspired play of Cody Bellinger. The Mets’ offence remains no better than middle of the pack, while their bullpen has been below par. 

Hendricks was crushed by the Braves in his first August start, but Atlanta’s line up is considerably more dangerous than New York’s. He generally keeps his teams in games, while Peterson comes into this one with an ERA above five and having spent much of the season in the bullpen. 

Prediction: Cubs to win @ 1.88

Red Sox v Royals

First pitch: 12:10am Thursday

With the second-worst record in the Majors and Jordan Lyles on the mound, it’s no surprise the Kansas City Royals are massive underdogs against the Boston Red Sox and Nick Pivetta. 

Lyles has a 6.24 ERA, and Kansas City has won just three of his 21 starts this season. Pivetta, meanwhile, had a 1.91 ERA in July, along with some stellar expected numbers over his last few starts. Boston appears to have finally unlocked his potential.

The Royals have covered the spread in under 40% of their games this season (only the Mets have an inferior record ATS). 

While the Royals have picked up a few wins since the deadline and the Red Sox have stuttered a bit, we still love the value on Boston to cover with this starting pitching matchup. 

Prediction: Red Sox -1.5 @ 1.82

Recommended Bets

Orioles v Astros: Orioles to win @ 1.84
Mets v Cubs: Cubs to win @ 1.88
Red Sox v Royals: Red Sox -1.5 @ 1.82