First Look: MLB Betting Slate (7/12/19)

It’s the start of the second half of the MLB season and we have a 15-game slate right off the bat. Here are the Westgate odds (as of Friday morning) and some fun facts to keep in mind before placing your early bets.

Pirates @ Cubs (-152), 9.5 runs

Chris Archer (3-6, 5.49) vs. Yu Darvish (2-4, 5.01)

Fun Fact: Darvish is winless in his career at Wrigley Field (0-6 with a 5.91 ERA in 13 starts).

Nationals (-136) @ Phillies, 9.5 runs

Stephen Strasburg (10-4, 3.64) vs. Nick Pivetta (4-3, 5.84)

Fun Fact: Before the break, the Nats were an MLB-best 28-11 over their last 39 games.

Mets @ Marlins (-110), 8.0 runs

Jason Vargas (3-4, 3.77) vs. Caleb Smith (4-4, 3.50)

Fun Fact: Since April 19, Vargas has posted an impressive 2.76 ERA over 12 starts.

Giants @ Brewers (-174), 9.5 runs

Shaun Anderson (3-2, 4.23) vs. Chase Anderson (4-2, 4.32)

Fun Fact: Anderson has held opponents to two or fewer earned runs in each of his last three starts.

Diamondbacks @ Cardinals (-118), 8.5 runs

Robbie Ray (6-6, 3.96) vs. Adam Wainwright (5-7, 4.31)

Fun Fact: Ray has a 36.5 percent strikeout rate against right-handed hitters this season. The Cardinals project to have seven righties in the lineup.

Reds @ Rockies (-128), 12.0 runs

Sonny Gray (5-5, 3.59) vs. Jon Gray (9-6, 3.92)

Fun Fact: Gray has shockingly been solid at Coors Field this season (4-1, 3.35 ERA in eight games), but in 85 plate appearances against him, current Reds players have gone 32-for-75 (.427).

Braves (-110) @ Padres, 8.5 runs

Dallas Keuchel (2-2, 3.60) vs. Dinelson Lamet (0-1, 5.40)

Fun Fact: This is Lamet’s second start back from Tommy John surgery, but he nearly hit triple-digits on his fastball in his season debut last week against the Dodgers.

Blue Jays @ Yankees (-270), 11.0 runs

Aaron Sanchez (3-12, 6.16) vs. Domingo German (10-2, 3.67)

Fun Fact: The current Yankees have seen 340 pitches from Sanchez (89 at-bats). They’ve managed one home run against him in that span.

Rays (-145) @ Orioles, 9.5 runs

Yonny Chirinos (7-4, 3.15) vs. Dylan Bundy (4-10, 4.65)

Fun Fact: This will be Chirinos’ third matchup against the Orioles this season (1-1, 2.19 ERA, 8 K, 8 H in 12 1/3 IP).

Twins @ Indians (-134), 9.0 runs

Kyle Gibson (8-4, 4.09) vs. Mike Clevinger (2-2, 4.44)

Fun Fact: Cleveland has traditionally shelled Gibson (.336 average, .437 OBP, 5 HR, 19 RBI, 27 BB, 21 K in 183 cumulative at-bats).

Astros (-190) @ Rangers, 10.0 runs

Gerrit Cole (9-5, 3.09) vs. Jesse Chavez (3-4, 3.30)

Fun Fact: Alex Bregman (face) left Thursday’s game and could be held out of this one, leaving George Springer, Jose Altuve and Michael Brantley as the only “scary” bats in Houston’s order.

Mariners @ Angels (-150), 10.0 runs

Mike Leake (7-7, 4.32) vs. Taylor Cole (0-1, 4.58)

Fun Fact: Cole will be the opener for the Angels, who will then turn to Felix Pena for the bulk of the innings (if all goes well).

White Sox @ Athletics (-175), 9.5 runs

Ivan Nova (4-7, 5.58) vs. Mike Fiers (8-3, 3.87)

Fun Fact: Fiers has dominated the White Sox in six career starts (2-0, 2.21 ERA) and owns the fourth-best ERA (2.52) among AL starters since April 26th.

Dodgers @ Red Sox (-107), 11.0 runs

Kenta Maeda (7-5, 3.76) vs. Eduardo Rodriguez (9-4, 4.65)

Fun Fact: E-Rod has allowed at least four earned runs in eight of his 18 starts.

Tigers @ Royals (no line)

TBD vs. Danny Duffy (3-5, 4.28)

Bet Of The Morning

UNDER 10 Runs (Rangers/Astros): The total of 10 runs in Arlington should move down throughout the day due to Bregman's assumed absence from Houston's lineup. This is Gerrit Cole's fourth start against the Rangers this season and he's had two dominant outings (6 IP, 3 ER, 9 Ks on April 3rd and 6 IP, 1 ER, 12 Ks on May 11th) and one dud (4 1/3 IP, 8 ER, 8 Ks on April 20th). It's safe to assume that Cole's strikeout ability has a strong chance to guide him to a quality start tonight. Offensively, Bregman's ailment will leave a massive hole in Houston's lineup.

Since becoming a starter full-time, Chavez has pitched five-plus innings in each of his four outings for the Rangers and has generally limited damage all season long, allowing 58 hits compared to 59 strikeouts in 62 2/3 innings. The bottom half of Houston's order is absolutely nothing to fear, so if Chavez could get off to an efficient beginning, a sneaky quality start isn't out of the question. Although the hot Texas weather generally creates the assumption of a higher run environment, the double-digit total seems high at the moment.