We're getting creative for our MLB expert picks today!
First, we're riding with some crazy history, as I'll gladly fade the White Sox as they approach their 22nd straight loss, which would set a new AL record. After that, we'll back the Padres, as starter Dylan Cease is poised to cook a weak Pirates offense.
Here are my two MLB picks for August 6th:
[mlb_bet_50_get_10:BET99-2374158]
MLB Expert Pick Today: Athletics -1.5 (+110) vs White Sox
A's vs White Sox Odds - Game Time: 9:40 pm ET
As you may have heard, the White Sox are in the midst of the worst losing streak in AL history. Yesterday, Chicago lost its 21st consecutive game, now tied for the longest skid in Junior Circuit history. The White Sox have not won a game since before the All-Star break on July 10. What a stretch (*pukes*).
So how does that fuel our bets? Well, we can fade the Sox by betting A's ML at -185, but I'd like to step it up a notch and hammer the runline at +110. The Sox are of course 0-21 SU during their losing streak, but they're not much better on the runline during that span, sporting a 5-16 runline record. The A's are by no means a juggernaut, but, given the momentum swing, it's a smart play to reach for extra value in this contest.
Chicago's offense is to blame for most of this losing stretch. Take ChiSox starter Jonathan Cannon as an example. This poor bastard has turned in a solid 3.48 ERA over his last five starts. During that span, Chicago has scored more than three runs just once and the club has lost all five games obviously.
I'm counting on Chicago's terrible offense to flounder again, as A's starter Ross Stripling (5.64 ERA) is anything but reliable. In the end, we've got history in our favor, and as Brad Pitt said in Moneyball: when your opponent is making a mistake, don't interrupt them. We won't interrupt the White Sox today.
[mlb_bet_50_get_10:BET99-2374158]
MLB Expert Pick Today: Padres ML (-165) vs Pirates
Padres vs Pirates Odds - Game Time: 6:40 pm ET
It's Dylan Cease, day, baby! The Padres right-hander has quickly become an automatic bet for me. Throwing a no-hitter helps, but beyond his nine innings of excellence on July 25, Cease has been a damn reliable ML bet. In fact, the Friars are 4-0 SU in Cease's last four outings, including meetings with the Guardians, Braves, and Dodgers, all clubs with a much more formidable offense than the Pirates.
The Bucs are 27th in MLB with a .672 team OPS, only made worse by Cease's dominance against active Pirates hitters, who have batted just .200/.222/.286 in 35 plate appearances.
On the other end, the Padres own Bucs starter Bailey Falter, albeit in a small sample size. San Diego is 4-for-10 vs Falter with a homer and a double. Manny Machado is the man, going 1-for-1 with a solar shot off Falter. I'd take a peak at Machado's props today, where you can get the OVER 1.5 total bases at -115.
