Our MLB expert picks went 1-1 yesterday, so let's sweep our picks Wednesday, starting with a bet fading the Blue Jays at home vs the Rays. After that, I'm taking a lock as the Orioles face some weak pitching in Miami.
Here are my two MLB picks for July 24th:
[wednesdinger_:BET99-2374158]
MLB Expert Pick Today: Rays (-115) vs Blue Jays
Tampa vs Toronto Odds - Game Time: 7:07 pm ET
The Blue Jays are a sinking ship on offense, and that's why I think Toronto is doomed Wednesday, no matter how well starter Yariel Rodriguez pitches. I've watched many o' Blue Jays games this season, and the club looks uninspired and lacks a serious spark to carry momentum through the lineup.
It's a lot to ask Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to do everything, every game. So now the Jays face Zach Eflin, against whom they've performed fairly (.720 OPS). Beyond Guerrero (.923 OPS), though, Toronto's hitters have struggled against Eflin. Justin Turner, Daulton Varsho and Alejandro Kirk all have an OPS below .700 vs Eflin.
While Tampa Bay isn't a juggernaut of an offensive team, the Rays demonstrated far better team hitting in Game 1 of this series (a 4-2 Rays win), smacking balls into gaps and stealing bases. The Jays were home-run dependent, and that strategy won't work vs Eflin.
The Blue Jays bullpen also worries me. That group tossed 3.2 innings yesterday, using five pitchers in the process. Arms will be tired, even if late-inning leverage guys are available. I'm just not willing to bet on Yariel cooking and the Jays bats scoring.
Sometimes the simplest bets are the best. Fade the Jays today.
[wednesdinger_:BET99-2374158]
MLB Expert Pick Today: Orioles (-140) vs Marlins
Baltimore vs Miami Odds - Game Time: 6:40 pm ET
I'm in any time I see the O's with odds under -200 vs. the Marlins. Blindly. John Cena could be on the mound, for all I care. This is an easy, easy pick. Here's why.
The Marlins are terrible at preventing runs, and Edward Cabrera is one of their sourest culprits in that department. The right-hander was above average last year but has been awful since returning from injury in 2024. Cabrera owns a 7.71 ERA in his last three starts, allowing 10 earned runs over 11.2 IP, along with six homers. The longballs are trouble, especially against this O's lineup. Watch for Gunnar Henderson (+700) or Anthony Santander (+550) to go yard Wednesday.
Meanwhile, starter Chayce McDermott makes his MLB debut with the O's. I presume McDermott is the reason for these closer odds, but I have faith in the 25-year-old. He maintained a 3.96 ERA in 19 Triple-A starts with a 12.8 K/9. That's certainly enough juice to blow past the lowly Marlins, who rank 29th in baseball by averaging 3.52 runs per game.
