Dae Bets is back with his five Best Bets for the Friday slate. He is currently 33-17 on the season.
Marlins @ Phillies Prediction 7:05pm
The Phillies are a broken team but I believe they have a lot to play for in this game. They have completely fallen apart and now might not even finish the season at a .500. Which is embarrassing considering the talent this team brought in the offseason. However, even the players they have left are better than the Marlins. I also will take Velazquez (7-8 4.76 ERA) against this Miami line-up. As stated before they are terrible on the road 25-51 and they are right-handed. Lopez (5-8 4.96 ERA) shouldn’t be a problem for Harper and company. The Phillies currently have a losing record against the Marlins as well. A lot of fans are saying that is the main reason they weren’t really in the playoff race. I’m sure they will come into this game fired up and ready to sweep these Marlins and end the season with some pride.
Rays @ Blue Jays Prediction 7:07pm
The Rays have not clinched their playoff spot which is why I like them today. They are still playing for something. They also have Tyler Glasnow on the mound he has returned to form very quickly after returning from his forearm strain. The problem is the Rays have not let him go farther than three innings in his last 3 starts. But I think they have to let him go at least five in this game considering they need the win. In his last game, he struck out seven batters in three Innings! Did I forget to mention the Blue Jays are last in batting average? On the other side of the mound, T.J. Zeuch (1-1 4.58 ERA) is projected to start. A rookie vs one of best line ups in the league… Ill take the Run Line.
Yankees @ Rangers Prediction 8:05pm
Any time a good lefty is on the mound against the Rangers it’s a great play. James Paxton (15-6 3.73 ERA) will take the mound against the lefty dominant Rangers. In his last seven, he is 7-0 with a 1.96 ERA and 48 strikeouts that’s almost seven a game. He has been completely shutting down his opponents. That should continue in this game, the Rangers are 18th in the league in batting average and have nothing to play for. The Rangers are projected to pitch Joe Palumbo (0-2 9.22 ERA). This is a rookie pitcher facing the most powerful line up in the league. This might be the first game where I take more than -1.5 run line. The Yankees will easily take this one. The question is by how many runs. Lastly, the Rangers have the 4th highest K rate in the league. With the way Paxton is dealing if the strikeout prop bet is anything 7 and under I will take it all day.
Paxton strikeouts Over (if under 7) (TBD)
Twins @ Royals Prediction 8:15pm
Just another mismatch when it comes to the starting pitcher. I picked the Twins on Wednesday and nothing has changed other than the fact that they have clinched their division. They are going to want to keep their players in rhythm as they head into the playoffs so I still like them to dominate this game. The Twins are projected to start Jose Berrios (13-8 3.70 ERA) he shouldn’t have a problem in this matchup. The Royals are 21st in batting average and again have nothing to play for. The Royals are starting a pitcher I have never heard in my life but he isn’t good that’s for sure. Eric Skoglund is 0-2 with a 7.50 ERA is facing this consistent Twins lineup which is 2nd in the league in batting average. This game is almost a spitting image of the Yankees game. Take the run line.