Free MLB Picks For Today, Sunday 8/18/2024
Miami Marlins vs. NY Mets MLB Pick Prediction 8/18/2024
Marlins at Mets—Valente Bellozo will start for Miami. Bellozo in five starts on the year carries an ERA of 2.28 with WHIP of 0.94. The rookie righthander strikes out 21.1% with 5.5% walks. Ground balls dealt at 22.8% with 0.65 home runs per nine innings. A FIP of 3.20 does suggest a rise in ERA based on his numbers. Paul Blackburn to start for NY. Blackburn has 12 starts with an ERA of 4.43 and WHIP of 1.22. The veteran fans 19.4% with 7.2% walks. Ground balls are 47.3% with 1.34 home runs per nine innings.
The Pick:
Bellozo in his past three starts allowed two earned runs in 17 2/3rd innings. Blackburn in his past five starts allowed 21 runs in 25 innings walking ten batters. NY bullpen in their past ten games carries an ERA of 4.50. Marlins in their past five games are hitting .254. Play Miami +169.
Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles MLB Pick Prediction 8/18/2024
Red Sox at Orioles—Kutter Crawford to start for Boston. Crawford has 24 starts in 2024 dealing with an ERA of 4.21 with WHIP of 1.11. The righthander fans 23% with 6.5% walks. Ground balls sit at 33.4% with 1.78 home runs per nine innings. Albert Suarez to start for Baltimore. Suarez appeared in 24 games with an ERA of 3.39 and WHIP of 1.30. The righty is fanning 18.8% with 8.6% walks. Ground balls dealt at 34.1% with 0.60 home runs per nine innings.
The Pick:
Boston has gone over in 17 of 20 games. Their bullpen in their past ten games has an ERA of 8.19. The Orioles pen in this period an ERA of 5.63. They have gone over in 21 of 28. Crawford in his past five starts allowed 26 runs in 24 innings of work surrendering 16 home runs. Suarez in his past two home starts gave up seven earned runs with five walks in 9 2/3rd innings. Both teams hitting over .280 in their past five games. Play Boston and Baltimore over 9.5.
Washington Nationals vs. Philadelphia Phillies MLB Pick Prediction 8/18/2024
Nationals at Phillies—Jake Irvin is the starter for Washington. Irvin, in 25 starts on the campaign puts up an ERA of 3.72 with WHIP of 1.13. The righthander strikes out 20.8% with 5.8% walks. Grounders are 42.9% with 1.30 home runs per nine innings. Taijuan Walker to start for Philadelphia. Walker has 11 starts with an ERA of 5.68 and WHIP of 1.51. The veteran fans 19.3% with 9.6% walks. Ground balls dished at 36% with 2.05 home runs per nine innings.
The Pick:
Irvin in his past seven starts allowed 28 runs in 48 innings with 11 homers allowed. Walker was pounded in his first start back with control issues as well. Philadelphia bullpen in their past five games sits with an ERA of 5.24. Both teams are hitting over their past ten. Play Washington and Philadelphia over 9.5.
Seattle Mariners vs. Pittsburgh Pirates MLB Pick Prediction 8/18/2024
Mariners at Pirates—George Kirby is the starter for Seattle. Kirby has 25 starts in 2024 producing an ERA of 3.42 with WHIP of 1.09. The righthander strikes out 24.1% with 2.9% walks. Ground balls dished at 41% with 1.00 home runs per nine innings. Jake Woodford to start for Pittsburgh. Woodford appeared in six games with an ERA of 5.87 and WHIP of 1.26. The righty is fanning 13.7% with 4.9% walks. Ground ball rate of 32.5% with 1.17 home runs per nine innings. A FIP of 4.35 does suggest a drop in ERA based on form.
The Pick:
Kirby in his past three starts allowed 16 runs in 14 innings with five homers. Wofford has allowed three earned runs or fewer in his past four outings. Seattle in their past ten games is batting .184 with a bullpen ERA of 2.62. The Pirates have the better bullpen and hitting form. Play Pittsburgh +128.
Kansas City Royals vs. Cincinnati Reds MLB Pick Prediction 8/18/2024
Royals at Reds—Brady Singer will start for KC. Singer in 24 starts in 2024 produces an ERA of 3.32 and WHIP of 1.22. The righthander strikes out 22.8% with 6.9% walks. Ground balls dealt at 47.9% with 1.00 home runs per nine innings. Andrew Abbott to start for Cincinnati. Abbott has 24 starts with an ERA of 3.59 and WHIP of 1.29. The lefthander fans 19.5% with 9% walks. Ground balls are 34.1% with 1.62 home runs per nine innings.
The Pick:
Singer has been pounded for thirteen earned runs in his past three starts working 17 2/3rd innings. Abbott has allowed two earned runs or fewer in five of six home starts where he posts an ERA of 3.09 with WHIP of 1.34. The Reds bullpen in their past ten games has an ERA of 1.97 with the Royals approaching five. Play Cincinnati -105.
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Tampa Bay Rays MLB Pick Prediction 8/18/2024
Diamondbacks at Rays—Merrill Kelly to start for Arizona. Kelly has five starts on the campaign dealing with an ERA of 2.43 with WHIP of 0.94. The righthander strikes out 20.5% with 7.1% walks. Ground balls served at 48.8% with 0.91 home runs per nine innings. Tyler Alexander will be the primary pitcher for Tampa Bay. Alexander has fifteen appearances with an ERA of 5.20 and WHIP of 1.28. The lefthander strikes out 20.7% with 5.2% walks. Ground balls served at 31.5% with 1.90 home runs per nine innings.
The Pick:
In his past four appearances Alexander allowed two earned runs with 15 strikes outs in 14 1/3rd innings. Rasmussen to open for the Rays. They are batting .195 in their past ten games. Their bullpen has shown improvement with an ERA of 0.93 in their past five games. Play Arizona and Tampa Bay under 7.5.
Cleveland Guardians vs. Milwaukee Brewers MLB Pick Prediction 8/18/2024
Guardians at Brewers—Ben Lively to start for Cleveland. Lively in 21 starts on the campaign has an ERA of 3.71 with WHIP of 1.21. The righthander strikes out 19.9% with 8.1% walks. Grounders are 39.2% with 1.66 home runs per nine innings. A FIP of 5.01 does suggest a rise in ERA based on form. Colin Rea to start for Milwaukee. Rea appeared in 23 games with an ERA of 3.72 with WHIP of 1.20. The righthander fans 19.2% with 6.7% walks. Ground balls come in at 40.8% with 1.40 home runs per nine innings.
The Pick:
Lively in his past two starts has allowed seven earned runs with eight walks in 8 2/3rd innings. Rae comes off a ban outing against LA but overall has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of five starts. Cleveland in their past ten games is batting .217. The Brewers bullpen in this period has an ERA of 3.18. Play Milwaukee -122.
Chicago White Sox vs. Houston Astros MLB Pick Prediction 8/18/2024
White Sox at Astros—Ky Bush is the starter for Chicago. Bush has two starts allowing five earned runs with 12 walks in 8 2/3rd innings. The rookie lefthander was a second-round draft pick in 2021 that put up great numbers in Double A this year but pounded when promoted to Triple A and control problems. Framber Valdez will start for Houston. Valdez in 21 starts an ERA of 3.38 with WHIP of 1.17. The lefthander strikes out 23.1% with 8% walks. Grounders are 59% with 0.76 home runs per nine innings.
The Pick:
Control has been a massive issue for Bush with the big club and in Triple A. Valdez has allowed two earned runs or fewer in five of six starts. In their past five games the Astros are batting .237. Chicago bats .218 on the road. Play Chicago and Houston under 8.5.
LA Dodgers vs. St Louis Cardinals MLB Pick Prediction 8/18/2024
Dodgers at Cardinals—Clayton Kershaw to start for LAD. Kershaw in four starts in 2024 produces an ERA of 3.50 with WHIP of 1.39. The lefthander strikes out 21% with 6.2% walks. Ground balls dealt at 36.8% with limited home run damage. Sonny Gray to start for St Louis. Gray has 22 starts with an ERA of 3.93 with WHIP of 1.08. The veteran has an elite 30.8% K rate with 5.9% walks. Ground balls are 44.3% with 1.17 home runs per nine innings.
The Pick:
Gray in his past eight starts has allowed 34 runs in 47 1/3rd innings with ten homers. Kershaw has put together back-to-back solid outings against the Phillies and Brewers. After losing the opener of this series the Cardinals had dropped six of seven games with LA winning six of eight. St Louis in their past ten games is batting .238. Play LA -122.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Chicago Cubs MLB Pick Prediction 8/18/2024
Blue Jays at Cubs—Bowden Francis is the starter for Toronto. Francis has 20 starts in 2024 posting an ERA of 4.92 with WHIP of 1.24. The righthander fans 21.4% with 6.7% walks. Ground balls are 34.5% with 1.91 home runs per nine innings. Shota Imanaga to start for Chicago. Imanaga in 22 starts an ERA of 3.16 and WHIP of 1.08. The lefthander has a K mark of 25.1% with 3.6% walks. Ground balls sit at 35.3% with 1.33 home runs per nine innings.
The Pick:
Imanaga in his past four starts allowed 16 runs in 24 1/3rd innings with six homers. Francis in his past five outings carries an ERA of 2.70 with WHIP of 0.80. In their past five games the Cubs are batting .206. Play Toronto +154.
Minnesota Twins vs. Texas Rangers MLB Pick Prediction 8/18/2024
Twins at Rangers—Pablo Lopez to start for Minnesota. Lopez in 24 starts on the season deals with an ERA of 4.67 and WHIP of 1.15. The righthander fans 26.7% with 5.2% walks. Ground balls served at 41.5% with 1.47 home runs per nine innings. Tyler Mahle to start for Texas. Mahle has two starts allowing three earned runs with nine strikeouts in 9 2/3rd innings. He returned from Tommy John surgery. He has a career ERA of 4.28 with WHIP of 1.30 in 645 1/3rd innings striking out 686.
The Pick:
The Rangers have lost 16 of 21. Minnesota has won 12 of 17. Lopez has allowed two earned runs or fewer in seven of his past nine starts. Mahle has not gone deep into games since his return. Texas is batting .240 in their past ten games with a bullpen ERA of 5.95. Play Minnesota -122.
San Diego Padres vs. Colorado Rockies MLB Pick Prediction 8/18/2024
Padres at Rockies—Joe Musgrove to start for San Diego. Musgrove in 11 starts on the year carries an ERA of 5.20 with WHIP of 1.42. The veteran has seen his Ks drop to 19.5% with 6.9% walks. Grounders are 41.4% with 1.68 home runs per nine innings. Bradley Blalock will start for Colorado. Blalock has two appearances allowing three earned runs with four strikeouts in 6 2/3rd innings. The righthander is a 32 round draft pick in 2019 that allowed 42 earned runs with 76 strikeouts in 86 2/3rd innings in Double A this year.
The Pick:
Good return outing for Musgrove from a shoulder injury but he logged 4 1/3rd innings. Blalock starts in Colorado for the first time. After taking the opener of this series the Rockies have won seven of ten against the Padres. In their past ten games the Rockies are hitting .272 with the Padres at .280. Colorado bullpen in this period has an ERA of 5.72. Play San Diego and Colorado over 11.5.
Atlanta Braves vs. LA Angels MLB Pick Prediction 8/18/2024
Braves at Angels—Charlie Morton will start for Atlanta. Morton in 22 starts on the campaign provides an ERA of 4.40 with WHIP of 1.30. The veteran fans 23.5% with 8.6% walks. Ground balls served at 47.1% with 1.42 home runs per nine innings. Jack Kochanowicz is the starter for LA. Kochanowicz has three starts with an ERA of 7.98 with WHIP of 1.64. The righthander fans 10.9% with 6.3% walks. Ground balls served at 60.8% with 1.84 home runs per nine innings.
The Pick:
Morton in his past four starts allowed 18 runs in 17 1/3rd innings giving up eight home runs. Kochanowicz has been pounded thus far in the big leagues. In their past ten games the Braves are batting .261 but their bullpen in this period sports an ERA of 7.34. Play Atlanta and LA over 9.
San Francisco Giants vs. Oakland Athletics MLB Pick Prediction 8/18/2024
Giants at Athletics—Blake Snell to start for San Francisco. Snell in 13 starts in 2024 puts up an ERA of 3.91 with WHIP of 1.07. The lefthander has an elite 32.7% K rate with 10.1% walks. Ground ball rate of 42.3% with 0.78 home runs per nine innings. A FIP of 2.92 does suggest a drop in ERA based on his numbers. JP Sears is the starter for Oakland. Sears has 24 starts with an ERA of 4.32 and WHIP of 1.19. The lefthander fans 18.1% with 6.6% walks. Ground balls served for 38.4% with 1.22 home runs per nine innings.
The Pick:
Snell in his past seven starts has an ERA of 0.99 with WHIP of 0.62 with a high K rate. Sears has allowed three earned runs or fewer in seven of eight starts. San Francisco has gone under in six of eight. Both bullpens are in good form the past ten games. In their past ten games the Giants are batting .225. Play San Francisco and Oakland under 7.5.
New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers MLB Pick Prediction 8/18/2024
Yankees at Tigers—Marcus Stroman to start for NY. Stroman in 23 starts on the season deals an ERA of 4.01 with WHIP of 1.40. The veteran strikes out 16.6% with 9.9% walks. Grounders are 48.9% with 1.34 home runs per nine innings. A FIP of 5.15 does suggest a rise in ERA based on form. Tarik Skubal to start for Detroit. Skubal has 24 starts with an ERA of 2.53 and WHIP of 0.92. The lefthander has an elite 30.5% K rate with 4.9% walks. Ground balls sit at 45% with 0.78 home runs per nine innings.
The Pick:
NY has won 12 of 15 against the Tigers. Stroman has allowed three earned runs or fewer in four of his past five starts. Skubal has allowed two earned runs or fewer in six of his past seven starts. In their past ten games the Tigers bullpen has an ERA of 2.05. In their past five games the Yankees are batting .229. Play NY and Detroit under 7.5.