New York Yankees at Detroit Tigers
Game Information
Start Time: 6:10 PM ET
TV Network: DSN, YES
Starting Pitchers
New York Yankees: Gerrit Cole, RHP
Appearances: 5
Starts: 5
ERA: 2.57
WHIP: 1.00
Strikeout Rate: 21.4%
Walk Rate: 7.1%
Ground Ball Rate: 33.3%
Home Runs Allowed Per Nine Innings: 1.3
FIP: 4.21
Detroit Tigers: Framber Valdez, LHP
Appearances: 15
Starts: 15
ERA: 4.09
WHIP: 1.35
Strikeout Rate: 18.3%
Walk Rate: 8.7%
Ground Ball Rate: 50.8%
Home Runs Allowed Per Nine Innings: 1.0
Game Notes
Cole brings the better run-prevention profile, but the FIP gap shows some warning signs beneath the ERA. Valdez still owns the stronger ground-ball profile, which matters against a Yankees lineup with left-handed power and multiple bats that can lift the baseball.
The Pick
NY is batting .275 against left-handed starters with a .495 slugging percentage. Detroit is hitting .237 against right-handed starters with a .400 slugging percentage. Cole in his road starts carries an ERA of 1.69. Valdez at home carries an ERA of 4.94 and .405 slugging percentage against. NY is 18-8 against left handed starters with a +2.8-unit return. Tigers are 3-5 as home underdogs of +100 or greater with a -1.8-unit loss. Play Yankees -122.
Texas Rangers at Miami Marlins
Game Information
Start Time: 6:40 PM ET
TV Network: MIAM, RSN
Starting Pitchers
Texas Rangers: Kumar Rocker, RHP
Appearances: 14
Starts: 13
ERA: 4.17
WHIP: 1.41
Strikeout Rate: 18.5%
Walk Rate: 9.9%
Ground Ball Rate: 46.5%
Home Runs Allowed Per Nine Innings: 1.0
Miami Marlins: Tyler Phillips, RHP
Appearances: 20
Starts: 4
ERA: 3.10
WHIP: 1.38
Strikeout Rate: 19.7%
Walk Rate: 11.8%
Ground Ball Rate: 45.7%
Home Runs Allowed Per Nine Innings: 0.9
FIP: 4.23
Game Notes
Rocker has worked mostly as a starter and brings a solid ground-ball rate, but the walk rate remains the key concern. Phillips has a better ERA, though the FIP gap shows the run prevention may be outperforming the underlying profile.
The Pick
Texas is batting .249 on the road with a .396 slugging percentage. Marlins hit .250 at home with an OBP of .331. Rocker, in his past five starts carries an ERA of 5.25 with .448 slugging percentage against. Phillips in his 11 home appearances has an ERA of 0.83. Miami is 27-16 at home with a +8.1-unit return. Texas is 18-32 on the road with a -5.4-unit loss. Play Miami -118.
Kansas City Royals at Tampa Bay Rays
Game Information
Start Time: 6:40 PM ET
TV Network: RAYS, ROYL
Starting Pitchers
Kansas City Royals: Michael Wacha, RHP
Appearances: 15
Starts: 15
ERA: 3.64
WHIP: 1.17
Strikeout Rate: 18.8%
Walk Rate: 7.3%
Ground Ball Rate: 38.3%
Home Runs Allowed Per Nine Innings: 1.0
Tampa Bay Rays: Drew Rasmussen, RHP
Appearances: 14
Starts: 14
ERA: 2.59
WHIP: 0.88
Strikeout Rate: 27.3%
Walk Rate: 4.2%
Ground Ball Rate: 49.3%
Home Runs Allowed Per Nine Innings: 1.0
Game Notes
Rasmussen has the stronger strikeout profile, cleaner WHIP and better ground-ball rate. Wacha has been reliable, but Tampa Bay holds the starting-pitching edge on swing-and-miss and traffic prevention.
The Pick
KC is batting .231 on the road with a .360 slugging percentage. Tampa Bay is batting .256 at home with a .334 OBP. Wacha in his past five starts carries an ERA of 5.58 with .500 slugging percentage against. Rasmussen in his past five starts has an ERA of 1.69 with 0.68 WHIP. Rays’ bullpen in the better recent form. KC is 14-23 to the run line on the road with a .12.4-unit loss. Rays are 24-13 to the run line at home with a +14.5 unit return. Play Tampa Bay on run line -1.5 runs at +128.
Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals
Game Information
Start Time: 6:45 PM ET
TV Network: NATS, NBCSP
Starting Pitchers
Philadelphia Phillies: Alan Rangel, RHP
Appearances: 1
Starts: 0
ERA: 3.00
WHIP: 1.00
Strikeout Rate: 41.7%
Walk Rate: 0.0%
Ground Ball Rate: 28.6%
Home Runs Allowed Per Nine Innings: 0.0
FIP: -0.24
Washington Nationals: Foster Griffin, LHP
Appearances: 15
Starts: 15
ERA: 3.32
WHIP: 1.11
Strikeout Rate: 23.1%
Walk Rate: 6.6%
Ground Ball Rate: 43.8%
Home Runs Allowed Per Nine Innings: 1.6
FIP: 4.59
Game Notes
Rangel has a tiny sample, but the strikeout and walk profile from that appearance stands out. Griffin has been steadier over a full starter workload, though the 1.6 HR/9 and higher FIP create concern against Philadelphia’s power bats.
The Pick
Philadelphia is batting .213 against left-handed starters with a .351 slugging percentage. Washington is hitting .243 against right-handed starters with a .425 slugging percentage. Griffin in his past five starts has an ERA of 1.93 with WHIP of 0.96. Washington bullpen has shown improvement in the past 27 games. Philadelphia is 11-17 against left-handed starters with a -10.9-unit loss. Washington is 15-12 in their past 27 games with a +4.2-unit return. Play Washington -112.
Houston Astros at Toronto Blue Jays
Game Information
Start Time: 7:07 PM ET
TV Network: Sportsnet, SCHN
Starting Pitchers
Houston Astros: Hunter Brown, RHP
Appearances: 3
Starts: 3
ERA: 1.10
WHIP: 1.04
Strikeout Rate: 37.5%
Walk Rate: 14.1%
Ground Ball Rate: 51.6%
Home Runs Allowed Per Nine Innings: 0.0
Toronto Blue Jays: Dylan Cease, RHP
Appearances: 13
Starts: 13
ERA: 2.71
WHIP: 1.19
Strikeout Rate: 36.3%
Walk Rate: 10.2%
Ground Ball Rate: 45.6%
Home Runs Allowed Per Nine Innings: 0.6
Game Notes
This is one of the best strikeout matchups on the board. Brown has been dominant in limited starts, while Cease brings a larger sample with elite swing-and-miss ability and low home-run damage.
The Pick
Houston is batting .237 in their past 28 games with a .311 OBP. Blue Jays over their past 27 games hit .260 with a .430 slugging percentage. Cease in his past three starts carries an ERA of 1.72 with WHIP of 1.08. Astros bullpen on the road has an ERA of 4.95. With the rain out on Sunday the Blue Jays have a rested bullpen. Astros are 10-18 on the road against losing teams with a -7.8-unit loss. Blue Jays are 18-9 as a home favorite of -110 or higher with a +3.1-unit return. Play Toronto -115.
Milwaukee Brewers at Cincinnati Reds
Game Information
Start Time: 7:10 PM ET
TV Network: CINR, BREW
Starting Pitchers
Milwaukee Brewers: Brandon Woodruff, RHP
Appearances: 6
Starts: 6
ERA: 3.60
WHIP: 1.03
Strikeout Rate: 20.7%
Walk Rate: 5.8%
Ground Ball Rate: 29.9%
Home Runs Allowed Per Nine Innings: 1.2
Cincinnati Reds: Brady Singer, RHP
Appearances: 14
Starts: 14
ERA: 5.32
WHIP: 1.61
Strikeout Rate: 17.1%
Walk Rate: 7.6%
Ground Ball Rate: 41.7%
Home Runs Allowed Per Nine Innings: 2.3
Game Notes
Woodruff has the cleaner WHIP and walk profile, while Singer enters with major traffic and home-run concerns. Singer’s 2.3 HR/9 is the biggest red flag in this pitching matchup.
The Pick
Milwaukee is batting .270 in the past 28 games with a .441 slugging percentage. Cincinnati in their past 26 games hit .228 with a .311 OBP. Reds Bullpen at home carries an ERA of 4.67 with WHIP of 1.47. Brewers are 8-3 against the division with a +4.7 unit return. Cincinnati is 2-13 against the division with a -11.1 unit loss. Play Milwaukee -160.
Chicago Cubs at New York Mets
Game Information
Start Time: 7:10 PM ET
TV Network: SNY, MARQ
Starting Pitchers
Chicago Cubs: Shota Imanaga, LHP
Appearances: 15
Starts: 15
ERA: 4.26
WHIP: 1.06
Strikeout Rate: 24.1%
Walk Rate: 6.3%
Ground Ball Rate: 38.2%
Home Runs Allowed Per Nine Innings: 1.8
New York Mets: Kodai Senga, RHP
Appearances: 6
Starts: 6
ERA: 9.00
WHIP: 1.88
Strikeout Rate: 24.6%
Walk Rate: 14.9%
Ground Ball Rate: 26.9%
Home Runs Allowed Per Nine Innings: 2.6
FIP: 6.81
Game Notes
Imanaga has allowed home-run damage, but his WHIP remains strong. Senga’s strikeout rate is still respectable, but the walks, traffic, low ground-ball rate and 2.6 HR/9 are major concerns.
The Pick
Chicago is batting .236 on the road with a .390 slugging percentage. Mets are hitting .237 at home with a .373 slugging percentage. Imanaga in his past five starts has an ERA of 6.11 with .552 slugging percentage against. Cubs’ bullpen allowed 15 runs in their past 18 innings. Chicago lost 16 of 27 with a -11.4-unit loss. NY is 14-7 at home when lined between -100 to -150 with a +4.8-unit return. Play Mets +103.
Cleveland Guardians at Chicago White Sox
Game Information
Start Time: 7:40 PM ET
TV Network: CHSN, CLEG
Starting Pitchers
Cleveland Guardians: Gavin Williams, RHP
Appearances: 15
Starts: 15
ERA: 3.83
WHIP: 1.13
Strikeout Rate: 27.9%
Walk Rate: 8.1%
Ground Ball Rate: 46.6%
Home Runs Allowed Per Nine Innings: 1.5
Chicago White Sox: Anthony Kay, LHP
Appearances: 15
Starts: 13
ERA: 4.61
WHIP: 1.44
Strikeout Rate: 17.1%
Walk Rate: 8.7%
Ground Ball Rate: 44.1%
Home Runs Allowed Per Nine Innings: 1.4
Game Notes
Williams owns the better strikeout rate, WHIP and run-prevention profile. Kay has kept a solid ground-ball rate, but the lower strikeout rate and higher WHIP put more pressure on contact management.
The Pick
Cleveland is batting .219 on the road with a .374 slugging percentage. White Sox hit .244 at home with a .423 slugging percentage. Williams on the road carries an ERA of 4.94 with .460 slugging percentage against. Kay at home has an ERA of 3.00 with WHIP of 1.14. Both bullpens in poor recent form. Chicago is 9-1 at home against the division with a +5.1-unit return. Guardians have lost five of seven, losing -2.5 units. Play White Sox -103.
Los Angeles Dodgers at Minnesota Twins
Game Information
Start Time: 7:40 PM ET
TV Network: MNNT, SNLA
Starting Pitchers
Los Angeles Dodgers: Eric Lauer, LHP
Appearances: 4
Starts: 4
ERA: 3.22
WHIP: 1.03
Strikeout Rate: 0.0%
Walk Rate: 0.0%
Ground Ball Rate: 0.0%
Home Runs Allowed Per Nine Innings: 2.0
FIP: 5.56
Minnesota Twins: Zebby Matthews, RHP
Appearances: 7
Starts: 7
ERA: 4.78
WHIP: 1.18
Strikeout Rate: 19.1%
Walk Rate: 5.1%
Ground Ball Rate: 37.9%
Home Runs Allowed Per Nine Innings: 1.7
Game Notes
Lauer’s ERA and WHIP look solid with Los Angeles, but the FIP gap and 2.0 HR/9 point to underlying risk. Matthews has better walk control, but the home-run rate is also elevated.
The Pick
LA is batting .271 on the road with a .442 slugging percentage. Minnesota is hitting .248 at home with a .411 slugging percentage. Lauer on the road has an ERA of 5.06 with .500 slugging percentage against. Matthews in his past five starts has an ERA of 6.23 with .513 slugging percentage against. Dodgers bullpen in their past 28 games has an ERA of 5.30. Twins bullpen in their past 29 games carries an ERA of 5.60 with WHIP of 1.53. Minnesota is 20-8-1 to the over in that period. Dodgers are 13-7 to the over on the road facing a team with a bullpen ERA of 4.20 or higher. Play LA and Minnesota over 9.
Arizona Diamondbacks at St. Louis Cardinals
Game Information
Start Time: 7:45 PM ET
TV Network: CARD, ARID
Starting Pitchers
Arizona Diamondbacks: Merrill Kelly, RHP
Appearances: 12
Starts: 12
ERA: 5.81
WHIP: 1.51
Strikeout Rate: 13.6%
Walk Rate: 9.1%
Ground Ball Rate: 36.3%
Home Runs Allowed Per Nine Innings: 1.9
St. Louis Cardinals: Andre Pallante, RHP
Appearances: 14
Starts: 14
ERA: 3.76
WHIP: 1.20
Strikeout Rate: 19.3%
Walk Rate: 7.8%
Ground Ball Rate: 53.3%
Home Runs Allowed Per Nine Innings: 1.1
Game Notes
Pallante has the stronger ground-ball profile and better traffic control. Kelly’s low strikeout rate, high WHIP and 1.9 HR/9 create a difficult setup against a Cardinals lineup that can pressure him with contact.
The Pick
Arizona is batting .251 in their past six games with a .338 OBP. Saint Louis is batting .291 in this period with a .424 slugging percentage. Kelly, in his past five starts, has an ERA of 5.97 and .544 slugging percentage. Pallante’s numbers are worse on the road. Both bullpens are in poor recent form. Arizona is 8-3 to the over on the road against winning teams. Play Arizona and St Louis over 8.5.
Boston Red Sox at Colorado Rockies
Game Information
Start Time: 8:40 PM ET
TV Network: COLR, NESN
Starting Pitchers
Boston Red Sox: Jake Bennett, LHP
Appearances: 4
Starts: 4
ERA: 4.79
WHIP: 1.26
Strikeout Rate: 15.3%
Walk Rate: 5.9%
Ground Ball Rate: 54.0%
Home Runs Allowed Per Nine Innings: 0.4
FIP: 3.34
Colorado Rockies: Ryan Feltner, RHP
Appearances: 9
Starts: 9
ERA: 5.05
WHIP: 1.29
Strikeout Rate: 19.1%
Walk Rate: 9.2%
Ground Ball Rate: 42.3%
Home Runs Allowed Per Nine Innings: 1.5
Game Notes
Bennett’s ERA is near five, but the FIP gap, strong ground-ball rate and low HR/9 suggest better underlying work. Feltner has more strikeout punch, but the walk rate and home-run rate are concerns in Colorado.
The Pick
Boston is batting .240 against right-handed starters with a .378 slugging percentage, while Colorado is hitting .263 at home with a .424 slugging percentage. Feltner has posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over his past four starts, and the Rockies’ bullpen has been in better recent form. Boston is 22-36 against right-handed starters, down 22.3 units, while Colorado is 13-11 as a home underdog of +100 or higher, up 3.8 units. Play Colorado +109.
Baltimore Orioles at Los Angeles Angels
Game Information
Start Time: 9:38 PM ET
TV Network: ABTV, MASN
Starting Pitchers
Baltimore Orioles: Kyle Bradish, RHP
Appearances: 15
Starts: 15
ERA: 4.00
WHIP: 1.51
Strikeout Rate: 24.2%
Walk Rate: 11.7%
Ground Ball Rate: 48.6%
Home Runs Allowed Per Nine Innings: 1.2
Los Angeles Angels: Sam Aldegheri, LHP
Appearances: 6
Starts: 3
ERA: 4.50
WHIP: 1.55
Strikeout Rate: 14.3%
Walk Rate: 12.1%
Ground Ball Rate: 28.1%
Home Runs Allowed Per Nine Innings: 0.9
Game Notes
Bradish has the better strikeout and ground-ball profile, but the WHIP and walk rate show traffic risk. Aldegheri has struggled to miss bats and owns the lower ground-ball rate, putting pressure on command and defense.
The Pick
Baltimore is batting .255 in their past 29 games with a .431 slugging percentage. LA in this period hit .265 with a .441 slugging percentage. Bradish on the road has an ERA of 5.09 with .518 slugging percentage. Orioles’ bullpen on the road has an ERA of 5.36 with WHIP of 1.43. Orioles are 7-14 against left handed starters with a -8.2-unit loss. LA is 6-5 at home as an underdog of +125 to +175 with a +3.4-unit return. Play Angels +143.
Atlanta Braves at San Diego Padres
Game Information
Start Time: 10:10 PM ET
TV Network: ESPN
Starting Pitchers
Atlanta Braves: Grant Holmes, RHP
Appearances: 14
Starts: 14
ERA: 4.33
WHIP: 1.40
Strikeout Rate: 20.3%
Walk Rate: 10.7%
Ground Ball Rate: 41.1%
Home Runs Allowed Per Nine Innings: 1.7
San Diego Padres: Michael King, RHP
Appearances: 15
Starts: 15
ERA: 3.60
WHIP: 1.19
Strikeout Rate: 21.0%
Walk Rate: 10.1%
Ground Ball Rate: 46.5%
Home Runs Allowed Per Nine Innings: 1.1
Game Notes
King owns the cleaner WHIP, better ERA and stronger ground-ball profile. Holmes has similar strikeout ability, but the walk rate and 1.7 HR/9 are the key concerns against San Diego.
The Pick
Atlanta is hitting .257 on the road with a .444 slugging percentage. Padres are hitting .215 at home with a .349 slugging percentage. King in his past five starts has an ERA of 6.41 with .495 slugging percentage. Both bullpens are in good recent form. San Diego is 10-17 in their past 27 games with a -8.4-unit loss. Atlanta is 24-14 on the road with a +7.9-unit return. Play Atlanta -108.
Free MLB Picks For Today 6/22/2026
