Top MLB Betting Picks of the Week – July 30th Edition

The Houston Astros have hit a bit of a rut in their season, as they have lost four in a row, with the Texas Rangers doing something no other team has done this season, completing a series sweep of the Astros this weekend — and doing it down in Houston. They still lead Seattle by four games in the American League West, but Jose Altuve headed to the disabled list over the weekend, so there is some concern down in Houston. Cleveland has built a nine-game lead over Minnesota in the AL Central, and Boston has built their lead over the Yankees to 5 ½ games, winning seven of their last 10, while the Yankees sent Aaron Judge to the DL with a wrist fracture that will keep him out at least three weeks. In the National League East, Philadelphia retains their lead, staying  1 ½ games ahead of Atlanta and six games ahead of Washington. The Chicago Cubs added Cole Hamels to their starting rotation but still are having a hard time fighting off the Milwaukee Brewers, holding just a 1 ½-game lead in the NL Central. The NL West is getting tight, with Colorado winning eight of 10 to close to within a game of the Los Angeles Dodgers — and Arizona sits between them, just a half-game out of first. Check out our sports betting previews for three MLB betting picks from the national pastime for this week ahead.

Top MLB Betting Picks of the Week – July 30th Edition

MLB Power Rankings: Trade deadline season full of unlikely buyers and sellershttps://t.co/a3Ra3aNvXN pic.twitter.com/kDOYqKIcBp

— CBS Sports MLB (@CBSSportsMLB) July 30, 2018

Monday, July 30

Colorado at St. Louis (8:10pm ET)

• Projected Pitching Matchup: Tyler Anderson (6-3, 3.57 ERA) (COL) vs Carlos Martinez (6-6, 3.39) (STL)

Colorado heads to St. Louis after polishing off the red-hot Oakland A’s, 3-2, on Sunday, and the Rockies send Tyler Anderson to the hill against a struggling Cardinals team. Anderson has permitted more than one earned run just once in his last five starts, dating back to June 23. His last start, on July 24 against Houston, was a gem, as he scattered three hits, permitting two runs (one earned) in 7 ⅓ innings, just to see the bullpen fall apart in an 8-2 loss. He has struck out 35 batters in 35 ⅓ innings, finishing eight complete innings in two of those starts. Anderson’s counterpart is Carlos Martinez, who has been shelled in his last two starts, giving up nine combined runs (eight earned) in 10 innings in losses to the Reds and the Cubs. He has not started since July 19, thanks to an oblique injury, but he avoided a trip to the disabled list after a productive bullpen session on Friday. Even so, he has been leaving pitches out over the middle of the plate and paying the price. MLB Betting Prediction: Colorado 5, St. Louis 3

Tuesday, July 31

Miami at Atlanta (7:35pm ET)

• Projected Pitching Matchup: Dan Straily (4-4, 4.07 ERA) vs Anibal Sanchez (5-3, 3.00 ERA) (ATL)

Miami heads to Atlanta after shutting out the Washington Nationals on Sunday, 5-0, and they will start Dan Straily on Tuesday night. His last start, against Washington on July 26, was not particularly impressive, as he gave up three earned runs on five hits (including a pair of home runs) in a 10-3 loss. However, his two starts before that were solid, as he allowed eight hits and two earned runs combined in 13 innings, giving the team wins against Tampa Bay and Milwaukee. The Braves will start Anibal Sanchez, who has struggled in his last two starts, permitting eight combined runs (seven earned) on 13 its in 12 ⅓ innings against Washington and the Dodgers, games that the team split. His strikeout rate has slightly increased in his last four starts, and getting to see a Miami offense that does not feature a lot of power should help him. MLB Betting Prediction: Atlanta 5, Miami 2

Wednesday, August 1

Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh (7:05pm ET)

• Projected Pitching Matchup: Cole Hamels (5-9, 4.72 ERA) (CHI) vs Nick Kingham (5-5, 4.80 ERA) (PIT)

The Chicago Cubs are banking on a change of scenery helping Cole Hamels clear his head after a dreadful stretch in Texas. Hamels has permitted at least four runs in each start since June 19, and in three of those starts, he has permitted seven runs, including a debacle on July 7 when he could not get out of the first inning against the Detroit Tigers, needing 41 pitches to get just two outs while permitting five hits, two walks and seven runs (three earned). He will get the start on eight days’ rest. Hamels’ counterpart is Nick Kingham, who had a rough start of his own back ino Thursday, permitting six earned runs on seven hits (including a pair of long balls) in a 12-6 loss to the Mets. His three starts before that were all quality starts, though, as he permitted six combined earned runs on 13 hits over 18 ⅔ innings in wins over the Phillies, Brewers and Reds. The Cubs’ offense has the clout to get to Kingham, as they did in wins on May 29 and June 9, and the mental benefits of the move to a contender should help Hamels give the Cubs a decent outing. MLB Betting Prediction: Chicago 6, Pittsburgh 3