Top MLB Betting Picks of the Week – September 10th Edition

In the American League, it looks like the races in the East and the Central are winding down, as Boston has maintained that big lead over the Yankees (currently at 8 ½ games) and Cleveland leads the Twins by 15 ½ games. Houston has won seven of 10 but still can’t shake those Oakland A’s, who sit just 2 ½ games out of first in the AL West. In the National League, all of the races remain close, none closer than the NL West, with Colorado leading the Dodgers by just a half-game and Arizona by 2 ½ games. The Cubs are only two games ahead of Milwaukee, and Atlanta is just 4 ½ games ahead of Philadelphia. With about three weeks left in the regular season, we have put together some MLB betting picks for you to consider over the next few days.

Top MLB Betting Picks of the Week – September 10th Edition

MLB Power Rankings: 1) @astros 2) @RedSox 3) @Yankees https://t.co/EqbQxRI8xL pic.twitter.com/LBKCO9h22w

— theScore (@theScore) September 10, 2018

Monday, September 10

N.Y. Yankees at Minnesota (8:10pm ET)

• Projected Pitching Matchup: J.A. Happ (15-6, 3.90 ERA) (NY) vs Kyle Gibson (7-12, 3.74 ERA) (MIN)

The Yankees have been winning at a steady clip, and if it weren’t for the white-hot Boston Red Sox they’d be atop the AL East. J.A. Happ has been a big part of this success, dropping just one decision since coming over from Toronto near the trade deadline. In seven starts as a Yankee since July 29, he has permitted more than two earned runs on just two occasions, and has picked up five wins. The team has lost just one of his seven starts. He has 40 strikeouts in those seven starts against just nine walks, and four of those came in one start. Minnesota sends Kyle Gibson to the hill on Monday night. His ERA has been creeping upward for his last three starts, as he has taken losses against the White Sox, Indians and Astros, permitting 11 earned runs in his last 17 innings combined, giving up 19 hits and five home runs along the way. He pitched better last Monday against the Astros but still permitted a pair of home runs in the loss. Given the way the Yankee lineup is slugging right now, Gibson is finding too much of the plate to slow them down. MLB Betting Prediction: New York 6, Minnesota 2

Tuesday, September 11

Arizona at Colorado (8:40pm ET)

• Projected Pitching Matchup: Zack Greinke (13-9, 3.08 ERA) (ARI) vs Antonio Senzatela (4-5, 4.92 ERA) (COL)

Zack Greinke is making ace money from the Diamondbacks, but he hasn’t been pitching like an ace over his last five starts. Yes, he did throw 6 ⅔ shutout innings in a win over Seattle on August 26, but he has permitted at least three earned runs in each of his other four starts since August 19, allowing seven home runs in those four games. On Thursday, he went 5 ⅓ innings against Atlanta, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits including a pair of long balls. He threw two wild pitches in the first inning, and it may be that the stress of the title run is wearing on him. His counterpart is Antonio Senzatela, who has only permitted more than two earned runs in two starts since July 22. One of those was a dreadful outing against St. Louis on August 24 in which he permitted seven earned runs on 10 hits, but he delivered for five solid innings against San Francisco his last time out and took a hard-luck loss at San Diego on August 31, when he threw six innings of one-run ball. He has the stuff to limit Arizona for a couple of innings but doesn’t have much durability. Given the Diamondbacks’ bats, I see them pulling out a late win here. MLB Betting Prediction: Arizona 6, Colorado 5

Wednesday, September 12

Washington at Philadelphia (7:00pm ET, ESPN+)

• Projected Pitching Matchup: Stephen Strasburg (7-7, 4.04 ERA) (WAS) vs Aaron Nola (16-4, 2.29 ERA) (PHI)

Stephen Strasburg hasn’t looked like an ace all season, but his last three starts have been serviceable, permitting six earned runs in 17 ⅔ innings combined, striking out 18 while walking eight. He last won a decision against these same Phillies on August 27, and the Nats beat the Phillies with him on the mound on August 22 in an 8-7 barnburner. The fact that Washington is relying on him so heavily shows their desperation as far as returning to the playoff hunt, because he would probably benefit from being shut down and getting some rest ahead of next season. The Phillies send their ace to the hill in Aaron Nola, but he has been showing some wear his last couple of outings. Against the Cubs and Mets, he permitted seven earned runs in 12 ⅔ innings, giving up five home runs. He has 19 combined strikeouts in those two games, but three long balls led to a loss to the Cubs on September 2. He pitched more effectively in a win over the Mets on Friday, but he still gave up a pair of homers. The Phillies need this win to work on catching Atlanta, and Strasburg’s recent frailty should be an encouraging sign. MLB Betting Prediction: Philadelphia 4, Washington 2