The Oakland A’s are the hottest team in the American League right now, with a six-game winning streak and a 2 ½-game lead over Houston in the AL West. Tampa Bay still leads the AL East, a game ahead of Boston and seven games ahead of the Yankees. The Chicago White Sox lead the AL Central by 4 ½ games, with the Cleveland Indians behind them, winners of seven of their last ten to keep the pressure on the Sox. In the National League, the New York Mets lead Philadelphia in the East by five games despite an offense that has been mystifying in its inconsistency. Milwaukee and the Chicago Cubs are tied atop the NL Central, even though the Brewers have a zero run differential and the Cubs’ is +36. In the West, the San Francisco Giants are still overperforming, leading the Dodgers by two games and the San Diego Padres by six.
Let’s look at your top MLB betting matchups for the weekend.
MLB News: Top Betting Games for the Weekend
Friday, June 18
Oakland A’s at New York Yankees (7:05 pm ET)
Projected Pitching Matchup: James Kaprelian (OAK) vs Jameson Taillon (NY)
James Kareplian has two scoreless outings in his last four starts, as he threw 13 combined innings against Seattle and Kansas City, scattering four hits and six walks overall, striking out 11. Between the Seattle and Kansas City starts, though, he gave up six runs (all earned) on ten hits and six walks, although he still struck out nine over 8 ⅔ combined innings. The Yankees’ offense has been inconsistent, but if Kaprelian makes mistakes, he could pay early.
Jameson Taillon has struggled in his last three outings, permitting 10 runs (all earned) in 10 ⅔ combined innings. His last start, against Philadelphia, saw the Phillies tag him for four earned runs on five hits and a walk, as he just got one out before he had to be pulled. His stuff is good, but he’s finding way too much of the plate with it, and opposing hitters are making him pay. The A’s don’t have the most dominant offense in the league, but they can take advantage.
Final Prediction:
Oakland 6, New York 4
Saturday, June 19
New York Mets at Washington Nationals (1:05 pm ET)
Projected Pitching Matchup: David Peterson (NY) vs Jon Lester (WAS)
David Peterson had a terrific start against the Cubs on Monday, throwing six innings of scoreless, one-hit ball, allowing two walks and striking out three. That was a nice bounceback from a short 2 ⅔-inning outing against Baltimore, when he permitted four runs on eight hits in a 10-3 loss. The Nationals’ offense has not started clicking yet, and shutting down the Cubs’ potent offense should give Peterson confidence coming in.
Jon Lester has not permitted more than two runs in four straight starts, and his durability is returning, as he has reached the sixth inning twice during that run. His strikeout stuff is not there yet, as he only has more than three strikeouts once in this span, but he gives his team’s offense a chance every time out. The Nats’ offense hasn’t given him a ton of run support, but he should be able to keep the Mets’ scoring down.
Final Prediction:
Washington 5, New York 3
St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta Braves (7:15 pm ET, FOX)
Projected Pitching Matchup: Adam Wainwright (STL) vs Drew Smyly (ATL)
Adam Wainwright’s numbers have improved as the season has gone on, as he has permitted just four runs in his last 13 innings of work, in wins over Cleveland and Miami. He has 12 strikeouts against just three walks over those 13 combined innings, and the Cardinals have won three of his last four starts.
Drew Smyly has had a good JUne after a dreadful start. He’s still working on stamina, as he has only finished five innings once this month, but he has not permitted more than three ones in any of his starts, striking out 12 in 13 ⅔ combined innings while walking just six. But when the Cardinals get to the Atlanta bullpen, can the Braves hold on?
Final Prediction:
Cardinals 5, Braves 4
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