Top MLB Betting Picks of the Week – June 17th

The Atlanta Braves appear to be pulling away from the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East, currently holding a 2 ½-game lead after delivering a 15-1 beating of Philadelphia on Sunday. The NL Central remains close, as Milwaukee leads the Chicago Cubs by just a game, although the arrival of closer Craig Kimbrel in Chicago may change that. In the NL West, the Los Angeles Dodgers continue to run away with the division. In the American League, the Minnesota Twins retain the top record, ahead of the Houston Astros by percentage points. In the AL East, Tampa Bay is hanging with the New York Yankees, just a half-game out of first — and Boston has closed to within 5 ½ games of the division lead. Will you include MLB betting picks this week? Check out our top picks for you.

Top MLB Betting Picks of the Week – June 17th

Who’s up and who’s down in this week’s MLB power rankings https://t.co/9IDddlZZvN

— USA TODAY MLB (@usatodaymlb) June 17, 2019

Tuesday, June 18

Houston at Cincinnati (7:10pm ET)

• Projected Pitching Matchup: Justin Verlander (9-2, 2.41 ERA) (HOU) vs Anthony DeSclafani (3-3, 4.43 ERA) (CIN)

Justin Verlander’s career resurgence is continuing in Houston this year, as he has already piled up 125 strikeouts, with the All-Star break about a month away. He has been leaving some fat pitches up lately, though, as he has permitted six earned runs on nine hits, including three home runs, in his last two starts, throwing 13 ⅓ combined innings and striking out 22 but giving up too many big hits. In his last start, on June 12, he gave up three solo shots to the Brewers and took a no-decision as Milwaukee went on to win, 6-3. Can Verlander get back on track against a less talented Cincinnati lineup? Anthony DeSclafani starts opposite Verlander on Tuesday night, and he has brought his ERA down more than half a point in his last two starts, throwing 10 ⅔ combined innings in St. Louis and Cleveland while permitting just two earned runs on 10 hits, striking out nine and walking three. Those starts ended a five-start streak in which he had permitted at least three earned runs in five straight starts — and permitted nine home runs. DeSclafani has shown a lot of talent, but taking on the Houston offense AND Verlander will be too much. MLB Betting Prediction: Houston 5, Cincinnati 2

Wednesday, June 19

Tampa Bay at N.Y. Yankees (1:05pm ET)

• Projected Pitching Matchup: Blake Snell (4-5, 3.70 ERA) (TB) vs CC Sabathia (3-4, 4.42 ERA) (NY)

The Rays and Yankees open a series at Yankee Stadium this week that will be rife with consequences for teams’ stalemate in the AL East. Blake Snell has either been dominant or has gotten hit hard in his last four starts, alternating six-inning gems against the Blue Jays and the Red Sox with poor performances in Detroit and against the Angels. In his last start, on June 14, Snell only lasted 3 ⅓ innings against the Angels, permitting four runs (three earned) on five hits. His start against Boston, on June 9, had been much more impressive, as he held the Red Sox to a single run on five hits and a walk over six innings, striking out seven. Which Snell will show up at Yankee Stadium? CC Sabathia will start Wednesday for the Yankees. Sabathia started the season strong but has gotten shelled in his last three outings, giving up 13 runs (12 earned) on 24 hits (including four home runs), striking out 16 and walking four, over 15 ⅔ combined innings, in games the Yankees have lost by a combined 26-11. If you like the Yankees, you see the big lefthander finding his stuff, but he has permitted at least three earned runs in all but four starts this yeaer, and in four starts dating all the way back to May 22. MLB Betting Prediction: Tampa Bay 6, New York 4