The long summer season is what can make MLB betting more frustrating than it is for some of the other major sports. The games begin just when the cold of winter is fading, and they end when the leaves on the trees are turning red and gold once again, with winter about eight weeks away.
Over the course of this long season, some teams will start off red-hot and fade over time (yes, Yankees and Twins, we’re looking at you), while others have what it takes to go all the way into the fall and make noise in the postseason (last year’s Cubs are one example, and this year’s Astros and Nationals could be other examples this year.
Let’s take a look at some MLB betting predictions for the rest of this year’s eason in the American League.
MLB Betting Predictions in American League for Mid-June
Just prepping for the homestand. pic.twitter.com/WgQYsh6Fnd
— #VoteTribe 5x a day (@Indians) June 20, 2017
The Tribe will win another pennant
The high-flying New York Yankees have returned to earth, and now it looks like the Boston Red Sox are set to glide past them in the American League East standings. The Minnesota Twins started out strong, but now the Cleveland Indians have moved past them into first in the Central. Houston still has the best record in all of Major League Baseball, but here’s the deal — pitching wins titles. The Indians have solved those rotation problems from earlier in the season, with the return of Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco to full health. Their offense, which sputtered a bit early in the season, has caught on and is another reason for the team’s climb up the standings.How is Cleveland in the Pitching Area?
The Indians’ pitching (especially if you add in relief star Andrew Miller) is better than what the Astros offer. If the playoffs opened today, you’d have to take the Indians in a series just on the basis of pitching alone. I see the Astros continuing to settle while Cleveland continues to pour on the improvement.The Yankees will take one of the wild cards
A lot of people see the Baby Bombers falling all the way out of the playoffs. The Pinstripes were considering calling up Gleyber Torres to take over third base, but now the hot prospect will have to miss the rest of the season for Tommy John surgery. The current third baseman, Chase Headley, simply is not producing at the level that a major league third baseman needs to. He has a .244 average with just four home runs and 29 RBI in 62 games, with an OPS of .694.Do the Yanks Have Pitching Issue?
The Yankees do have some pitching issues. Masahiro Tanaka, ostensibly the team’s ace, has posted a 6.34 ERA that is just unsightly. Part of this is due to a fastball that has dropped in velocity from its numbers three years ago. However, they have a Triple Crown candidate at the plate in Aaron Judge, and if they can make some adjustments to the pitchers’ process, the Yankees have what it takes to make the postseason, even if Boston wins the division.
The Rangers will make a charge for the other wild card
Texas sits at .500 right now (36-36). Their relievers have blown an unbelievable 13 save opportunities already, even though we’re just at June 21. Most of these opportunities turned to dust under the watch of Sam Dyson, whose sinker has flattened out considerably, which turns it into a below-average fastball, which hitters crushed all over the ballpark. The team has since designated Dyson for assignment and moved Matt Bush into the closer’s role. Bush’s performance has alternated between the spectacular and the awful — depending on how confident he is placing a fastball that cracks the 100-mph barrier. I see Bush (and the rest of the Rangers relief corps) finding their confidence and performing at a higher level.Can Texas Get Back on Track?
When those blown saves slow down, the team will perk up with a solid offense and chase the Astros. I don’t see them catching Houston, but I do see them passing the other .500 teams in the AL and taking a wild card.Upcoming MLB Betting Schedule
Cleveland Indians
- Wednesday, June 21st @ Baltimore Orioles. 8:05pm ET
- Thursday, June 22nd @ Baltimore Orioles. 8:05pm ET
- Friday, June 23rd vs Minnesota Twins. 8:10pm ET
- Saturday, June 24th vs Minnesota Twins. 5:10pm ET
- Sunday, June 25th vs Minnesota Twins. 1:10pm ET
New York Yankees
- Wednesday, June 21st vs Los Angeles Angels. 7:05pm ET
- Thursday, June 22nd vs Los Angeles Angels. 7:05pm ET
- Friday, June 23rd vs Texas Rangers. 7:05pm ET
- Saturday, June 24th vs Texas Rangers. 1:05pm ET
- Sunday, June 25th vs Texas Rangers. 2:05pm ET
Texas Rangers
- Wednesday, June 21st vs Toronto Blue Jays. 8:05pm ET
- Thursday, June 22nd vs Toronto Blue Jays. 2:05pm ET
- Friday, June 23rd @ New York Yankees. 7:05pm ET
- Saturday, June 24th @ New York Yankees. 1:05pm ET
- Sunday, June 25th @ New York Yankees. 2:05pm ET
