Top MLB Betting Picks of the Week September 17th Edition

We’re almost into single digits, as far as the number of games remaining in the 2018 MLB regular season goes. The New York Yankees are 33 games over .500 — but they’re also 11 ½ games behind Boston, so they look destined for a wild card date with the Oakland A’s, who are 90-60 but remain 4 ½ out in the American League West. The National League is much less settled, as Milwaukee is just 2 ½ games behind the Cubs in the NL Central and the Dodgers are just a half-game behind Colorado in the NL West. Atlanta has a 6 ½-game lead on Philadelphia and a 7 ½-game lead on Washington, but no one in that division has been particularly consistent. Check out our three online MLB betting picks from the national pastime for you this week.

Top MLB Betting Picks of the Week September 17th Edition

Where does your team land in the #MLB Power Rankings?!https://t.co/jgPffKozMR

— HERO Sports (@HEROSportsNews) September 17, 2018

Monday, September 17

Colorado at L.A. Dodgers (10:00pm ET, ESPN+)

• Projected Pitching Matchup: Jon Gray (11-7, 4.80 ERA) (COL) vs Hyun-Jin Ryu (4-3, 2.42 ERA) (LA)

This game opens a key midweek series between the Rockies and the Dodgers with the top spot in the NL West on the line. The Rockies send Jon Gray to the hill, despite the fact that he has struggled with control in his last two starts, throwing just eight combined innings over that time while permitting six earned runs. In his last two starts against the Dodgers, he has permitted six earned runs on 12 hits in just 9 ⅔ innings, and when he isn’t missing the strike zone, he’s finding the fat part of it, allowing long balls. His counterpart is Hyun-Jin Ryu, who also got tattooed in his last start, permitting three earned runs on eight hits (including a pair of home runs) in a 3-1 loss to the lowly Cincinnati Reds. His start before that ended in a 7-3 loss in which he permitted 10 hits over six innings, allowing five runs (although just one was earned, thanks to some shoddy defense). Ryu has permitted 15 uns (10 earned) in 33 ⅔ innings since his return from the disabled list, for a 2.71 ERA over that stretch. With that consistency, I see him managing the Colorado lineup enough for a win. MLB Betting Prediction: Los Angeles 6, Colorado 4

Tuesday, September 18

Chicago White Sox vs Cleveland Indians (7:10pm ET)

• Projected Pitching Matchup: Dylan Covey (5-13, 5.64 ERA) (CHI) vs Corey Kluber (18-7, 2.91 ERA) (CLE)

The White Sox finished August with a hot streak that would push through Labor Day, but now they have lost seven of 10 once again and sit at 59-90. Dylan Covey, set to start for them against the Indians on Tuesday, has contributed to that malaise. His last start came on September 11 in Kansas City, where he was shelled for six runs (five earned) over 4 ⅓ innings. Most of his action has come out of the bullpen this season, and he really doesn’t have the stuff to go several times through a rotation without taking a pounding. He didn’t get any favors from his manager when he was set to start opposite Cleveland’s Corey Kluber on Tuesday. Kluber was skipped in the rotation his last time out, ostensibly to get him lined up for the right postseason start. Even so, he lasted just 1 ⅔ innings in his last outing against Tampa Bay, giving up four earned runs on five hits (including a home run) over 55 pitches. His two starts before that, though, were typical Kluber, as he threw 13 ⅔ combined innings, permitting just one earned run on four hits and striking out 18 combined. That domination should continue against the White Sox. MLB Betting Prediction: Cleveland 5, Chicago 1

Wednesday, September 19

Boston at N.Y. Yankees (7:00pm ET, ESPN)

• Projected Pitching Matchup: David Price (15-6, 3.42 ERA) (BOS) vs Luis Severino (17-8, 3.46 ERA) (NY)

David Price has not lost a decision since July 1. In starts against Cleveland, Houston and Toronto since August 23, he has thrown 21 ⅓ combined inning, permitting just two earned runs and striking out 24 while walking just two. Interspersed with that was a three-inning debacle against Miami in which he permitted a home run and three earned runs, but the offense bailed him out with a 14-6 win. Since July 1, though, his ERA is 2.22. Luis Severino takes the start for the Yankees and has had an outstanding season. He took a loss on August 3 in Boston, permitting four earned runs on seven hits over 5 ⅔ innings, and his last two starts have led to losses, so the long season may be wearing on his young arm. The momentum that Boston is building should lead them to the prime time win, especially as well as Price is pitching down the stretch. MLB Betting Prediction: Boston 4, New York 2