Happy Friday. We’ve got 28 teams in action today, 14 games across the league with 13 starting tonight. Let’s jump right into my favorite spots on today’s huge MLB slate.
For additional information on picks, props, moneylines, and more on today’s slate, take a look at our MLB Picks Page or our MLB Odds Page.
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MLB Pitcher Report | June 20
Gomber’s Back
Austin Gomber is back for the Colorado Rockies and set to make his first start at Coors Field this year. The 31-year old lefty has missed a majority of the season, making his season debut last week against the Atlanta Braves. Gomber pitched five scoreless innings, giving up just two hits and a singular walk.
Today Gomber faces off with a Diamondbacks team he’s struggled against. In his last five starts against Arizona, Gomber’s recorded a 7.13 ERA, given up 31 hits, 19 earned runs and seven total home runs.
Hitter’s Paradise
Now let’s highlight a few pitchers giving up tons of contact. First, Andre Pallante for the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals will face off with the Reds today, first of a three game series between the two teams. Pallante’s allowed right-handed bats to hit .298 this year with six home runs allowed. He’s also struggled against this Reds lineup, allowing both Lux and Stephenson to hit over .350.
Next, we’ve got Michael Lorenzen going up against a pissed off Padres squad. After this scuffle with the Dodgers last night, you gotta think the Padres are coming into this one ready to blow off some steam. Lorenzen’s struggled against both Tatis and Arraez this year, but I’m liking this more because of his 5.06 ERA and 1.6 HR/9.
Lorenzen’s ERA drops to 6.25 on the road this year, allowing opposing batters to hit .275 and allowing 2.1 HR/9. Tonight could be a tougher start than usual on the west coast.
Lastly, despite the small sample size; we’ve gotta talk about Blade Tidwell. He’s making his 2nd career start and he’s doing it against the Philadelphia Phillies; not a spot a lot of guys want to be. Tidwell’s allowing opposing hitters to .500 on the year and the Phillies have been crushing right-handed pitchers this year; ranking 8th in batting average against righties.
Summer’s Here, Let the Ball Fly – MLB Stadium Report
The conditions are fantastic once again. It’s summer time and the ball should continue to fly tonight.
The top “weather” spots I’m targeting today are the obvious ones: Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Sutter Health Park in Sacremento, Coors Field in Colorado, and Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Winds are blowing, temperatures are high, and air pressure’s low. With big bats all over the field in those four games, you should be able to find plenty of value across all eight of those teams.
Our Best MLB Bets on the Diamond for Friday, June 20
Shohei Ohtani o1.5 Total Bases (+100 via BetOnline)
Whenever we get this price on Mr. Ohtani, we take it. Ohtani’s been playing MVP-caliber baseball this year, batting .292 on the year with 25 home runs and 43 RBI. His game gets even better at home, where he’s batting .301 with 15 home runs and a .632 SLG.
MacKenzie Gore has been fantastic this year, holding opposing batters to a .236 batting average and recording a sub-three ERA for the first time in his career (2.89). Despite his great start to this year, Gore’s struggled against this Dodgers lineup in his career.
Ohtani’s faced off with Gore six times in his career; he’s recorded a single, a triple and a home run. He’s hitting .308 against lefties this year and Gore’s no different.
Bonus: Shoehei Ohtani Home Run (+235)
Rafael Devers o1.5 Total Bases (+110 via BetOnline)
There is no world in which we avoid Rafael Devers as he goes up against his former team. It’s his first ever game against the Boston Red Sox and I’m all the way in. Devers’ yet to hit his first home run as a San Francisco Giant and tonight he’ll get the young righty; Hunter Dobbins.
Ten of Devers’ 15 home runs have come against righties this year and wouldn’t it be fitting; his first home run as a Giant, comes against the team that cast him out.
Bonus: Rafael Devers Home Run (+320)
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