After a lengthy absence, meaningful baseball is finally back. Everyone is rested and ready to get back on the grind of the second half of the season. We, too, are rested and ready to get back on the grind of winning money for the second half of the season. Without further adieu, here are our picks for baseball bets on July 14th.
Baseball Bets for July 14th
The Headliner: Astros @ Angels
In one of the only two divisional matchups coming out of the break, the Houston Astros travel to California to take on the Los Angeles Angels. The Astros will send rookie J.P. France to the mound. In 11 starts, France has a 3.26 ERA across 66 1/3 innings with 48 strikeouts and a 1.21 WHIP. Over his last seven, he has a 3.18 ERA across 45 1/3 innings with 30 strikeouts and a 1.21 WHIP. He has performed much better on the road thus far. In six road starts, France has a 1.95 ERA across 37 innings with 28 strikeouts and a 1.16 WHIP. France has one start against the Angels this season. In that start, he went seven innings allowing only one run on three hits and one walk. France does not strike out many batters, but he does limit baserunners well.
In what could possibly be one of his last few starts as a member of the Angels, Shohei Ohtani will take the mound. In 17 starts this season, Ohtani has a 3.32 ERA across 100 1/3 innings with 132 strikeouts and a 1.10 WHIP. Over his last seven, he has a 3.70 ERA across 41 1/3 innings with 52 strikeouts and a 1.38 WHIP. Ohtani has pitched much better at home. In nine home starts, he has a 2.35 ERA across 57 1/3 innings with 79 strikeouts and a 1.01 WHIP. Ohtani has made two starts against the Astros this season, one at home and one on the road. In those starts, he has combined for 13 innings, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on 14 hits and three walks, three home runs, and struck out 13 batters.
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The Play: Astros ML (+132) – 1.5U
Bonus Team Total: Astros First Five Over 1.5 (-105) – 0.5U
East Coast vs West Coast: Dodgers @ Mets
The next couple of weeks will go a long way in determining whether or not the New York Mets are buyers or sellers. Their first challenge will be hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers. On the mound for the Dodgers will be lefty Julio Urias. The mercurial pitcher comes in today with a 4.76 ERA across 12 starts and 64 1/3 innings. He has struck out 63 batters and carries a WHIP of 1.18. Over his last seven, he has an ERA of 5.79 across 37 1/3 innings with 33 strikeouts and a 1.15 WHIP. He has pitched much worse on the road this season. In six road starts, he has an ERA of 8.44 across 26 2/3 innings with 23 strikeouts and a 1.84 WHIP. Batters have been able to square him up more often this season as he comes in today with a HR/9 of 1.96 compared to his career rate of 1.00.
The Mets will send veteran Justin Verlander to the mound. In 12 starts this season, Verlander has a 3.60 ERA across 70 innings with 57 strikeouts and a 1.20 WHIP. Over his last seven, he has an ERA of 2.70 across 40 innings with 35 strikeouts and a 1.28 WHIP. Verlander has been much better at home. In six home starts, he holds an ERA of 2.19 across 37 innings with 33 strikeouts and a 1.00 WHIP. Those numbers include a home start against the Tampa Bay Rays in which Verlander allowed six runs, all earned, through five innings of work. Expect tonight’s game to get the Mets’ hopes up for the rest of the season.
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The Play: Mets ML (+105) – 1U
Bonus Player Prop: Pete Alonso Over 0.5 Home Runs (+375) – 0.5U
Nature’s Enemies: Marlins @ Orioles
The Miami Marlins travel north to take on the Baltimore Orioles. On the mound for Miami will be their workhorse, Sandy Alcantara. In 18 starts this season, Sandy has a 4.72 ERA across 114 1/3 innings with 94 strikeouts and a 1.25 WHIP. Over his last seven, he has a 4.40 ERA across 45 innings with 34 strikeouts and a 1.24 WHIP. Sandy has been worse on the road this season. In nine such starts, he carries an ERA of 5.00 across 54 innings with 43 strikeouts and a 1.33 WHIP. This year’s Sandy is much closer to the pitcher that you can expect than last year’s. Allowing runners at such a high clip should not prove successful for him in tonight’s start.
On the mound for the Orioles will be Dean Kremer. In 18 starts this season, Kremer has a 4.78 ERA across 98 innings with 92 strikeouts and a 1.37 WHIP. Over his last seven, he has an ERA of 5.08 across 39 innings with 44 strikeouts and a 1.26 WHIP. Kremer is the first pitcher for us today that has pitched worse at home. In nine home starts, he carries a 5.51 ERA across 49 innings with 39 strikeouts and a 1.33 WHIP. Expect the runs to come from both sides early in this matchup.
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The Play: Orioles ML (-125) – 0.5U
Bonus Total Bet: First Five Over 4.5 (-122) – 0.5U
Main photo credits:
Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports
Players mentioned:
J.P. France, Shohei Ohtani, Julio Urias, Justin Verlander, Pete Alonso, Sandy Alcantara, Dean Kremer
