Yesterday was rough. Very rough. But, like we usually do, we bounce back today. It’s Thursday, which means day games. So get those bets in quickly! Here are our picks for baseball bets on July 20th.
Baseball Bets for July 20th
The Headliner: Diamondbacks vs. Braves
There are great pitching matchups all across the league in today’s slate of games. The best one of them all, however, looks to be in the final game of this week’s series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Atlanta Braves. The Diamondbacks will be sending Zac Gallen to the mound. In 20 starts, Gallen has a 3.14 ERA across 123 1/3 innings with 130 strikeouts and a 1.08 WHIP. Over his last seven, he carries a 3.83 ERA across 44 2/3 innings with 42 strikeouts and a 1.07 WHIP. Gallen has been much worse on the road. In 10 road starts, he carries a 5.11 ERA across 56 1/3 innings with 54 strikeouts and a 1.35 WHIP. Gallen has started one game against the Braves, in which he allowed three runs (two earned) in six innings on nine hits, one walk, and struck out six.
The Braves will counter with Spencer Strider. In 19 starts, Strider carries a 3.66 ERA across 110 2/3 innings with 176 strikeouts and a 1.10 WHIP. Over his last seven, he carries a 4.83 ERA across 41 innings with 63 strikeouts and a 1.27 WHIP. Strider has been worse in home games. Through 10 home starts, he carries a 4.30 ERA across 58 2/3 innings with 98 strikeouts and a 1.02 WHIP. He has limited baserunners better at home, but his defense has let him down tremendously. His season FIP sits at 2.81, the lowest in the National League. In one start against the Diamondbacks this season, Strider allowed two runs (both earned) across six innings on three hits, and four walks, and struck out seven.
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The Play: Braves ML (-190) – 1.5U
Bonus Player Prop: Strider Under 8.5 Strikeouts (-130) – 0.5U
Veteran vs. Rookie: Giants vs. Reds
The Cincinnati Reds look to draw even in the last of this four-game series while hosting the San Francisco Giants. On the mound for the Giants will be veteran Alex Cobb. In a career resurgence-type year, the 35-year-old carries a 2.82 ERA through 17 starts and 95 2/3 innings with 91 strikeouts and a 1.32 WHIP. Over his last seven, he carries a 3.82 ERA across 37 2/3 innings with 39 strikeouts and a 1.33 WHIP. Cobb has performed worse on the road. In 10 road starts, he carries a 4.15 ERA across 52 innings with 57 strikeouts and a 1.44 WHIP. The groundball pitcher will need his A-game in today’s matchup as Great American Ballpark is a preeminent hitter’s haven.
The Reds will counter with rookie lefty Andrew Abbott. In eight starts, Abbott carries a 2.45 ERA across 47 2/3 innings with 51 strikeouts and a 1.01 WHIP. Over his last three starts, he carries a 4.50 ERA across 18 innings with 21 strikeouts and a 1.11 WHIP. Despite Great American Ballpark being a hitter’s haven, Abbott has performed better there than on the road. In four home starts, he sports a 2.10 ERA across 25 2/3 innings with 31 strikeouts and a 0.74 WHIP. Limiting baserunners at a rate that low can go a long way toward leading your team to victory.
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The Play: Reds ML (-105) – 1U
Bonus Player Prop: Jonathan India Over 0.5 Hits (-250) – 0.5U
Complete the Sweep: Padres vs. Blue Jays
In the last of our picks today, the San Diego Padres look to complete the three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays. While doing so, the Padres will send lefty Blake Snell to the mound. In 19 starts this season, Snell carries a 2.71 ERA across 103 innings with 139 strikeouts and a 1.22 WHIP. Snell has been lights out over his last seven. In that span, he sports a 0.66 ERA across 41 innings with 70 strikeouts and a 0.90 WHIP. Through 10 road starts, Snell has a 2.47 ERA across 54 2/3 innings with 69 strikeouts and a 1.26 WHIP. Every Snell start for the next two weeks will be more of a showcase as he is all but guaranteed to be moved at this year’s trade deadline.
Across the diamond, the Blue Jays will send Chris Bassitt to the mound. In 20 starts, Bassitt has a 4.12 ERA across 115 2/3 innings with 107 strikeouts and a 1.23 WHIP. Over his last seven, he carries a 6.15 ERA across 33 2/3 innings with 37 strikeouts and a 1.72 WHIP. Bassitt has been much better at home this season. In nine home starts, he carries a 2.47 ERA across 58 1/3 innings with 59 strikeouts and a 0.87 WHIP. Despite his home success this season, he has still shown signs of weakness against teams with above-average offenses. Much like the one the Padres sport.
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The Play: Padres ML (-120) – 0.5U
Bonus Player Prop: Snell Over 5.5 Strikeouts (-180) – 0.5U
Main photo credits:
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Players mentioned:
Zac Gallen, Spencer Strider, Alex Cobb, Andrew Abbott, Jonathan India, Blake Snell, Chris Bassitt
