Welcome to our series in which we take a dive into the day’s schedule of games with a focus on profit. Here are our picks for baseball bets on August 2nd.
Baseball Bets for August 2nd
The Headliner: Rays @ Yankees
The Tampa Bay Rays look to complete the sweep today with Shane McClanahan taking the mound. In 20 starts, McClanahan has a 3.00 ERA across 111 innings with 118 strikeouts and a 1.18 WHIP. Over his last seven, he carries a 5.09 ERA across 35 1/3 innings with 31 strikeouts and a 1.25 WHIP. McClanahan has not been as sharp on the road. In 11 road starts, he sports a 3.34 ERA across 59 1/3 innings with 57 strikeouts and a 1.33 WHIP. McClanahan has one start this season at Yankee Stadium. He allowed four runs (all earned) in four innings, on five hits, four walks, and struck out three. With an ERA of 6.00 since the All-Star break, expect more of the same from McClanahan today.
The New York Yankees will send their ace to the mound. In 22 starts this season, Gerrit Cole has a 2.64 ERA across 136 1/3 innings with 149 strikeouts and a 1.05 WHIP. Over his last seven, he carries a 2.42 ERA across 44 2/3 innings with 51 strikeouts and a 0.92 WHIP. Cole has not been as sharp at home, while still pitching like an ace. In 13 home starts, he carries a 2.90 ERA across 80 2/3 innings with 92 strikeouts and a 1.07 WHIP. This will be Cole’s third start against the Rays this season. In his first two, he combined for a 6.30 ERA across 10 innings with 10 strikeouts and a 1.70 WHIP. Despite those results, Cole has been at peak form since the All-Star break. He boasts a 1.40 ERA in three starts over that stretch.
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The Play: Yankees ML (-115) – 1.5U
Bonus Player Prop: Cole Over 7.5 K’s (-130) – 0.5U
Win the Series: Phillies @ Marlins
The Philadelphia Phillies look to secure their series victory in game three of four today. In doing so, they will send Zack Wheeler to the mound. In 21 starts, he carries a 3.74 ERA across 125 innings with 145 strikeouts and a 1.11 WHIP. Over his last seven, he carries a 3.56 ERA across 43 innings with 51 strikeouts and a 1.12 WHIP. Wheeler has performed better on the road. In 11 road starts, he carries a 3.48 ERA across 64 2/3 innings with 79 strikeouts and a 1.13 WHIP. Wheeler has made two starts against the Miami Marlins this season. In those two starts, he has a 3.00 ERA across 12 innings with 13 strikeouts and a 1.08 WHIP. Since the All-Star break, Wheeler sports a 2.18 ERA across 20 2/3 innings with 26 strikeouts and a 0.73 WHIP.
The Marlins will counter with lefty Braxton Garrett. In 21 games (20 starts) this season, the young starter has a 4.08 ERA across 106 innings with 117 strikeouts and a 1.18 WHIP. Over his last seven, he carries a 4.46 ERA across 36 1/3 innings with 40 strikeouts and a 1.10 WHIP. Garrett has pitched much worse at home this season. In 11 such games (10 starts), he holds a 5.40 ERA across 55 innings with 63 strikeouts and a 1.25 WHIP. Garrett has only made one start against the Phillies this season. In that start, he allowed three runs (all earned) in five innings on six hits, no walks, and struck out three. In three starts since the All-Star break, Garret has a 6.59 ERA across 13 2/3 innings with 16 strikeouts and a 1.46 WHIP.
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The Play: Phillies ML (-123) – 1U
Bonus Player Prop: Wheeler Over 6.5 K’s (-160) – 0.5U
Sophomore Start: Angels @ Braves
Looking to win their series against the class of MLB, the Los Angeles Angels will send Lucas Giolito to the mound in his second start since being traded. In 22 starts this season, Giolito has a 3.85 ERA across 126 1/3 innings with 136 strikeouts and a 1.23 WHIP. Over his last seven, he carries a 4.50 ERA across 40 innings with 47 strikeouts and a 1.20 WHIP. Giolito has been much worse on the road this season. In 12 road starts, he carries a 5.23 ERA across 63 2/3 innings with 74 strikeouts and a 1.55 WHIP. In three starts since the All-Star break, Giolito has pitched to a 7.07 ERA in 14 innings with 19 strikeouts and a 1.93 WHIP.
Also looking to win this three-game series, the Atlanta Braves will send Yonny Chirinos to the mound. In 16 games this season (five starts), he carries a 4.34 ERA across 66 1/3 innings with 34 strikeouts and a 1.28 WHIP. In his last seven games (three starts), he carries a 7.07 ERA across 28 innings with 17 strikeouts and a 1.82 WHIP. Chirinos has not fared well in home appearances this season. In seven home games (four starts), he carries a 6.41 ERA across 26 2/3 innings with 15 strikeouts and a 1.46 WHIP. Chirinos may be better suited as a reliever in the grand scheme of things. He carries a 6.93 ERA across 24 2/3 innings in five starts this season with 13 strikeouts and a 1.54 WHIP.
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The Play: Angels ML (+135) – 0.5U
Bonus Player Prop: Giolito Over 5.5 K’s (+105) – 0.5U
Main photo credits:
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Players mentioned:
Shane McClanahan, Gerrit Cole, Zack Wheeler, Braxton Garrett, Lucas Giolito, Yonny Chirinos
