Tuesday in the MLB gave us plenty of talking points both on and off the field. Off the field, the Chicago White Sox parted ways with executive vice president Ken Williams and general manager Rick Hahn after a 49-77 record overall in 2023. On the field, Philadelphia Phillies’ Trea Turner squeezed a two-RBI single through the infield for a walk-off win over the San Fransisco Giants, and Houston Astros’ new acquisition Justin Verlander went six shutout innings with nine strikeouts in a win over the Boston Red Sox.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 22, 2023
Yesterday was down a bit after LWOS went 1-2 in our picks. Our pick that cashed was the Pittsburgh Pirates ML, as they won 6-3 over their division rival St. Louis Cardinals. The Washington Nationals ended up winning but did not score over 3.5 runs against the New York Yankees in a 2-1 game. The San Diego Padres failed to put up even one run on the Miami Marlins, not hitting over 2.5 runs in the first five innings.
Wednesday in the show features 15 games all day, and LWOS has three MLB bets to target, including a red-hot hitter. Remember to tail and BOL!
CHICAGO CUBS VS. DETROIT TIGERS: TIGERS ML (-120)
Our first pick starts early on Wednesday at 1:10 EST as the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs wrap up their series. The Tigers put up seven runs in the first five innings and never looked back in an 8-6 win. Detroit sends out their best arms in Tarik Skubal, who has been dominant since returning from injury.
Skubal has given up one or more runs in only two of his starts and has punched out 43 batters in 38.1 innings pitched. The Cubs’ starter, Jameson Taillon, has had a different type of success this year. He has a 5.56 ERA in his last 30 games (8.01 ERA in day games this season) and has given up 12 earned runs in his 16 innings.
If the Tigers can keep the lead late, their bullpen arms of Tyler Holton (ERA+ 273) and Jason Foley (ERA+ 170) have been dominant this season. Take the Tigers’ whole game, ML, or for the first five innings.
MIAMI MARLINS VS. SAN DIEGO PADRES: MARLINS ML (+100)
It’s Sandy Day in San Diego, and the Miami Marlins are at plus-money against the San Diego Padres. The Marlins shut down the Padres 3-0 last night thanks to Jesus Luzardo turning in a six-inning, two-hit, seven-strikeout performance. Today, they get their ace back on the bump, hoping to take the series.
Sandy Alcantara has dominated since the All-Star break: a 2.70 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 50 innings pitched. Alcantara has been able to shut down the Padres in his career, too. He has pitched to a 2.91 ERA and has 33 strikeouts in 34 innings against the Southern California team. His 1.54 ERA in Petco is his third-lowest mark in any ballpark in the MLB.
The Padres have hit .224 against RHP this season; only the Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees have worse numbers. They are 4-6 in their last ten games and have an OPS+ of 81 in the previous two weeks. Take the plus-money on one of the best pitchers in this second half of the season.
NY METS VS. ATLANTA BRAVES: MARCELL OZUNA o1.5 H+R+RBI (-160)
Our final pick targets one of the hottest bats in the league: Atlanta Braves’ slugger Marcell Ozuna. His last seven days have been incredible: .522/.593/1.130 and four home runs in six hits. Last night, he had three hits, including homerun, and gets to see New York Mets’ LHP Jose Quintana again.
Ozuna has hit .421 off Quintana in his career, including a home run and five RBIs. Quintana has a career ERA of 6.49 against the Mets and was hit around in his only appearance in Atlanta (four runs in five innings).
Quintana’s two most-thrown pitches, a sinker and a four-seam fastball, have an xBA of .256 and .282, respectively. The velocity has been the missing factor on his pitches; his rate now is in the bottom 11% of the league. Ozuna will look to tee off on his fastball as he has a .660xSLG on the pitch this season.
Look to target Ozuna’s H+R+RBI prop or his hit total (o0.5, -270) for a safer pick.
Main Photo Credits: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports
