Making MLB picks today is starting to get a bit easier to do because you should have a much better idea of who the teams are. Playoff races are going to continue to heat up, but the best teams don’t always win in MLB.
MLB matchups are usually all about the starting pitching matchup, and that’s the first place to look. There are a couple of games on Friday that will allow you to take the road underdog based on the starting pitching matchup.
Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals
National League Central Division rivals are set to meet up on Friday night in St. Louis as the Cardinals host the Chicago Cubs. This game looks like a complete mismatch on paper until you take a close look at the starting pitchers.
The Cubs are headed for one of the worst seasons in franchise history, and they might finish in last place in the NL Central. St. Louis is in a tight battle with the Milwaukee Brewers for the top spot, and they are the betting favorites.
The MLB odds have the St. Louis Cardinals as the moneyline betting favorites at -160, and the Chicago Cubs are +180.
Pitchers Matchup
The starting pitching matchup in this game will feature veteran Kyle Hendricks against young Andre Pallante. The overall numbers for the 2022 season favor Pallante in a big way, but Hendricks is a proven veteran.
Chicago Cubs Pitcher Analysis
Kyle Hendricks comes into this game on Friday night with a record of 2-6 and an ERA of 5.43. Hendricks is having the worst season of his career, but he is a starting pitcher that usually starts slow.
St. Louis Cardinals Pitcher Analysis
Pallante is 2-2 with a 1.69 ERA this season, but he does have 18 walks in just over 40 innings. The youngster still hasn’t proven himself at the MLB level, even though his 2022 season is going well.
Cubs vs. Cardinals Picks and Prediction
There are two reasons to pick the Chicago Cubs in this game, and they have nothing to do with the MLB odds. Kyle Hendricks has been dominant against the Cardinals in his career, and also, this is a rivalry game.
Anything can happen when rivals meet up, and that will provide some intrigue to this game. Take the Cubs +180 as they get the job done.
Houston Astros vs. New York Yankees
Two of the best teams in baseball will meet up at Yankee Stadium on Friday as the New York Yankees host the Houston Astros. Both teams are World Series title contenders, and these teams don’t like each other very much.
The MLB stats for the Astros and Yankees are extremely impressive, and each team is loaded with talent. The Yankees don’t ever seem to lose a game, but that presents a good opportunity to bet on the Astros.
The MLB odds for this game have the New York Yankees at -125 and the Houston Astros at +115.
Pitchers Matchup
The starting pitching matchup in this game is one of the best in baseball as it will be Justin Verlander for the Houston Astros and Luis Severino for the Yankees. These two pitchers have combined to post a 12-4 record in 2022.
Houston Astros Pitcher Analysis
Justin Verlander returned this season after having Tommy John, and he has gone 8-3 with a 2.30 ERA this season. Verlander has 81 strikeouts to just 15 walks this season, but he has given up ten home runs, and that could be an issue in this game.
New York Yankees Pitcher Analysis
Luis Severino comes into this game with a record of 4-1 to go along with a 3.27 ERA. Severino has 80 strikeouts in just 66 innings pitched, but he has given up 19 walks.
Astros vs. Yankees Picks and Prediction
Even though both of these offenses are terrific, don’t expect a ton of runs in this game. Verlander and Severino are going to be in complete control of this one, and it’s going to come down to a clutch hit.
The New York Yankees are on pace to have the best season in MLB history, but the Astros would love to spoil that party. Verlander will set the tone on Friday night, and the Astros will send a message by winning in New York.
MLB Parlay Prediction
The MLB standings don’t always dictate how a game is going to play out, and you have to look for some good matchups when making bets. The second game of this parlay is a clear toss-up, but taking the Cubs over the Cardinals is done strictly because of who is pitching.
You are going to get a nice win if you bet on the Cubs and Astros, and those two teams are going to win the games on Friday night.
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