MLB Weekend Picks

The trade deadline is in the rearview and the playoff races are about to heat up, which makes for an exciting set of MLB weekend picks. BetRivers.com is proud to provide a wide variety of MLB game odds, teasers, props, player markets, team markets, and futures odds for the upcoming weekend of MLB action. Be sure to read our guide for tips before you place your sport bets at BetRivers Online Sportsbook. Longtime Poker broadcaster and sports bettor David Tuchman is here to preview the notable games and make his MLB Weekend picks for Friday, August 6 to Sunday, August 8.

RELATED: VSIN Weekend Betting Guide

Are we officially in the dog days of summer? Another unimpressive off week for us as we went 2-3 last weekend bringing our season-long tally to 52-32. There’s a lot of gimme games this weekend as the White Sox face the Cubs, the Astros face the Twins, and the A’s face the Rangers, but I’m not sure there will be value there. So, for this week we’re going with four tough games that you can make some money on if you can score the upset. We go 2-2 this weekend, we make some nice coinage.

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MLB WEEKEND PICKS: FRIDAY, AUGUST 6

TAMPA BAY RAYS (65-44) at BALTIMORE ORIOLES (38-69), 7:05 p.m. ET
PITCHERS: Ryan Yarbrough (TB, 6-4, 4.58) vs. John Means (BAL, 5-3, 2.84)
MONEYLINE: Rays -150 ML, Orioles +128 ML
SPREAD: Rays -1.5 (-109), Orioles +1.5 (-118)
OVER/UNDER: 9.5 runs (-110/-108)
Click here for the full list of Orioles-Rays Friday odds.

What? The Rays are in Baltimore to take on the atrocious Orioles? And I’m going with Baltimore???  That can only Means one thing – no I did not have a stroke. John Means is pitching for the orioles. Means has been hurt a lot this year but when healthy he’s been solid going 5-3 2.84 ERA. More to the point, Means generally gives Tampa fits. Randy Arozarena has 2 HR off him in 7 AB and yandy Diaz is 3-10 but beyond that, no one else on Tampa has more than 2 hits in their career against Means. Austin Meadows is 0-9. 

The O’s can hit, especially Cedric Mullins (.323), Trey Mancini (19 HR) and Ryan Mountcastle (62 RBI). Add to all this, Tampa’s starter Ryan Yarbrough has been very hittable (6-4, 4.58 ERA) this season. 

The Pick: Baltimore Orioles ML

*Make sure John Means is indeed the starter  

LOS ANGELES ANGELS (55-54) at LOS ANGELES DODGERS (65-44), 10:10 p.m. ET
PITCHERS: David Price (LAD, 4-1, 3.55) vs. Patrick Sandoval (LAA, 3-5, 3.38)
MONEYLINE: Dodgers -215 ML, Angels +180 ML
SPREAD: Dodgers -1.5 (-106), Angels +1.5 (-121)
OVER/UNDER: 8.5 runs (-108/-110)
Click here for the full list of Dodgers-Angels Friday odds

You wanna get crazy? Let’s get crazy! The Angels will beat the Dodgers on Friday night. David Price is starting for the Dodgers and on the surface, he looks good 4-1, 3.55 ERA. But over his last few outings, he’s not pitched well or lasted very long. In fact, Since July 9, he’s gone 0-1 over 5 games and tossed just 18 total innings giving up 14 hits and 7 runs. Meanwhile, the Angels may have a gem in Patrick Sandoval. He’s only 1-3 over his last 4 games but he’s racked up 35 k in 28 IP over that span. He’s only allowed 8 ER during that time. Don’t forget it’s also the Shohei Ohtani show too – his first trip to Dodgers stadium this year. He’s got 37 bombs and 82 RBI for the Halos. Electric rookie Jo Adell just got called up by the Angels and he’s 3 for 8 with an HR, a stolen base, and 3 RBI over his first 2 games. Yeah, it’s a small sample size, but something tells me Adell is going to be a spark for these Angels.  

The Pick: Los Angeles Angels ML

MLB WEEKEND PICKS: SATURDAY, AUGUST 7

SEATTLE MARINERS (58-52) at NEW YORK YANKEES (59-49)
TIME: 1:05 p.m.
PITCHERS: Chris Flexen (SEA, 10-5, 3.75) at Andrew Heaney (NYY, 6-8, 5.42)

A dangerous game and time to bet against the Yankees who are desperate to get into the playoffs and starting to rack up some wins. They got Anthony Rizzo and Joey Gallo at the break and New Yorkers are hoping it’s enough. Do you know who else they got at the trade deadline? Andrew Heaney, a cast-off starting pitcher from the Angels. In Heaney’s first start for the Yankees against the Orioles, he went four innings. He struck out four and gave up four runs, all home runs. Not sure that’s gonna get it done. Meanwhile,. Chris Flexen has quietly had a stellar season for the Mariners going 10-5 on the year, including 5-2 over his last 9 games. I’m expecting Ty France (11 HR) Mitch Haniger (25 HR) and Kyle Seager (22 HR) to feast off Heaney here and the Mariners to upset the yanks in the Bronx.

The Pick: Seattle Mariners

MLB WEEKEND PICKS: SUNDAY, AUGUST 8

BOSTON RED SOX (64-46) at TORONTO BLUE JAYS (57-49)
TIME: 1:07 p.m. ET
PITCHERS: Garrett Richards (BOS, 6-7, 5.21) at Hyun Jin Ryu (TOR, 11-5, 3.22)

This is a good match-up as the free swinging, hard hitting Blue Jays face off against the second place Red Sox. Boston can hit too by the way. This doesn’t really qualify as an upset but it’s a tough game nonetheless. I’ve got a bit of a man crush on the Blue Jays starting pitcher in this one – Hyun-jin Ryu is 11-5 with 3.22 era. More importantly, he owns Boston.  2-0 with 13 IP and 0 ER vs the Red Sox since April 25. Boston starter Garret Richards is 2-2 on the year vs Toronto, but in his 5 starts he’s given up 4×4. That’s four runs, four times for those of you keeping score. After starting the season off decently, Richards had a 7.16 ERA in the month of June, 5.95 ERA in July and a 6.75 ERA in August. Things aren’t trending up for Richards. There’s tons of hitting on both sides but here, the edge goes to Toronto and Ryu. 

The Pick: Toronto Blue Jays