MLB Picks Today | Our Expert Bets on Red Sox vs Blue Jays, Rangers vs Angels (Saturday, October 1)
Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images. Pictured: Mike Trout.
- It may be October, but it's not quite time for postseason baseball.
- We still have a few days left of the regular season, which means there's a full slate of 16 to bet on.
- Our experts found betting opportunities in a pair of games Saturday, so keep reading for our best bets and analysis.
The calendar has flipped to October, which means it's almost time for playoff baseball.
The excitement and anticipation of the postseason is certainly prevalent, but there are still a few more regular season games to go, which means there's still a few days left with full betting slate.
There are 16 games on the schedule for Saturday and our experts have found value in a pair of them. So, without further delay, here are our best bets for Saturday.
MLB Odds & Picks
Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays
William Boor: The Blue Jays clinched a playoff berth with a 9-0 win over the Red Sox on Friday night. Shortly after, the party began.
Day games after night games are always a bit strange and I'm expecting the Blue Jays to be feeling the effects of that party on Saturday afternoon and it seems unlikely Toronto puts its best lineup on the field as teams often give the regulars a day off after securing a spot in the postseason.
Not only are we possibly getting a break from the Blue Jays' lineup, but Red Sox starter Brayan Bello has been lights out lately. The hard-throwing 23-year-old has been a bit unlucky in his rookie campaign as he's posted a 4.39 ERA and a 3.63 xERA.
However, the results have certainly improved of late. Bello has surrendered just one earned run or fewer in four of his past five starts, including a pair of outings against the Yankees.
Yes, Boston was shut out on Friday, but the Red Sox have scored 29 runs over their past five games (5.8 runs per game), so perhaps Boston is on its way toward a strong finish.
Ross Stripling gets the start for Toronto and although he's had some success against the Red Sox this season, he has already faced Boston four times and that familiarity could work in our favor.
There's no doubt the Blue Jays are the better team in this matchup, but there's value in this number because Bello has performed better than his surface numbers indicate and the day after clinching a playoff spot is a classic letdown spot.
This line opened at +135, play it as long as it's in plus money.
Texas Rangers vs. Los Angeles Angels
Jules Posner: Jose Suarez has very quietly been one of the better left-handed starters in the second half. He brings a sub-3 ERA and FIP into Saturday night's matchup with the Rangers and looks to take advantage of a below-average offense.
The Rangers have been in the bottom half of the league against lefties over the past month and there are no indicators that they'll break out of that on Saturday.
On the flipside, the Angels' offense has been mashing lefties at home over the past month. Although their BABIP may be a little high in that situation, rookie southpaw Cole Ragans has really struggled with command this season.
If the Angels continue to put the ball in play at the rate they have, there should be plenty of baserunners throughout this game.
Unfortunately, the Angels' bullpen is one of the worst in the league and can't be trusted. That's why a F5 is the safest bet here.
Although the value for a full game runline is tempting at +135, play the F5 at -110. It should be played to -120 or better.
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