Best MLB Picks: 5/02

Be sure to check out any relevant information before game time as this article is written the night before and picks may be subject to change!

Oakland Athletics at Baltimore Orioles

The A’s are certainly as streaky as they come. After an incredible win streak earlier in the season, they now face getting swept by the Baltimore Orioles. They are now 16-12 overall and 5-5 in their last 10 games. They will send out Manaea (3-1) to the mound. He has played 28.2 innings and has given up 27 hits, 9 runs, 3 HR, 7 BB, and 28 Ks. He has a whip of 1.19 and an ERA of 2.83. His numbers are all over the place but he seems to get himself out of jams given the number of hits he gives up.

The O’s are a scrappy team. You never know what you are going to get. They can play like the best team in the league and play like the worst team. They have a chance to compete the sweep with Zimmermann (1-3). Through 25.1 innings, he has gave up 32 hits, 15 runs, 6 HR, 8 BB, and 18 Ks. He has an ERA of 5.33 and a whip of 1.58. Some pretty bad numbers and it’s easy to see why he has only one win.

The A’s are the favorite at -185. They have been beaten up bad by the O’s but they are the better squad with the pitching advantage which is why I’m choosing A’s ML and possibly even the A’s RL.

Kansas City Royals at Minnesota Twins

The Twins and Royals have split this series one game apiece. Fans and analysts alike are certainly astonished at the Twins stumbling out of the gate. They now sit with a record of 9-16 overall going 3-7 in their last 10 games. They will send out one of their best pitchers to the mound, the 26 year old slinger Berrios (2-2) who has seen 26.2 innings of play letting up 18 hits, 9 runs, 1 HR, 8 BB, and 33 Ks. He will start getting more wins once the Twins power hitters come back to form.

The Royals have surprised fans and analysts in the opposite direction. They are winning games and series like mad men. They are 16-9 and are now 7-3 in their last 10 games. They are hot and put up 11 runs in the Twins last game. To finish off the series, they will send out Keller (2-2). He has played 18 innings giving up 30 hits, 18 runs, 2 HR, 11 BB, and 13 Ks. These numbers are pretty bad and has been saved by his teammates.

The Twins are the -175 favorite to win the game. They have the pitching advantage and will look to bounce back after a slow start to the season. I’m taking the Twins ML in this spot due to Keller’s poor performance on the mound.

Honorable Mentions

Cubs RL

Giants RL

White Sox ML

Red Sox ML

Phillies ML

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