Our free MLB Picks are out for Saturday, August 14th, 2021! Make sure you check our MLB Picks before the action kicks off.
Look below to find our free MLB Picks for the five best games on today’s schedule!
Baltimore Orioles @ Boston Red Sox – 4.10PM ET
After the Red Sox took the first game of the series yesterday, they’ll be looking to carry on in this one and get the early series win with a game in hand. This game obviously means a lot more to the Red Sox, who need every win they can get to stay ahead of those chasing them for the last wild card slot in the American League.
Tim Newton
With this prediction being made before Friday’s game started, it is hard to know how Boston will bounce back after their 2-1 series loss to the Rays, which followed a 3-1 series loss to the Blue Jays. The positive for the Red Sox is they scored a massive 20 runs in their win over Tampa Bay, and that is a positive sign against Baltimore and their starting pitcher, Jorge Lopez. His 3-12 record says a lot, but it says even more when combined with a 5.75 ERA. Over the last month, Lopez is 1-6 from 11 starts and gave up 4+ runs in six of those games. While I’m worried about the fact that Boston has Chris Sale starting, who hasn’t been in the majors since 2019, I think their offensive lineup is much better than Baltimore’s and that will be the difference.
Tim’s MLB Pick: Boston Red Sox (-275)
Hunter Renfroe giveth and Hunter Renfroe taketh away. pic.twitter.com/AE1o3WgbMJ
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 14, 2021
Mike Su
The 2nd worst team in the league took on the storied Boston Red Sox in Boston. The Orioles are on a 9-game losing streak and have looked woeful in all 9 losses. The Red Sox also defeated them 8-1 in the last game so they seem like they have no chance. The Orioles are starting Jorge Lopez who has a below average 5.75 ERA and has not been good against the Red Sox in the past, allowing 8 runs in 9.2 innings. The only possible silver lining for the Orioles is that the Red Sox are starting Chris Sale at pitcher who has been out of action due to an elbow injury. His rust could make this matchup interesting. There isn’t much value in the Red Sox winning as it seems like a certainty due to the shaky pitching situation for both teams I’m taking the Overs.
Mike’s MLB Pick: Over 10 total runs (-106)
Oakland Athletics @ Texas Rangers – 7.05PM ET
The Texas Rangers stole the first but can they continue on here tonight? The Oakland Athletics saw their seven game winning streak come to an end but they need to bounce back against the lowly Rangers to keep their postseason aspirations alive!
Tim Newton
I am writing this prediction before Friday’s game, but regardless of the result, I’m taking the A’s. This is a complete mismatch between two teams trending in opposite directions and the result could get messy. Oakland has James Kaprielian starting on the mound and his 6-4 record plus 3.22 ERA is very impressive. Especially when you compare that to the Rangers’ starter, Jordan Lyles. A 5-9 record paired with a 5.46 ERA is very uninspiring and should allow this Oakland offense, that just dropped 17 on Cleveland, to get off the chain and break loose.
Tim’s MLB Pick: Oakland Athletics -1.5 (-111)
Mike Su
The lowly Rangers take on the red hot Oakland As who are 8-2 in their last 10 games. The Rangers on the other hand are 2-8 in their last 10 games. The Rangers are also bottom 6 in the league in almost every single meaningful team statistical category. The As excel with their pitching and fielding unit, but aren’t as strong when it comes to hitting. The Athletics are also first in the league when it comes to Opponent Hits per game from their bullpen so expect a strong all round pitching display. The Unders aren’t out of the question for this game but, I’m taking the safer bet with the Athletics to win this game in a low scoring effort.
Mike’s MLB Pick: Oakland Athletics (-200)
New York Yankees @ Chicago White Sox – 7.10PM ET
The New York Yankees scored four runs at the top of the ninth innings to take a one run lead but Tim Anderson stepped up when it mattered most, hitting a two-run walk-off home run to win the game for the Chicago White Sox. The sides had a day off to rest and recover, so will come at this one with everything they have, with playoff implications on the line for both, but namely the Yankees.
Tim Newton
The thrill from watching that ninth innings on Thursday night was incredible and I’m excited to see how this one pans out. What is surprising about that performance is that Chicago had Lance Lynn starting and he pitched five innings for a massive four runs, which is very unusual for him. They now have Dylan Cease starting and that is a massive positive. When Cease is at home, he is one of the best pitchers in the league, putting up a 5-2 record and 2.20 ERA from 11 starts, indicating that he is primed for this matchup with an explosive New York offense. He’ll need to be on top of things given Jameson Taillon is starting for the Yankees, who has a 7-4 record and 3.82 ERA. However, when on the road he is 3-3 with an ERA of 4.62. Given that, the White Sox have a slight edge but I am worried about New York’s batting power, especially late.
Tim’s MLB Pick: New York Yankees +1.5 (-176)
We’re off today, but we don’t think you’ll mind after last night. See you on the South Side tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/Cb1b3osEgU
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 13, 2021
Mike Su
After a dramatic finish with the White Sox hitting a walk off home run to win this tight game, the White Sox take on the Yankees again, After losing 9-8, the Yankees look to bounce back to equalise this in the season series. Pitching-wise the Yankees and White Sox are on similar footing with the Yankees starting Jameson Taillon at pitcher who has a 3.82 ERA. The White Sox are starting Dylan Cease who holds a slightly worse 3.99 ERA. The Yankees led by Aaron Judge are always a chance to surprise any competitor, especially since the Yankees are in the fight for a Wild Card playoff spot. However, I don’t see them repeating the effort, the White Sox are the better team as reflected by their record and the fact that they are top 10 in most statistical team categories. For this game I’m tentatively taking the White Sox to win again.
Mike’s MLB Pick: Chicago White Sox (-136)
San Diego Padres @ Arizona Diamondbacks – 8.10PM ET
After the Arizona Diamondbacks shocked many by dominating the series opener, winning 12-3, things continued getting weird), with another Diamondbacks victory last night. While the Diamondbacks season is over, could they play spoiler as the Padres need to keep winning to keep their wild card slot.
Tim Newton
I am writing this reflection last on Thursday night, before the second game of the series on Friday, and I am flat at what I just witnessed. I couldn’t believe that the Padres only managed three runs against the D’Backs whilst giving up 12. I was watching my money float away in the third and fourth innings where Arizona piled on eight runs, but I think that performance will light a fire under the Padres. Without knowing Friday’s result, I really think San Diego simply just win this one. Joe Musgrove is starting for the road team and I am liking his 2.81 ERA along with the fact that he pitched a no-hitter earlier this season. That should do a better performance of subduing Arizona’s batting lineup, giving San Diego an edge early on. Adding to this, the D’Backs have Tyler Gilbert starting for the first time this season. Gilbert is 0-1 from three appearances this season and he has only pitched a combined 3.2 innings. I’m taking the Padres.
Tim’s MLB Pick: San Diego Padres -1.5 (-128)
Mike Su
The worst team in the league takes on the Padres who are looking to stack up wins to remain in the Wild Card running. It is hard to see the Padres losing this easy game. This could be a potential trap game for the Padres who are on a 2 game losing streak. The Padres are a good chance to snap their losing streak, especially as they are starting Joe Musgrove who is a reliable and top 10 pitcher in the league. Musgrove has a 2.81 ERA which is elite, and a 0.97 WHIP (Walks plus Hits per Innings Pitched) which is 7th in the league. Musgrove has continued getting better throughout his career and he should have a field day against the Diamondbacks poor batting lineup. In summary, the Padres should and need to win this game. The personnel and statistics all point towards an easy Padres win.
Mike’s MLB Pick: San Diego Padres (-215)
Toronto Blue Jays @ Seattle Mariners – 10.10PM ET
With the Mariners drawing first blood in this three game series, tonight’s clash is massive for both ball clubs. Both teams are sitting around eight games back in their respective league / division, so there is a lot to play for.
Tim Newton
Unfortunately this was written before the series opener on Friday night and based on the pitching choices for both teams in this clash, it doesn’t make things any clearer. Both have a positive record and ERA under 3.75. However, things get more interesting with a bit more investigation. Yusei Kikuchi is starting for Seattle and while he is 7-6 with an ERA of 3.73, when he is at home his performance gets worse, dropping to a 2-4 record and a 4.53 ERA. Inversely, Hyun Jin Ryu, Toronto’s starter, has an 11-5 record with a 3.62 ERA but gets even better on the road. He is 6-3 on the road with a 3.12 ERA and that is a positive side for the road team. I like Toronto in this matchup as they continue to make things interesting in the wild card race in the American League.
Tim’s MLB Pick: Toronto Blue Jays (-156)
This is the RAY 😉
Robbie’s night: 7 IP, 2 ER, 8 Ks! pic.twitter.com/hpGGDdaSFk
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 14, 2021
Mike Su
The Blue Jays and Mariners are both in the midst of the American League Wild Card Race. The Blue Jays are in slightly better form winning 7 of their last 10 matches, all against formidable opponents in the Angels, Red Sox and Indians. The Blue Jays are also starting Hyun-Jin Ryu who is one of the better pitchers in the league with a 3.62 ERA. In the last 6 games that Ryu has pitched in, the Blue Jays have won them. On the other side the Mariners are starting Yusei Kikuchi, who is slightly worse than Ryu but still one of the better pitchers in the game. Kikuchi is top 30 in most pitching statistics so he should be strong competition for the Blue Jays. The Mariners are the underdog here despite playing at home, despite the fact that both teams hold similar records and starting similar pitchers. The Mariners are also 7-3 when home underdog so I’m taking the Mariners to win in a tight one.
Mike’s MLB Pick: Seattle Mariners (+130)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
