Wrapping up the weeks and some of the most crucial series to date this season. There where a few upsets yesterday, so it will be interesting to see if the teams that caused the upset can back it up again! We review the top five games everyday, and today is no different.
Look below to find our free MLB picks for the five best games on today’s schedule!
Cincinnati Reds @ New York Mets – 1.10PM ET
This Sunday afternoon clash between the Cincinnati Reds and the New York Mets will be the third and final game of the series. In the first game, the Reds managed to get the win away from home, 6-2. The Mets were able to strike back in the second game, which needed to be taken to a 10th inning, winning 5-4.
JAVY BAEZ CRUSHED ONE IN HIS METS DEBUT 🔥
(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/YYMFCGcRxc
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 1, 2021
Jesse Livermore
Seeing as the Mets are at home and they will be sending Marcus Stroman to the mound, I am going to take New York in this matchup. Stoman has held opponents to two runs or fewer each of his last three starts, including eight scoreless against Cincinnati last month. In his career Stroman owns an impressive 1.93 ERA against the Reds. As well as that, Cincinnati have a poor 5-13 record from their last 18 games at Citi Field to go along with a 13-32 record from their last 45 games against New York.
Jesse’s MLB Pick: New York Mets (-184)
Tim Newton
While the series is split 1-1 at the moment, Cincinnati has been the better team so far. Their 6-2 win was dominant and then they held a 4-1 lead after five innings in Saturday’s clash. But then, the collapse happened and the Reds’ bullpen gave up another lead, giving the Mets momentum and allowing them to win 5-4. I think that win will inspire New York, who lead the NL East by just four games. Another big plus for the Mets is that Marcus Stroman will be starting on the mound for the home team in the rubber and he holds a 2.63 ERA for the season, as well as pitching an eight-innings shutout against the Reds just under two weeks ago.
Tim’s MLB Pick: New York Mets (-184)
Katherine Mouradian
Prior to the loss on Saturday, the Reds were on a four game winning streak. The Reds are seven games behind the top of the NL Central team, the Brewers. Meanwhile, the Mets are at the top of the NL East, with the Brave just four games behind them. The Mets have an excellent record playing at home this season, 32-19. I will be looking to get on the Mets for this clash, playing at home, they look pretty confident.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: New York Mets (-184)
New York Yankees @ Miami Marlins – 1.10PM ET
This Sunday afternoon clash between the New York Yankees and Miami Marlins will be the third and final game of this series. In the first game, the Yankees drew first blood, winning 3-1. In the second game, the Yankees got the win yet again, 4-2.
Jesse Livermore
Although the Yankees lineup has struggled with injuries recently, they are still more damaging than the Marlins. As well as that, New York needs to start stringing together some wins if they want to stay in contention for the upcoming playoffs. With all that in mind, I am going to take the Yankees on the road in this matchup, especially when considering that Jordan Montgomery will be on the mound for the Yankees. The left hander hasn’t conceded more than three earned runs in a start since June 15th and he is coming off back to back scoreless outings in his last two starts. As well as that, Miami are 1-5 in their last six games against left handed pitchers.
Jesse’s MLB Pick: New York Yankees (-154)
Tim Newton
With the Yankees making a massive splash at the trade deadline, their offensive firepower has never been better. That alone has been too much for the Marlins to handle through the first two games of this series and I think it will be again. Anthony Rizzo was one of the new additions to the roster and he has made an immediate impact, scoring two runs in Saturday’s 4-2 win. With him, Stanton, Judge and Gallo leading the way, New York should be able to score better than almost anyone, especially a Miami side that is bottom four in both OPS and runs this season.
Tim’s MLB Pick: New York Yankees -1.5 (+115)
Katherine Mouradian
The Yankees have all the confidence going into this final clash with the Marlins. The Yankees are also gaining some momentum and have won six out of their previous 10 games, which does include games with some tough teams, like the Rays and the Red Sox. The Marlins have now lost three games in a row, and they are one of the few teams that have more losses than wins at home for this season. I’ll be on the Yankees to get an easy victory here.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: New York Yankees -1.5 (+115)
Los Angeles Dodgers @ Arizona Diamondbacks – 4.10PM ET
This clash between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks will be the third and final game of the series. In the first game, the Diamondbacks were good enough to get the victory. But in the second game, the Dodgers were the team that was too good, winning 8-3.
Jesse Livermore
Seeing as the Diamondbacks have a 5-16 record from their last 21 home games against teams with a winning record, I can’t see them improving on that record when coming up against the Dodgers on Sunday. Although Los Angeles haven’t been in their best form recently, Mookie Betts is expected to return from the IL and Arizona will be sending Caleb Smith to the mound for this matchup. Smith allowed nine earned runs in only one inning of work in his last start against Los Angeles, as the Dodgers went on to win the game 22-1. All signs are pointing to the Dodgers for this matchup, especially when considering that Julio Urias will be taking the mound for them on Sunday.
Jesse’s MLB Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers (-250)
Tim Newton
After the shock loss on Friday afternoon, LA bounced back in a massive way to tie the series 1-1, beating the Diamondbacks 8-3 behind a very even attack across the board. Based on the tides turning in this one, I believe it is very unlikely that we see another upset, especially with what is at stake for the Dodgers. They are three games back from the Giants for top spot in the NL West whilst also sitting just 3.5 games ahead of the Wild Card slots. The Dodgers have the better starting pitcher this afternoon and the better offense overall, so should comfortably win this game.
Tim’s MLB Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (-138)
Oh yeah, the boys are having fun again. We ’bout to catch fire and go on a run. 🔥🔥#Dodgers
— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) August 1, 2021
Katherine Mouradian
After a surprising victory by the Diamondbacks in the first game, balance was restored when the Dodgers were much more dominant in the second game. The Diamondbacks have their worst record when playing other teams in the West division, they are currently sitting on a season record of 12-32. The Dodgers on the other hand, have a great record when playing other teams in the West division, 31-20. The Dodgers are just 3.5 games behind the top of the NL West leaders, the Giants, so there is certainly more pressure on them compared to the Diamondbacks, but I think they will be good enough in this Sunday clash to rise to the occasion.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (-138)
Colorado Rockies @ San Diego Padres – 4.10PM ET
This Sunday afternoon clash between the Colorado Rockies and the San Diego Padres will be the fourth and final game of the series. In the first game, the Padres were able to keep the Rockies scoreless, winning 3-0. In the second game, the Rockies were good enough to strike back, winning 9-4. There was another shift in momentum in the third game, where the Rockies got a victory under their belts, winning 5-3.
Jesse Livermore
Although the Rockies have been a terrible road team in 2021, they have to be considered a chance with Austin Gomber taking the ball on Sunday. Gomber has a 1-0 record and 0.47 ERA from three starts against San Diego this season and he will be throwing to a Padres lineup that will not feature Fernando Tatis Jr. As well as that, the Rockies are 6-2 in their last eight games and I like them to build on that record on Sunday afternoon.
Jesse’s MLB Pick: Colorado Rockies (+116)
Tim Newton
Despite a 14 game difference between the two sides heading into the series, Colorado has looked like the much better team. Leading the series 2-1 and the total run count 14-10, the Rockies would be confident heading into this one and I like them to keep rolling on. The Padres are just 2-5 from their last seven games and now have to face Austin Gomber, who is 8-5 for the season with an ERA of 3.69, and is 3-1 with a 0.86 ERA against the Padres for his career. Those are some incredible numbers and the in-form Rockies should continue on in this one.
Tim’s MLB Pick: Colorado Rockies (+116)
Katherine Mouradian
The Padres really need to step up their game if they want to challenge for a wildcard spot, they are in the third position in the NL West, and they are six games behind the leaders, the Giants, whereas the Rockies are 20 games behind the Giants. Both teams have a similar recent record over the past 10 games, but the Rockies are a team that is seriously struggling on the road. It is for this reason that I like the look of the Padres to level this series 2-2 after this Sunday clash.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: San Diego Padres (-136)
Boston Red Sox @ Tampa Bay Rays – 7.08PM ET
This Sunday afternoon clash between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays will be the third and final game of the series. The first game was won by the Rays at home, 7-3. In the second game, the Rays got another win at home, 9-5.
Jesse Livermore
As they are on the cusp of a series sweep at home, I am going to take the Rays in this matchup. Tampa Bay have recently eclipsed Boston as the No. 1 team in the AL East and they have outscored the Red Sox 16-8 so far in this series. The Rays relief pitchers have recorded an impressive 1.87 ERA since the All-Star break and although the Red Sox lineup is still dangerous, they have struggled with the bat recently. As well as that, Tampa Bay are 7-3 in their last 10 games overall, while Boston are 2-5 from their last seven games against the Rays in Tampa Bay.
Jesse’s MLB Pick: Tampa Bay Rays (-136)
For the first time since June 26th, the Rays stand alone atop the AL East! https://t.co/tvPx8LQCRr pic.twitter.com/t85DJYxTAS
— MLB (@MLB) August 1, 2021
Tim Newton
This massive clash between the two top teams in the AL East has been nothing short of breathtaking so far, with the Rays winning the first two games to take over top spot of the division. I am backing Tampa Bay to keep that going in the primetime slot tonight, sweep the season series and create a 1.5 gap on top of the division. Their offense has scored 30 runs across their last three games and now comes up against a pitcher, Nick Pivetta, who has allowed 18 runs on 32 hits in his last five starts, which are incredibly high numbers.
Tim’s MLB Pick: Tampa Bay Rays / Over 8.5 (+200)
Katherine Mouradian
The Rays have won three in a row, and this is exactly what they needed to jump the Red Sox and take the lead in the AL East. It pretty much could not be closer in the AL East and the Red Sox are just half a game away from the Rays. The Red Sox have won 16 of their previous 22 games when the total is set between 7 to 8.5, but they have won just one of their previous five clashes when it comes to the third game of the series. The Rays have won 43 of their previous 61 games on a Sunday and they have won 63 of their previous 86 when they are the home favorite. I’ll be on the Rays to win all three games in this series.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: Tampa Bay Rays (-136)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
