Our free MLB Picks are out for Tuesday, August 10th, 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!
Detroit Tigers @ Baltimore Orioles – 7.05PM ET
We kick the night off with two American League teams that are below 0.500 squaring off as the Baltimore Orioles host the Detroit Tigers for a three game series. The sides split a four-game series in Detroit just a few weeks ago, so there are bragging rights on the line in this one.
Tim Newton
You’d expect that given these sides just split a four game series in Detroit, and this one is now in Baltimore, that the Orioles should have the edge. I am not of this mindset due to both sides’ results since that matchup. Baltimore has played six times since then, winning just one and come into this series on a five-game losing streak, losing those five games by a combined 35 runs. Detroit on the other hand beat the Red Sox 2-1 before narrowly losing to the in-form Indians. Casey Mize is starting for the Tigers and while he had a poor showing in his last game, he has an ERA of 3.57 this season and kept the Orioles to one run from seven innings the last time he faced them. Meanwhile, Baltimore has Keegan Akin starting on the mound and he has allowed 32 runs across 24 innings in his last six starts. I have no faith that Akin will be able to put his team in a winning position and I like the Tigers to add to the Orioles’ struggles at the moment.
Tim’s MLB Pick: Detroit Tigers (-106)
In the words of the famous poet Meat Loaf, “two out of three ain’t bad.” pic.twitter.com/yfDqYUCsY9
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) August 5, 2021
Katherine Mouradian
The Orioles have lost five in a row, and it’s no surprise that they have a season record of just 38-72. The Tigers are coming off a series loss to the Indians, so both teams are really lacking in confidence. One stat the Tigers will be holding on to is that they have won six of their previous seven games after a day off, but they have won just 43 of their previous 133 games on the road. When it comes to the Orioles, they have won just 18 of their previous 55 games at home, and only 23 of their previous 79 overall. I’ll be on the Tigers, and also the under, as the under has hit 11 times in the previous 12 meetings between the Tigers and the Orioles.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: Detroit Tigers / Under 10.5 (+270)
Mike Su
In the midst of a five game losing streak, the Baltimore Orioles try to defeat the 54-win Tigers. The Orioles are starting left handed pitcher, Keegan Akin. This is definitely not a good thing for the Orioles, as the Orioles have lost the past 8 games where Akin has pitched 3 innings or more and they have lost Akin’s past 6 starts. Although Tigers starting pitcher Casey Mize isn’t amazing with a 6-6 record this season, he should be enough to handle the Orioles. In Mize’s last pitching effort against the Orioles on Friday, the Tigers comfortably won. I’m looking for the Tigers to repeat that effort and cover the spread.
Mike’s MLB Pick: Detroit Tigers -1.5 (+158)
Los Angeles Dodgers @ Philadelphia Phillies – 7.05PM ET
Two of the National League’s best go head to head as the Philadelphia Phillies host the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first of a three-game series. The Phillies hold just a two game lead in the NL East while the Dodgers are only four games back from top spot of the NL West, meaning these two clubs have plenty to play for.
Tim Newton
While the Phillies are on top of the NL East and the Dodgers are second in the NL West, LA’s record is eight games better than their run differential is 176 runs better than that of Philadelphia. In saying that, the Phillies have won eight straight games and have the massive advantage of being at home for this clash, where they are 34-21 for the season. However, the pitching decisions for this have me leaning towards the Dodgers. Philadelphia has Aaron Nola starting, who has a 4.49 ERA and has also given up 4+ runs in four of his last six games, all starts. On the other hand, LA is starting their new acquisition, Max Scherzer. After allowing just two runs from seven innings in his debut for the Dodgers, Scherzer must be coming in with a heap of confidence, given he used to play for the Nationals, who regularly play the Phillies. In fact, Scherzer played the Phillies just two weeks ago and picked up the win after allowing just one run from six innings pitched, and may be looking to do something similar again tonight.
Tim’s MLB Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers (-168)
Katherine Mouradian
The Dodgers are fighting with a very competitive Giants in the NL West, and they are currently losing that battle, and are four games behind. The Phillies are on top of the NL East, with much thanks to an eight game win streak! The Dodgers have won 37 of their previous 52 games that are played on a Tuesday, they have also won 16 of their previous 23 games when playing a team in the NL East. The Phillies are on fire at the moment and with Nola on the mound, this makes it a tricky one, but they have also won all four of their previous home games. I’m going to take a punt on the Phillies for this game!
Katherine’s MLB Pick: Philadelphia Phillies (+142)
Mike Su
The Phillies are red hot right now and are on an eight win streak, while the Dodgers are a pedestrian 3-2 in their last 5. Even though the Dodgers edge the Phillies out in every conceivable team statistic, it’s tough to bet against form, and the Phillies are in form down the stretch. On top of their red hot form, the Phillies also hold a strong home record, 34-21. The Phillies are 56-55-0 against the spread, while the Dodgers are 54-58-0, giving the Phillies the slight edge. Although I’m not sure the Phillies will win this, I’m comfortable taking the line here.
Mike’s MLB Pick: Philadelphia Phillies +1.5 (-120)
Oakland Athletics @ Cleveland Indians – 7.10PM ET
With the Oakland Athletics and Cleveland Indians both sitting second in their divisions, AL West and AL Central respectively, this quick three-game series could determine wild card slots and playoff eligibility. So who wants it more?
Tim Newton
Cleveland may have gotten the best of an in-form Cincinnati side last night, but I can’t follow them in this one. Triston McKenzie is starting for The Tribe and he has been dreadful this season, sitting on a 1-5 record and 5.89 ERA from 16 games, 15 of which were starts. Given that the A’s have won eight of their last 10 games and are averaging over five runs per game during that stretch, they should be looking to take full advantage of this pitching selection. McKenzie hasn’t registered a win in over three months and I don’t see that changing in this one.
Tim’s MLB Pick: Oakland Athletics -1.5 (+108)
Katherine Mouradian
The Athletics are on a four game winning streak, and the Indians have won three out of their last four games. When the Athletics face a team that has a losing record they have won six of their previous seven games. Looking at the Indians, they have won just 27 of their previous 82 games when they are the underdog, and three of their previous 11 games when playing a team in the AL West. I’ll be on the Athletics to start the series off with a bang, Manaea is in at the moment.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: Oakland Athletics (-162)
Bradley Zimmer’s 471 ft HR is the longest by an @Indians player ever tracked by Statcast.
(MLBStats x @GoogleCloud) pic.twitter.com/McpF6avRMy
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) August 10, 2021
Mike Su
The in-form Oakland A’s have won 8 of their last 10 and they look to extend this form against the Indians, who scored a surprise beatdown of the Reds yesterday. I don’t think the Indians will have an answer for Oakland, who have had a day of rest to prepare. The A’s will be starting Sean Manaea, who is a monster against the AL Central division, winning 12 of his last 12 games against the division. The A’s are just 2 games back in the AL West Division and have a lot to play for so I don’t think the Indians pull out another surprise win here against the Athletics here.
Mike’s MLB Pick: Oakland Athletics (-162)
New York Yankees @ Kansas City Royals – 8.10PM ET
The New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals go at it again, following a close win to the Yankees. Can New York claim the series victory after just two games or will the Royals be able to peg one back in tonight’s clash? Find out who we have selected below!
Tim Newton
While they needed two extra innings to get the job done, the Yankees picked up the win and continued their good form. New York have now won six of their last seven games while the Royals last six wins have come from a massive 14 games. In hope of continuing their momentum, the Yankees have Nestor Cortes starting on the mound. While Cortes has a 0-0 record, he has pitched in 12 games, four of which were starts, and is rocking a 2.15 ERA for the season. His four starts this season has seen him give up just four runs across 18 innings of work and I don’t see how the Royals have enough firepower to overcome this one.
Tim’s MLB Pick: New York Yankees (-152)
Katherine Mouradian
The Yankees recent form is something to be admired, they have won eight of their previous 10 clashes, whereas the Royals have won only three of their previous 10 games. Looking at some different stats now, the Yankees have won five out of their previous six games on the road, and have won four out of their previous five meetings in Kansas City. The Royals have won six out of their previous seven home games, but only five of their previous 17 when it comes to the second game of a series. I’ll be taking the Yankees for this one, and also the under, it has hit in 21 of the Royals previous 29 games overall, and 19 of the Yankees previous 26 games overall.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: New York Yankees / Under 10.5 (+220)
Mike Su
Both teams are starting relatively underplayed pitchers, with the Royal’s Lynch only having played 6 games this season while the Yankees are starting Nestor Cortes, who has played just 12 games but only started 4 games. Cortes does hold an edge over Lynch despite playing primarily as a relief pitcher. Cortes also has an excellent 2.15 ERA this season compared to Lynch’s poor 6.00 ERA. Unfortunately for the Yankees, they have lost Rizzo and Torres, who are key pieces for them. Despite this, the Yankees still have a lot of talent and are only 2.5 games back in the Wild Card race so they have a lot to play for. I’m taking the Yankees to get a much needed win here to continue their playoff hopes.
Mike’s MLB Pick: New York Yankees (-152)
Arizona Diamondbacks @ San Francisco Giants – 9.45PM ET
The top of the NL West, San Francisco Giants, host the bottom of the NL West, Arizona Diamondbacks, in what is a massive mismatch. The D’Backs have lost two straight overall and seven of their last 10 road games, so this may be an uphill battle tonight.
Tim Newton
The Giants are 5-2 from their last seven games, including a 3-1 series win over the D’Backs, in Arizona, just a week ago as well as a 2-1 series win over the NL Central-leading Brewers. Things get a bit interesting with Alex Wood starting for the Giants and while he has had an impressive season, his numbers have dipped lately. Over his last nine innings, across two starts, he has given up a massive nine runs, and will need to be better in this matchup. However, even if he isn’t at his best, I still like San Francisco to come out on top of this one. They will go up against Zac Gallen who is just 1-6 from 13 starts and has given up 12 runs from his last three starts, including three runs from 5.2 innings against the Giants last week, where he was tagged with the loss as Arizona lost 7-1. In summary, San Francisco has the best record in baseball for a reason and I like them to continue on at home in this one.
Tim’s MLB Pick: San Francisco Giants -1.5 (-105)
The @SFGiants are back at the top.
Full power rankings ➡️ https://t.co/r7GEsYqL0N
(MLB x @HankookTireUSA) pic.twitter.com/iZgJKwwIB3
— MLB (@MLB) August 9, 2021
Katherine Mouradian
So far this month, the Diamondbacks have managed to win just two of their eight games, unfortunately for the Diamondbacks, two of those losses came in the 10th innings, against the Giants nonetheless, so they know how to put up a fight! The Giants have won six of their eight games so far this month, and are loving a 10th or even 11th innings game, with four of their games so far going to extra innings. The Diamondbacks have won only seven of their previous 24 when it comes to the first game of a series, and only 12 of their previous 52 games on the road. The NL West leading Giants have much more supporting stats, winning 14 of their previous 17 games after a day off, and have won 20 of their previous 27 when they are playing a team in the NL West. It’s got to be the Giants here!
Katherine’s MLB Pick: San Francisco Giants (-220)
Mike Su
There isn’t much to say about this matchup, the league-best Giants take on the league-worst Diamondbacks. The Giants have won 12 of the last 14 games against the Diamondbacks and play to maintain the number one seed. The Diamondbacks are starting Zac Gallen who is in the midst of his worst season as a pro and is just 1-4 in games started against the Giants in his career. The Giants should hypothetically get a comfortable win in this matchup, as all the statistics point towards it as the Giants lead in every conceivable category.
Mike’s MLB Pick: San Francisco Giants (-220)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
