Look below to find our free MLB Picks for the five best games on today’s schedule!
Boston Red Sox @ Detroit Tigers – 7.10PM ET
The Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers will kick off our Tuesday night MLB schedule at Comerica Park for what will be the first match of their three games series.
Jesse Livermore
Although he didn’t make a single appearance in 2020, Wily Peralta’s 3.64 ERA is lower than it has ever been at this point in the season dating back to 2014. With Peralta making his 10th start of the year for the Tigers on Tuesday, I am going to take Detroit to continue their solid form in the second half of the season at home in this series opener. Especially when considering that Boston are currently going through their worst run of form so far this year, as is evident by their four game losing streak which is their longest in 2021. I can’t see the Red Sox returning to the winners list with Garrett Richards on the mound on Tuesday, as Richards has a 5.15 ERA this year.
Jesse’s MLB Pick: Detroit Tigers (+120)
Tim Newton
After a tough four game stretch, losing to Toronto once and Tampa Bay three times, the Red Sox need to turn things around as soon as possible. They are now a game behind the Rays for top of the AL East and I don’t know if this is the game for them. They are on the road and sending Garrett Richards to the mound first up. Richards is just 6-6 from 20 starts with a massive 5.15 ERA and gave up four runs from eight hits in just four innings pitched in his last start. Given that the Tigers have averaged 6.67 runs over their last six games, going 4-2 in that span, and are at home, they should be able to get ahead early and hold on down the stretch.
Tim’s MLB Pick: Detroit Tigers +1.5 (-134)
Katherine Mouradian
The Red Sox are now one game behind the top of the AL East leaders, the Rays, after losing four games in a row! If the Red Sox want to claim top spot, they are going to have to get their act together. The Red Sox have won four out of their previous five games after a day off and they have won six out of their previous eight games when they are the favorite. Whereas the Tigers have won five out of their previous six games after a day off. Considering the recent form of the Red Sox, I’ll be steering clear of them, instead looking at the under. The under has hit eight out of their previous 11 Red Sox games overall and in four of the Tigers previous four games overall.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: Under 10 (-108)
A beautiful Sunday series split! pic.twitter.com/WY8iw45rp6
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) August 1, 2021
Minnesota Twins @ Cincinnati Reds – 7.10PM ET
The Minnesota Twins and Cincinnati Reds will kick off their short two game series at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday night.
Jesse Livermore
Predominantly led by Joey Votto, Cincinnati have won five of their last seven games (all of which were on the road) to remain in the hunt for an NL wildcard berth. Votto clubbed seven home runs in six games last week and I like the left hander to continue his good form in a Reds win on Tuesday. As well as their young and promising offense, Tyler Mahle will look to continue his strong season on the mound in this matchup. Mahle has an 8-3 record and 3.71 ERA in 2021. On the other hand, Minnesota were recent sellers at last week’s trade deadline and the Twins are 0-6 in Kenta Maeda’s last six starts against a team with a winning record and 3-7 in their last 10 games overall.
Jesse’s MLB Pick: Cincinnati Reds (-148)
Tim Newton
One team is six games above 0.500, coming off back to back series wins over the Cubs and Mets and is playing at home in this one. The other team is 18 games below 0.500, yet to win a series since the All Star break, has dropped four of their last five and is just 20-32 on the road this season. Kenta Maeda will start for the Twins and his 4.40 ERA should allow the Reds to keep their momentum rolling, especially given Maeda won just one of his five starts in July. Meanwhile, Tyler Mahle will be on the mound first up for the Reds and his 8-3 record combined with a 3.71 ERA should restrict Minnesota’s lacklustre offense. Last time out, Mahle pitched a five-innings shutout and hasn’t lost since the 27th of June.
Tim’s MLB Pick: Cincinnati Reds (-148)
Katherine Mouradian
The Reds have won an impressive seven out of their previous 10 games, whereas the Twins have only won three of their previous 10 games. The Twins are the bottom team of the AL Central and are 18 games behind the leading team, the White Sox. The Reds are sitting in the second place NL Central and seven games behind the Brewers in first place. The Twins have won just four of their previous 16 games on the road and six of their previous 26 games on a Tuesday. On the flip side the Reds have won five of their previous six games overall and six of their previous eight games after a day off. The Reds look like the team to beat here.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: Cincinnati Reds (-148)
Kansas City Royals @ Chicago White Sox – 8.10PM ET
A pair of AL Central rivals will commence their three game series at Guaranteed Rate Field on Tuesday night when the first placed Chicago White Sox host the fourth placed Kansas City Royals.
Jesse Livermore
Although the Royals won three of the four games between these two division rivals last week, I am going to take the White Sox to bounce back at home on Tuesday. Dylan Cease has struggled in his recent outings for Chicago, however the right hander has a 4-2 record and 2.44 ERA in 10 starts at Guaranteed Rate Field this year and he is 2-1 with a 3.11 career ERA against the Royals. Admittedly, Kansas City’s Kris Bubic has been a solid performer against Chicago this season, however the left hander has not won against the White Sox this year and I can’t see him getting a debut victory against Chicago on Tuesday.
Jesse’s MLB Pick: Chicago White Sox (-220)
Tim Newton
With there being 16 games difference between the two sides, you’d expect the White Sox to run away with this one. However, these sides just played a four-game series in Kansas City and the Royals won 3-1, outsourcing the AL Central leaders by 15-10. Will the return to Chicago be enough for the White Sox to turn it around? Given they just defeated the Indians 2-1 at home, I think they may have regained some form. Dylan Cease is starting on the mound for Chicago and while he has had an average season to date, he performs much better at home and should get his side off to a good start in this one.
Tim’s MLB Pick: Chicago White Sox (-220)
Katherine Mouradian
The White Sox are leading the AL Central and will take on the Royals in the same division / league, and the Royals are 16 games behind. The Royals have won just 16 of their previous 49 games overall, but have won four of their previous five games when it comes to the series opening clash. Whereas the White Sox have won 37 of their previous 51 games when playing against a left handed starter and have won 49 of their previous 67 clashes when they are the home favorite. The White Sox should be able to get an easy victory here.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: Chicago White Sox -1.5 (-110)
Flippin’ awesome. pic.twitter.com/oYMEoCErbx
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 2, 2021
San Diego Padres @ Oakland Athletics – 9.40PM ET
Next up, two teams currently in the wildcard race for their respective leagues will meet at O.co Coliseum when the A’s host the Padres for the first match of their two game set in Oakland.
Jesse Livermore
If missing out on the opportunity to sign Max Scherzer wasn’t enough, San Diego’s star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. has landed on the IL with a shoulder injury and surgery has not been ruled out. With that in mind, I am going to take the A’s at home in this series opener. Not only will they be without their best hitter, but the Padres have also struggled on the road this season, owning a 25-25 record. On the other hand, Oakland won four of their six road games last week, including a victory in San Diego, and I like their lineup to get the better of Blake Snell in this series opener. Snell has a 5.44 ERA in 2021 and the southpaw has allowed 12 earned runs on 16 hits in his last three starts, throwing 14 innings in that time.
Jesse’s MLB Pick: Oakland Athletics (TBD)
Tim Newton
With Fernando Tatis Jr., who is a top-four striker of the ball this season, sidelined and the A’s coming into this series, at home, with momentum, I like Oakland to come out on top. These sides had a two game series in San Diego just a week ago, with Tatis playing in both, and Oakland was able to split the series, winning the overall run count 14-11. They now get at home and don’t have to pitch to one of the most explosive hitters in the league so the odds are on their side.
Tim’s MLB Pick: Oakland Athletics (TBD)
Katherine Mouradian
Both teams have the same recent record, winning five out of their previous 10 games, and both teams have a similar season record, with the Padres on 61-47, and the Athletics on 60-47. The Padres are also coming off a pretty tough week, and the injury to start player Tatis isn’t going to help. The Padres have won four of their previous five games after a day off. The Athletics have won nine of their previous 13 interleague games. When it comes to the teams playing each other, the Padres have won just six of their previous 20 clashes. I’ll be on the Athletics, especially considering they are playing at home.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: Oakland Athletics (TBD)
Houston Astros @ Los Angeles Dodgers – 10.10PM ET
Two of the best teams in baseball will close out our Tuesday night MLB schedule when the Los Angeles Dodgers host the Houston Astros for the first match of their two game series at Dodger Stadium.
Jesse Livermore
In what is shaping up to be a box office matchup between two elite starting pitchers, Lance McCuller will take the mound for Houston, while Walker Buehler will be given the ball for Los Angeles. Seeing as McCuller has allowed four runs in each of his last two starts and Buehler was recently named the NL Pitcher of the Month for July after going 3-0 with a 1.67 ERA in five starts, I am going to take the Dodgers at home on Tuesday. As well as that, Los Angeles have a dominant 117-50 record from their last 167 games at home and they are also elite when coming off a rest day, owning a 41-15 record with a day off. Whereas the Astros are 1-5 in their last six games starting as the underdog and 1-5 in their last six games against NL teams on the road. All signs are pointing to the Dodgers on Tuesday.
Jesse’s MLB Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers (-180)
Tim Newton
This is going to be a pitching masterclass with two top-flight pitchers going to work to round out the night. LA has Walker Buehler starting for them and he is having himself a season, going 11-1 from 21 starts with an impressive 2.19 ERA, which ranks third in the league. Meanwhile, Lance McCullers will get the start for Houston and he brings an 8-2 record with a 3.23 ERA. However, McCullers did drop off a bit in July and in his last two starts, he allowed four runs, for a total of eight runs given up over just 11 innings pitched. The Dodgers’ impressive lineup, at home, should be able to take advantage of McCullers’ poor recent form and get the job done, just.
Tim’s MLB Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers / Under 7.5 (+220)
Katherine Mouradian
The Astros have lost two games in a row, whereas the Dodgers have won two games in a row. The Dodgers are now three games behind the NL West leaders, the Giants, but their season record is so good that they would be the leader in any other division. The Astros have won seven of their previous eight games on a Tuesday and have won 37 out their previous 55 games overall. The Dodgers have a great record as well, looking over the long term, they have won 117 out of their last 164 games at home and 134 of their previous 200 games when they are the favourite. I’ll be on the Dodgers
Katherine’s MLB Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers (-180)
Walker Buehler was named the National League Pitcher of the Month
July numbers: 3-0, 1.67 ERA, 38 K, 0.90 WHIP, .177 AVG, 1.73 FIP pic.twitter.com/k3eCgjDKrC
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHarrisTBLA) August 2, 2021
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel
