MLB Best Bets Today: Sunday Picks & Predictions (June 16)
(Photos: Getty Images) Pictured: Ian Happ (left) and Elly De La Cruz (right).
There are 16 games on Sunday's MLB slate, but our MLB betting experts focused in on two games — Cubs vs. Cardinals and Reds vs. Brewers — and two MLB over/under picks.
Today's MLB best bets are below, so continue reading for Sunday's top MLB picks.
MLB Best Bets Today: Sunday Picks & Predictions
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our MLB betting staff is targeting from today's slate of games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
| 1:05 p.m. | ||
| 2:10 p.m. | ||
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our MLB Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Cardinals vs. Cubs
By Sean Paul
The Cubs will bank on Jameson Taillon to replicate the form from his scoreless six-inning performance in his last outing against the Rays. That outing was nice for Cubs fans, as Taillon had allowed eight runs in his prior two starts. While his 3.09 ERA looks promising, his 3.68 xERA, 3.86 FIP and 4.36 xFIP tell another story about his performance.
On the mound for the Cardinals is a veteran righty in Miles Mikolas, who has allowed just 12 runs (3.00 ERA) in his past 36 innings, His peripherals suggest some slight positive regression is on the horizon.
But while neither arm in this matchup has electric stuff or shutdown stats, these offenses aren't particularly impressive either.
We have a high total in this one at 11 thanks to 8-14 mph winds with occasional gusts up to 28 mph at Wrigley. That said, the wind was blowing out on Saturday and the final tally reached six runs.
Back these two pitchers on the rise and fade this pair of offenses by playing the Under on Sunday.
Pick: Under 11 (-110)
Reds vs. Brewers
By Tony Sartori
Right-hander Frankie Montas takes the mound for Cincinnati, and he should be a good fade candidate. Montas is 3-5 with a 4.55 ERA and 1.39 WHIP through 12 starts this season, and his underlying metrics suggest positive regression is unlikely.
He ranks in the 32nd percentile or lower in xERA, xBA and hard-hit rate. These woes are likely to continue against Milwaukee, a team Montas is 0-1 against through two career meetings with a fade-worthy 7.56 ERA and 1.80 WHIP. There were 13 or more total runs scored in each of those two outings.
Meanwhile, the Brewers hand the ball to right-hander Colin Rea, who isn't much better. Rea ranks in the 14th percentile or lower in xERA, xBA and barrel rate.
Both offenses rank in the top 12 of the league in runs scored per game, and they should be able to jump on these below-average starting pitchers.
Pick: Over 9 (-105)
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