MLB Best Bets: 2 Picks & Predictions for Wednesday
Via Jim McIsaac/Getty Images. Pictured: Zach Eflin #24 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 19, 2024 in New York City.
We have another full, 16-game slate of Major League Baseball action on Wednesday, July 24, and our staff of MLB betting experts is here to share two MLB Best Bets, including one play each on Tigers vs Guardians and Rays vs Blue Jays.
MLB Best Bets: 2 Picks & Predictions for Wednesday
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our MLB betting staff is targeting from the Wednesday slate of games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific MLB bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 6:40 p.m. | |
  | 7:07 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. | ||
Tigers vs. Guardians
By Tony Sartori
Detroit hands the ball to right-hander Jack Flaherty, and he should be a good candidate to back. Flaherty is 7-5 through 17 starts this season with a commanding 3.13 ERA and 0.96 WHIP.
His underlying metrics are even stronger as the right-hander boasts a 2.95 xERA and ranks in the 80th percentile or higher in xBA, Strikeout Rate and Walk Rate.
This success is likely to continue against Cleveland, a team Flaherty boasts a 1.88 ERA against over the past four meetings.
Meanwhile, the Guardians hand the ball to right-hander Tanner Bibee, and he has performed nearly as well as Flaherty. Bibee is 8-4 through 20 starts with a 3.58 ERA and 1.11 WHIP.
He also boasts a 3.50 xERA and ranks in the 71st percentile or higher in Average Exit Velocity, Strikeout Rate, Walk Rate and Hard-hit Rate.
The best bullpen in baseball also looms behind Bibee as Cleveland's relief pitching ranks first in ERA, FIP and xFIP.
Bet the under at 7.5 down to -120.
Pick: Under 7.5 (-115 | Bet to -120)
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Rays vs. Blue Jays
By D.J. James
Yariel Rodríguez has been a diamond in the rough for the Toronto Blue Jays this year. The 27-year-old righty has been striking hitters out over 25% of the time.
Yes, he has issues with hard hits and walks, but if he can keep his control in check, he is in great shape. He has only given up more than three earned runs in one start, so facing the Tampa Bay Rays could prove favorable.
Zach Eflin has been a reliable option for some time. The veteran righty has a 4.14 ERA and an xERA a touch above 3.00, so he should see some positive regression in the second half.
Both his Average Exit Velocity and Hard-Hit Rate are above average as well. His Strikeout Rate is below 20%, but he has only walked 3% of batters.
He faces the Blue Jays, who have been a little above average against righties lately with a 105 wRC+ in the last month. However, they barely walk, so Eflin could have his way.
The Rays have a 92 wRC+ and walk nearly 10% of the time, but they also strike out almost 25% of the time. Consequently, Rodríguez should miss some bats.
Each of these teams has had their issues in the bullpen, but they also have a couple of options they can count on once their starters exit the game. The Blue Jays are more questionable, but if Rodríguez can throw five or six innings, which he has been accustomed to, he should be fine.
Look for pitching to dominate here. Play the under from 8.5 to 8.
Pick: Under 8.5 (-110 | Bet to 8 at -110)
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