There are gut punches, there are groin punches and then … there’s what happened with Friday’s Best Bets. Our crew nailed an easy winner with the Red Sox on the runline (-1.5 runs) against the A’s. In that game, Boston designated hitter J.D. Martinez had a hit in four at-bats … however, it was only a single, so he just missed going Over 1.5 total bases.
Earlier in the night in Denver, Braves southpaw Max Fried tossed eight sparkling innings, holding the Rockies to just two hits and a walk … but he only struck out four batters, leaving him just short of his 4.5 strikeouts prop.
So instead of a 3-0 sweep, we ended the week with a second straight 1-2 Best Bets effort. Alas, as Tom Hanks so eloquently put it, there’s no crying in baseball. So we’re lacing up our spikes and returning to the diamond Monday with a Best Bets double play.
Let’s see if the Baseball Gods are on our side tonight — lord knows, they owe us after Friday!
All odds updated as of 5:30 p.m. ET on June 6.
MLB Side: Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels
The bet: Red Sox +1.5 (at L.A. Angels)
The odds: -184
Where to bet: Fanduel Sportsbook
From: Matt Perrault via The Bostonian Vs. The Book podcast
Hey, what do you know, the Bostonian part of The Bostonian Vs. The Book podcast is backing a Boston team once again. Tough to blame Perrault, though, as he was the one who nailed that Red Sox runline play over Oakland on Friday, with his boys going on to sweep the three-game set from the A’s.
It’s also tough to blame him because the Red Sox now head south to Anaheim to face an Angels team that’s in the midst of the slump of the century. Los Angeles has dropped 11 straight games, and loss No. 11 was as brutal as anything you’ll see this season: The Halos led 5-0 halfway through Sunday’s game at Philadelphia and 6-2 in the bottom of the eighth. Then Bryce Harper hit a game-tying grand slam … then the Angels scored one in the ninth to take a 7-6 lead … then Phillies rookie Bryson Stott walloped a three-run, walk-off homer to steal a 9-7 victory in the bottom of the ninth.
So why not take the Red Sox on the moneyline Monday at what is essentially a pick ’em price? Well, because Angels starter Noah Syndergaard has been solid this season, especially at home (3-0, 1.48 ERA). And because Mike Trout’s current 0-for-25 drought won’t last forever.
In other words, Perrault isn’t totally confident Boston will extend the Angels’ losing skid to a dozen. But he highly doubts the Sox will lose by more than one run. Hence, this Best Bet of Boston +1.5 runs.
You can crab it at -182 odds at FanDuel.
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BetPrep Prop of the Day: SP Carlos Carrasco (New York Mets)
The bet: Over 4.5 strikeouts (at San Diego)
The odds: -123
Where to bet: Caesars Sportsbook
From: BetPrep Prop of the Day via BetPrep.com
The Mets have been hitting on all cylinders pretty much all season, and especially recently (8-2 last 10 games). One big reason for New York’s success? A pitching staff that ranks among the top 10 in multiple statistical categories.
So it is no surprise that the folks at BetPrep are placing their confidence in a Mets hurler — in this case, veteran right-hander Carlos Carrasco, who is on the mound for the first of a three-game series at San Diego. Here’s the justification for this Best Bets selection:
- Padres hitters have struck out more than 10 times in each of their last three games
- Carrasco has recorded 5+ strikeouts in 7 of his 10 starts this season (avg. 5.1 per gm)
- Carrasco is averaging 5.1 strikeouts per outing
The 35-year-old is 6-1 on the season and shows no signs of slowing down as the Mets continue to pile up wins as the NL’s best team. You can grab Carrasco Over 5.5 Ks at -123 odds at Caesars Sportsbook.
