Saturday’s MLB slate is loaded with 15 games on the docket. We have games going on all afternoon with every team in action as the second half of the season gets going. That means plenty of ways to go for our top MLB picks and predictions. Let’s focus on two games for our MLB best bets today before dishing out a few baseball player props and other picks to consider. 

Keep in mind, some of these odds or lines could move before first pitch. All bets below are for one unit unless otherwise noted. Without further ado, let’s dive into our MLB Best Bets Today.

 

 

 

MLB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 7/19

Our MLB Best Bets Today start with an AL East matchup as the Tampa Bay Rays host the Baltimore Orioles. Plus, the Toronto Blue Jays will take on the San Francisco Giants in another interesting Saturday afternoon battle. As always, don’t miss some top MLB player prop bets and other baseball picks below. Check out these MLB predictions to make as you enjoy Saturday’s baseball action. 

 

Baltimore Orioles vs. Tampa Bay Rays Predictions: Saturday, July 19th

The Tampa Bay Rays ended the first half cold. They went 3-10 in the two weeks before the All-Star break while losing some ground in the AL Wild Card race. Let’s hope the break helps rejuvenate the Rays, who exploded for an 11-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles last night. 

Notably, Tampa had to deal with a 10-game road trip in early July before the All-Star layoff. The Rays also had to face the streaking Red Sox and an elite Tigers squad in that lengthy road trip. Now they’re back at home to begin the second half. 

Rays starter Zack Littell has been pitching very well lately. He owns a 2.84 ERA over his last nine starts and a 2.73 ERA over his last five starts. The right-hander also boasts a 2.95 ERA since the beginning of May. This is an extended run of solid outings that we can trust. 

Littell will take on a Baltimore offense with subpar numbers against right-handed pitching lately. In July vs. righties, the Orioles have a .284 wOBA (23rd in MLB), 81 wRC+ (22nd), and .224 batting average (25th). Meanwhile, Littell has a 2.83 ERA over his last six starts against the O’s. 

The Tampa righty has faced Baltimore twice in the past month and tossed a quality start in both outings. He also owns an impressive 2.41 ERA over his last seven home starts entering this weekend. 

On the other side, Dean Kremer starts for the Orioles. The right-hander has a 4.24 ERA and 1.27 WHIP on the season. He’s actually posted some solid outings recently, but he’s also still very inconsistent start to start.

Kremer coughed up 5 runs to Atlanta in his latest road start. On that note, he’s been worse on the road with a 5.83 ERA and .308 batting average allowed, compared to a 2.00 ERA and .189 BAA at home. He’s also allowed 4+ runs in seven of his 12 road starts thus far. 

The Rays present a tough matchup for Kremer here. They’re batting .281 against right-handed pitching this month (6th in MLB) with a low 19.8% K rate (10th). Tampa is also a top-tier offense vs. righties overall this season with a .329 wOBA (6th) and 110 wRC+ (7th). 

 

 

 

San Francisco Giants vs. Toronto Blue Jays Predictions: Saturday, July 19th

Before the All-Star break, the Toronto Blue Jays were one of the hottest teams in the league. They went 13-4 to close out the first half with a 10-game winning streak mixed in. That includes a four-game sweep of the Yankees to take over first place in the AL East. Let’s back the Jays at home on Saturday as they try to regain some momentum. 

Toronto is 33-16 at home this year with a 67.% winning percentage at home, the MLB’s third-best mark. The Blue Jays are also 21-5 at home over the past two months. Last night, they began the second half with a 4-0 series-opening win over the Giants.

Eric Lauer gets the start for Toronto as he looks to continue the best statistical season of his career. The left-hander owns a 2.78 ERA and 1.04 WHIP through 55 innings so far (8 starts/14 total appearances). He’s been pitching well lately with a 2.80 ERA since the beginning of June, including a 2.43 FIP over his last five starts. 

Lauer’s 26.4% strikeout rate (80th percentile), 7.3% walk rate (68th), and .218 xBA (84th) are all career-best marks. Plus, he’s been very effective at home. He boasts a 2.45 ERA, 2.22 FIP, and 0.82 WHIP with a .167 batting average allowed at home so far. 

The Jays’ southpaw will have a favorable home matchup here. San Francisco’s offense has struggled against left-handed pitching this season with a .275 wOBA (28th in MLB), .213 BA (30th), and 25.8% K rate (26th). Against lefties during July, they have a .264 wOBA, .216 BA, and 30.6% K rate.

On the other side, the Toronto offense was hot in July before the All-Star break. The Jays have a .347 wOBA (6th in MLB), .270 BA (5th), and 123 wRC+ (6th) this month. They also have a top-tier offense at home this season with a .344 wOBA (3rd), .271 BA (2nd), and 121 wRC+ (2nd). 

Logan Webb starts for San Fran, which is normally a good thing. He owns a 2.94 ERA this year. Yet, he we can fade him a bit today. Webb has been worse on the road with a 3.69 ERA compared to a 2.23 ERA at home. Plus, he just got roughed up for 6 runs by the Dodgers in his last start before the All-Star break. Hopefully it takes a start or two for Webb to get back into a groove in the second half. 

Since Webb is on the mound, we’re getting some solid value on a hot Blue Jays team. Let’s back them to win on the moneyline and lead after five innings. Lauer has the upside to best Webb early on. 

 

 

 

Best MLB Player Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 7/19

 

 

 

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