MLB Picks and Predictions for 8/4/21 - Free MLB Picks (2024)

Pick: Cincinnati Reds -195

Seattle Mariners +143 Tampa Bay Rays -153 Total: 8

The Mariners’ Logan Gilbert and the Rays’ Josh Fleming were hit hard they last time these teams faced off. Josh Fleming has allowed 13 runs and 22 hits in his last 13.1 innings. With the Rays swinging the bat well both teams averaging over 5 runs per game over the last two weeks, look for some scoring. Take the over.

Pick: Over 8

Pittsburgh Pirates +230 Milwaukee Brewers -260 Total: 8.5

The Brewers have owned this series in 2021, winning 11 of the first 14 games. Freddy Peralta has pitched well in three starts against the Pirates this season, allowing just 5 runs in 17 innings with 19 strikeouts. The Pirates are averaging just under 4 runs per game over the last weeks while ranking near the bottom of the league with a .231 average and .642 OPS. Give me the Brewers at home.

Pick: Milwaukee Brewers -260

San Diego Padres Oakland Athletics Total:

The Padres will still be without Fernando Tatis Jr. at short in this one, and they are just a .500 team on the road when he is in the lineup. The A’s Frankie Montas has struck out ten batters in 3 of his last four starts, while allowing less than a hit per inning. Take the A’s to continue their hot play at home.

Pick: Oakland Athletics

Baltimore Orioles +230 New York Yankees -260 Total: 9.5

New York’s Jameson Taillon has done better at home; he is 4-1 with a 3.26 ERA at Yankee Stadium. On the flip side the Yankees offense has been terrible of late, with a .178 average and 2.3 runs per game over the last week. The Orioles have not been much better, with a .232 average over the same span. Fade the total.

Pick: Under 9.5

Philadelphia Phillies +101 Washington Nationals -111 Total: 9

Paolo Espino has been solid coming out of the bullpen for the Nationals and recently strung together three consecutive starts of at least 5 innings for the first time since transitioning to the rotation. Without Andrew McCutchen and Rhys Hoskins in the lineup for Philadelphia, Espino should be able to notch another quality outing. The Phillies Chase Anderson will be making his first start since May and is backed by a bullpen that has a 5.11 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over the last week. Give me the Nationals at home.

Pick: Washington Nationals -111

Cleveland Indians +190 Toronto Blue Jays -210 Total: 10

Steven Matz pitched 5 shutout innings in his last home start for the Blue Jays. The Indians have done poorly against lefties all season, ranking 28th with a .227 average. Cleveland’s J.C. Mejia has allowed at least 4 runs in each of his last 5 starts; the Indians are 0-5 in those games. Lay the juice.

Pick: Toronto Blue Jays -210

Boston Red Sox -157 Detroit Tigers +147 Total: 9

The Red Sox have been in a rut of late, losing four straight heading into this series. The Tigers will start young ace Casey Mize in this one; he pitched 6 innings allowing just 1 run and 3 hits when these two played in Boston earlier in the season. Detroit is also averaging 9.6 runs over the last 7 days. Take a chance on the home dogs.

Pick: Detroit Tigers +147

New York Mets -157 Miami Marlins +147 Total: 7.5

The Mets’ Carlos Carrasco pitched 4 solid innings in his first start of the season and has done well against this Miami lineup in the past. The Marlins Zach Thompson has a 2.08 ERA at home this season and will be backed by a bullpen that ranks 4th in the majors with a 3.41 ERA this season. With both offenses ranking in the bottom half of the league in average and runs scored, expect an old-fashioned pitchers duel in this one.

Pick: Under 7.5

Atlanta Braves -111 St. Louis Cardinals +101 Total: 9

The Cardinals’ J.A. Happ has allowed 4 homers and 20 runs in his last three starts, with almost 2 hits allowed per inning. The Braves have won 4 of Drew Smyly’s last 5 starts and he shutout the Cardinals through 5.2 innings when these two played earlier in the season. Give me the Braves.

Pick: Atlanta Braves -111

Los Angeles Angels -157 Texas Rangers +147 Total: 8

Shohei Ohtani has only allowed 1 run and 8 hits in his first 13 innings after the all-star break. From the plate the Angels have struggled, ranking last with a .177 average and 13 runs over the last week. The Rangers are averaging just 4 runs per game over the same stretch. Take the under.

Pick: Under 8

Kansas City Royals +215 Chicago White Sox -245 Total: 8.5

The Royals have struggled since losing Jorge Soler at the deadline, only scoring 2.6 runs per game over the last 7 days. Their luck will not improve in this one, as they will face White Sox’ ace Lucas Giolito. He has only allowed 1 run in each of his last three starts since the break. Take the White Sox at home.

Pick: Chicago White Sox -245

Chicago Cubs +150 Colorado Rockies -160 Total: 11

The Cubs have been terrible on the road this season, hitting a collective .216 with just under 4 runs scored per game. The Rockies’ Jon Gray is 5-2 at home with a 3.14 ERA this season. He has not allowed more than 2 runs in any of his last 4 starts. Give me the Rockies.

Pick: Colorado Rockies -160

Houston Astros +183 Los Angeles Dodgers -203 Total: 8.5

Max Scherzer will make his debut for the Dodgers in this one; he pitched 6 innings, allowing just 3 hits and 1 run in a win during his last start for the Nationals. The Dodgers lead the league with a .302 average over the last 7 days. Look for Los Angeles to rally behind their new starter at home.

Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers -203

San Francisco Giants -172 Arizona Diamondbacks +157 Total: 8.5

The Giants have owned this matchup, with a 10-1 record heading into this series. Starter Kevin Gausman has only allowed 2 runs with 15 strikeouts in 13.0 IP against Arizona this season. The Diamondbacks have hit a collective .204 over the last week, averaging 4 runs per game. Take the Giants on the road.

Pick: San Francisco Giants -172