Top MLB Series to Bet on This Week

Top MLB Series to Bet on This Week

Written by on July 17, 2017

Whether you like interleague play or not, and most have one strong opinion on the matter either way, it does allow baseball fans to see teams and players compete against one another that we wouldn’t normally get to see. Like Mike Trout vs. Bryce Harper, for example. Here’s a look a couple interesting early-week MLB series to bet on, with the latest game preview.

Top MLB Series to Bet on This Week

Washington Nationals at Los Angeles Angels

When: Tuesday & Wednesday, 10 PM ET Where: Angel Stadium of Anaheim TV: MASN 2 (Washington) / FS-W (LA) Radio: 106.7 The Fan (Washington) / KWKW 1330 (LA) Live Stream: MLB.tv MLB Series Odds: TBA If you started a league-wide fantasy draft in MLB but for real, I can almost guarantee that the No. 1 overall pick would be Angels outfielder Mike Trout, a two-time MVP, and No. 2 would be Washington’s Bryce Harper, who also has an MVP trophy. The two outfielders have been being compared nonstop since 2012. Two rookies; one bats right, the other left; one on the left coast, the other the right; one an American Leaguer, the other a National. Trout was the better and more productive player in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016. And it wasn't close. Harper was a Most Valuable Player in every way imaginable in 2015. Team-wise, these clubs aren’t close. The Angels are middling along and will miss the playoffs again. The Angels rank third-to- last among American League teams in runs. They already have waived second baseman Danny Esipnosa. More moves could be coming. A few relievers, center fielder Cameron Maybin and third baseman Yunel Escobar are available via the trade market. Maybin is making $9 million this year while slashing .238/.341/.370, and he could interest teams needing an outfielder with positional flexibility. Escobar is earning $7 million this season with a .287/.344/.413 slash line.

How Have Their Encounters Been So Far?

The Halos are 10-5 all-time vs. Nationals and have won five of last six meetings (seven of last nine). The teams are meeting for first time since 2014 in DC. Albert Pujols connected for career HR No. 500 in 2014 series (April 22, 2014). The Angels swept Nats at Angel Stadium in last meeting here in 2011. The Halos have claimed 4 of 5 all-time series played. Because this is only a two-game set, there will be no series line. I’d bet on the Angles Tuesday as they start JC Ramirez, who is solid enough. The Nats go with journeyman Edwin Jackson, who is terrible. Chavez has logged a 3.52 ERA over 7 2/3 innings in seven career relief appearances against the Nationals. Wednesday, back Washington behind Gio Gonzalez (8-4, 2.66). Gonzalez had his best start of the season Friday, as he held the Reds to four hits over 8 1/3 shutout innings. Manager Dusty Baker said it was the sharpest he had seen Gonzalez’s off-speed stuff in a long time. It’s Ricky Nolasco for the Angels. The 34-year-old veteran has posted a 3.65 ERA in 23 career appearances, including 21 starts, against the Nationals.

Latest MLB Betting Trends

  • Nationals are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 games
  • Nationals are 5-1 SU in the last 6 games
  • The total went OVER in 5 of Washington’s last 6 games
The Rockies head in as favorites in the MLB series against the Padres.

San Diego Padres at Colorado Rockies

When: Monday & Tuesday, 8:40 PM ET; Wednesday, 3:10 PM ET Where: Coors Field, Colorado TV: FSSD (San Diego) / ATT SportsNet-RM (Colorado) Radio: XEMO 860 (San Diego) / KOA 850 AM (Colorado) Live Stream: MLB.tv MLB Series Odds: TBA The Rockies are falling further and further back in the NL West race and it’s now apparent the team’s only playoff shot is a wild-card spot. The Rox came out of the break losing two of three at the Mets. The offense did wake up Sunday, though, as Charlie Blackmon hit an inside-the- park homer. Outfielder/first baseman Ian Desmond was activated before the game and started in left field. He went 2 for 3 with a walk before being lifted for a pinch runner with Colorado leading 9-3 in the sixth. Desmond had been sidelined since July 3 with a strained right calf. Colorado set season highs for runs (13), hits (18) and extra-base hits (10). It was only Colorado’s fifth victory in their past 20 games. It’s a stretch that saw the Rox slip from first place in the NL West to their current third-place position, 11 1/2 games back of the Dodgers. But they’re only a game behind the D-backs and 5 1/2 games up on the Cubs in the bid for the second NL Wild Card spot.

Will JD Martinez Make It On Time?

The Rockies are reportedly close to acquiring Tigers outfielder JD Martinez in trade. Martinez would give the middle of Colorado’s order a boost. He’s hit .306/.384/.622 with 15 home runs over his first 224 plate appearances. The catch with Martinez — besides the prospect cost — is that he’s a well-below-average fielder, one of the worst in baseball, and a poor fit in Coors Field’s spacious pasture. The Rockies are 5-4 against the Padres this season, although San Diego won two of three on its first visit to Coors Field. Take Colorado to sweep this series. The Rox are 26-18 at home, while the Padres are 16-28 on the road.

Latest MLB Betting Trends

  • Padres are 5-1 ATS in the last 6 games
  • Rockies are 7-15 ATS in the last 22 games
  • Padres are 7-3 SU in the last 10 games
  • Rockies are 6-15 SU in the last 21 games
  • The total went UNDER in 9 of San Diego’s last 10 games on the road
  • The total went OVER in 4 of Colorado’s last 6 games

Final MLB Series Predictions

With trades in the process of being made and the deadline being tomorrow, these games could change direction once played. But for now, get ready for these amazing MLB series for this week. Be sure to have fun!