Updated 2017 MLB Picks and Predictions For Wednesday, July 5

It’s the final full week of the first half of the baseball season, and we have several series and MLB picks that could well have an impact on the divisional races. The Milwaukee Brewers have been a very pleasant surprise, and they will be trying to maintain their lead in the Central against a flagging Orioles team.

Find the latest MLB betting odds here.

The Boston Red Sox are looking to open up an even bigger lead in the AL East, but have a tough trip to Texas to face the Rangers to start the week. The Washington Nationals are definitely going to finish the first half on top of the NL East, but how big their lead is will depend on how well they perform against the NY Mets.

Analyzing The Updated 2017 MLB Picks and Predictions For Wednesday, July 5

   

Baltimore Orioles (40-42) at Milwaukee Brewers (45-40)

When: Wednesday, July 5 at 7:10 PM EST Where: Miller Field, Milwaukee TV: MLBN Probable Pitchers: Chris Tillman Vs Matt Garza Analysis: The Baltimore Orioles started the season in fine form, looking as though they may be the team to beat in the AL East, but they have fallen off dramatically, and are now 7.5 games back of the Red Sox for top spot. They are just 5-5 in their last 10 games, and at 15-26, have a road record that does not inspire a great deal of confidence. They will send Chris Tillman (1-5, 7.90 ERA) to the mound on Wednesday night. You have to wonder if Monday night was a sign of things to come, as the Brewers routed the Orioles 8-1 in the opening game of the series. That win saw the Brewers maintain their 2.5-game lead atop the Central, and they will be hoping to maintain that as the first half comes to a close. The win also helped Milwaukee go over .500 at home, where they are now 24-23. They will send Matt Garza (3-4, 4.36 ERA) to the mound for this one. MLB Picks: Baltimore Orioles 3 Milwaukee Brewers 7

Boston Red Sox (48-35) at Texas Rangers (40-43)

When: Wednesday, July 5 at 8:05 PM EST Where: Globe Life Park, Arlington TV: MLBN Probable Pitchers: Doug Fister Vs Andrew Cashner Analysis: The Red Sox are starting to roll, and have now opened up a 3-game lead on the Yankees atop the AL East. They come into this week on a 5-game winning streak, but have a bit of a tricky series against the Rangers to get things rolling. At 23-21, the Red Sox have been solid on the road, and they got this series off to the perfect start with a 7-5 win on Monday. Doug Fister (0-1, 4.91 ERA) will be on the mound for this one. The Teas Rangers have been one of the more infuriating teams in the league this season, simply because you never really know what to expect from them. In addition, they have been very streaky at times, following up nice winning runs with poor play that leads to an extended losing streak. Moreover, they have been decent at home, going 22-18 through the first half of the season. They will send Andrew Cashner (3-7, 3.87 ERA) to the mound for this one. MLB Picks: Boston Red Sox 5 Texas Rangers 6

New York Mets (38-44) at Washington Nationals (49-34)

When: Wednesday, July 5 at 7 PM EST Where: Nationals Stadium, Washington TV: MLBN, ESPN Probable Pitchers: Jacob deGrom Vs Tanner Roark Analysis: The New York Mets have been a huge disappointment this season, and the rumor is that they are about to blow things up once the trade deadline hits. The Mets were actually on a decent run, winning 7 of 8, but have now dropped off again, losing back to back games, including the opening game in this series. Jacob deGrom (8-3, 3.55 ERA) has won each of his last 4 starts, which means that this may be the best shot that the Mets have of getting a win in this series. The Nationals are comfortable at the top of the NL East with an 8-game lead, and it is that comfort that may be part of the reason why they have been playing .500 ball of late. They look as though they might be ready to snap out of that, as they have now won 2 in a row, extending their home record to 23-17. Tanner Roark (6-6, 5.27 ERA) will be the man on the mound for the Nationals. MLB Picks: New York Mets 4 Washington Nationals 2