Best MLB Bets Today | MLB Picks, April 24

Houston Astros @ Tampa Bay Rays

• Time: 6:41 PM ET
• Starting Pitchers: Jose Urquidy (HOU) vs Taj Bradley (TB)
• Moneyline: Astros (-112) | Rays (-132)
• Run Line: Astros +1.5 (-172) | Rays -1.5 (+142)
• Total: Over 8.5 (+100) | Under 8.5 (-122)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

My Pick: Tampa Bay Rays ML (-132)

Our first bet of the day will take us to St. Petersburg, Florida. 20 teams are playing today, but this will be one of the more exciting games. The Rays are the best team in the league with a 19–3 record, and the Astros are beginning to return to form and have won four straight. Tampa is yet to lose a game at home this season, so I would bet on them to win this game. Bet on the Rays’ moneyline.

The Astros are sending Jose Urquidy to the mound. Urquidy is a fantastic pitcher and comes into this game with a 3.66 ERA. With that being said, he will be facing the best lineup in baseball today. The Rays have so many impressive hitters and average almost 6.6 runs per game. Urquidy will probably pitch well against Tampa, but he will give up some runs in the process.

The Rays are sending Taj Bradley to the mound. Bradley, a rookie, is coming off a scoreless start last week. The 22-year-old will not have another scoreless start today, but he will perform well. He will also be able to depend on his bullpen and their 2.94 ERA.

At this moment, the Rays are doing everything better than the Astros. In addition, they are playing at home. Tampa will win this game. Bet on the Rays’ moneyline.

Texas Rangers @ Cincinnati Reds

• Time: 6:41 PM ET
• Starting Pitchers: Nathan Eovaldi (TEX) vs Nick Lodolo (CIN) 
• Moneyline: Rangers (-108) | Reds (-108)
• Run Line: Rangers -1.5 (+146) | Reds +1.5 (-176)
• Total: Over 8.5 (-114) | Under 8.5 (-106)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

My Pick: Texas Rangers -1.5 (+146)

Our second bet of the day will take us to Cincinnati, Ohio. These two teams are headed in opposite directions to start the season. The Rangers have been on a tear and are in first place in the NL West, but the rebuilding Reds have been struggling and sit at the bottom of the NL Central. The Rangers may not be sending their ace to the mound in Nathan Eovaldi, but their lineup will help and carry them if needed. Bet on the Rangers to cover.

I did not make the most positive comment about Nathan Eovaldi above, but he is a reliable pitcher. He had one tough start this season a couple of weeks ago but has been consistent otherwise. The Rangers’ #2 pitcher is coming off a seven-inning performance when he gave up two earned runs and only walked one. Do not let Eovaldi’s 5.40 ERA confuse you. The righty will put up a strong performance today. He will also be helped out by a lineup that has scored 50 runs in their last five games.

The Reds have one of the worst offenses in the league. They are averaging less than four runs a game and are on a six-game losing streak. They have a lineup with only two players with ten RBIs and only possess two competent starters. Their starter today, Nick Lodolo. is not one of the competent ones. Lodolo has a 4.98 ERA and gave up eight earned runs in his previous start. He will struggle against this high-powered offense. Bet on the Rangers to cover the spread.

Boston Red Sox @ Baltimore Orioles

• Time: 6:36 PM ET
• Starting Pitchers: Chris Sale (BOS) vs Dean Kremer (BAL)
• Moneyline: Red Sox (-112) | Orioles (-104)
• Run Line: Red Sox -1.5 (+150) | Orioles +1.5 (-182)
• Total: Over 8 (-110) | Under 8 (-110)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

My Pick: Baltimore Orioles ML (-104)

Our final bet of the day will come from an AL East battle. The AL East is the most competitive division in baseball, so anytime two teams from this division play each other, it is worth watching. This game between the Red Sox and the Orioles will be close, but the Orioles should come away with it. Bet on the Baltimore moneyline.

The Red Sox are in last place in the AL East, but they have a record above .500 at 12-11. Other than first place (currently owned by the Tampa Bay Rays), spots two-five are pretty packed. 

Boston is fielding a competitive team this year. Their lineup has been hitting well and averages over 5.2 runs per game. Rafael Devers is off to an incredible start and has 21 RBIs, and Matasaka Yoshida has 15 RBIs of his own. They will need to step up today to support their starting pitcher. 

Chris Sale will be taking the mound. Sale only gave up one earned run in his previous start but five in his start before that. The lefty has pitched well against mediocre or subpar teams but has struggled against teams with strong lineups.

Not many people are talking about the Orioles, but they are playing really well. They are in second place in the AL East with a 14-7 record. Baltimore is on a six-game winning streak and has won eight of their last nine.

They have not faced the toughest opponents in this time, but a six-game winning streak is nothing to scoff at. Their lineup is a little slower than the Red Sox’s, but they have a better bullpen and starters. Dean Kremer will be getting the nod today. Kremer gave up 13 earned runs in his first three starts but threw a scoreless 6⅔ innings in his previous outing. He is no longer the ace of the Orioles’ rotation (that honor belongs to Kyle Gibson), but he is a solid #2 pitcher and will put up a good outing today. The Israeli-American will also have the help of a top-five bullpen once he is pulled. 

I would bet on the streaking hometown team in this matchup. Bet on the Baltimore moneyline,

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