Best MLB Bets Weekend | MLB Picks, April 29-30

The month of April, the first month of the MLB Season, is almost gone as teams are taking to take form into serious contenders and which teams are going to the bottom of the barrel in their respective conferences.

The final weekend approaches for all 30 MLB teams as more highly anticipated series are set for a wild setting. 

This weekend, there will be several exciting games to place bets on and earn some significant winnings. These games will be big factors for many teams' playoff chances and the race for potential individual awards.

Chicago Cubs @ Miami Marlins

• Time: 4:05 PM E.T.
• Starting Pitchers: Caleb Kilian (CHI) vs Edward Cabrera (MIA)
• Moneyline: Cubs (+105) | Marlins (-125)
• Run Line: Cubs +1.5 (-190) | Marlins -1.5 (+160)
• Total: Over 9 (+100) | Under 9 (-120)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

My Pick: Chicago Cubs (CHI)

In one of the underrated series in the MLB this weekend, the Chicago Cubs (14-11) go on the road to take on the Miami Marlins (14-13) in a battle between NL Playoff contenders. The Cubs have been playing one of the most consistent batting team in the MLB. The Marlins have been in the middle of the league in terms of production of batting, fielding, and pitching, but still have found ways to win.

Chicago’s biggest success this season as their overall efficiency and productivity at the plate. In 24 games played, the Cubs rank first in the NL in runs accounted for (135), third in hits accounted for (230), fourth in home runs accounted for (33), first in batting average (.276), and first in on-base percentage (.346). What defines their efficiency is their ability to control themselves at the bat as they are second in the NL in the fewest strikeouts this season (193).

Players like second baseman Nico Hoerner, who has accounted for a team-high in runs (21), hits (36), and batting average (.366), and newcomer shortstop Dansby Swanson have played great this season. They will be a serious problem against the Marlins, who are set to start Edward Cabrera (4.91 ERA in 22 innings pitched).

The bullpen for the Marlins is in the bottom half of all major pitching categories in the NL this season. The biggest chance they have is to match the production in the batting game. That will be easier said than done for the Marlin, who rank last in the NL in runs accounted (85).

Philadelphia Phillies @ Houston Astros

• Time: 5:10 PM E.T.
• Starting Pitchers: Zack Wheeler (PHI) vs Cristian Javier (Hou)
• Moneyline: Phillies (+105) | Astros (-125)
• Run Line: Phillies  +1.5 (-200) | Astros -1.5 (+170)
• Total: Over 7.5 (+105) | Under 7.5 (-125)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

My Pick: Houston Astros (HOU)

After starting the 2023 MLB Season on a sour note, the Philadelphia Phillies (14-13) and the Houston Astros (14-12) are starting to find their rhythm in the last weekend of April. The Phillies started 5-10, but have proceeded to win nine of their last 12 games, including six of their last seven games. The Astros were over .500% once in the first half of April and were not over .500% again until a week and a half ago.

Philadelphia has some great hitters on their team, including right fielder Nick Castellanos and shortstop Trae Turner. The Phillies are first in the NL through 26 games in hits accounted for (248) and second in batting average (.275). Their biggest concern, other than the lack of a healthy Bryce Harper presence in the lineup, is their tendency to strike out early and often. As a team, the Phillies have struck out 239 times, which is ranked 11th in the NL.

Houston possesses solid depth at pitching with four quality pitchers with a season ERA of 4.00 or lower. One of those pitchers is Cristian Javier, who has a season ERA of 4.00 while allowing 24 hits, 12 runs, and 10 while delivering 31 strikeouts in 27 innings. The Astros are fourth in the AL in strikeouts accounted for this season at 244.

The batting for the Astros has been getting throughout the month of April. Now is the time for the young batters of Houston to get more confidence behind the plate against the quality pitching of Philadelphia.

San Francisco Giants vs San Diego Padres

• Time: 6:05 PM E.T.
• Starting Pitchers: Sean Manaea (SF) vs Joe Musgrove (SD) 
• Moneyline: Giants (+150) | Padres (-175)
• Run Line: Giants +1.5 (-115) | Padres -1.5 (+105)
• Total: Over 15 (-100) | Under 15 (-100)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

My Pick: San Diego Padres (SD)

This Saturday, April 29th starts a new exciting series played on a neutral site between the San Diego Padres (13-14) and the San Francisco Giants (11-14) in the Mexico City Series. This season has not gone the way that both the Padres and the Giants have wanted in the month of April.

Despite being led by third baseman Manny Machado and left-fielder Juan Soto, the batting for the Padres has been hugely disappointing. Through 27 games this season, San Diego has ranked last in the NL in hits accounted for (187), seventh in strikeouts (236), last in batting average (.215), and 14th in on-base percentage (..301). Even with the addition of right-fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. coming back from his suspension, the Padres’ rhythm at the plate is horrid.

The Giants are in a similar position in their batting game as they have not found an impressive rhythm in an underwhelming roster. San Francisco ranks 10th in runs accounted for (111), 10th in hits accounted for (207), last in strikeouts this season (266), and 12th in batting average (.240).

San Francisco will be starting Sean Manaea as a pitcher on Saturday. He hasn’t been overly impressive at the mound for the Giants by accounting for a season ERA of 16.1. Having Manaea at the mound is not usually an advantage, but he certainly has more pitching experience than Padres’ Joe Musgrove, who has only pitched in five innings this season.

In the end, it is a talent that eventually finds its way to shape and mold the more complete team. That is team is San Diego. If and when the Padres develop a solid rhythm at the plate, they will be a dangerous team.

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