Best MLB Bets Today | MLB Picks, June 15

Los Angeles Angels vs Texas Rangers

• Time: 8:05 PM EST 
• Starting Pitchers: RHP Shohei Ohtani (LAA) vs RHP Nathan Eovaldi (TEX)
• Moneyline: Angels +105 | Rangers -125
• Run Line: Angels +1.5 (-195) | Rangers -1.5 (+165)
• Total: Over 8 (-120) | Under 8 (+100)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

My Pick: Rangers - 1.5 (+165 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

These two AL West teams have been heading in opposite directions recently. The Angels have one of their hottest runs going, while the Rangers have suddenly slumped. That will have many bettors avoiding the Rangers' run line tonight, but we are jumping all over it. The Rangers have proven they are one of the best teams in the league in 2023, while the Angels have been following winning streaks with extended slumps. Expect both teams to switch directions tonight, with the Rangers putting up a lopsided win. To read more about the AL West Winner Odds, check out our expert predictions.

One of the main reasons we love this bet is that Shohei Ohtani (5-2, 3.32 ERA) will be on the mound for the Angels tonight. The heavy favorite to win the 2023 AL MVP has been on an absolute tear at the plate. However, his pitching is becoming a problem. He posted a 4.06 ERA in May and has a 5.73 ERA over his two June starts. Ohtani (5-2, 3.32 ERA) is having some issues with control, leading to higher walk and hit totals than he has seen in the past. 

Ohtani’s issues on the mound will be a big problem tonight against a Rangers team that leads all of baseball in batting average, RBIs, and hits. They also have the hottest hitter in baseball in shortstop Corey Seager. The veteran has a .435 batting average and a .761 slugging percentage in June and has shown no signs of slowing down. Expect to see him take advantage of Ohtani’s issues tonight.

The other big reason we love this bet is Nathan Eovaldi (9-2, 2.49 ERA), who is having a career season at 33 years old. The veteran has become the de facto ace for this team, with Jacob deGrom out for the season. He had the best May of any pitcher, posting a 0.96 ERA over five starts (37 ⅔ innings). One of those starts came against the Angels, with Eovaldi throwing eight scoreless innings in the win. Expect to see a similar performance tonight, kicking off the Angels' impending slump.

Chicago White Sox vs Los Angeles Dodgers

• Time: 10:10 PM EST 
• Starting Pitchers: RHP Dylan Cease (CHW) vs RHP Michael Grove (LAD)
• Moneyline: White Sox +135 | Dodgers -155
• Run Line: White Sox +1.5 (-150) | Dodgers -1.5 (+130)
• Total: Over 9 (+100) | Under 9 (-120)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

My Pick: Over 9 Runs (+100 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

This is our favorite bet of the day and possibly even the week. On one side, we have a Dodgers offense that has been among the best in the league. They lead the league in home runs and are third in RBIs. It’s no surprise given their lineup, which contains All-Stars like Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and JD Martinez. They have been putting up some big run totals of late, a trend that will continue tonight.

Conversely, the White Sox offense has generally disappointed this season. They are in the bottom ten in the league in hits, home runs, and RBIs. However, they will have a great matchup on the mound tonight, with Michael Grove (0-2, 8.28 ERA) getting the start for LA. As his ERA suggests, the 26-year-old has been getting crushed all season. Over his two June starts, he has thrown nine innings, allowing 11 hits and eight runs. It doesn’t require an elite offense to take advantage of that, and we expect the White Sox will do just that tonight.

Dylan Cease (3-3, 4.38) will get the start for Chicago tonight, which is excellent news for the Dodgers. Cease has looked like a different pitcher than the one who went 14-8 with a 2.20 ERA in 2022. His elite stuff led to over 220 strikeouts in each of his previous two seasons, but he hasn’t been able to control it in 2023. His strikeout totals are way down, while his walk totals are way up, leading to a 1.34 WHIP. Control issues are a big problem when facing one of the most potent lineups in baseball. Expect Cease to put up an ugly state line before being pulled early, leading to an easy cover.

Toronto Blue Jays vs Baltimore Orioles 

• Time: 1:05 PM EST 
• Starting Pitchers: LHP Yusei Kikuchi (TOR) vs RHP Tyler Wells (BAL)
• Moneyline: Blue Jays +105 | Orioles -125
• Run Line: Blue Jays +1.5 (-180) | Orioles -1.5 (+155)
• Total: Over 9 (-110) | Under 9 (-110)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

My Pick: Orioles -1.5 (+155 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

This afternoon’s marquee matchup features two AL East rivals jockeying for playoff position. While Toronto has the better lineup, the Orioles have looked to be the better team throughout 2023. Baltimore’s record is almost 20 games over the .500 mark, putting them just four games back from the Rays. While Toronto has the potential to be great, they just haven’t looked to be in the same class as the AL East’s top two teams. With a struggling Blue Jays’ starter slated to take the mound, that won't change today.

Yusei Kikuchi (6-2, 4.34 ERA) is coming off a brutal May. He finished the month with a 5.83 ERA over six games and just one quality start. Kikuchi has been struggling with his control, leading to an ugly 1.67 WHIP last month. He has looked a bit better through his first two June starts, allowing two runs across five innings in each. He’ll have a more formidable challenge today as he faces a Baltimore team that beat him up last month. While Kikuchi limited them to three hits, he was chased from the game after allowing three runs and four walks over 4 ⅔  innings. That shows that the Orioles aren’t afraid to take walks against the struggling Kikuchi, which will lead to another rough outing tonight.

Baltimore will have Tyler Wells (5-2, 3.24 ERA) on the mound tonight. While he hasn’t been overwhelming opponents, he is quietly having the best season of his young career. He has had some issues with home runs, but he has been fantastic at limiting hits and walks, leading to an impressive 0.85 WHIP. While the Blue Jays feature a fantastic lineup, they own a combined .200 average against Wells. The Oriole starter has been his best at home this season, posting a 2.49 ERA over seven starts. We love his chances to shut down Toronto today, leading us to lock this bet in.

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