Raymond Report MLB Baseball Tipsheet for Sunday, August 18th, 2024

Game Analysis and Betting Insights

Miami Marlins vs. New York Mets

• Odds: Mets -189, Miami +172 | Over/Under: 8.5
• Starting Pitchers: Valente Bellozo (MIA) vs. Paul Blackburn (NYM)
• Key Insights: Miami is on a 3-game losing streak, while the Mets have won their last two games. The Mets have a solid home record (33-31), and with Blackburn on the mound, they are favored to continue their winning ways. Miami’s struggles on the road (24-39) suggest the Mets are in a good position to cover.

Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles

• Odds: Orioles -116, Red Sox +107 | Over/Under: 9.5
• Starting Pitchers: Kutter Crawford (BOS) vs. Albert Suarez (BAL)
• Key Insights: Both teams are in neutral phases, but Baltimore’s strong home record (36-28) gives them an edge. Boston is on a 2-game winning streak, but Baltimore’s consistent performance, especially at home, makes them the safer pick.

Seattle Mariners vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

• Odds: Mariners -158, Pirates +145 | Over/Under: 8.5
• Starting Pitchers: George Kirby (SEA) vs. Jake Woodford (PIT)
• Key Insights: Seattle is on a 5-game losing streak and is facing a Pittsburgh team that has also struggled. Both teams are bearish, but Seattle’s stronger road performance (29-31) gives them a slight advantage to break their losing streak.

Washington Nationals vs. Philadelphia Phillies

• Odds: Phillies -151, Nationals +139 | Over/Under: 9.5
• Starting Pitchers: Jake Irvin (WAS) vs. Taijuan Walker (PHI)
• Key Insights: Philadelphia is on a 4-game winning streak, with a strong home record (42-22). Washington has lost their last four games, making the Phillies the clear favorites to continue their winning streak.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Tampa Bay Rays

• Odds: Rays -115, Diamondbacks +107 | Over/Under: 7.5
• Starting Pitchers: Merrill Kelly (ARI) vs. Drew Rasmussen (TB)
• Key Insights: Tampa Bay is on a 2-game winning streak and has a strong home record (33-34). Arizona has lost two in a row and faces a tough matchup against a bullish Rays team. Tampa Bay’s momentum and home advantage give them the edge.

Kansas City Royals vs. Cincinnati Reds

• Odds: Reds -107, Royals -101 | Over/Under: 9
• Starting Pitchers: Brady Singer (KC) vs. Andrew Abbott (CIN)
• Key Insights: Cincinnati has lost two straight, but they are slightly favored at home where they’ve been solid (31-33). Kansas City, on a 3-game winning streak, could make this a tight contest, but the Reds have the slight home-field advantage.

Chicago White Sox vs. Houston Astros

• Odds: Astros -350, White Sox +306 | Over/Under: 8
• Starting Pitchers: Ky Bush (CHW) vs. Framber Valdez (HOU)
• Key Insights: Houston is heavily favored, riding a bullish streak, and with Valdez on the mound, they are expected to dominate. The White Sox’s continued struggles make this a tough matchup for them.

Cleveland Guardians vs. Milwaukee Brewers

• Odds: Brewers -120, Guardians +111 | Over/Under: 8.5
• Starting Pitchers: Ben Lively (CLE) vs. Colin Rea (MIL)
• Key Insights: Milwaukee is on a 4-game winning streak and has been strong at home (37-24). Cleveland has lost two straight, making Milwaukee the likely pick to continue their winning form.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. St. Louis Cardinals

• Odds: Dodgers -101, Cardinals -107 | Over/Under: 7.5
• Starting Pitchers: Clayton Kershaw (LAD) vs. Sonny Gray (STL)
• Key Insights: The Dodgers are slight favorites on the road, but the Cardinals have been bearish recently. Kershaw’s experience could give the Dodgers the edge in this closely contested game.

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Chicago Cubs

• Odds: Cubs -178, Blue Jays +163 | Over/Under: 7
• Starting Pitchers: Bowden Francis (TOR) vs. Shota Imanaga (CHC)
• Key Insights: The Cubs have been solid at home (34-27) and are on a 2-game winning streak. Toronto has struggled, making the Cubs the favored team to keep the momentum going.

Minnesota Twins vs. Texas Rangers

• Odds: Rangers -101, Twins -107 | Over/Under: 7.5
• Starting Pitchers: Pablo Lopez (MIN) vs. Tyler Mahle (TEX)
• Key Insights: Texas has been bearish, while Minnesota has been bullish. Despite the Rangers’ struggles, their home performance (31-30) could keep this game close, but the Twins are slightly favored due to recent form.

San Diego Padres vs. Colorado Rockies

• Odds: Padres -181, Rockies +165 | Over/Under: 11.5
• Starting Pitchers: Joe Musgrove (SD) vs. Bradley Blalock (COL)
• Key Insights: San Diego is heavily favored, with a bullish trend and solid road performance. Colorado has struggled, making the Padres the likely winners in this high-scoring matchup.

Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Angels

• Odds: Braves -171, Angels +157 | Over/Under: 9.5
• Starting Pitchers: Charlie Morton (ATL) vs. Jack Kochanowicz (LAA)
• Key Insights: Atlanta is slightly favored, but their recent neutral phase could give the Angels an opportunity to compete. However, the Braves’ overall strength should carry them through.

San Francisco Giants vs. Oakland Athletics

• Odds: Giants -158, Athletics +145 | Over/Under: 7
• Starting Pitchers: Blake Snell (SF) vs. JP Sears (OAK)
• Key Insights: San Francisco is bearish but still favored against an Oakland team that has shown some fight recently. The Giants’ overall talent and Snell’s pitching could give them the edge.

New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers

• Odds: Tigers -119, Yankees +109 | Over/Under: 8
• Starting Pitchers: Marcus Stroman (NYY) vs. Tarik Skubal (DET)
• Key Insights: Detroit is bullish and has a slight home advantage. The Yankees have been neutral but could surprise, making this a potential upset pick, though the Tigers are favored.