Contributing Writer

Top picks to win the US Open Tennis Championships: Best bets, sleepers and value plays

The final major of the 2024 tennis season starts Monday.

The Latest: Jannik Sinner is the world’s No. 1 ranked player and he’s my best bet to win the US Open due to his successful history on hard courts. On the women’s side, I’m taking Iga Swiatek to win despite her coming up short in the last few tournaments.

Check out my top US Open picks for the 2024 tennis tournament.

US Open picks

Visit full US Open betting markets.

Best bet to win: Jannik Sinner (+350)

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There are three big names atop the odds board: Carlos Alcaraz (+190), Novak Djokovic (+210), and Sinner (+350).

I’m not backing the Italian purely on the fact that he has the widest odds. I also like his stats on outdoor hard surfaces this year and throughout his career.

He’s 23-2 on hard courts in 2024 which is his best of any surface. Sinner is 48-5 overall and is currently the No. 1 ranked player in the world entering the competition.

So why is he not the favourite? Firstly, he’s 0-2 against Alcaraz this year, but both matches were contested on clay. Sinner won the previous two meetings on hard courts.

He also got a win on the outdoor hard courts against Djokovic this year and is coming off a tournament win at the Cincinnati Open which is played on the same surface.

I would likely be on Sinner if all three guys had the same odds but with the added value, I see it as a no-brainer to back the Italian.

Top value play

Daniil Medvedev (+1,600): Medvedev is having a strong season. He’s 35-13 in 2024 and 18-6 on hard courts. He has been struggling recently but can beat anyone in the world if he can find his top form.

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The Russian is 11-9 in 2024 against top-10 opponents. He has wins over Sinner and Alexander Zvevev, two of the four athletes with shorter odds than Medvedev.

He’s coming into the US Open losing out in the first round of back-to-back tournaments but his results at last year’s tournament restore my confidence.

Medvedev beat Alcaraz in straight sets en route to the final where he ultimately lost to the 2023 champ, Djokovic.

Top sleeper pick

Alex De Minaur (+9,000): He hasn’t seen action since Wimbledon but I believe in the talent De Minaur showed earlier in the season.

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The Australian is 36-12 this year with a 15-5 record on hard courts. He has wins over Djokovic, Zverev, Rublev, Ruud and Tsitsipas on the surface. All those mentioned athletes are ranked inside the top 11 of the US Open.

Luckily for De Minaur, he’s been placed in Section 4 and wouldn’t see any of these competitors until at least the quarterfinals.

That would give him plenty of time to build back from his hip injury and be in top form heading into the tougher matchups.

Top US Open picks: Women’s tournament

Best bet to win: Iga Swiatek (+350)

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Swiatek is usually the favourite heading into most tournaments but that’s not the case at the US Open.

The favourite, Aryna Sabalenka (+240), beat the Pole in straight sets on August 18 in the Cincinnati Open, justifying the odds. I’m happy looking past recency bias, however, and taking the value on the world’s No. 1 ranked player.

In 2024, Swiatek is 55-7 with a 25-4 record on hard courts. She is 8-4 head-to-head in her career against Sabalenka and has won 19-of-29 total sets played between the two.

Switaek’s won four WTA 1000 events this season and one Grand Slam tournament (French Open).

Last year’s winner Coco Gauff doesn’t compare to Swiatek or Sabalenka when it comes to recent success. Gauff’s lost two of her last three matches and three of her last six. All of which were played on a hard court.

With those results, I can’t get behind her repeating at 8-to-1 odds and much prefer the value on Swiatek.

Top value play

Elena Rybakina (+1,000)

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Rybakina is a great player who’s fallen short of winning any WTA 1000 events or majors this season. But her stats rival any of the world’s top players.

She’s 40-9 in 2024 with a 22-5 record on hard courts. She has a win and a loss over both Swiatek and Sabalenka this year, all on this playing surface.

Therefore, I know he has the skills to beat any competitor but the consistency is what has been lacking.

Rybakina has won just one Grand Slam tournament in her career (2022 Wimbledon) but has an overall record of 47-18 (72%) in majors. She knows how to win but can’t seem to get it done in big games but at 10-to-1, I’ll back her talent every time.

Top sleeper pick

Emma Navarro (+5,000)

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Navarro does her best work on hard courts. In 2024, she’s 26-10.

At 23 years old, a bet here is relying more on potential than results but that’s what bettors need to look for when digging for sleepers.

If Navarro was going to break out and win her first career major, I’d like to believe it’d be at the US Open on her favourite surface. For context, she’s played more games this season on hard courts (36) than clay and grass combined (31).

She reached at least the third round in every major this season after failing to get past the second round in any Grand Slam tournament prior to 2024.

The American is having a breakout season on tour and there wouldn’t be a better cap it off than with a US Open win on home soil.

US Open picks made at 10:26 am on 08/24/24

MLB parlay picks Aug. 24: Expect Dodgers, Royals and Tigers to win as part of +380 ticket

Saturday’s MLB parlay consists of two moneyline picks and one wager on a run line.

The pregame narrative: The Los Angeles Dodgers have a prime pitching matchup to take advantage of so I’m backing them to win. Also, take the Kansas City Royals to beat the Philadelphia Phillies and The Detroit Tigers to cover their run line against the Chicago White Sox.

Check out the best MLB parlay picks for Saturday, August 24.

MLB parlay picks

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Parlay: Dodgers moneyline + Royals moneyline + Tigers -1.5 (+380)

Dodgers moneyline (-200): Whenever L.A. has a matchup as enticing as today’s, the moneyline is an automatic addition to the parlay.

The Tampa Bay Rays will send Taj Bradley out to try and deal with the Dodgers’ potent offence. I don’t like his chances.

When looking at Bradley’s advanced analytics on Baseball Savant, two stats jumped off the page:

91.1 average exit velocity (third percentile)
10.15 barrel percentage (ninth percentile)

On top of that, he’s been struggling lately. Over his last four starts (21.0 IP), Bradley has given up 18 earned runs which includes five homers.

The Dodgers have hit the third most home runs this season (174) and I like Ohtani and Co.’s chances of doing damage tonight.

Clayton Kershaw gets the start for L.A. and seems to be getting back to form since returning from injury. He’s thrown 16.1 innings over his last three starts and allowed just two runs.

Other parlay picks

Royals moneyline (-107): Yesterday, the Royals beat the Phillies behind a pitching advantage and I expect much of the same tonight.

Ranger Suarez has been dominant throughout the season (10-5, 2.87 ERA) for Philadelphia but I have reason to believe he will struggle in this start.

He’s making his first appearance since missing just over a month with back soreness and his results before being listed on the injured list were not pretty.

In five starts between June 25 and July 22, Suarez gave up 22 earned runs in 27 IP. That equals a 6.67 ERA over that span.

It’s also odd that he didn’t make any rehab starts before being activated and given a start. This will be his first game action in over a month and he will likely be on a pitch count even if things go well.

Kansas City sends Brady Singer to the mound and I have much more confidence in him to produce an efficient outing.

He’s boasting a 3.18 ERA and has given up three or fewer earned runs in 19 of 25 starts this season.

Tigers -1.5 (-137): I had to find a way to get the Tigers involved behind Tarik Skubal.

The left-handed ace has a 14-4 record and a 2.49 ERA. Today, he has the luxury of facing the White Sox.

Chicago ranks last in runs scored per game (3.1), OBP (.277), SLG (.344) and second last in hits per game (7.3). The offence is terrible and is a big reason for the side having a 31-98 record.

The White Sox start Ky Bush opposite Skubal. The rookie has a decent 3.68 ERA through three career starts but his 1.84 WHIP leaves great concern.

Bush has walked 14 batters in 14.2 IP. Eventually, the foundations got to crack.

Detroit’s last eight losses were by two or more runs.

Picks made at 1:25 p.m. on 08/24/24.

MLB parlay picks Aug. 24: Expect Dodgers, Royals and Tigers to win as part of +410 ticket

Saturday’s MLB parlay consists of two moneyline picks and one wager on a run line.

The pregame narrative: The Los Angeles Dodgers have a prime pitching matchup to take advantage of so I’m backing them to win. Also, take the Kansas City Royals to beat the Philadelphia Phillies and The Detroit Tigers to cover their run line against the Chicago White Sox.

Check out the best MLB parlay picks for Saturday, August 24.

MLB parlay picks

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Parlay: Dodgers moneyline + Royals moneyline + Tigers -1.5 (+410)

Dodgers moneyline (-200): Whenever L.A. has a matchup as enticing as today’s, the moneyline is an automatic addition to the parlay.

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The Tampa Bay Rays will send Taj Bradley out to try and deal with the Dodgers’ potent offence and I don’t like his chances.

When looking at Bradley’s advanced analytics on Baseball Savant, two stats jumped off the page:

91.1 average exit velocity (third percentile)
10.15 barrel percentage (ninth percentile)

On top of that, he’s been struggling lately. Over his last four starts (21.0 IP), Bradley has given up 18 earned runs which includes five homers.

The Dodgers have hit the third most home runs this season (174) and I like Ohtani and Co.’s chances of doing damage tonight.

Clayton Kershaw gets the start for L.A. and seems to be getting back to form since returning from injury. He’s thrown 16.1 innings over his last three starts and allowed just two runs.

Other parlay picks

Royals moneyline (-107): Yesterday, the Royals beat the Phillies behind a pitching advantage and I expect much of the same tonight.

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Ranger Suarez has been dominant throughout the season (10-5, 2.87 ERA) for Philadelphia but I have reason to believe he will struggle in this start.

He’s making his first appearance since missing just over a month with back soreness and his results before being listed on the injured list were not pretty.

In five starts between June 25 and July 22, Suarez gave up 22 earned runs in 27 IP. That equals a 6.67 ERA over that span.

It’s also odd that he didn’t make any rehab starts before being activated and given a start. This will be his first game action in over a month and he will likely be on a pitch count even if things go well.

Kansas City sends Brady Singer to the mound and I have much more confidence in him to produce an efficient outing.

He’s boasting a 3.18 ERA and has given up three or fewer earned runs in 19 of 25 starts this season.

Tigers -1.5 (-137): I had to find a way to get the Tigers involved behind Tarik Skubal.

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The left-handed ace has a 14-4 record and a 2.49 ERA. Today, he has the luxury of facing the White Sox.

Chicago ranks last in runs scored per game (3.1), OBP (.277), SLG (.344) and second last in hits per game (7.3). The offence is terrible and is a big reason for the side having a 31-98 record.

The White Sox start Ky Bush opposite Skubal. The rookie has a decent 3.68 ERA through three career starts but his 1.84 WHIP leaves great concern.

Bush has walked 14 batters in 14.2 IP. Eventually, the foundations got to crack.

Detroit’s last eight losses have come by two or more runs.

Picks made at 12:54 a.m. on 08/24/24.

MLB parlay picks Aug. 23: Take Kansas City to win in +449 ticket

One moneyline favourite and the opposite sides of two game totals make up Friday’s MLB parlay picks.

The pregame narrative: The Kansas City Royals have a pitching advantage over the Philadelphia Phillies that I’m looking to exploit. Also, fade offence in the Milwaukee Brewers and Oakland Athletics game while backing the over in the San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners matchup.

Check out the best MLB parlay picks for Friday, August 23.

MLB parlay picks

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Parlay: Royals moneyline + Brewers/Athletics under 8.5 runs + Giants/Mariners over 7 runs (+400)

Royals moneyline (-143): Kansas City has a tough opponent in Philadelphia, but I want to highlight Phillies’ starter Taijuan Walker’s recent struggles.

Walker (3-4, 5.69 ERA) hasn’t been great in his shortened season. He’s given up three or more earned runs in six of his last seven starts.

I don’t like his chances of having a strong outing against the Royals’ offence.

Kansas City is top-five in runs per game (5.2) and has been even better over the last 12 games, scoring 6.0 runs per game. The side is 8-4 over that frame.

Michael Wacha (10-6, 3.33 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals, which gives me added confidence in taking their moneyline.

Philadelphia is a tough matchup but Wacha has been one of the best pitchers in the majors since May 9. He is 11-4 over that span with a 2.42 ERA. He held opponents to two or fewer earned runs in 11 of those 13 starts.

Other parlay picks

Brewers/Athletics under 8.5 runs (-163): I expect both starting pitchers to do enough to keep the score low in this game.

Let’s start with Brewers’ starter Aaron Civale (4-8, 4.78 ERA). He’s been rather unimpressive this season but has more than his fair share of quality starts and there’s potential for another tonight.

He’s coming off a strong outing against the Cleveland Guardians who field a more threatening lineup than the Athletics. Civale gave up just four hits and no runs through six innings of work.

In a small 15-plate-appearance sample size, Oakland’s bats have two hits off Civale with five strikeouts.

JP Sears (10-8, 4.15 ERA) gets the start for the Athletics and he’s had four straight strong showings. He’s pitched seven-plus innings in each of those games, giving up just five runs total.

The Brewers’ offence is a lot to handle but six of their last seven games have stayed under this total. That includes yesterday’s 3-0 shutout loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Giants/Mariners over 7 runs (-120): Now that the less exciting leg is done, let’s close out the ticket with the more exciting play, an over.

Luis Castillo (10-12, 3.51 ERA) starts for Seattle and he’s the better pitcher in this matchup. But I still think the Giants can contribute a few runs to the total.

Over Castillo’s last four starts, he gave up three or more runs three times. If San Fran can get on the board even with even a few scores, it would be hugely beneficial in cashing the over on this low total.

The Giants counter by starting rookie Hayden Birdsong (3-3, 5.01 ERA).

The 22-year-old started the year strong but has allowed 13 earned runs over his last three starts (11.0 innings).

Birdsong struggles with walks, ranking in the eighth percentile for walk rate (12.4%), according to Baseball Savant.

Allowing free base runners gives ample opportunity for opponents to drive in runs.

Picks made at 1:55 p.m. on 08/23/24.

MLB parlay picks Aug. 23: Take Kansas City to win in +449 ticket

One moneyline favourite and the opposite sides of two game totals make up Friday’s MLB parlay picks.

The pregame narrative: The Kansas City Royals have a pitching advantage over the Philadelphia Phillies that I’m looking to exploit. Also, fade offence in the Milwaukee Brewers and Oakland Athletics game while backing the over in the San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners matchup.

Check out the best MLB parlay picks for Friday, August 23.

MLB parlay picks

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Parlay: Royals moneyline + Brewers/Athletics under 8.5 runs + Giants/Mariners over 7 runs (+449)

Royals moneyline (-132): Kansas City has a tough opponent in Philadelphia, but I want to highlight Phillies’ starter Taijuan Walker’s recent struggles.

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Walker (3-4, 5.69 ERA) hasn’t been great in his shortened season. He’s given up three or more earned runs in six of his last seven starts.

I don’t like his chances of having a strong outing against the Royals’ offence.

Kansas City is top-five in runs per game (5.2) and has been even better over the last 12 games, scoring 6.0 runs per game. The side is 8-4 over that frame.

Michael Wacha (10-6, 3.33 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals, which gives me added confidence in taking their moneyline.

Philadelphia is a tough matchup but Wacha has been one of the best pitchers in the majors since May 9. He is 11-4 over that span with a 2.42 ERA. He held opponents to two or fewer earned runs in 11 of those 13 starts.

Other parlay picks

Brewers/Athletics under 8.5 runs (-148): I expect both starting pitchers to do enough to keep the score low in this game.

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Let’s start with Brewers’ starter Aaron Civale (4-8, 4.78 ERA). He’s been rather unimpressive this season but has more than his fair share of quality starts and there’s potential for another tonight.

He’s coming off a strong outing against the Cleveland Guardians who field a more threatening lineup than the Athletics. Civale gave up just four hits and no runs through six innings of work.

In a small 15-plate-appearance sample size, Oakland’s bats have two hits off Civale with five strikeouts.

JP Sears (10-8, 4.15 ERA) gets the start for the Athletics and he’s had four straight strong showings. He’s pitched seven-plus innings in each of those games, giving up just five runs total.

The Brewers’ offence is a lot to handle but six of their last seven games have stayed under this total. That includes yesterday’s 3-0 shutout loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Giants/Mariners over 7 runs (-120): Now that the less exciting leg is done, let’s close out the ticket with the more exciting play, an over.

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Luis Castillo (10-12, 3.51 ERA) starts for Seattle and he’s the better pitcher in this matchup. But I still think the Giants can contribute a few runs to the total.

Over Castillo’s last four starts, he gave up three or more runs three times. If San Fran can get on the board even with even a few scores, it would be hugely beneficial in cashing the over on this low total.

The Giants counter by starting rookie Hayden Birdsong (3-3, 5.01 ERA).

The 22-year-old started the year strong but has allowed 13 earned runs over his last three starts (11.0 innings).

Birdsong struggles with walks, ranking in the eighth percentile for walk rate (12.4%), according to Baseball Savant.

Allowing free base runners gives ample opportunity for opponents to drive in runs.

Picks made at 11:25 a.m. on 08/23/24.

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Aug. 23 MLB odds, schedule and matchups: Sale starts for Atlanta amidst wild-card race

Every MLB team is in action tonight so let’s evaluate the matchups.

The latest: The AL East is heating up with both the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles closing in on 80 wins. In the NL, Chris Sale is starting to run away as the CY Young favourite. He’s in action against the Washington Nationals this evening as the Atlanta Braves aim to hold onto the final wild-card spot.

Check out the latest MLB odds for Friday, Aug. 23.

MLB odds: Aug. 23

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Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

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Colorado Rockies vs. New York Yankees

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Houston Astros vs. Baltimore Orioles

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Los Angeles Angels vs. Toronto Blue Jays

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Texas Rangers vs. Cleveland Guardians

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Chicago Cubs vs. Miami Marlins

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Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Boston Red Sox

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Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves

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St. Louis Cardinals vs. Minnesota Twins

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Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago White Sox

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Philadelphia Phillies vs. Kansas City Royals

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Milwaukee Brewers vs, Oakland Athletics

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New York Mets vs. San Diego Padres

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San Francisco Giants vs. Seattle Mariners

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Tampa Bay Rays vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

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Betting insights

How good is the AL East? Baltimore looks for its 75th win of the season but still sits one and a half games back of New York. The Orioles are in tough hosting the Astros, however. The visitors are 12-3 in their last 15 games. Baltimore sends Cade Povich to the mound (1-6, 5.77 ERA) and Houston responds with Hunter Brown (11-7, 3.82 ERA).

The Yankees should have an easier time hosting the Rockies. Colorado allows the most runs per game (5.8) in MLB and holds a 47-81 record. With New York’s explosive offence and Carlos Rodon (13-8, 4.34 ERA) starting, it makes sense why New York is just shy of a 3-to-1 favourite.

Texas and Cleveland provide one of the more exciting pitching matchups on Friday. The Guardians send Tanner Bibee to the mound (10-5, 3.33 ERA) while the Rangers counter with Nathan Eovaldi (8-7, 3.76 ERA). This game carries a low 7.5-run game total.

Isn’t it crazy to think Chris Sale (14-3, 2.62 ERA) is having the third-best season of his career at the age of 35? He’s now up to a -550 favourite to bring home the NL CY Young and has a chance to build on his dominant campaign tonight against the Nationals.

CFL Week 12 picks and predictions: Fade offence as Rourke, Lions face Redblacks

The CFL season is chugging along as Week 12 kicks off Thursday.

The pregame narrative: The Ottawa Redblacks and BC Lions field two of the league’s worst offences. Therefore, the under on the total in that game is my best bet. Also, back the streaking Edmonton Elks to keep it close against the Montreal Alouettes.

Check out the best CFL Week 12 picks for August 22-25.

CFL Week 12 picks

Best Bet: Lions/Redblacks under 49.5 points (-110)

BC puts up the third-fewest points per game in the league and is coming off a disastrous offensive performance in Week 11.

The Lions lost 20-11 to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at home in Nathan Rourke’s return to the team. He threw 8-for-25 with no touchdowns and two interceptions.

Starting a quarterback coming fresh off an offseason midway through a campaign is never a good idea … but does BC have a better option? The offence scored 16 points in the previous two weeks combined.

As for Ottawa, it scores the second-fewest points per game (227). The side is 6-2-1, however, due to some solid defensive play and strong home results.

At home this season, the Redblacks are 4-0-1 and their average game total is 41.0 points.

Key stat: All five games played in Ottawa this season have gone under this number.

Quick pick

Elks +6.5 (-118)

The Elks sit in last place in the Western Conference (3-7), but there’s reason to believe they are better than their record indicates.

Edmonton has lost six times by a single-digit margin and has covered this spread in five of seven losses. That’s not usually the case for a 3-7 team.

One of those close defeats came at the hands of this week’s opponent, the 9-1 Montreal Alouettes (a 23-20 loss in Week 2).

In addition, the Elks’ three wins have come consecutively over the past three weeks. They beat the Roughriders by 12, the Lions by 17 and the Ti-Cats by 15.

Two of those three wins came on the road and I expect them to ride that momentum into Montreal to keep the game close. Who knows, a win may also be in the cards.

Picks made at 4:38 p.m. ET on 08/20/24.

CFL Week 12 picks and predictions: Fade offence as Rourke, Lions face Redblacks

The CFL season is chugging along as Week 12 kicks off Thursday.

The pregame narrative: The Ottawa Redblacks and BC Lions field two of the league’s worst offences. Therefore, the under on the total in that game is my best bet. Also, back the streaking Edmonton Elks to keep it close against the Montreal Alouettes.

Check out the best CFL Week 12 picks for August 22-25.

CFL Week 12 picks

Best Bet: Lions/Redblacks under 50.5 points (-110)

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BC puts up the third-fewest points per game in the league and is coming off a disastrous offensive performance in Week 11.

The Lions lost 20-11 to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at home in Nathan Rourke’s return to the team. He threw 8-for-25 with no touchdowns and two interceptions.

Starting a quarterback coming fresh off an offseason midway through a campaign is never a good idea … but does BC have a better option? The offence scored 16 points in the previous two weeks combined.

As for Ottawa, it scores the second-fewest points per game (227). The side is 6-2-1, however, due to some solid defensive play and strong home results.

At home this season, the Redblacks are 4-0-1 and their average game total is 41.0 points.

Key stat: All five games played in Ottawa this season have gone under this number.

Quick pick

Elks +6.5 (-110)

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The Elks sit in last place in the Western Conference (3-7), but there’s reason to believe they are better than their record indicates.

Edmonton has lost six times by a single-digit margin and has covered this spread in five of seven losses. That’s not usually the case for a 3-7 team.

One of those close defeats came at the hands of this week’s opponent, the 9-1 Montreal Alouettes (a 23-20 loss in Week 2).

In addition, the Elks’ three wins have come consecutively over the past three weeks. They beat the Roughriders by 12, the Lions by 17 and the Ti-Cats by 15.

Two of those three wins came on the road and I expect them to ride that momentum into Montreal to keep the game close. Who knows, a win may also be in the cards.

Picks made at 1:58 p.m. ET on 08/20/24.

Best MLB prop bets Aug. 20: Back Judge, Perez and Wheeler on Tuesday

Tuesday’s MLB prop bets target three stars at plus-money odds in promising matchups.

The pregame narrative: I’m picking Aaron Judge and Salvador Perez to have productive days at the plate, while Zack Wheeler should be able to rack up strikeouts against the Atlanta Braves.

Find out why in the best MLB prop bets for Aug. 20.

MLB prop bets

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Best bet: Judge over 1.5 bases (+100)

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Judge doesn’t see this kind of price often, so I’m jumping all over it.

The odds-on AL MVP favourite isn’t showing any signs of slowing down, cashing this wager in six of his last seven games.

Tonight, the Guardians send Matthew Boyd to the mound. He’s making his second start of the season after spending over a year on the injured list.

In his first outing, Boyd held the Cubs to one earned run on three hits in 5.1 innings. I’m skeptical, though, that we’ll see a similarly dominant effort tonight.

The 33-year-old has a 4.92 ERA across 161 career MLB starts. That leads me to believe that his first post-IL start was more of a good day than a showcase of what’s to come.

Judge has faced Boyd eight times in the past but only has three official at-bats due to drawing five walks.

To me, that’s a good sign that Judge sees Boyd well and has a prime opportunity to do damage tonight.

Key stat: Judge has totalled 15 bases in his last five games.

Quick picks

Perez over 0.5 RBI (+118): The long-time Royals catcher has fashioned another all-star campaign thanks to his production at the plate.

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Perez is slashing .278/.336/.472 with 22 homers and 85 RBI. He’s driven in runs at a high clip recently, with 10 RBI over his last nine games.

That brings me to Angels starter Tyler Anderson (9-11, 3.30). He has good stats this season, but Perez has succeeded against him in the past.

Perez is 5-for-17 (.294) with four extra-base hits and a .647 SLG.

The other part of this equation is the fact that Perez hits behind Bobby Witt Jr. The Royals shortstop leads MLB in hits (174) and runs (108). Witt reaches base frequently and is a big reason for his teammate’s high RBI total.

Wheeler over 7.5 strikeouts (+135): Wheeler is well seasoned against the Braves’ offence.

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In a whopping 265 plate appearances, Atlanta’s lineup has just 55 hits and Wheeler along with 79 strikeouts. That equates to a 29.8% K rate for Wheeler against the Braves.

The Phillies ace has cleared this line in two of his last three starts and boasts a 9.8 K/9 (12th-highest in MLB).

This is a high number for any pitcher to clear. But at +132, I’m willing to take the risk on Wheeler.

Picks made at 12:52 p.m. ET on 08/20/2024.

Aug. 20 MLB odds, schedule and matchups: Zack Wheeler continues dominant season vs. Braves

All 30 teams take the field for Tuesday’s loaded MLB schedule.

The latest: The Philadelphia Phillies have won four of five games heading into their matchup with the Atlanta Braves and have the benefit of sending Zack Wheeler to the mound.

Check out the latest MLB odds for Tuesday, Aug. 20.

MLB odds: Aug. 20

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Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Miami Marlins

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Colorado Rockies vs. Washington Nationals

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Cleveland Guardians vs. New York Yankees

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Cincinnati Reds vs. Toronto Blue Jays

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Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Mets

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Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves

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Milwaukee Brewers vs. St. Louis Cardinals

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Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Texas Rangers

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Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago Cubs

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Los Angeles Angels vs. Kansas City Royals

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Boston Red Sox vs. Houston Astros

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Tampa Bay Rays vs. Oakland Athletics

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Minnesota Twins vs. San Diego Padres

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Chicago White Sox vs. San Francisco Giants

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Seattle Mariners vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

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Betting insights

Wheeler (12-5, 2.72 ERA) has been on fire for the Phillies over his last three starts. He’s pitched 20 innings and given up just three earned runs while recording 23 Ks. Today, he faces Reynaldo Lopez (7-4, 2.06) in a premium pitching matchup at Atlanta’s Truist Park.

Watch out, the Royals are heating up. The winners of five straight are now tied with the Twins for second in the AL Central — 2.5 games back of the Guardians for the top spot. In a game against the Angels today, Kansas City will send breakout starter Cole Ragans (10-7, 3.18) to the mound to face Tyler Anderson (9-11, 3.30).

Speaking of the Twins, they have their hands full today with the Padres, who enter the contest on a 12-3 run. Minnesota will have the pitching advantage, starting Bailey Ober (12-5, 3.49 ERA) opposite San Diego’s Martin Perez (3-5, 4.62).

The Guardians and Yankees square off in the Bronx. Matthew Boyd (0-0, 1.69 ERA) makes his second start of the season for Cleveland after spending over a year on the injured list. New York sends Luis Gil (12-6, 3.26 ERA) to the mound. The rookie is having a great season but is coming off a start where he allowed four runs to the White Sox.