How to Make Friday 7/6 MLB Totals Picks



Ross Benjamin shares his opinions on three MLB totals picks on Friday’s card featuring analysis and winning betting odds.

Atlanta Braves @ Milwaukee Brewers 8:10 PM ET

Game# 957-958

Atlanta Braves right-handed hurler Mike Foltynewicz has been spectacular thus far in 2018. Foltynewicz owns a superb 2.02 ERA during 16 starts. As a matter of fact, he’s been virtually untouchable thru his last 9 starts while amassing a microscopic 0.87 ERA during those appearances.

Atlanta Braves previewMilwaukee’s scheduled starting pitcher is Freddy Peralta and he’s been extremely impressive since being call up from the minors. Peralta has an outstanding 2.28 ERA and 0.87 WHIP during 5 starts. He’ll be supported by a Brewers bullpen that possesses a stellar 2.71 ERA throughout their last 7 games.

The Atlanta Braves enter today having averaged 5.0 runs scored per game this season. The Braves Mike Foltynewicz has allowed 1 earned run or less in each of his previous 3 starts. The Milwaukee bullpen has a more than respectable 3.01 ERA this year. The combination of this statistical data sets up a profitable MLB betting angle which is illustrated below.

Any National League team (Atlanta) that averages 4.7 or more runs scored per game, and their starting pitcher (Foltynewicz) has allowed 1 earned run or less in each of his previous 2 starts, versus an opponent (Milwaukee) with a bullpen ERA of 3.75 or better, resulted in those games going 50-25 (66.7%) under the total since 2014. The MLB odds at Bookmaker is showing a total of 8.0 on this game.

Pick: Under 8.0 (-120)

 

Oakland A’s (Blackburn) @ Cleveland Indians (Carrasco) 7:10 PM ET

Game# 965-966

Oakland A’s right-handed pitcher Paul Blackburn has endured his fair share of struggles in 2018. However, Blackburn was terrific in his lone start against Cleveland and it occurred just 10 days ago. During that outing, Blackburn held Cleveland scoreless while allowing just 3 hits and walking 1 in 6 1/3 innings pitched.

Cleveland Indians free pickCarlos Carrasco returns from the disabled list and will make his first start in 3 weeks. Carrasco displayed very good form thru his last 3 starts while compiling a 2.94 ERA and struck out an eye catching 23 men during 15 1/3 innings of work. Carrasco has made 5 career starts against Oakland with all of them coming since 2015, and he gathered a miniscule 0.72 WHIP when doing so. He’ll be comfortable in knowing that Cleveland’s much maligned bullpen has recorded a sparkling 2.65 ERA and 0.88 WHIP throughout the Indians previous 7 games.

Since 2016, these teams have seen 5 of 6 games played in Cleveland against one another go under the closing total. Currently, MLB betting odds at 5Dimes is listing a total of 8.5 on this American League game.

Pick: Under 8.5 (+105)

 

Colorado Rockies (Marquez) @ Seattle Mariners (Hernandez) 10:10 PM ET

Game# 979-980

Colorado MLB picksThe Colorado Rockies are slated to go with German Marquez on the mound for this evening’s interleague game at Petco Park in Seattle. Marquez has relished each opportunity to pitch anywhere this season other than his home ballpark at Coors Field in Denver. Marquez has a very good 2.94 ERA and 1.00 WHIP during 8 road starts in 2018, and only 2 of those games went over the total.

Seattle’s Felix Hernandez is certainly not the dominating pitcher that he once was. Nevertheless, “King Felix” is still assuredly better than average and at times has shown glimpses of his past lore. Hernandez has exhibited decent form over his last 4 starts by accumulating a respectable 3.52 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. He can count on a Mariners bullpen that has a combined 1.00 ERA right through its last 7 games.

Colorado has allowed 2 runs or less in 6 of their previous 8 games. Furthermore, Seattle has surrendered 2 runs or fewer during 5 of its previous 7 outings. This interleague game points toward a low scoring affair, and one of my MLB picks for today will align with precisely that thought process.

Pick: Under 8.0 (-115)

Ross Benjamin Free Pick

Ross Benjamin is a top sports analyst and one of the sports industry's most respected handicappers. Follow him on Twitter: @RossBenjamin1 or visit his website at RBWins.com


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