Two MLB Best Bets to Consider on Wednesday’s Busy Slate

It is going to be a busy day for Major League Baseball, with all 30 teams in action and 15 games spread across the day. The fun starts around lunchtime this afternoon and ends with the Dodgers hosting the Royals, starting at 10 p.m. EST.

So many games mean plenty of MLB betting opportunities, of course. I’m here to talk about the MLB Best Bets of the day. After reviewing the information for the day’s slate, here are my top picks:

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Athletics

Rays -1.5 at -131 (DraftKings)

Tampa Bay has taken full advantage of playing in hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park and the A’s pitching staff. It will probably be more of the same with Jack Perkins scheduled to make the start for the Athletics (2-8 with a 7.04 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, and a .260 OBA).

The A’s will find it hard to keep up with Drew Rasnusen starting for the Rays. Rasmusen is 11-5 this season in 22 starts with a 2.75 ERA, a 0.91 WHIP, and a .200 OBA. He has not allowed a run in his last three starts with seven total hits, four walks, and 27 strikeouts.

Tampa Bay beat the A’s on Monday 10-6 and yesterday, 12-4. Expect another lopsided outcome today.

Texas Rangers vs. Los Angeles Angels

If either one of these lineups is going to wake up, today might be the day. Both have been struggling at the plate; the Angels have hit just .188 over the last week and scored 17 runs across their last seven games. Texas hasn’t done too much better, hitting .213 with 24 runs across their last six.

They both appear to be going with bullpen days. The Angels are starting George Klassen (0-1 in three starts with a 7.27 ERA, a 2.88 WHIP, and a .289 OBA. Texas is going with Cal Quantrill (4-4 in 24 appearances (seven starts) with a 3.56 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP, and a .237 OBA).

My Pick: Texas -1.5 at +128

Klassen hasn’t lasted more than four innings and will likely get pulled early today as well. The Angels bullpen has a 4.38 ERA, but the damage may very well already be done by the time he gets pulled. With Quantrill, it is hard to tell; he only has seven starts in his 24 appearances and has gone as little as 2/3 of an inning up to six innings.

Look for the Rangers to jump ahead early in this one as they take advantage of Klassen’s inexperience. While I expect the Texas lineup to wake up, I can’t say the same for the Angels. They’ll close the gap once the Rangers go to the pen, but they’ll still lose by multiple runs.