Best MLB Bets Today: AL Contenders Square off This Weekend

This weekend, there are a couple of great matchups between contenders in the AL. The first is a game between AL West rivals as the Astros take on the Rangers. The second features AL East rivals as the Blue Jays and Yankees meet. We’ll preview both of these games, giving you our favorite bets for each. 

If you are looking to start the MLB betting season strong, we have you covered!

Best MLB Bets Today: Astros vs. Rangers (Sat. 7:05 PM, EST)

Astros ML (-110 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

Our first matchup features two Texas rivals from the AL West. While the Rangers have had the stronger start, we like the Astros to get the road win today. One big reason for that is that they are coming off a series win against the Blue Jays. They scored 8+ runs in their two wins, showing just how dangerous their offense is. We expect a similar result today with Jon Gray on the mound for Texas.

Gray had a brutal start to the season. He only lasted 3 ⅔ innings, allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks. The start came at home, where he struggled in 2023, posting a 4.78 ERA. Gray has always been a solid arm, but he hasn’t finished with an ERA under 4.10 in three of the last four seasons. We don’t see that changing tonight against an Astros team he has a 6.63 ERA against since joining Texas.

Houston will have JP France on the mount tonight. The second-year pro was great after being thrust into the rotation last season. He went 11-6 with a 3.83 ERA but finished with a shaky 1.36 WHIP. He fell just short in his first start of 2024, allowing three runs over 5 ⅔ innings against the Yankees. We like France to deliver a strong start tonight as he faces a Texas team he dominated at home in 2023. France threw seven scoreless innings, allowing five hits and a couple of walks.

Best MLB Bets Today: Blue Jays vs. Yankees (Sat. 7:05 PM, EST)

Blue Jays ML (-105 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

After a hot start to the season, the Yankees have come back down to Earth. They have lost two of their last three games and been shut out in both. That includes a 3-0 loss to Toronto yesterday. Now New York will need to try to turn things around with the Jays ace on the mound, leading us to bet on Toronto to get the win. 

Kevin Gausman will be on the mound for the Blue Jays tonight. The 33-year-old ace has been elite over the last five seasons, posting an ERA under 3.63 in each. The veteran is coming off one of his best seasons yet, going 12-9 with a 3.16 ERA while striking out 237. Gausman absolutely dominated the Yankees last season, going 2-0 with a 0.67 ERA over four starts. Given New York’s recent offensive struggles, we see him continuing to find success tonight.

New York will have Clarke Schmidy starting tonight. The righty served as a full-time starter for the first time in 2023, but it wasn’t pretty. He went 9-9 with a 4.64 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. The Jays shelled him at the end of last season, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks across five innings. His first start of 2024 didn’t go much better, allowing three runs and seven hits over 5 ⅓ innings against Houston. 

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