Best MLB Bets Today | MLB Picks, June 14

Philadelphia Phillies vs Arizona Diamondbacks

• Time: 9:40 EST
• Starting Pitchers: Ranger Suarez (PHI) vs Merrill Kelly (ARI)
• Moneyline: Phillies +118 - Diamondbacks -140
• Run Line: Phillies +1.5 (-165) - Diamondbacks -1.5 (+140)
• Total: Over 8.5 (-115) - Under 8.5 (-105)

Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook

My Pick: Diamondbacks ML

The Diamondbacks saw their six-game winning streak end at the hands of the Phillies on Tuesday. But the NL West leaders are poised to bounce back quickly. Going back to the end of May, the D’Backs have won 12 of their last 15 games. They also have one of their aces Merrill Kelly on the mound Wednesday. Meanwhile, despite Tuesday’s win, the Phillies are just 14-23 on the road this season and 14-21 against teams with a winning record. Ranger Suarez on the mound doesn’t inspire much confidence either, making Arizona a safe bet to get back to winning on Wednesday.

To his credit, Suarez has allowed just two runs on 12 hits over 13 innings across his last two starts. But even those two gems have only lowered his ERA to 4.70 over his first six starts of the season. He’s also facing an Arizona lineup that cooled off a little on Tuesday but averaged eight runs per game during the team’s six-game winning streak. Corbin Carroll remains red-hot, batting .520 with a 1.811 OPS in his last six games. The likes of Ketel Marte, Emmanuel Rivera, and Christian Walker are also in the midst of a hot streak, so this lineup could be too much for Suarez to handle.

Of course, the Diamondbacks may not even need a lot of runs with Kelly on the mound. He’s 8-3 with a 2.92 ERA this year with Arizona winning the last five games he’s started and seven of the last eight. In fact, Kelly has been the winning pitcher in each of his last five starts, allowing two earned runs or less in four of those five starts and going at least 6.1 innings in four of those five appearances. Obviously, the Phillies are capable of scoring runs too and have started to heat up. But they can still be vulnerable against quality pitching, giving Arizona the edge in Wednesday’s game.

Tampa Bay Rays vs Oakland Athletics

• Time: 9:40 EST
• Starting Pitchers: Tyler Glasnow (TB) vs Luis Medina (OAK)
• Moneyline: Rays -292  - Athletics +235
• Run Line: Rays -1.5 (-160) - Athletics +1.5 (+135)
• Total: Over 8.5 (-105) - Under 8.5 (-115)

Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook

My Pick: Rays -1.5

Something weird is happening in Oakland. The A’s have won seven in a row, even taking the first two games of their series with the Tampa Bay Rays. But one good week doesn’t erase a whole season of the A’s being terrible and the Rays being amazing. Order is bound to be restored on Wednesday with Tampa sending Tyler Glasnow to the mound while the A’s give Luis Medina the start.

Good pitching has been key to Oakland’s winning streak, but that may not continue with Medina on Wednesday. 

The 24-year-old has plenty of potential, although he is also 1-5 with a 7.53 ERA over five starts and two relief appearances this year. He’s striking out batters at a high rate but has otherwise struggled. That doesn’t bode well for his chances against a Tampa lineup that’s likely to send multiple players to the All-Star Game. While the Rays have been quiet during the first two games of this series, they’ve still scored at least four runs in nine of their 12 games this month, so they should be able to break out against Medina.

If Tampa can put a few runs on the board, they should be in good shape with Glasnow on the mound. 

While he’s made just three starts this year after being on the IL until late May, Glasnow owns a 2.87 ERA. Over his last two starts, Glasnow has pitched 11.1 innings, conceding just two runs on five hits, albeit with six walks. Even an Oakland lineup that has some confidence isn’t likely to fare well against Glasnow, who shut down the AL West-leading Rangers in his last start. With Glasnow on the mound for Tampa and Medina likely to struggle, the Rays should restore order to the universe with a lopsided win in Oakland.

Chicago White Sox vs Los Angeles Dodgers

• Time: 8:40 EST
• Starting Pitchers: Mike Clevinger (CHW) vs Clayton Kershaw (LAD) 
• Moneyline: White Sox +228 - Dodgers -285
• Run Line: White Sox +1.5 (+115) - Dodgers -1.5 (-135)
• Total: Over 8.5 (-120) - Under 8.5 (+100)

Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook

My Pick: Dodgers -1.5

After showing some signs of life earlier this month, the White Sox have lost three in a row after dropping their series opener Tuesday in Los Angeles. They now have to hope Mike Clevinger can help to snap that losing streak against Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers on Wednesday. Even if the Dodgers have had some issues lately, they’re still 21-10 at home this season whereas the White Sox are 12-22 on the road. Los Angeles is also a safe bet with Kersahw on the mound, which should lead to a comfortable win on Wednesday.

Clevinger has had some ups and downs this year, although his 4.19 ERA and 1.38 WHIP are respectable. However, the White Sox have only won three of his last nine starts. He’s also been hit hard in his career by Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez, and Max Muncy. That trio is a combined 16 for 33 (.485) with five extra-base hits in their careers against Clevinger. That doesn't even account for Freddie Freeman, who is red-hot once again, batting .400 over his last six games. Plus, the Dodgers are averaging 5.9 runs per game over their last seven games. Given the history their best hitters have against Clevinger, they are set up to have a good night on Wednesday.

If the Dodgers can give Kershaw decent run support, they should be in good shape. In his two June starts, Kershaw has allowed two runs on nine hits over 14 innings, striking out 18 in the process. Los Angeles is also 9-4 in his starts this season. Plus, Kershaw is facing a Chicago lineup that’s been held to nine total runs in its last five games. That’s not the type of lineup that will be pleased to be facing Kershaw. He should be able to shut down the White Sox while Clevinger struggles against the LA lineup, giving the Dodgers a chance to beat Chicago by a comfortable margin for the second straight day.

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