Check out the Betway Insider’s MLB picks and predictions page for the best bets throughout the 2021 season.
Los Angeles Angels to beat Kansas City Royals
The Royals won 3-2 on Tuesday to split the first two games of this series, but the Angels should have enough to take the decider.
The Halos have been impressive to start the season, winning their series against the White Sox and Blue Jays to top the AL West with a 7-4 record.
Griffin Canning will be on the mound for LA in his second start of the season. He gave up four runs on three hits over 5.1 innings in a no-decision against Toronto, allowing just one walk and fanning seven.
Canning isn’t the best that the Angels have to offer, but the key in this game lies with his opposite number.
After an impressive 2020 in which he went 5-3 with a 2.47 ERA, Brad Keller has endured a nightmare start to the season for Kansas.
The 25-year-old was withdrawn after just 1.1 innings in their season opener against Texas, giving up six earned runs on nine hits, before last just 3.1 innings against the White Sox in his next start.
He will rediscover his form at some point, but this Angels offense is raking so far this season, ranking in the top seven for average, OBP, runs and home runs.
San Diego Padres to beat Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh ambushed Blake Snell in the first inning to take a three-run lead that they never surrendered on Tuesday, winning 8-4 to level this four-game series at one-apiece.
It should be back to business as usual for the Padres on Wednesday, though, as Joe Musgrove starts for the first time since his franchise-first no-hitter against Texas last week.
Musgrove’s offseason arrival was overshadowed by those of Snell and Yu Darvish, but the San Diego native is proving to be just as important with a perfect 2-0 record so far.
Taking to the mound for the Pirates will be Tyler Anderson, who has endured a couple of tough outings to date, taking consecutive losses against the Cubs.
Pittsburgh’s offense is solid enough, but their rotation has started the season horribly, ranking towards the bottom of the league in most key statistical categories, and this could prove to be another long day for the Bucs.
The Padres possess one of the most explosive line-ups in baseball at the moment and, supported by Musgrove on the mound, they should take a 2-1 lead into Thursday’s decider.
Houston Astros to beat Detroit Tigers
The Tigers have already secured a surprise series win in Houston, following a 6-2 opener with an impressive 8-2 victory on Tuesday.
Trying to prevent a sweep at home for the Astros is Lance McCullers Jr., who has impressed in his two starts to date this season.
McCullers has given up just two runs on four hits over 10 innings pitched, striking out 13 and walking six in that time.
Keeping the ball in the park will be crucial for McCullers – Detroit’s offense rank second in MLB for home runs but towards the bottom for average and OBP.
McCullers gave up just five long balls on 11 starts for Houston last season, so a continuation of that kind of form should put the Astros in a good position.
Making his first start of the season for Detroit will be Michael Fulmer, who has not pitched more than three innings in succession since 2018 after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Houston’s offense will need to wake up a bit after a couple of sluggish performances in this series, but signs of life late in Tuesday’s loss should carry into this one.
Philadelphia Phillies to beat New York Mets
The Mets swept the double-header between these teams on Tuesday, winning 4-3 in the first and 4-0 in the second.
The Phillies will like their chances in Wednesday’s pitching match-up, though, with David Peterson getting the start for New York.
He took a loss in his first start of the season against Philadelphia last week, giving up six runs on seven hits through four. This will be a tough test against the same opposition for the talented left-hander.
Starting for the Phillies is Zack Wheeler, who is 1-1 so far this season through two games against the Atlanta Braves.
Wheeler pitched beautifully on season debut, giving up just one hit in seven complete innings with 10 strikeouts and no walks.
A repeat performance is unlikely, but the 30-year-old will be raring to go against his former club and should be able to set the foundation for a win on Wednesday.
With Jacob deGrom penned in to start the series finale on Thursday, this is Phillies best chance to avoid a sweep, and it’s worth backing them to take it.
BOOSTED TREBLE
San Diego, Houston and Philadelphia all to win
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