Docs Website

53 Years Strong! A Trusted Leader In Sports Picks, Best Bets and Predictions Since 1971.

Main Menu
MLB Series Odds with Expert Picks and Predictions

by - 4/30/2015

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton

There are a number of extended four-game series kicking things off this Thursday as we close things out in the first month of the new MLB regular season. While most bettors prefer to spend their effort handicapping the individual games, oftentimes there is some solid value in betting on the odds that Bovada releases for the series price in these matchups.

After digging deep into all the new matchups that get underway this Thursday, I have narrowed things down to my three "best bets" for Bovada's series price moneyline odds that are based on the first three games in each of these series.

Detroit Tigers (-125) vs. Kansas City Royals (-105)

The Tigers have won 15 of their first 22 games, but their lead over the surprising Royals is just half a game heading into this early-season AL Central showdown. Both teams have shown the ability to score runs with Detroit averaging 5.1 runs a game against a scoring average of 5.3 runs for Kansas City. The biggest edge heading into this series has to go to the Royals' pitching with a staff ERA of 3.20, which is ranked second in the American League. The Tigers team ERA through Wednesday's game is seventh in AL at 3.86.

The slight edge in Thursday's Game 1 of this series also goes to Kansas City as a -110 home favorite with Danny Duffy getting the start for the Royals while Alfredo Simon will be on the mound for Detroit. However, recent betting trends favor the Tigers with victories in eight of the last 11 meetings overall, and they are 8-2 in their last 10 road games against the Royals. Kansas City is off to a great start. However, I am going with Detroit to win at least two of the first three games in this series as the better overall team in this division clash.

Chicago White Sox (-135) vs. Minnesota Twins (+105)

Chicago won the first series this season against the Twins 2-1 at home, but overall it is just 2-7 in nine road games this season heading into Thursday's series opener. The White Sox do have a huge edge to win Game 1 as -160 road favorites with left-hander Chris Sale on the mound. Through three previous starts he has an ERA of 2.37 and a 1.11 WHIP. Minnesota will counter with Trevor May, who has been lit up a bit with a 4.91 ERA in his first three starts. It also helps that Chicago is 5-0 against the Twins in Sales last five starts.

Both of these AL Central foes have had issues at the plate as the bottom two teams in the AL in runs scored. The Twins have picked up the pace in their last five games with an average of 5.2 runs verse 3.6 runs during the same stretch for Chicago, but I am still going with the White Sox to pay off on this series bet by winning at least two of the first three games. I love their chances to gain the early edge with a win in Game 1, which really puts the odds in my favor.

Seattle Mariners (+105) vs. Houston Astros (-135)

Seattle is coming off a three-game sweep of Texas on the road to move to 10-11 on the year, but the big story in the AL West has been Houston. Its current winning streak stands at six games after a three-game sweep of both Oakland and San Diego on the road in its last two series. Before that, the Astros took two of three from the Mariners as road underdogs in all three contests, and they are now 10-1 in their last 11 games.

The Mariners are ranked 12th in the AL in runs scored with 3.7 a game, and their pitching staff has posted a team ERA of 3.98. Houston, on the other hand , is ranked eighth in scoring with an average of 4.8 runs a game and it is the top pitching team in the league with a 3.11 team ERA. Houston is a slight -111 favorite for Game 1 with right-hander Scott Feldman pitted against Seattle's left-handed starter James Paxton. The Mariners may be 12-4 in their last 16 road games against Houston, but I am sticking with the hot hand by taking the Astros to get the best of things this time around in the first three games of this series.

Doc's Sports has a great offer for new clients. You can get $60 worth of picks from any Advisory Board handicapper for any sport he handicaps. All with no obligation and no credit card needed. Claim your free picks today .

Read more articles by

Most Recent Baseball Handicapping

One E-mail A Week Is All You Need!
Our weekly newsletter is loaded with exclusive free picks,insight and advice from our expert handicappers