Free MLB Picks for Best Props Odds: Wednesday May 18, 2016

by Chris Vasile - 5/18/2016

The last time I posted an MLB free props picks article, I was able to provide our readers with a clean sweep of my plays. That was Tuesday, May 10. I am on a 5-1 run with my best MLB props and am looking forward to continuing the momentum into Wednesday's card. But first, what a crazy week it's been in the majors.

After my last article, the Jays were actually treading above water, brawling only occurred in minor league hockey games and the bat-flip heard around the world was a very distant memory. That was until Sunday's game between the Jays and Rangers. By now, we all know what happened, so there is no point beating a dead horse, but I never in a million years thought it escalate to that point. For both teams it looks like that weekend series has taken its toll on as they are a combined 0-4 since. I like that trend, and as you read on, I think it should be a profitable night fading one of those two teams.

Wednesday's MLB card features all 30 teams in action, including a double header at Fenway Park between the Royals and Red Sox. Full slates come with a plethora of betting options for gamblers. At first glance, I was drawn to seven games that deserved further research. After putting in my due diligence I have settled on what I feel are the three best prop bets on the board.

These prop bets are all based on the First 5 Inning lines, and I have the utmost confidence in what I expect to happen. As always, odds and lines are courtesy of 5Dimes.

Tampa Bay Rays @ Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays playoff run last season can be credited to getting hot at the right time. This year, 41 games into the season, the Jays have gone back to being the same old dumpster fire I've grown accustom to watching over the last 10 years.

Not only have they lost their last four games, but they have been beaten down in the process. I won't beat a dead horse, but the Rougned Odor vs. Jose Bautista incident seems to have sent a slew of bad vibes throughout the entire organization. They played the first two games of this Rays' series timid and scared and seem to be feeling sorry for themselves.

The Rays are raking right now. They've put up 25 runs on 34 hits in taking the first two games of this series. Those wins were against the ace of the staff, Marcus Stroman, and J.A. Happ, who was off to a solid start. Tonight, the Rays will face off against R.A Dickey, which could spell disaster once again for Toronto. I was never a fan of this signing by the Jays, and indoors the knuckleball seems very ineffective.

Rays' starter Jake Odorizzi, on the other hand, has faced the Jays twice this season already. He's given up two earned runs and struck out 16 over 12 2/3 innings.

This matchup and wager is about taking the team trending in the right direction and fading the team heading for a fire sale come trade deadline day.

Take the Rays at such an amazing price for the game (+110) and take the Rays on the First 5 Inning line.

Pick: Tampa Bay-0.5 - First 5 Innings (+135)

Colorado Rockies @ St. Louis Cardinals

This is strictly a value play.

There is no way in hell that Adam Wainright should be pushing (-170) in any start. In years past, sure, this might have been a great number. But not this year. And certainly not against a team like the Colorado Rockies.

Wainright is a mess right now. He is 3-3 with a 6.80 ERA and struggled again in his most recent outing on Thursday. He was tagged for seven runs on 11 hits in just five innings against the Los Angeles Angels. Lucky for him, however, the offense was able to pick up the slack and put up 12 runs of its own. Opponents are hitting .330 against him in his eight starts.

Cue the Colorado Rockies. They took the first game of the series last night 3-1. They are on a five-game winning streak and are doing so without being too reliant on the long ball. They have homered only four times in their past five games. To some that could be a red flag, but to me that is the sign of a team manufacturing runs - something the Kansas City Royals are great at and look at what they've done the last two years.

The Rockies are fourth in runs (5.1), third in hits (9.7) and third in batting average (.276). The way Wainright is pitching this season, these numbers are more likely to rise than drop after today's game.

Take the Rockies for the full game. Take the Rockies in the First 5 Innings.

Pick: Colorado -0.5 - First 5 Innings (+173)

Cleveland Indians @ Cincinnati Reds

The Cleveland Indians are hot right now, and there would be no logical sense to wager against them against this lowly Reds team.

These two teams just had a mini two-game series in Cleveland that saw the home team win both games and put up big numbers in the process. They took the first game 15-6 and followed that up with a 13-1 smackdown. They also totalled 36 hits.

The Reds are in complete shambles right now. They have lost seven of nine while allowing 13 or more runs three times. Their opponents have averaged 7.1 runs per game and are batting a whopping .312.

If you still need more reasoning as to why the Tribe are the play, consider the pitching matchup. The Tribe will send to the mound Mike Clevinger, who will be making his big-league debut. In seven starts for their Triple A affiliate, Clevinger posted a 5-0 record with a 3.00 ERA. I like the sounds of that. And given the unfamiliarity aspect, he should be able to navigate a weak Reds lineup.

Opposing Clevinger is Brandon Finnegan, who is handing out walks at a high rate. He is issuing 4.81 walks per nine innings, which is the highest in walk margin in the league.

Sometimes, the picks are straight forward and we complicate them by overthinking things. Take the better team here.

Pick: Cleveland -0.5 - First 5 Innings (+105)

Doc's is offering $60 worth of member baseball picks absolutely free - no obligation, no sales people - you don't even have to enter credit card information. You can use this $60 credit for any of our top MLB handicappers. Click here for free MLB picks now. Also, for a limited time only get three MLB handicappers for the price of one. Click here for details.

Start:	November 23, 2024 @ 10:07 PM
Expert:	Vernon Croy
Free $60 Account Sign Up

Most Recent Baseball Handicapping