MLB Picks: Parlays, Expert Predictions, Best Bets and Player Props.

Yankees at Rangers Picks and MLB Betting Odds
by Alan Matthews - 7/24/2013

Look for the trade market to really heat up now in advance of next Wednesday's non-waiver deadline after the Chicago Cubs traded their ace and presumably the best pitcher available, right-hander Matt Garza, to the Texas Rangers on Monday. The Cubs know they aren't likely to contend until at least 2015, and Theo Epstein did quite well in landing a batch of quality prospects for a guy who will be a free agent this offseason.

Phillies at Cardinals Picks and MLB Betting Odds
by Dave Schwab - 7/23/2013

The Philadelphia Phillies continue on their nine-game road trip with the first of three games against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium this Tuesday night. Game time for this National League clash is set for 8:15 p.m. (ET), and it will be available on MLB Extra Innings.

Tigers at White Sox Picks and MLB Betting Odds
by Alan Matthews - 7/22/2013

I was ready to preview Monday night's Yankees-Rangers matchup. It had some potential good storylines. The return of Texas ace Yu Darvish from the disabled list is one. The Rangers' really need Darvish to stay healthy if this Matt Garza trade does indeed fall through -- as of this writing the proposed deal with the Cubs is in limbo because of some health questions, reportedly, of Texas prospect Mike Olt, the key piece that would go back to Chicago for Garza.

Dodgers at Nationals Picks and MLB Betting Odds
by Alan Matthews - 7/20/2013

If you would have told me back in the spring that this weekend's series in D.C. between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals was going to be a preview of the NLCS in October, I would have probably agreed. The Nats were the preseason National League favorites and should have been.

Pirates at Reds Picks and MLB Betting Odds
by Alan Matthews - 7/19/2013

I am not really ready to call any series in mid-July a big series, but I guess the Pirates-Reds matchup to open the second half is fairly important. At 56-37, Pittsburgh seems a lock to finish with its first winning record since 1992 and is just a game behind St. Louis in the NL Central while leading the wild-card chase. The Pirates need to prove another second-half fade isn't coming. The Reds (53-42) have a five-game lead over disappointing Washington for the second wild-card spot.

2013 MLB All-Star Game Picks and Betting Predictions
by Dave Schwab - 7/15/2013

The best of the best in Major League Baseball will take center stage this Tuesday night when the American League squares off against the National League in the 2013 MLB All-Star Game at Citi Field in New York. Tuesday night’s Mid-Summer Classic is set to get underway at 8 p.m. (ET), and it will be broadcast nationally on FOX.

Cardinals at Cubs Picks and MLB Betting Odds
by Alan Matthews - 7/13/2013

I guarantee you that Cubs management will be holding its breath on Saturday when red-hot pitcher Matt Garza takes the mound against the visiting Cardinals. Why? Garza is clearly the top pitcher available on the trade market. However, he does have a history of injury. So Theo Epstein and Co. are rolling the dice the longer they wait. No team has met the Cubs' high price yet, although many believe Texas will be Garza's eventual destination.

Red Sox at A's Picks and MLB Betting Odds
by Alan Matthews - 7/12/2013

The Boston Red Sox open a three-game series in Oakland on Friday night, and it's not hard to picture the Sox visiting Oakland come October for a playoff series as well. Boston has the best record in the American League and the top run differential. The A's have the second-best record in the AL and third-best run differential.

Red Sox at Athletics Picks and MLB Betting Odds
by Alan Matthews - 7/12/2013

The Boston Red Sox open a three-game series in Oakland on Friday night, and it's not hard to picture the Sox visiting Oakland come October for a playoff series as well. Boston has the best record in the American League and the top run differential. The A's have the second-best record in the AL and third-best run differential (Detroit No. 2).

Reds at Braves Picks and MLB Betting Odds
by Alan Matthews - 7/11/2013

The Cincinnati Reds will spend an extended weekend at Turner Field starting this Thursday night when the face the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of a four-game set. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. and the game will be broadcast nationally on the MLB Network for one of the best series of the weekend.

Rockies at Padres Picks and MLB Betting Odds
by Alan Matthews - 7/10/2013

Less than two weeks ago, after beating the Miami Marlins in the opener of a three-game series in south Florida, the San Diego Padres were a .500 team at 40-40 and just 2.5 games out of first place in the NL West. However, the Friars have fallen off a cliff since that night, losing 10 straight games entering Tuesday's Game 2 of their series with Colorado.

Astros at Cardinals Picks and MLB Betting Odds
by David Schwab - 7/9/2013

The Houston Astros will square-off against a former N.L. Central rival this week in a three-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Tuesday night’s Game 1 is set to get underway at 8:15 p.m. and it will be available on MLB Extra Innings.

Reds at Brewers Picks and MLB Betting Odds
by Alan Matthews - 7/8/2013

I am not saying that Homer Bailey is the worst pitcher ever with multiple no-hitters, but, well, he might be. He was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2004 draft and really hasn't quite lived up to expectations. His best season came last year, his first making more than 22 starts in the Majors, when he went 13-10 with a career-best 3.68 ERA.

White Sox at Rays Picks and MLB Betting Odds
by Alan Matthews - 7/6/2013

If you like low-scoring games, then Saturday's matchup is for you as it involves the top two young lefties in the American League in Chicago's Chris Sale and Tampa Bay's Matt Moore. This is a key series for the White Sox as the trade deadline approaches.

Braves at Phillies Picks and MLB Betting Odds
by Alan Matthews - 7/5/2013

Is this the series that convinces Philadelphia Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. to waive the white flag and start trading his valuable pieces? It well could be. We are now past the halfway point of the 162-game schedule. The Phillies could find themselves double digits out of both the NL East and wild-card lead if they don't fare well in this three-game set with Atlanta that starts Friday.

Mariners at Rangers Picks and MLB Betting Odds
by David Schwab - 7/4/2013

The Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers will wrap-up a three game series at Rangers Park in Arlington this 4th of July Holiday in a clash of AL West rivals. Thursday’s game is set to get underway at 8:05 p.m. (ET) and it will be available on MLB Extra Innings.

Tigers at Blue Jays Picks and MLB Betting Odds
by Alan Matthews - 7/3/2013

This will be Scherzer's first start of the season against Toronto and he is 3-0 with a 1.59 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 34 career innings against the Jays. Toronto slugger Jose Bautista is hitting .545 with a homer and three RBI in 11 at-bats off Scherzer, while Edwin Encarnacion is 5-for-15 with a homer.

Dodgers at Rockies Picks and MLB Betting Odds
by David Schwab - 7/2/2013

The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies kick-off a three-game set at Coors Field this Tuesday night with both teams looking to close the gap with Arizona in a very congested NL West race. This series opener is set to get underway at 8:40 p.m. (ET) and it will be available on MLB Extra Innings.

Yankees at Twins Picks and MLB Betting Odds
by Alan Matthews - 7/1/2013

The Minnesota Twins are in an interesting position. They were only six games out of the A.L. Central lead entering Sunday and 7.5 out of a wild card slot. They have one of the best farm systems in baseball. So should we buy or sell? I am guessing sell.

Diamondbacks at Braves Picks and MLB Betting Odds
by Alan Matthews - 6/28/2013

When the Arizona Diamondbacks visit the Atlanta Braves for a three-game series starting Friday night at Turner Field, it's the final time the teams will see each other in the regular season. However, if the playoff field were finalized today, the Diamondbacks and Braves would face off in the National League Division Series.