Last Updated: 
Jul 19^th, 2024

Our Major League Baseball All-Star Game Picks

Baseball returns on Friday, following the break for the All-Star game and betting sites have plenty of markets available as the second half of the season gets under way. 

There is a full slate of games as all the teams return to play games that count in the standings.

The Chicago Cubs open the action on Friday at 2:20p.m. (ET) against the Arizona Diamondbacks before the other teams take to the field. 

Several teams won’t name their starting pitchers until late on Thursday or very early on Friday. Many players have been given a five-day rest, which could lead to a rust-and-rest battle more than anything else.

Our team at The Panel have checked out the stats, guides and key player news ahead of the baseball schedule to pitch the following three betting predictions.

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San Diego Padres vs Cleveland Guardians (O/U 8.5, ML -110 Guardians)

The Cleveland Guardians open up their second half of the season by hosting the San Diego Padres. 

While Cleveland appears poised to win the American League Central, the Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals are both on the radar. Minnesota is 4.5 games back, while the Royals are seven games back.

The Guardians are 30-11 (.732) at home, the best winning percentage in baseball. The Padres travel across the country to start a road trip looking to improve their impressive 24-21 record on the road. 

However, both teams are 4-6 in their last 10 games. The Guardians were due a rough spell and the break came at a good time for them. 

The Padres are in a battle to make the playoffs with teams like the Mets, Pirates, Cardinals and several others.

With around 65 games left in the season, there is little margin for error. Both teams should feel the heat with San Diego in a much more urgent battle. However, Cleveland wants to put more distance between them and the Twins and Royals. 

Home is where the heart is, and though the belief lies with the Guardians, committing to the spread seems like fool’s gold.        

The Panel likes the Guardians on Friday night while the price is this good on betting apps. 

The Panel Pick 1: Cleveland Guardians On The Moneyline – BetMGM -110

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Tampa Bay Rays vs New York Yankees (O/U 7.5, ML -190, Yankees) 

The New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles are only a game apart in the AL East standings. However, the Yankees went into the All-Star break struggling and the Orioles are not much better as they continue to play at .500, including a 5-5 mark over their previous 10 games.  

Both starting pitchers were named very early. Gerrit Cole at home seems like a great idea. However, he did get hit for four runs against Boston and got shelled against the Mets in Queens. Either way, there are a couple of inconsistencies in his game as he gets back to form. 

The Rays are 42-33 against the Yankees this decade, and 21-16 at Yankees Stadium. It seems the Yankees often have trouble playing against the Rays. 

It is a risk, but Zach Eflin comes off an unlucky loss against the Yankees, where he pitched seven innings and allowed one earned run.   

Our pick here is to lean on Eflin and the Rays to pull off the upset on Friday night. 

The Panel Pick 2: Tampa Bay Rays On The Moneyline – Draftkings +160

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Chicago White Sox vs Kansas City Royals (O/U 8.5, ML -205, Royals)

The Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals begin a three-game series on Friday from Kauffman Stadium on Friday. Michael Wacha takes the mound for Kansas City, while Chris Flexen goes for the White Sox. 

The Royals will not be happy after dropping two straight before the break to the Boston Red Sox. They are 31-16 at home and face the White Sox, whose 10-37 record on the road is the worst in baseball. 

There are several options to consider, but we will keep this simple. Kansas City are 6-1 on the season against Chicago and 4-0 at home. 

The White Sox have been outscored by 177 runs this season. Typically, losing by two or more runs is very common. Five of the Royals’ six wins over Chicago were by two or more runs.

Expect Kansas City to beat the spread once more against Chicago on baseball betting sites on Friday night.  

The Panel Pick 3: Kansas City Royals -1.5 Runs – Caesars -110

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Last Updated: 
Jul 19^th, 2024