Free MLB Picks - August 14, 2023

Written by:

Dan Shapiro

Published on:

Aug/13/2023

We are now live at the G911 Sports Hub. Let's look at Monday's games.

Angels @ Rangers

The Los Angeles Angels career statistics vs. Max Scherzer (11-4, 3.88 ERA) of the Texas Rangers are just 15 of 105 at bats (.143), though this is limited to just six players, none of whom are named Shohei Ohtani.

Scherzer has won his last three starts.

Texas, however, has only won three of its last ten games versus the Angels. They have split the series in their last six meetings. The Rangers have won nine of their last ten games overall compared to LA winning just three.

Patrick Sandoval is 6-8 with a 3.86 ERA. He logged a quality start against the Giants his more recent start, which ended up a no decision. The game before he permitted two runs in five innings Tuesday against the Braves in a loss. Sandoval won his prior two starts

Sandoval has allowed just 5 hits in 47 at bats versus the Rangers current roster.

Mariners @ Royals

Seattle is 7-3 against the Royals their last ten games.

Logan Gilbert (10-5, 3.66 ERA) has won five of his last seven starts, including against San Diego his most recent appearance. Gilbert has not had a loss since June 28. He has been beaten up pretty bad in the limited 25 at bats versus the current KC roster (10-for-25, .400).

Astros @ Marlins

Framber Valdez has somewhat limited experience versus the Marlin but, in 35 at bats, he's managed to allow the current roster just five hits (.152).

Valdez allowed six runs over seven innings on Tuesday against the Orioles. The Marlins certainly provide him the opportunity to make amends, even though they are among the best teams right now versus left-handed starters.

Braxton Garrett will start for Miami. He is 6-3 with a 4.08 ERA. Garrett yielded two runs over six innings Tuesday in a win over the Reds.

The Astros have been the fourth most potent team in the league versus left-handed pitching this season, hitting to a wRC+ of 118 across 1224 PA's versus lefties.

We should note that the Marlins do have the highest batting average by a team against left-handed pitchers this season, with an average of .301.

Houston is a good play at -145.

Orioles @ Padres

The San Diego Padres struggle against right-handed pitching is real. But the Padres place Yu Darvish out on the mound Monday night. He's 8-7 with a 4.19 ERA and doesn't have a win in his last two starts.

Despite that, he allowed just one run — zero earned — with four strikeouts over six innings on Wednesday in a no-decision against the Mariners. His prior start Darvish allowed two runs over seven innings with four strikeouts.

Grayson Rodriguez comes into this one with a 2.66 ERA and 0.93 WHIP over his last four starts. That included being charged with two runs across six innings Tuesday against the Astros, though not factoring into the decision. He hasn't had a win in some time.

San Diego has played in five games of their last ten where they failed to score over 4 runs. Baltimore has had four such games. San Diego has allowed four or fewer runs in four of their last ten.

Take the UNDER 8.5 here. Yu does need to go deep as the Padres bullpen has not been among the best of late.