Astros pitcher Justin Verlander (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
In what could be a preview of the American League Championship Series, the Astros are in The Bronx to play four games this weekend against the Yankees. Those teams met in 2017 and 2019 in the ALCS, with the Astros coming out on top both times.
The Yankees won on Thursday in dramatic fashion with a four-run ninth, delivering a gut punch to the hated ‘Stros. All weekend, star pitchers will take the mound in this marquee series that invites many betting opportunities.
MLB Best Bets For June 24-26
- The Cincinnati Reds are not good. If they were once called The Big Red Machine, now it would be appropriate to call them The Little Pink Mess. The team has lost seven straight, so why lead with them under “Best Bets?” Am I crazy? Well, this weekend the Reds are in San Francisco to face the Giants, a team they beat twice earlier this season. That confidence could follow them through and get them a series win, which is +185 from DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Detroit’s Javier Báez has five extra-base hits in his last three games (7-for-12). He’s a streak hitter and a streak slumper, so like a good hot dog (which Javy also is), “Get ’em while it’s hot!” A multi-hit game or a HR (+425 from DraftKings) is a good wager for a late game against Arizona.
- When he’s on a big stage, Justin Verlander rarely disappoints. As the regular season goes, his Friday start against the Yankees is as big as it gets. At 8-3 with a 2.30 ERA and a strikeout per inning, the two-time Cy Young Award winner is making a case to capture that award again (+400 from BetMGM). Take Verlander over 6.5 K’s against The Bombers (+175 via FanDuel).
- Consider a prop bet on Dansby Swanson. The Atlanta SS leads MLB in hits the last two weeks, the last three weeks, the last seven days. That’s to say: he’s hot. Over 0.5 hits from BetMGM for Swanson on Friday against the Dodgers is +175 (DraftKings). That means a winning $50 bet on Dansby to record a single measly hit would pay off $87.50.
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Key MLB Matchups This Weekend
Astros at Yankees
Friday (7:05 p.m.), Saturday (1:05 p.m.), Sunday (1:35 p.m.)
- The Yankees are 9-0 in their last nine games at home.
- Carve out time on Friday night to watch Verlander in action, then do the same to see Gerrit Cole on Saturday.
Red Sox at Guardians
Friday (7:10 p.m.), Saturday (6:10 p.m.), Sunday (1:40 p.m.)
- Guardians listed at -130 to win series (DraftKings), Red Sox areveven-money to win series.
- The Red Sox are 9-2 in their last 11 games on the road.
- The Sox are one game out of a wild-card spot ahead of Friday’s action.
Dodgers at Braves
Friday (7:20 p.m.), Saturday (7:15 p.m.), Sunday (7:08 p.m.)
- This series is -115 for either team to win.
- The Braves are 5-0 on the runline vs. LA in its last 5 games at home.
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About the Author
Dan Holmes
Writer and Contributor
Dan Holmes has written three books about sports. He previously worked for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Major League Baseball. He enjoys writing, running, and lemon bars. He lives near Lake Michigan with his daughters and usually has an orange cream soda nearby.