The 2017 MLB season is just over two weeks old and already there are at least a couple of fan bases around the majors pressing the panic button. A talented team is capable of overcoming a slow start. However, a big enough hole could make it next to impossible to turn things around. The Toronto Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants are two teams that have really struggled out of the gates. For the Blue Jays in particularly, things could get a lot worse before they get better. Here is a look at the best MLB betting picks on the board for Wednesday.
Boston Red Sox @ Toronto Blue Jays
Wednesday, 7:07 PM ET
Toronto was expected to contend for an American League East division title in 2017. After a 2-11 start, there are some that think management could be tempted to blow this team up and begin a full-scale rebuild. It won’t get any easier for the Blue Jays on Wednesday when they host the Boston Red Sox.
Francisco Liriano bounced back from his brutal debut against the Tampa Bay Rays with a much stronger outing against the Baltimore Orioles. However, Toronto is now 0-2 in his two starts and he has allowed a combined seven earned runs over his first seven innings of work. Liriano will be in tough against a dangerous Red Sox offense on Wednesday. Factor in that Boston will have the reigning Cy Young award winner Rick Porcello on the mound and it could make things even tougher.
Porcello has had a rough start to the 2017 season. However, he went 3-0 in five starts against the Blue Jays last season and he should be able to keep their struggling offense in check.
The Red Sox are on the road in this spot but there isn’t much of a home-field advantage for the Jays these days. As a matter of fact, with each passing day, there is a lot of pressure being added to the Jays. If the Sox were at home, we’d have to lay around -200. With them being on the road, the price is far more reasonable. Bet the Red Sox.
MLB Betting Pick: Boston
Los Angeles Angels @ Houston Astros
Wednesday, 8:10 PM ET
After failing to live up to lofty expectations last season, Houston is on the right track with wins in nine of its first 14 games. The Astros pitching staff has looked excellent early on and is a big reason for their success. Dallas Keuchel is 2-0 with a 0.86 ERA through three starts and he should have the edge over an Angels offense that has looked terrible of late.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles will counter with J.C. Ramirez, who will be in tough after allowing five earned runs in his first start of the season against the Kansas City Royals. Houston’s offense should come to life in this one and help Keuchel pick up the win.
It’s a big price to pay in this spot. Typically, I don’t like laying more than -150 in baseball games. However, the Angels had lost six straight before winning Tuesday’s game. Look for the Astros to get back on the winning track and the Angels to get back to their losing ways.
MLB Betting Pick: Houston
San Francisco Giants @ Kansas City Royals
Wednesday, 8:15 PM ET
While they haven’t been as bad as the Blue Jays, the Giants are off to a poor start in their own right. San Francisco dropped nine of its first 14 games and they will have a lot of ground to make up with the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks both off to hot starts. Madison Bumgarner has posted a decent 3.43 ERA so far this season but he is still looking for his first win. There is a good chance he will pick it up on Wednesday but he will need some help from his offense. Jason Vargas is 2-0 with a 0.66 ERA through his first two starts so it won’t be easy. However, Bumgarner should be able to keep this game close and help pick up a win for a desperate San Francisco club.
MLB Betting Pick: San Francisco
The MLB season is finally here, so if you’re looking at betting lines and World Series futures, click here to bet on MLB (or any other sports) at BetDSI!
