Friday 5/17 MLB Betting Odds and Totals Picks

  • In Ross Benjamin
  • Fri, May 17th, 2019 2:15:09 pm
  • By Ross Benjamin


Highly regarded professional sports handicapper Ross Benjamin has isolated 2 MLB totals on Friday that he deems to be solid betting values. Go inside to read this highly informative article which particularizes why he’s opted for these picks.

Cubs (Hamels) @ Nationals (Scherzer)
Game# 901-902

The current MLB betting odds at BetOnline is posting a total of 7.5. It must be noted that all other major offshore sportsbooks have the total set at 8.0.

Cubs Nats free pickThe Cubs have been offensively explosive on the road to this point in averaging a robust 6.2 runs scored per game. During those 20 away games, Chicago has smacked 36 home runs and went under the total on only 30% of those instances.

The Cubs will send Cole Hamels out to the mound today. Hamels is enjoying a fine start to 2019. He’s 3-0 in 8 starts while gathering a very good 3.08 ERA. However, the Cubs bullpen has an alarmingly poor ERA of 5.56 and lofty 1.69 WHIP during away games. In addition, Chicago has been a poor defensive team which has averaged 0.80 errors per game.

Washington is slated to go with their ace starting pitcher Max Scherzer on Friday. Although Scherzer has compiled an impressive pitching performance line in 2019, it’s important I bring something else of significance to your attention. Scherzer has gone over the total in 16 of 20 starts since 2018 when facing National League clubs that have a team batting average of .255 or worse. Entering today, Cubs hitters have a collective batting average of .252.

Washington’s bullpen has struggled this year to the tune of a 6.20 ERA. The Nationals have stayed under in only 5 of their last 16 home games (31.3%).

Any MLB road team (Cubs) with a total of 7.0 to 8.5 that averages .075 or more fielding errors per game, and they have a starting pitcher (Hamels) who’s undefeated after 5 or more starts, resulted in those games going 56-23 (70.9%) over the total since 1997. Those 79 games produced a combined 10.0 runs being scored per occasion.

Pick: Over 7.5 (-131)

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Oakland A’s (Montas) @ Detroit Tigers (Norris)
Game# 919-920

Bookmaker is displaying a total of 9.0 on this American League game.

Daniel Norris takes his turn in Oakland’s starting pitching rotation. Norris has pitched extremely well in his 2 starts in day games. Nonetheless, he’s 0-3 during his team starts at night with an uninspiring 4.80 ERA and 1.67 WHIP.

The A’s bullpen has performed less that desirable on the road this year while amassing a 5.84 ERA. They’ve also blown 5 of 7 save opportunities throughout their away itinerary.

Detroit Oakland free pickOakland won the opening game of this series on Thursday in Detroit by a lopsided score of 17-3. The A’s have gone over the total in all 7 of their games this season following an outing in which they scored 8 runs or more. On those 8 occasions, there were a joint 12.0 runs scored per game. Moreover, Oakland has witnessed a mere 6 of 23 away games (26.1%) going under this season. It’s also worth mentioning, Oakland has cracked 13 home runs over their previous 7 games.

Detroit has seen 5 of its last 6 at home go over the total, and there was an average of 12.0 runs scored per game. The Tigers are currently on a 4-games losing streak. During their recent funk, Detroit has allowed 41 runs and opponents banged out 49 hits. The Tigers bullpen has performed inadequately in 2019 which is further proven by their 5.84 ERA as a staff.

This game has signs which point toward a high scoring affair. One of my MLB picks on Friday will correspond to that previous statement.

Pick: Over 9.0 (+100)

Ross Benjamin Free Pick

Ross Benjamin is a top sports analyst and one of the sports industry's most respected handicappers. Follow him on Twitter: @RossBenjamin1 or visit his website at RBWins.com


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