MLB Picks and Odds for Today – Astros vs White Sox, Brewers vs Reds, and More (July 16)

• The MLB season resumes with a full slate of games on Friday, July 16th
• Friday’s action includes the Astros taking on the White Sox and the Brewers and Reds
• See our picks for the top MLB games from Friday

Following the All-Star break, the MLB season sets it’s sights on the stretch run with playoff races coming into full focus.

While the Yankees and Red Sox were postponed on Thursday night due to New York’s ongoing Covid issues, there is otherwise a full slate of games set for Friday night.

As the contenders and pretenders start to separate over the next few weeks, here are our best picks for Friday, July 16.

MLB Picks for July 16th

Odds as of July 15th at FanDuel

Houston Astros vs Chicago White Sox

• First pitch at 8:10 pm EST; Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago
• Lance McCullers (6-2, 2.94 ERA) vs Dylan Cease (7-4, 4.11 ERA)

Two division leaders square off on Friday night in what could be a potential playoff match-up. Houston dropped two of three to the Yankees to enter the break, while Chicago swept the Orioles.

Astros vs White Sox Odds

Odds as of July 15th at FanDuel

The Astros swept the White Sox in four games earlier this season, with just one of them being decided by one run.

Lance McCullers outdueled Dallas Keuchel in the series finale, giving up just two hits but walking four over six innings. Since a trip to the IL, McCullers has yet to surrender more than two runs in any of his five starts.

Lance McCullers, Lethal 86mph Back Door Slider. 🚪😯 pic.twitter.com/qhhVmEQyNH

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 8, 2021

For Cease, he carried a 2.41 ERA through his first eight starts and held opponents to a .210 average with three home runs. In 10 starts since he holds a 5.47 ERA and opponents are hitting 20 points higher with eight home runs. He gave up seven runs (six earned) in 3.1 innings in a 10-2 loss to the Astros on June 17.

While McCullers should limit Chicago’s bats, Cease could be brilliant or scuffle. Back the more consistent starter.

The Pick: Astros (-146)

Milwaukee Brewers vs Cincinnati Reds

• First pitch at 7:10 pm EST; Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati
• Adrian Houser (5-5, 3.74 ERA) vs Tyler Mahle (7-3, 3.68 ERA)

In the NL Central, the second half opens with the top two teams facing off.  The Reds, who trail the Brewers by four games took three of four from Milwaukee to close the first half. Houser gets the start for the Brewers at Great American Ballpark. Houser pitched 4.1 innings the last time he faced the Reds, but gave up five hits and three runs.

Brewers vs Reds Odds

Odds as of July 15th at FanDuel

Mahle has had a great year so far, bit his results against the Brewers have been mixed. In his first start against Milwaukee he gave up one run over six innings and struck out 12. Then he walked four in six innings, giving up three runs in his final start before the break.

While big strikeout numbers have been the norm for Mahle, he’s coming off of back-to-back four walk outings. He should be well-rested, but the Reds need a deep outing; Cincy’s bullpen has the fourth-worst ERA at 5.15.

The Pick: Reds (-130)

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Colorado Rockies

• First pitch at 8:40 pm EST; Coors Field, Denver
• Julio Urias (11-3, 3.64 ERA) vs Antonio Senzatela (2-8, 4.58 ERA)

In the NL West, the Dodgers are just two games behind the San Francisco Giants. The Rockies meanwhile, are looking like sellers at the looming Trade Deadline, despite taking two-of-three from the Padres before the break.

Dodgers vs Rockies Odds

Odds as of July 15th at FanDuel

Unsurprisingly, the Dodgers have dominated the Rockies this year. LA has won six of their seven meetings, outscoring Colorado 44-28 in the process. Although they haven’t met since April.

Julio Urías is the first pitcher in baseball to reach 11 wins pic.twitter.com/36dUcsekPZ

— Dodgers fam (@Dodgerfam25) July 8, 2021

Julio Urias has been spectacular in the rotation, allowing three or fewer runs in 14 starts. He dominated the Rockies at Coors Field, but then struggled in LA. Senzatela has been blasted in two starts against the Dodgers, but was solid in his four starts before the break.

Even if Senzatela replicates his pre-break form, a Dodgers cover should be attainable.

The Pick: Dodgers -1.5 (-130)

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