MLB Picks and Odds Today – Reds vs Mets, Mariners vs Rangers, Red Sox vs Rays
- Sunday’s MLB schedule features a 15-game slate
- The Mets rank second last in runs per game and are the only division leader with a negative run differential
- See the best bets for the day, below
MLB closes out the weekend with another 15-game slate on Sunday (August 1st), featuring all 30 teams. The action gets underway at 1:05 pm ET, and finishes off with the Red Sox vs Rays on Sunday Night Baseball – more on that game later.
Our betting card starts off with a National League tilt between the Reds and Mets, a game that sports a fairly high total given the struggles of New York’s offense.
MLB Picks for August 1st
| Matchup | Pick | Line |
|---|---|---|
| Reds vs Mets | U 9 | +100 |
| Mariners vs Rangers | Mariners | -145 |
| Red Sox vs Rays | O 8.5 | -115 |
All odds as of July 31st at DraftKings.
Reds vs Mets Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Runline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Reds | +145 | +1.5 (-140) | O 9 (-120) |
| New York Mets | -165 | -1.5 (+120) | U 9 (+100) |
The Mets rank second last in all of baseball in runs per game, while checking in at number 25 in slugging, and 21st in OPS. They’ve scored three or fewer runs in seven of their past 10 contests, and eight of their last 12 games have failed to eclipse the total.
They’ll square off against Cincy right-hander Vladimir Gutierrez, who pitched extremely well in the month of July. The 25-year posted a 2-0 record in four outings, racking up three quality starts. He’s allowed two or fewer runs in three of his past four appearances, bouncing back from a very inconsistent June.
"There's a reason why I'm still here."
Vladimir Gutiérrez has been putting in the work to overcome the common rookie-season wall. pic.twitter.com/ysI7xyh7Pu
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) July 28, 2021
New York will counter with Marcus Stroman, who’s pitched much better than his 7-9 record indicates. The 30-year-old has surrendered two or fewer runs in three straight starts, and shutout the Reds last week over 8 innings.
Pick: Under 9 (+100)
Mariners vs Rangers Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Runline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle Mariners | -145 | -1.5 (-140) | O 9 (-115) |
| Texas Rangers | +125 | +1.5 (+120) | U 9 (-105) |
Next up on our betting card is the Seattle Mariners, who are a healthy favorite in Texas. The M’s are looking to take the rubber match of this three-game series, and avoid a fourth defeat in five games. Despite ranking below league average in most offensive categories, Seattle’s bats haven’t been the problem lately.
Ty France – Seattle Mariners (10) pic.twitter.com/yAItVJFdDK
— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) August 1, 2021
They’re averaging seven runs per outing over their past five games, and get a very favorable matchup against Texas’ Mike Foltynewicz. The right-hander has yielded 16 runs over his past two starts, and has surrendered at least two home runs in four straight outings. Only one other pitcher in all of baseball has as many losses on their resume (10), and Foltynewicz boasts the highest ERA (6.11) in the league among qualified starters.
The Cards against Mike Foltynewicz: pic.twitter.com/MXlf0J2eVV
— Felix (@PlayoffTanney) October 9, 2019
He’s 0-2 against the Mariners this season, and has just one victory in 15 starts since April.
Pick: Mariners Moneyline (-145)
Red Sox vs Rays Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Runline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Red Sox | +115 | +1.5 (-170) | O 8.5 (-115) |
| Tampa Bay Rays | -135 | -1.5 (+150) | U 8.5 (-105) |
First place in the AL East is on the line Sunday night, when the Rays host the Red Sox looking to complete the three-game sweep. Tampa Bay has pounded Boston pitching through the first two games, scoring 16 runs, which has been a bit of a trend early on in the second half of the season. Since the All-Star break, the Red Sox have a 4.93 ERA, and have surrendered 29 runs over their last three contests.
Ji-Man Choi with a two run homer in the 1st off Nathan Eovaldi pic.twitter.com/Zn1l1E8zt9
— Justin Groc (@jgroc) July 31, 2021
The Rays offense meanwhile, is no joke ranking fourth in runs per game, and are fresh off scoring 30 runs during a three-game stretch. They’ll face right-hander Nick Pivetta, who’s coming in cold after allowing at least four runs in three straight outings.
Tampa Bay will counter with lefty Shane McClanahan, who’s struggled with his control for most of the season. Last time out, he allowed 12 baserunners over 6 innings in a loss to the Yankees and should have his hands full with this Red Sox lineup. Boston ranks top-three in all of baseball in runs, hits, slugging and OPS.
Pick: Over 8.5 (-115)
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
