Today’s MLB Picks, Odds, and Probable Pitchers – Padres vs Braves, Cubs vs Cardinals and More (July 19)

• Monday, July 19th sees a projected high scoring affair between the Padres and Braves, plus the latest installment in the Cubs-Cardinals rivalry
• Zack Greinke also leads the Astros against J.C. Mejia and Cleveland
• See our preview and best bets for Monday’s MLB action below

If this past weekend is any indication, we should expect plenty of offense when the Padres meet the Braves on Monday in Atlanta. San Diego is fresh off scoring a ridiculous 41 runs during a three-game set in Washington, while Atlanta piled up 20 runs in a three-game series versus Tampa Bay.

MLB Picks for July 19th

All odds as of July 18th at DraftKings.

San Diego Padres vs Atlanta Braves

• First pitch at 7:20 pm ET; Truist Park, Atlanta, Georgia
• Yu Darvish (7-3, 3.09 ERA) vs Kyle Muller (1-2, 3.45 ERA)

Normally, you wouldn’t associate a Yu Darvish start with a high scoring affair, but there’s reason to believe Atlanta can have success at the plate, even with All-Star Ronald Acuna Jr. done for the season.

Padres vs Braves Odds

Darvish has been rocked in back-to-back outings, allowing 14 hits and 10 runs over 9 total innings, and is fresh off a stint on the Injury List. The 34-year-old is 0-3 lifetime against Atlanta, posting a 6.62 ERA and 1.92 WHIP. He’s produced his lowest strikeout rate since 2017, and his career high 66.5% fly ball rate is a major reason for concern.

Jayce Tingler was asked how Yu Darvish's bullpen went today and if he's still on track to start on Monday: pic.twitter.com/NQc7qflXLp

— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) July 17, 2021

The San Diego bats meanwhile, rank top-10 in runs per game, OBP and slugging percentage and should find success against rookie Kyle Muller. The 23-year-old has struggled with his control, allowing nearly 4.6 walks per 9 innings, and is averaging less than 5 innings per start. Another short outing could prove costly against the Padres, as the Atlanta bullpen ranks bottom-10 in ERA.

Pick: Over 9 (+100)

Chicago Cubs vs St. Louis Cardinals

• First pitch at 8 pm ET; Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri 
• Alec Mills (4-2, 4.84 ERA) vs Jake Woodford (1-1, 4.62 ERA)

One of the best rivalries in baseball resumes on Monday, as the Chicago Cubs clash with the St. Louis Cardinals. So far in 2021, it’s been a one sided affair, as the Cubs have taken six of the eight meetings, outscoring the Cards by 18 runs in the process.

St. Louis is fresh off taking two of three from the NL West leading San Francisco Giants, but did so by scoring only seven runs. Cards pitchers were brilliant on the weekend, surrendering just two runs total on Saturday and Sunday, but a repeat performance on Monday is unlikely.

Cubs vs Cardinals Odds

That’s because St. Louis will be turning to reliever Jake Woodford, who was routinely hit hard during the first half of the year. The 24-year-old will be making only his second career start, and is fresh off allowing 11 hits, eight runs, and five home runs in just 12.1 innings in the month of June. That stretch earned him a demotion to Triple-A, and this will be his first action since being recalled.

Cubs hitters have gone 3-for-7 against him this season, taking him deep twice. Chicago has failed to live up to expectations for most of the season, but the offense has been clicking recently. They’ve scored at least five runs in four of their past eight outings, and have crossed the plate 27 times in their last four meetings with the Cardinals.

As for the St. Louis offense, it’s not pretty. They rank 28th in runs per game, 26th in total bases, and 25th in slugging percentage.

Pick: Chicago Cubs Moneyline (-120)

Cleveland vs Houston Astros

• First pitch at 8:10 pm ET; Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
• J.C. Mejia (1-4, 7.42 ERA) vs Zack Greinke (8-3, 3.59 ERA)

After scoring just one run total on Saturday and Sunday versus the White Sox, the Houston bats will be looking to bounce back on Monday against Cleveland. Fortunately for them, the matchup is pristine.

Cleveland vs Astros Odds

Houston will face J.C. Meija, who’s failed to make it out of the 5th inning in back-to-back starts, and has allowed at least 6 runs in three of his past four outings.

The Astros lead the league in runs per game, and are an MLB best 43-24 versus teams above .500. They’ll turn to Zack Greinke, who is allowing his lowest hard hit rate since 2012 (27.7%). The 37-year-old has been dealing with shoulder soreness for over a month, but that didn’t deter him from whiffing eight Cleveland batters over 7.2 innings in an Astros victory a couple weeks ago.

Zack Greinke's curveball is in midseason form. pic.twitter.com/RZjTCEUx7Q

— MLB (@MLB) April 2, 2021

Houston is a perfect 4-0 against Cleveland this year, and has allowed three runs or fewer in each of those outings.

Pick: Houston Astros -1.5 (-120)