MLB Wednesday best bets: Back Urias, Dodgers vs. Giants
Some days, you sweep the board. Some days, the board sweeps you.
We're still 47-35-2 on the season with our MLB picks ahead of a tasty Wednesday slate.
Astros over 5 runs (-115) vs. Indians
Apologies to Eli Morgan, but any time he takes the mound, I'm betting the over on the other team. The Indians' 25-year-old rookie carries a 7.86 ERA into this one after allowing three-plus runs in each of his first six starts despite never pitching beyond the fifth inning.
The Astros can clearly crush bad pitching, as they hung nine runs Tuesday on Cleveland. Houston is averaging 5.5 runs over six meetings with the Indians this season, and the club should reach that mark on Wednesday, too.
Rangers over 4.5 runs (-105) at Tigers
The Rangers' lineup is terrible. Texas has scored one run over its last four games while mustering four or fewer hits in each contest.
So why bet the over here? Because Matt Manning's recent play might be even worse. The Tigers' struggling prospect has allowed two-plus earned runs in each of his five starts this season, and he was demoted following an uninspiring outing against the Twins on July 9.
Manning hasn't pitched since that matchup, and he likely won't last long here. Expect the Rangers to make him pay when he's on the mound.
Dodgers -1.5 (+120) vs. Giants
Only four starters have been more profitable to bet this season than Julio Urias, whose Dodgers have gone a stellar 15-4 this season when he's throwing. He's done plenty of the heavy lifting while holding nine of 19 opponents to two runs or fewer, though it helps when his offense is providing him with 6.6 runs of support on average.
While Giants starter Logan Webb has been impressive too, it's simply hard to limit Los Angeles' lineup over a full game. Webb held the Dodgers to one run across five frames in late May before they blasted five more runs against San Francisco's bullpen.
Los Angeles has scored five-plus runs during 12 of 16 games in July, and the Dodgers should provide Urias with the help he needs to best the Giants tonight.
C Jackson Cowart is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on Twitter (@CJacksonCowart) or email him at cjackson.cowart@thescore.com.