Twins at Reds Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for June 18

Its Wednesday, June 18 and the Twins (36-36) are in Cincinnati to take on the Reds (38-35).

Bailey Ober is slated to take the mound for Minnesota against Nick Lodolo for Cincinnati as the Twins look to rebound following last night's 6-5 loss to the Reds.

Cincinnati managed just five hits on the night against Twins' pitching, but Will Benson and Jake Fraley collected three of the five hits and drove in four runs to pace the attack. The Reds have now won three in a row while Minnesota has lost five in a row.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Twins at Reds

  • Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
  • Time: 7:10PM EST
  • Site: Great American Ball Park
  • City: Cincinnati, OH
  • Network/Streaming: MNNT, FDSNOH

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Twins at the Reds

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Twins (-108), Reds (-111)
  • Spread:  Reds 1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Twins at Reds

  • Pitching matchup for June 18, 2025: Bailey Ober vs. Nick Lodolo
    • Twins: Bailey Ober (4-3, 4.40 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/12 vs. Texas - 4.2IP, 7ER, 6H, 6BB, 3Ks
    • Reds: Nick Lodolo (4-5, 3.76 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/11 at Cleveland - 3.1IP, 6ER, 5H, 2BB, 6Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Twins at Reds

  • Nick Lodolo has struck out at least 4 opposing hitters in every game since April 8
  • The Twins' last 4 games against the Reds have gone over the Total
  • The Twins have covered the Run Line in 3 straight road games against the Reds
  • Ty France is 0-10 in his last 3 games
  • Jake Fraley is 9-22 (.409) over his last 7 games

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Twins and the Reds

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Twins and the Reds:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Minnesota Twins on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Minnesota Twins at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Giants activate Verlander, Bailey from injured list

Giants activate Verlander, Bailey from injured list originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Two key Giants players will return for Wednesday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians.

San Francisco activated starting pitcher Justin Verlander and catcher Patrick Bailey from the 15-day and 10-day injured lists, respectively.

The Giants optioned catcher Logan Porter and right-handed pitcher Tristan Beck to Triple-A Sacramento as the corresponding roster moves.

Verlander has been sidelined since May 18 with a right pectoral injury, while Bailey has been out since June 7 with a neck strain.

In 10 starts this season before his injury, Verlander posted a 4.33 ERA with 41 strikeouts to 21 walks in 52 innings pitches. Bailey, in 180 plate appearances before his injury, batted .185/.246/.272 with one home run and 16 RBI.

The 42-year-old Verlander will start for the Giants on Wednesday against the Guardians.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

Diamondbacks at Blue Jays prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, trends, and stats for June 18

Its Wednesday, June 18 and the Diamondbacks (36-36) are in Toronto for Game 2 of their series against the Blue Jays (39-33).

Eduardo Rodriguez is slated to take the mound for Arizona against Eric Lauer for Toronto.

The Blue Jays rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth on back-to-back home runs by Bo Bichette and Addison Barger last night to take out the Diamondbacks in the series opener 5-4. Josh Naylor had two hits in the loss for Arizona.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Diamondbacks at Blue Jays

  • Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
  • Time: 7:07PM EST
  • Site: Rogers Centre
  • City: Toronto, ON
  • Network/Streaming: ARID, Sportsnet

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Diamondbacks at the Blue Jays

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Diamondbacks (-106), Blue Jays (-113)
  • Spread:  Blue Jays 1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Diamondbacks at Blue Jays

  • Pitching matchup for June 18, 2025: Eduardo Rodriguez vs. Eric Lauer
    • Diamondbacks: Eduardo Rodriguez (2-3, 6.27 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/11 vs. Seattle - 6.1IP, 2ER, 6H, 1BB, 5Ks
    • Blue Jays: Eric Lauer (2-1, 2.37 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/11 at St. Louis - 4.1IP, 2ER, 4H, 1BB, 4Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Diamondbacks at Blue Jays

  • The Diamondbacks have won 18 of 35 games following a loss
  • 6 of the Diamondbacks' last 8 games against the Blue Jays have gone over the Total
  • Josh Naylor is riding a 7-game hitting streak during which he is hitting .394 (13-33)
  • Bo Bichette picked up a couple of hits last night to snap a 1-12 streak at the plate

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Diamondbacks and the Blue Jays

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Diamondbacks and the Blue Jays:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Arizona Diamondbacks on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Arizona Diamondbacks at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Pirates at Tigers prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for June 18

Its Wednesday, June 18 and the Pirates (29-45) are in Detroit to take on the Tigers (47-27).

Andrew Heaney is slated to take the mound for Pittsburgh against Tarik Skubal for Detroit.

The Tigers won the series opener last night, 7-3. Javy Baez homered twice, and Casey Mize allowed two earned runs over six innings to earn his seventh win of the season as Detroit won their 47th game of the season.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Pirates at Tigers

  • Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
  • Time: 6:40PM EST
  • Site: Comerica Park
  • City: Detroit, MI
  • Network/Streaming: SNP, FDSNDT

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Pirates at the Tigers

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Pirates (+241), Tigers (-302)
  • Spread:  Tigers -1.5
  • Total: 7.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Pirates at Tigers

  • Pitching matchup for June 18, 2025: Andrew Heaney vs. Tarik Skubal
    • Pirates: Andrew Heaney (3-5, 3.33 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/12 at Cubs - 6IP, 3ER, 4H, 0BB, 7Ks
    • Tigers: Tarik Skubal (7-2, 1.99 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/12 at Baltimore - 7IP, 0ER, 3H, 2BB, 6Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Pirates at Tigers

  • The Tigers are 15-10 against the National League this season
  • The Total has cashed to the under in 23 of the Pirates' 36 road games this season
  • The Pirates have covered in 4 of their last 5 games showing a profit of 1.67 units
  • Tarik Skubal has struck out 6 opposing hitters in each of his last 2 starts and has not struck out fewer than 6 since April 20
  • Oneil Cruz is 3-19 (.158) over his last 5 games to drop his average to .200 in June

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Pirates and the Tigers

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Pirates and the Tigers:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Detroit Tigers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Detroit Tigers at -1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 7.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Mets at Braves prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for June 18

Its Wednesday, June 18 and the Mets (45-28) are in Atlanta to take on the Braves (32-39) in Game 2 of their series.

Paul Blackburn is slated to take the mound for New York against Chris Sale for Atlanta.

The Braves took the series opener last night, 5-4, in ten innings. Austin Riley stroked a sacrifice fly to walk it off for Atlanta in the tenth. The Mets led 4-1 after seven innings but could not close out the game.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Mets at Braves

  • Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
  • Time: 7:15PM EST
  • Site: Truist Park
  • City: Atlanta, GA
  • Network/Streaming: SNY, FDSNSO

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Mets at the Braves

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Mets (+154), Braves (-186)
  • Spread:  Braves -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Mets at Braves

  • Pitching matchup for June 18, 2025: Paul Blackburn vs. Chris Sale
    • Mets: Paul Blackburn (0-0, 6.75 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/13 vs. Tampa Bay - 0.1IP, 4ER, 4H, 0BB, 0Ks
    • Braves: Chris Sale (4-4, 2.79 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/9 at Milwaukee - 7IP, 1ER, 5H, 2BB, 11Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Mets at Braves

  • The Mets have won 4 of their last 5 road games against teams with losing records
  • The Over is 4-1 in the Braves' last 5 matchups against NL East teams
  • The Mets have covered the Run Line in 9 straight road games
  • Chris Sale has struck out 21 opposing hitters over his last 2 starts and has not struck out fewer than 8 in an appearance since April 25
  • Juan Soto opened the series last night going 2-3 with a home run to improve his batting average in June to .340

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Mets and the Braves

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Mets and the Braves:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the New York Mets at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Mets at Braves: How to watch on SNY on June 18, 2025

The Mets continue a three-game series with the Braves in Atlanta on Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. on SNY.

Here's what to know about the game and how to watch...


Mets Notes

  • Juan Soto is hitting .351/.519/.737 with six homers, four doubles, 19 walks, 12 RBI, and 18 runs scored over his last 17 games
  • Brandon Nimmo is hitting .304/.368/.532 with five homers, three doubles, 12 RBI, and 15 runs scored over his last 20 games
  • Paul Blackburn is starting on Wednesday in place of the injured Kodai Senga. It will be Blackburn's second start of the season. In his first one, he threw 5.0 shutout innings against the Dodgers in Los Angeles

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BRAVES
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What channel is SNY?

Check your TV or streaming provider's website or channel finder to find your local listings.

How can I stream the game?

The new way to stream SNY games is via the MLB App or MLB.tv. Streaming on the SNY App has been discontinued.

In order to stream games in SNY’s regional territory, you will need to have SNY as part of your TV package (cable or streaming), or you can now purchase an in-market SNY subscription package. Both ways will allow fans to watch the Mets on their computer, tablet or mobile phone. 

How can I watch the game on my computer via MLB? 

To get started on your computer, click here and then follow these steps: 

  • Log in using your provider credentials. If you are unsure of your provider credentials, please contact your provider. 
  • Link your provider credentials with a new or existing MLB.com account. 
  • Log in using your MLB.com credentials to watch Mets games on SNY. 

How can I watch the game on the MLB App? 

MLB App access is included for FREE with SNY. To access SNY on your favorite supported Apple or Android mobile device, please follow the steps below.  

  • Open “MLB” and tap on “Subscriber Login” for Apple Devices or “Sign in with MLB.com” for Android Devices. 
  • Type in your MLB.com credentials and tap “Log In.”  
  • To access live or on-demand content, tap on the "Watch" tab from the bottom navigation bar. Select the "Games" sub-tab to see a listing of available games. You can scroll to previous dates using the left and right arrows. Tap on a game to select from the game feeds available.  

For more information on how to stream Mets games on SNY, please click here

Phillies at Marlins Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for June 18

It's Wednesday, June 18 and the Phillies (43-30) are in Miami to take on the Marlins (29-42). Ranger Suárez is slated to take the mound for Philadelphia against Adam Mazur who is making his MLB debut for Miami.

Miami snapped Philadelphia's five-game winning steak with a 8-3 victory a day after the Phillies ended the Marlins' three-game winning streak. The Phillies are 6-2 in the past eight games, while the Marlins are 5-2 in the last seven.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Phillies at Marlins

  • Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
  • Time: 6:40PM EST
  • Site: LoanDepot Park
  • City: Miami, FL
  • Network/Streaming: NBCSP, FDSNFL

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Phillies at the Marlins

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Phillies (-198), Marlins (+163)
  • Spread:  Phillies -1.5
  • Total: 7.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Phillies at Marlins

  • Pitching matchup for June 18, 2025: Ranger Suárez vs. Adam Mazur
    • Phillies: Ranger Suárez, (5-1, 2.33 ERA)
      Last outing: 7.0 Innings Pitched, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 1 Walk, and 6 Strikeouts
    • Marlins: Adam Mazur, (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
    • Mazur is making his MLB debut

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Phillies and the Marlins

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday’s game between the Phillies and the Marlins:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Philadelphia Phillies on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Miami Marlins at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 7.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Phillies at Marlins

  • The Phillies have won 12 of their last 20 away games against teams with losing records
  • The Under is 21-14-1 in the Phillies' road games this season
  • The Marlins have covered in 4 of their last 5 games showing a profit of 1.41 units
  • Philadelphia is 5-3 on the ML when Ranger Suarez pitches this season

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Rockies at Nationals Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for June 18

It's Wednesday, June 18 and the Rockies (16-57) are in Washington to take on the Nationals (30-43). Germán Márquez is slated to take the mound for Colorado against Mitchell Parker for Washington.

Colorado hit a franchise record seven homers last night in a 10-6 win over Washington. The Rockies earned a season-long three game winning streak with that victory, while the Nationals are on. a season-long 10-game losing streak.

There were nine total homers in the game with six different Rockies hitting dingers and two Nats. Yesterday with the first game during the 10-game losing streak that Washington scored more than four runs.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Rockies at Nationals

  • Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
  • Time: 6:45PM EST
  • Site: Nationals Park
  • City: Washington, DC
  • Network/Streaming: COLR, MASN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Rockies at the Nationals

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Rockies (+144), Nationals (-172)
  • Spread:  Nationals -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Rockies at Nationals

  • Pitching matchup for June 18, 2025: Germán Márquez vs. Mitchell Parker
    • Rockies: Germán Márquez, (2-8, 6.62 ERA)
      Last outing: 5.0 Innings Pitched, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 7 Strikeouts
    • Nationals: Mitchell Parker, (4-7, 4.84 ERA)
      Last outing: 3.1 Innings Pitched, 6 Earned Runs Allowed, 8 Hits Allowed, 3 Walks, and 3 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Rockies and the Nationals

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday’s game between the Rockies and the Nationals:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Colorado Rockies at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Rockies at Nationals

  • The Rockies have won their last 3 road games, while the Nationals have lost 10 straight
  • Each of the Rockies' last 3 games at the Nationals have gone over the Total
  • The Rockies have covered the Run Line in 4 of their last 5 matchups against the Nationals
  • Colorado is 3-11 on the ML when German Marquez pitches this season
  • Washington is 7-7 on the ML when Mitchell Parker pitches this season

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Angels at Yankees Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for June 18

It's Wednesday, June 18 and the Angels (35-37) are in Bronx to take on the Yankees (42-30). Jack Kochanowicz is slated to take the mound for Los Angeles against Ryan Yarbrough for New York.

The Angels have taken the first two games of this four-game series, 1-0 and 4-0, as the New York offense has gone cold recently. The Yankees are on a season-long five-game losing streak and have scored four total runs in that span with three-straight donuts.

Aaron Judge only has one hit in the past four games, but luckily Giancarlo Stanton made his season debut in this series and has four hits in eight at-bats (three singles, one double) for the Yankees.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Angels at Yankees

  • Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
  • Time: 7:05PM EST
  • Site: Yankee Stadium
  • City: Bronx, NY
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNW, AmazonPV

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Angels at the Yankees

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Angels (+182), Yankees (-223)
  • Spread:  Yankees -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Angels at Yankees

  • Pitching matchup for June 18, 2025: Jack Kochanowicz vs. Ryan Yarbrough
    • Angels: Jack Kochanowicz, (3-8, 5.53 ERA)
      Last outing: 4.1 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 2 Strikeouts
    • Yankees: Ryan Yarbrough, (3-1, 3.96 ERA)
      Last outing: 4.2 Innings Pitched, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 3 Walks, and 3 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Angels and the Yankees

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday’s game between the Angels and the Yankees:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the New York Yankees on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Los Angeles Angels at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the under on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Angels at Yankees

  • The Yankees have won 12 of their last 20 home games against teams with losing records
  • The Yankees' last 5 versus the Angels have stayed under the Total
  • The Yankees have failed to cover the Run Line in 5 of their last 6 games
  • The Yankees are 8-7 on the ML when Ryan Yarbrough pitches this season
  • The Angels are 6-8 on the ML when Jack Kochanowicz pitches this season

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Red Sox legend Martínez criticizes Ortiz over Devers relationship

Red Sox legend Martínez criticizes Ortiz over Devers relationship originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Bay Area has been able to capitalize on two star athletes’ souring relationships with their respective former teams.

A disgruntled Jimmy Butler got his wish granted and was moved to the Warriors at the NBA’s February 6 trade deadline after tensions increased between him and Miami Heat president Pat Riley. Meanwhile, the Giants were able to do the same with left-handed star slugger Rafael Devers, who had a fallout with the Red Sox over his role with the team.

But there also was speculation that Devers was a bad teammate and a bad influence in the Red Sox clubhouse, which quickly was shut down by Baseball Hall of Famer and former Red Sox star Pedro Martínez.

“I was shocked, just like everybody else,” Martínez said in a recent interview (h/t BR Walk-Off). “I was shocked, because if you try to sell to me, knowing Rafael Devers, that Rafi is a bad teammate, or he’s not a team player, you’re lying.

“You’re going to tell me he’s a bad influence in the clubhouse? He’s not. Does he want to play every single day? Yes, that’s probably why he was mad.”

Devers played third base for the first eight years of his MLB career before Boston moved him to DH this season to make way for Alex Bregman, whom the Red Sox signed to a three-year, $120 million free-agent contract this past offseason. But after Triston Casas sustained a ruptured left patellar tendon in early May, Devers was asked to play first base, which he declined.

Martínez also called out Red Sox icon David Ortiz for his recent remarks about Devers, in which “Big Papi” pointed to Devers’ ego as what led to the relationship with Boston tarnishing and judged Devers for his communication, or lack thereof, with him.

“The organization is always going to be there,” Ortiz reiterated in an interview with The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal published on Monday. “Players come and go. As a player, sometimes you’ve got to put your ego aside and understand that once you get paid, you’ve got to find a way to do what you’re told. 

“That’s a message for all young players who think they turn out to be bigger than the game. I’m not saying that Devers was like that. He’s humble. He’s a good kid. But sometimes when you’re young and immature, you (don’t realize that).”

Ortiz also told MLB insider Hector Gomez that Devers has “communication problems” and “almost never returned my messages.”

Martínez believes Big Papi should’ve kept those comments to himself and addressed Devers privately.

“Big Papi also made a mistake in spring training by speaking in front of the cameras about some of the things that he needed to tell Devers,” said Martinez. “And just like I said before, that should’ve been handled in-house. Big Papi should’ve gone out with Devers to talk about those things, not really openly speaking in the field, because the cameras are able to pick up everything that we say.”

“That was the first mistake from Big Papi. The other thing is I don’t like to hear those comments after things happen like that,” Martinez continued. “I would’ve loved for Big Papi to come over, grab Devers, go to a restaurant, go to his house, throw a barbecue, and talk to Devers in his house.”

Martínez was also critical of the way things played out publicly between Devers and the Red Sox.

“The thing got mishandled from the get-go,” Martínez said. “This should’ve been handled by baseball people, not front office people, not leaking it to the media, not having a back-and-forth between the media, and [manager] Alex [Cora], [president] Sam Kennedy and [chief baseball officer Craig] Breslow.”

The Giants officially introduced Devers on Tuesday, just a few hours before his San Francisco debut against the Cleveland Guardians. The blockbuster move included the Giants parting ways with left-handed starter Kyle Harrison, righty Jordan Hicks, outfield prospect James Tibbs III and low-level minor-league pitcher Jose Bello.

While the vibes were high in San Francisco, Martínez didn’t appreciate how the Red Sox handled their presser discussing the trade.

“The press conference that they held the other day didn’t help it at all because you hear the front office, Sam Kennedy, Breslow, and all those guys, talking about the situation,” Martínez said. “They talked about championships and stuff like that, but it’s not just the championships. It’s not what we have done, it’s understanding the human inside the uniform. That’s what nobody probably understands about Devers. How was he feeling when you were telling him dump your glove? Was he offended? Was he feeling funny about not being treated like somebody that could be worth a position in the infield?

“I think there was a lot of miscommunication, but it should’ve been handled by baseball people. People that have been there, that understand what it’s like to wear the uniform and at the same time be a human. I don’t think they did the best job at doing that.”

In a separate interview with “Talkin’ Baseball,” Martínez backed his feelings toward the trade and was saddened to think about how it potentially could impact Boston’s future.

A player’s reputation is everything, but the same applies to an organization and those running it.

“Everybody is looking around to see what’s going on with Boston, and we went from probably being the most I would say lovable team in the last 20 years to probably one of the teams that everybody’s going to be looking at in the future and saying, ‘If they treated Devers [or] Chris Sale that way, if they disrespected Jon Lester that way, free agents are going to be looking at Boston in a different way,’ ” Martínez said.

“That’s what I’m concerned [about], that the culture that we left — [Dustin] Pedroia, [David Ortiz], Manny [Ramirez], Jason [Varitek], all of those great players that went through the organization, is going to disappear. And people are going to start looking at Boston as a bad organization. An organization that doesn’t respect the players. And that I would hate to see, because we went from being one of the most popular teams in the last 25 years to probably being one of the most hated teams in all of baseball, and I don’t want to see that.”

When Martínez was asked about Breslow’s comments, in which he stated that he believes the Red Sox will have “won more than we would’ve otherwise” after trading Devers, he couldn’t help but laugh.

“No, I don’t [agree],” he said. “In baseball, there’s always one thing that’s going to keep you humble. If you don’t show me the numbers that say the team is going to be better without Devers and the new guys that [the Red Sox] are getting in the trade, then I don’t have a reason to believe that.”

Well, it’s clear which side Martínez stands on. And while he’ll forever be rooting for the Red Sox, he’s clearly upset with how they handled the stunning trade and the direction they’re going.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

Harrison reacts to Giants' Devers trade that sent him to Red Sox

Harrison reacts to Giants' Devers trade that sent him to Red Sox originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It’s been a whirlwind 72 hours for Kyle Harrison, to say the least.

The young left-handed pitcher, originally scheduled to start for the Giants against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday at Dodger Stadium, was scratched from his outing shortly before first pitch after San Francisco agreed to send him to the Boston Red Sox in a blockbuster trade for superstar slugger Rafael Devers.

Once the deal was finalized, Harrison, before he could join his new team, was demoted to Triple-A Worcester, where he will begin his Red Sox career before potentially joining Boston’s starting rotation later this season.

The 23-year-old spoke to reporters for the first time since the trade after the WooSox game against the Buffalo Bisons on Tuesday, and he shared how he found out he had been traded.

“I was out on the field, getting ready for ‘Sunday Night Baseball.’ Just crazy,” Harrison said. “They were like ‘You need to go talk to the manager real quick.’ I was like ‘Alright.’ Next thing you know, I’m here …

“The first moment I was like, ‘Man, why are they bugging me 20 minutes before? Maybe they got a little insight or trick where they want me to attack [the Dodgers].’ No, it was the complete opposite, and I was getting shipped off. It was a cool experience to go through and say goodbye to all the teammates.”

Harrison characterized the days since the trade as “crazy,” and although he has not fully processed the career-altering move yet, believes his inclusion in the blockbuster Devers trade speaks volumes to how highly the Red Sox thought of him.

“Probably still haven’t processed it yet, to be honest,” Harrison shared. “Like I said, I’m looking at it [and] taking it day by day. Happy I’m here and looking to get settled in here and see where it takes me.

“Obviously a player of that magnitude I’ve watched growing up, so it’s kind of cool to see. It just speaks to how much they believe in the package in return. Just excited to go out there and show these people what I can do.”

Harrison’s new pitching coach at the major-league level, Andrew Bailey, who previously served as Giants pitching coach from 2020-2023 before leaving to join the Red Sox, is excited to reunite with Harrison in Boston.

“Love Harry, he’s awesome,” Bailey told NESN’s Jahmai Webster prior to Boston’s game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday. “Great person, first and foremost. For a young guy, being drafted at an early age like that, total pro, surrounds himself with the right people. Goes about work the right way, fire competitor, wants the ball every fifth day. Red Sox Nation will grow to love him and I’m excited to have the opportunity to watch him compete, to work with him and watch him continue to grow into a superstar in this league.

“He’s got an elite four-seam, the vertical approach angle on it is off the charts. Excited to get him back up here and get to work and watch him continue to shove.”

It remains to be seen how long Harrison will remain in Triple-A before returning to the big leagues with the Red Sox, but when that time comes, he will be excited to continue his MLB career with his new team.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

Carlos Mendoza's questionable late moves helped doom Mets in maddening loss to Braves

The Mets suffered a preventable loss to the Braves on Tuesday night in Atlanta, letting a 4-1 lead slip away in the eighth inning before failing to come through in extras.

And while there was plenty of blame to go around for the defeat, it can be argued that it would've been a relatively uneventful and smooth win if the bottom of the eighth inning had been handled just a bit differently.

With David Peterson in the midst of another strong performance -- on the heels of a shutout his last time out -- he was left in to start the eighth against Atlanta's No. 9 hitter Nick Allen, which was sensible.

"Especially with the way he was throwing the ball, you got a three-run lead there, he’s at 82 pitches with the nine-hole [hitter]," Carlos Mendozasaid after the game. "He walked him there, you still like your chances with getting a ground ball, he was getting a lot of ground balls."

Once Peterson lost Allen -- who came into the at-bat with a .553 OPS -- to the walk, though, his night should've been over.

Instead, Peterson was left in to face the dangerous Ronald Acuña Jr., who ripped a single to put runners on first and second with none out.

At that point,Mendoza came out of the dugout to remove Peterson while bringing Reed Garrett in.

New York Mets starting pitcher David Peterson (23) throws against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Truist Park.
New York Mets starting pitcher David Peterson (23) throws against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Truist Park. / Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The problem, beyond the fact that Peterson was kept in a batter too long, was that Garrett was seemingly rushed in.

When the inning started, Garrett was not even beginning to warm up. That didn't happen until right after Allen walked, when Garrett hurriedly began to toss. He had just over two minutes to get ready in the bullpen before being summoned.

Garrett allowed a single to the first batter he faced before getting the next two outs. With Marcell Ozuna up and the count 2-2, Garrett was one pitch away from escaping the jam. But Ozuna stroked a bases-clearing double down the left field line on a splitter that wasn't down enough.

It's impossible to know what would've happened if Garrett was brought in right after the walk. But it's more than fair to question the process, which resulted in Peterson staying in one batter too long and Garrett perhaps not being as ready to go as he would've been if he had started throwing in the bullpen sooner.

Another questionable move by Mendoza was sticking with designated hitter Jared Young in the 10th inning.

With the game tied, 4-4, and the free runner on second base to start the frame, Young -- who had four hits in 26 at-bats when his time at the plate started -- led off.

Young had looked overmatched all game, striking out twice. And he struck out for a third time leading off the 10th.

The obvious choice would've been to pinch-hit for Young with Starling Marte, who has been hot -- reaching base 13 times in his last 29 plate appearances. And who has a career full of experience in big spots.

Again, it's impossible to know if the Mets would have won if Peterson was pulled earlier and/or Garrett had more time to warm up. And it's impossible to know if they would've won if Marte hit for Young. But it's also impossible to argue that they wouldn't have been in a better position to do so.

Royals at Rangers Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for June 18

It's Wednesday, June 18 and the Royals (35-38) are in Arlington to take on the Rangers (36-37). Kris Bubic is slated to take the mound for Kansas City against Patrick Corbin for Texas.

Kansas City took the opening game of the series, 6-1, to snap the four-game winning streak Texas had going. Salvador Perez homered twice and Bobby Witt knocked one over the wall combining for four of the six runs scored.

The Rangers are now 7-2 over the last nine games to follow up a four-game losing streak. The win for the Royals snapped a six-game losing streak for Kansas City.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Royals at Rangers

  • Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
  • Time: 8:05PM EST
  • Site: Globe Life Field
  • City: Arlington, TX
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNKC, RSN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Royals at the Rangers

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Royals (-127), Rangers (+107)
  • Spread:  Royals -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Royals at Rangers

  • Pitching matchup for June 18, 2025: Kris Bubic vs. Patrick Corbin
    • Royals: Kris Bubic, (5-4, 1.92 ERA)
      Last outing: 4.1 Innings Pitched, 5 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 4 Walks, and 3 Strikeouts
    • Rangers: Patrick Corbin, (4-5, 3.66 ERA)
      Last outing: 5.0 Innings Pitched, 3 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 3 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Royals and the Rangers

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday’s game between the Royals and the Rangers:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Texas Rangers at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Royals at Rangers

  • The Rangers have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against AL Central teams
  • Each of the last 3 matchups between the Rangers and the Royals have stayed under the Total
  • It has been 3 games since the Rangers last covered the Run Line
  • Kansas City is 7-6 on the ML when Kris Bubic pitches this season
  • Texas is 5-7 on the ML when Patrick Corbin pitches this season

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Orioles at Rays Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for June 18

It's Wednesday, June 18 and the Orioles (31-41) are in Tampa to take on the Rays (40-33). Trevor Rogers is slated to take the mound for Baltimore against Taj Bradley for Tampa Bay.

Baltimore took the second of this four-game series, 5-1, to snap Tampa Bay's four-game winning streak. The Rays are 10-4 over the past 14 games, while the Orioles are 12-5 in the past 17.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Orioles at Rays

  • Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
  • Time: 7:35PM EST
  • Site: George M. Steinbrenner Field
  • City: Tampa, FL
  • Network/Streaming: MASN2, FDSNSUN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Orioles at the Rays

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Orioles (+114), Rays (-134)
  • Spread:  Rays -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Orioles at Rays

  • Pitching matchup for June 18, 2025: Trevor Rogers vs. Taj Bradley
    • Orioles: Trevor Rogers, (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
      Last outing: 6.1 Innings Pitched, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 2 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts
    • Rays: Taj Bradley, (4-5, 4.35 ERA)
      Last outing: 4.0 Innings Pitched, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 4 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Orioles and the Rays

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday’s game between the Orioles and the Rays:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Tampa Bay Rays on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Baltimore Orioles at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the under on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Orioles at Rays

  • The Rays have won 4 of their last 5 home games against American League teams
  • The Under is 4-1 in the Rays' last 5 matchups against divisional opponents
  • The Rays have covered in 4 of their last 5 games for a profit of 1.21 units
  • Tampa Bay is 7-7 on the ML when Taj Bradley pitches this season
  • Baltimore is 1-0 on the ML when Trevor Rogers pitches this season

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Shaikin: The Giants just made a big trade. Will the Dodgers make one of their own?

Andrew Friedman , President of Baseball Operations of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers' president of baseball operations, is hoping the Dodgers can buck recent history and avoid having to "buy in July" this season. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

If you’re a major league team trying to move a $250-million contract, what other team would you likely call first?

The Dodgers, of course.

On Sunday, the Boston Red Sox traded Rafael Devers, a three-time All-Star two years shy of 30. Andrew Friedman said he never heard from them.

That made sense. The Red Sox were no longer using Devers as a third baseman, a decision backed by publicly available defensive metrics and the presence of Alex Bregman. The San Francisco Giants, the team that acquired Devers, say they’ll use him as a first baseman and designated hitter, and the Dodgers are more than covered there by Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani.

But, in the wake of the biggest trade so far this season, I thought back to the mission statement the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations put upon himself last winter. Here we are two weeks from July, and here was that Friedman statement from December: “I do not want to buy in July.”

What Friedman does not want might not matter a month from now. He could see a pretty picture, or he could need a pretty pitcher.

Read more:Andy Pages shines and Dave Roberts is ejected in Dodgers' wild win over Padres

For all the scrutiny of their shortcomings, the first-place Dodgers are in a pretty good spot. They lead the majors in runs, home runs and OPS.

They have won six of their past eight games, all against the teams immediately below them in the National League West standings: the Giants and the San Diego Padres. The Dodgers lead the toughest division in the majors by a season-high 3½ games over San Francisco, 5 games over San Diego.

After the Padres leave town Thursday, the Dodgers play 12 consecutive games against teams with losing records, including the team with the worst record in the NL and the worst record in the American League — the Colorado Rockies and the Chicago White Sox, respectively.

Friedman would rather not trade in July because the cost in prospects tends to be high. However, for the Dodgers, the annual expectation of winning the World Series trumps that.

“It’s been our goal the last three or four years not to buy in July,” Friedman said Tuesday. “It hasn’t necessarily played out according to plan.”

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts chats with outfielder Michael Conforto during batting practice.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts chats with outfielder Michael Conforto during batting practice before a game against the Pirates in May. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

On offense, the lone hole is glaring. The only starting position player not performing above league average on offense is left fielder Michael Conforto, who is batting .168 with a .277 slugging percentage and a negative WAR. The Dodgers do have Hyeseong Kim as a wild card on the bench, and on a roster loaded with positional flexibility.

“To date, obviously, Michael hasn’t performed up to what he expected or we expected,” Friedman said. “But, watching the way he is working, watching the progress being made, I would bet that his next two months are way better than his last two months.

“Obviously, like we will with all of our players, we will continue to assess where they are. The important thing is, if we have an injury or (poor) performance, do we feel like we have different ways to maneuver? We do.”

Is there a possibility of trading for a left fielder?

“Never say never,” Friedman said, “but I think we would hold a very high bar and find it very unlikely.”

By the middle of July, the Dodgers would like their starting rotation to include Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the recently returned duo of Ohtani and Clayton Kershaw, and the rehabilitating duo of Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell.

Read more:Shaikin: The new marquee battle in the NL West: Andrew Friedman vs. Buster Posey

On paper, that would be a pretty sweet rotation.

On the field, Yamamoto has a 5.65 earned-run average this month. It is unlikely the perennially cautious Dodgers would let Ohtani and Kershaw make every start from now through the end of the season, even if the two stayed healthy. And it is uncertain whether Glasnow and Snell can return healthy and effective by the time Friedman would have to decide whether to trade prospects for a starting pitcher.

No buy in July?

“I’m still optimistic,” Friedman said. “It requires guys coming back on or close to the timelines that we have penciled out.

“We have shown that, if we’re not in position to do that, we’ll be aggressive to add. But our strong desire is not to.”

It is not that the Dodgers consider a bullpen game some sort of failure, or last resort. The Dodgers ran a bullpen game in an elimination game last October. They won that game, and another bullpen game in which they clinched the NL championship.

Read more:Dodgers say Nezza is not banned from stadium for singing national anthem in Spanish

They have run bullpen games in each of their past four games against San Diego, and they have won three. They’ll essentially run another one Wednesday, since Emmet Sheehan will be activated after four triple-A starts, none of which lasted more than 3⅓ innings.

So far, so good. But the Dodgers are about October, and getting there may not be painless with Jack Dreyer making one fewer start than Glasnow, and twice as many as Snell.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.