MLB picks: Orioles vs. Red Sox, Astros vs. Angels

Some fantastic opportunities await baseball bettors this Friday night! Let’s dig into our two favorite sides for the evening.

Leading off is our look at an AL East showdown between the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Red Sox. Then we’ll shift to an AL West clash between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Angels.

Baltimore Orioles (38-75) at Boston Red Sox (66-51), 7:10 p.m. ET

Oddsmakers can’t set a high enough total for Friday night’s series opener at Fenway Park between the Orioles and Red Sox.

Spenser Watkins is in danger of losing his fourth straight start for Baltimore in this one. He’s recorded a 6.89 ERA and 1.468 WHIP over his last three outings.

Watkins will face a Boston order that put up 20 runs in one game on Wednesday night. First baseman Bobby Dalbec – batting .316 in August – led the way with five RBI.

Nick Pivetta responds for the Red Sox, and it’s hard to envision him bottling his last effort of six scoreless frames against the Blue Jays. Prior to that outing, he had a 6.75 ERA in a four-start span.

Pivetta has pitched poorly at home all year, as evidenced by his 5.80 ERA and 1.509 WHIP.

These two bullpens are liable to pour gasoline on the fire – Boston is 29th and Baltimore is 30th in ERA over the past two weeks (7.60 and 9.33, respectively).

MLB pick: Over

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Houston Astros (68-46) at Los Angeles Angels (58-58), 9:38 p.m. ET

Zack Greinke and the Astros should pick up a road victory over the Angels on Friday night.

Greinke has been remarkably consistent for Houston this year, producing an ERA between 3.44 and 3.89 in each of the first four months of the campaign. He began August with a quality start (three runs allowed over six frames) against the Minnesota Twins last Friday.

Greinke has done some of his best work on the road in 2021, authoring a 2.67 ERA and 0.953 WHIP. The Astros ace can have faith in his bullpen to nail things down late, as this unit is third in ERA over the last two weeks at 1.79.

Patrick Sandoval responds for L.A., looking to improve on his dreadful 10.64 ERA over 11 career innings against Houston. Yordan Alvarez has had his number in five prior meetings, clubbing two home runs. Unfortunately for Sandoval, Alvarez is swinging a hot bat heading into this series – he’s batting .333 in August with three four-baggers and seven RBI.

The Angels’ bullpen is a mediocre 15th by ERA over the last 14 days (3.68), further strengthening the Astros’ case in this one.

MLB pick: Astros -143