MLB picks: Reds vs. Cubs, Rockies vs. Angels

Monday might be an off day for 14 MLB teams, but bettors still have plenty of solid wagering opportunities! We crunched the numbers and came up with our two best bets for the evening.

Let’s begin with a look at the National League Central showdown between the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago Cubs. Then we’ll move on to an interleague encounter, with the Colorado Rockies against the Los Angeles Angels.

Cincinnati Reds (51-48) at Chicago Cubs (49-51), 8:05 p.m. ET

Oddsmakers are offering plenty of leeway on the first five innings Under line for the series opener, and bettors should take advantage.

Wade Miley will get the nod for Cincinnati, and he has recorded three quality starts from three chances this month. That includes his 6 2/3 innings of two-run baseball against Chicago on Independence Day. He also limited the Cubs to two runs over five innings in his other 2021 start against them April 30.

Kyle Hendricks will counter for the Cubs and look for his 13th quality start over 14 chances. He outdueled Miley through six innings July 4, when he allowed only one run in his lone appearance against the Reds this season.

Bettors should be wary of these bullpens, as the Cubs rank 15th in ERA since the All-Star break (4.28), while the Reds are 28th (6.86). Cash in early with the first five innings Under, instead of leaving things to chance late.

MLB pick: Under 4.5 runs (first five innings)

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Colorado Rockies (43-56) at Los Angeles Angels (49-49), 9:38 p.m. ET

After he hit his MLB-leading 35th home run of the year Sunday, Shohei Ohtani will step back onto the mound for what should be a successful start.

Ohtani owns a 1.38 ERA through two starts this month, and put up plenty of zeroes against respectable lineups in Boston and Oakland. Ohtani should be in command against Colorado’s MLB-worst road offense (2.87 runs per game).

German Marquez will toe the rubber for the Rockies, against the Angels’ second-ranked home offense by runs per game (5.53). He was pitching well going into the All-Star break — hence the hometown hero’s first selection to the NL roster — but looked shaky in his last start, when he allowed four runs in six innings against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday.

Marquez is unlikely to be bailed out by his bullpen, which ranks 28th in the majors by ERA this season (5.31).

MLB pick: Angels -157