Tracking MLB betting action for Friday, July 16th

To end the first half of the 2021 MLB season, we had a clean sweep on our bets bets, going 3-0. To begin the day, San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani easily went over 4.5 strikeouts (-134) against the Washington Nationals. The veteran pitcher had 6 Ks in 6.0 IP. Then to follow up DeSclafani, White Sox starter Lucas Giolito had one of his better performances of the 2021 season against the Orioles. Giolito went over 6.5 strikeouts (-113), recording 9 strikeouts in 5.1 IP. Finally, Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Peralta went under 7.5 strikeouts (+105) against the Reds (6Ks in 5.0 IP).

Can we duplicate our run from last weekend? Here we’re going to be tracking all the best MLB picks base on the odds and lines on DraftKings Sportsbook for Friday night’s baseball action.

MLB picks for Friday, July 16th — Record YTD (15-15)

Robbie Ray over 8.5 strikeouts (+100)

Since the moneyline price for the Blue Jays is at a whomping -255, currently on DraftKings Sportsbook. We are going to attack Ray’s strikeout prop going up against the Texas Rangers. The veteran southpaw has struggled to keep the ball inside the ballpark with 20 HRs allowed in 17 starts this season. However, he’s been a strikeout machine, recording 130 strikeouts in 100.2 IP.

Ray has gone over 8.5 strikeouts in 9 out of 17 starts this season, which includes 2 out of his last 3 outings. The left-hander is averaging 8.2 strikeouts per game in his last five road starts. At +100 odds, it is not a bad bet to take, especially since he’s facing a Rangers’ offense that is averaging 8.97 Ks per game and 9.56 Ks per game on the road.

Kevin Gausman over 6.5 strikeouts (-105)

The San Francisco Giants will have their ace on the mound when they begin a three-game road series against the St. Louis Cardinals tonight at 8:15 p.m. ET. Gausman has been one of the best pitchers in the NL and MLB this season. The 30-year-old is 9-3 with an ERA of 1.73 and 133 strikeouts in 18 starts. The All-Star pitcher has gone over 6.5 strikeouts in 12 out of 18 outings, which includes 3 out of his last 4 starts. However, in his last five road starts, he’s averaging 6.6 strikeouts per game. Now granted, Gausman is facing a Cardinals’ team that does not strike out a lot at 8.06 Ks per game. But the 30-year-old has been dominant on the road with a 1.35 ERA.

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