Top MLB Betting Picks of the Week (June 6th, 2022)

By Hank Blaine • June 6, 2022

How is it that Major League Baseball players suffer the most unusual off-the-field injuries? The latest: Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer was bitten on the pitching hand by his own dog. Scherzer says the wound won’t slow his recovery from an oblique strain, and he should be back late this month. Here’s a look at two intriguing early-week matchups around the majors. Check back for MLB odds.

Top MLB Betting Picks of the Week (June 6th, 2022)

The @Dodgers are back in the No. 1 spot. React accordingly.

Full rankings ➡️ https://t.co/vtYiGOJ8O4 pic.twitter.com/1We5XJWjNW
— MLB (@MLB) May 31, 2022

Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels

When: Monday, June 6, 2022, 9:38 PM ET
Where: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, CA
TV: NESN, MLBN, Bally Sports West
Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub (Red Sox) / AM830 KLAA (Angels)
MLB Betting Odds: Red Sox (+105) / Angels (-120)

How on earth can a team with MVP candidates Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani plus breakout star Taylor Ward be on an 11-game losing streak? A couple of weeks ago, the Los Angeles Angels appeared to be legitimate contenders to win the American League pennant, but now they are below .500 and on an 11-game losing streak as they open a home series vs. Boston on Monday in a game that could have wild-card ramifications down the road.

It was almost impossible for the Halos to lose Sunday in Philadelphia as they had a five-run lead in the fourth inning, held a four-run lead in the eighth and even after closer Raisel Iglesias served up a game-tying grand slam to Bryce Harper in the eighth, the Angels took a one-run lead in the ninth when Matt Duffy came through with a go-ahead RBI single. But reliever Jimmy Herget was called in for a one-out save and promptly gave up a walk-off three-run homer to rookie Bryson Stott to hand the Angels a 9-7 loss.

LA has dropped 11 straight for the first time since Aug. 4-15, 2016. It also dropped them to 26-27 on the year after being a season-high 11 games over .500 on May 15. They are only the fourth team since 1900 to lose 10 games or more in a row to fall back to .500 or worse in a season, joining the 1991 Reds, ‘78 A’s and ‘70 Cubs. None of those clubs made the postseason.

“We’ve lost a lot of tough ones, and it really makes no sense,” Angels manager Joe Maddon said. “We got the right guys out there and the right time. And again, we gave it up late. We have to get that fixed. I loved the fight, but we have to finish these games off, and that’s a big part of the situation we’re in right now.”

It certainly didn’t help matters that Ward landed on the injured list on Sunday – he left Friday’s game against the Phillies in the bottom of the seventh inning, as he felt some tightness in his right hamstring early in the game and eventually told trainers about the injury. Ward is hitting .333 with 10 homers and 26 RBIs. Former top prospect Jo Adell was called up to take his place.

Boston brings in a four-game winning streak to reach .500 at 27-27. The Sox lost two of three at home to the Angels in early May. It’s Michael Wacha (3-1, 2.43 ERA) on the bump Monday. Wacha has allowed 2 runs or fewer and 4 hits or fewer in 7 of his 8 starts. He hasn’t allowed a walk in his past two. He beat the Angels on May 3 with 5.2 shutout innings.

Noah Syndergaard goes for the Angels (4-3, 4.02 ERA). He was roughed up last time out, but the big right-hander has struggled on the road this year and been excellent at home with a 1.48 ERA in four starts.

MLB Betting Pick: Angels

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago White Sox

When: Tuesday, June 7, 2022. 10:10pm ET.
Where: Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago, Il
TV: SportsNet LA, TBS, NBCSCH
Radio: Dodgers Radio AM570 (Dodgers) / WMVP 1000 AM (White Sox)
MLB Betting Odds: TBA

Possible World Series preview? TBS has the national telecast. The Dodgers remain the overall favorites to win the Fall Classic and have one of the best records in the majors, but the injury-ravaged White Sox have disappointed at 25-27, although they do come off a solid series win at Tampa Bay.

The Pale Hose remains without two key players in injured shortstop Tim Anderson and outfielder Eloy Jimenez. White Sox manager Tony La Russa told reporters on Sunday that Eloy Jimenez (hamstring) is still working on building up his leg strength before rejoining the big league club. Anderson is at least another week away with a groin injury.

The White Sox are 123-89 since 2020 when Anderson is in the lineup, compared to 29-32 when he does not play. During that span, the Sox are 104-58 when Anderson records a hit, 61-25 when he records a multihit effort, 26-7 when he registers a three-hit game and 26-3 when he hits a home run.

The White Sox are 16-21 when scoring four runs or fewer and 12-18 when scoring three or less this season. The 12 wins are and 16 wins both are tied for the most in MLB this season. The Sox have scored four runs or fewer in 13 of their last 18 wins since April 30 and 15 of the last 21.

The Dodgers enter on a rare losing streak, albeit only two games after losing the final two of their home series vs. the Mets over the weekend. The Dodger starting pitchers lead the National League with an ERA of 2.64 and have posted a record of 26-8.

It’s Mitch White (1-1, 4.79 ERA) on the bump Tuesday, and he’s one of the weak links of that rotation simply as an injury replacement. The Dodgers aren’t underdogs often, but likely will be vs. Michael Kopech (1-2, 2.20 ERA).

MLB Betting Pick: White Sox

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