MLB best bets: Wiesguy's 2 Picks and a Prop for 4/18

In Review: Monday, April 17

Colorado Rockies -140  (loss)
The Rox were smoked in this one. The offense was close to nonexistent. 

San Diego Padres +125  (loss)
The Padres did not score against Atlanta last night. I was wrong about fading a starter off the DL. 

Texas Rangers Over 4.5 Runs (loss)
It was a 4-0 shutout. A near miss that could have staved off disaster.  

MLB Picks for Tuesday, April 18

Favorite

Texas Rangers -120 (at Kansas City Royals)
Fading the Royals is definitely going to be a common strategy this season. Last night, Jacob deGrom did not give up a hit while he was on the hill and tonight I expect Nathan Eovaldi to have a high amount of success too. Kansas City has just one home win so far this season and is near the bottom in most hitting metrics. Texas can get this one even if they have to score a lot to do so. 

Underdog

Cincinnati Reds +110 (vs Tampa Bay Rays)
The Rays lost last night. That is three losses in four games for a team that is actually mortal. Tonight the Reds look to have an advantage on the mound with emerging lefty Nick Lodolo. The Rays' starter, Taj Bradley, has only made one start in the majors and it was at home. This will feel a little different and right now the Reds are in the top 10 in scoring plus Lodolo is legit. This is worth the payoff even though these teams have very different objectives for the season. 

Prop

Ken Waldichuk Under 17.5 Outs -110
The Cubs are playing at Oakland tonight. I bet you didn't know that the Cubs are third in runs and second in batting average so far this season — I know I didn't. Waldichuk has been inconsistent this year and I am not seeing him getting to a full six innings' worth of outs in this matchup. Especially after throwing 107 pitches in his last game. The Cubs are likely to beat him up and there is no reason for Oakland to burn him out, too.