Tracking MLB betting action for Friday, July 2nd

Friday night brings 15 games on the MLB docket with numerous matchups and potential breakout performances you should keep your eye on.

Here we’re going to be tracking all the best MLB picks based on the odds and lines on DraftKings Sportsbook for Friday night’s baseball action.

MLB picks for Friday, July 2nd

Astros (-1.5) vs. Cleveland

Coming off a four-game losing streak, the Houston Astros broke their short slump with a 7-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians Thursday and are favorites to pick up another ‘W’ tonight at Progressive Field.

Jose Altuve came through big in the middle innings of yesterday’s contest with a grand slam to put Houston ahead and continues to be a primary addition to DraftKings Daily Fantasy lineups, averaging 10.1 FPPG. Backing him and the potent Houston lineup on the mound will be Lance McCullers Jr., who is 5-1 on the year sporting a superb 2.94 ERA and a WAR of 1.5.

Speaking of the Astros lineup, they’ll have the chance to tee off on Cleveland starter Sam Hentges, who has had a rough go of it as a rookie. Hentges is 1-2 with a 7.32 ERA and has given up at least four earned runs in four starts. During said starts, he has yet to make it beyond five innings so expect the Houston bats to get active early.

Jared Walsh to hit home run (+320)

The attention will understandably be on MLB home run leader Shoehei Ohtani as the Angels start a three-game home series against Baltimore but don’t sleep on Jared Walsh going yard in this one.

Walsh has 20 dingers of his own throughout the 2021 campaign and belted a pair in LA’s 11-8 win over the Yankees on Wednesday. Within the friendly confines of Angel Stadium, he has smacked 11 of his 20 homers this year on a .285 batting average with 32 RBI.

Los Angeles Angels Over 5.5 runs (+110)

With a day of rest after their East Coast road trip, expect Walsh, Ohtani, and the Angels lineup to come out fresh and ready to rake against a vulnerable Baltimore pitching staff in the series opener.

In Friday’s matchup, LA will go up against left-hander Keegan Akin, whose struggles on the mound this year have mirrored Baltimore’s as a whole. With a 7.11 ERA, Akin has been tagged with the loss in his previous four decisions, yielding 26 hits and 22 earned runs in that span. It also doesn’t help that he’s been dreadful on the road this season, giving up 28 hits and 20 earned runs in 22.2 innings of action away from Camden Yards this season. Expect the Angels to take full advantage tonight.

Alek Manoah Over 5.5 Strikeouts (-114)

The Blue Jays’ rookie returns to the mound after serving a five-game suspension for intentionally throwing at Maikel Franco and is facing a Tampa Bay Rays lineup that far and away leads the majors in strikeouts with 837 on the year.

That only means good things for Manoah, who has punched out 33 batters in his six starts so far as a rookie.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL).Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA/MI), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (NH/CO), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-888-532-3500 (VA) or call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN).21+ (18+ NH). CO/IL/IN/IA/NH/NJ/PA/TN/VA/WV/MI only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.