MLB Best Bets – Free (Friday 6/21)

As we step into another beautiful summer Friday, MLB presents us with an exhilarating 14-game slate. As the temperatures continue to rise, we have officially entered what we fondly call “the dog days of summer.” To make the most of this lengthy slate, I’ve handpicked two pitchers with promising matchups for us to exploit.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

Ryan Pepiot will be on the mound for the Rays as they journey to Pittsburgh to face the Pirates. Despite a tough outing against the Atlanta Braves in his last start, where he gave up five earned runs and three homers, Pepiot is poised for a strong comeback. The matchup presents a golden opportunity for Pepiot to showcase his skills. The Pirates have the fourth-highest K% versus RHP over the last 14 days at 25.9%, and with six targets in the PIT lineup with above-league average K% on the season, Pepiot’s potential to achieve at least five strikeouts is high in the first leg of our parlay.

PIT vs. RHP

Andrew McCutchen: 26.5%
Connor Joe: 23.0%
Oneil Cruz: 31.3%
Nick Gonzales: 23.0%
Jack Suwinski: 26.7%
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 21.3%

Chicago White Sox vs. Detroit Tigers

For the second leg of our parlay, we’ll focus on an AL Central matchup between the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers. Veteran right-hander Jack Flaherty will take the mound for the Tigers, aiming to extend his streak of 16.2 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run. This White Sox team is a dream matchup to keep that streak alive. Chicago has the fifth-lowest wRC+ and the 11th-highest K% versus RHP over the last 14 days. Flaherty saw the Sox during the season’s opening week and racked up seven strikeouts. Tonight, we only need six strikeouts, and he will have five targets to work against in the Sox lineup.

CHW vs. RHP

Luis Robert Jr: 38.8%
Andrew Vaughn: 26.6%
Paul DeJong: 31.0%
Korey Lee: 30.1%
Lenyn Sosa: 29.2%