Locks
No locks today.
Degenerates
MLB 2-Team Moneyline Parlay (+120; Odds via DraftKings)
Washington Nationals @ Baltimore Orioles -240: 5:35 PM CT on MASN
The Orioles have actually excelled in this situational spot that trips up other teams, coming home after a lengthy road trip. I’m really not concerned about it since they had a day off yesterday to get ready for this stretch run, where their easy schedule sets them up to control the AL East. That starts today against a Nationals team that has come back to earth after a strong August, and they have a very underrated starter with Kyle Bradish going. It’s a big number here that can be scary this time of year, but the Nats don’t worry me against a quality righty, and should fall to an Orioles squad protecting a slim division lead.
Texas Rangers -180 @ LA Angels: 8:38 PM CT on MLB Network
I can’t look at the Angels and not see a team making tee times for next week. They might luck into a win in their final five games here, especially since they close the season against Oakland, but this Texas team is a different story. The Rangers have an opportunity to capitalize on another AL West collapse as both the Astros and Mariners are tripping up. They need wins here though with a much tougher series to close the season in Seattle, so I see them taking advantage of LA’s desire to get the nightmare season over with. Even though Reid Detmers has had some success against Texas this year, the Ranger offense is too good and the Angel bullpen too awful for Texas not to pull this out.
MLB Pittsburgh Pirates ML @ Philadelphia Phillies (+140; Odds via DraftKings): 5:40 PM CT on NBCS-PH
The Phillies are red hot, winners of 5 straight and 8 of their past 10 games, putting them in the driver’s seat for the top NL wild card. So of course they’re heavy favorites today, but something about the line here says they aren’t as heavy as they should be. Particularly not against an eliminated Pirates squad playing out the string, and with Aaron Nola on the mound who has led them to a 7-1 record in his past 8 starts.
But Mitch Keller has been similarly successful for Pittsburgh, with the Pirates going 6-1 in his past 7 starts. He’s been alternating good and bad starts, with this one set to swing to the good, but the Buccos have been winning regardless. They got to Nola in his other start against them this season, while Keller was excellent in his lone start against the Phillies.
The key here is whether Philadelphia will be taking the Pirates seriously as they close the season with a very easy schedule, especially since they aren’t needing a win like the teams above. I don’t think they will, and something about this spot says to be careful of the heavy favorite and take a shot on the underdog.
Tiny Nick is 1524-1370 ATS (+73.8 Units) on his Locks since joining Zone Coverage.
Every day he will offer his Locks and Degenerate picks. Locks are the games he’s confident in. Degenerates are entertaining but riskier picks.