Chowder and Champions’ Best Boston Bets for 8/1 (Sox and Mariners Rack Up Runs, Other AL East Action)

Though football is right around the corner, the competition in MLB is heating up as we enter the month of August. Tuesday features the entire AL East in action, including a pair of intra-division matchups that are sure to impact the standings.

Ahead these clashes, here are our editors’ top betting picks for Tuesday.

Best Boston Betting Picks: August 1

Tyler Maher: Red Sox-Mariners OVER

Unfortunately for the Red Sox, they have not been playing their best baseball heading into the trade deadline. They’ve lost three in a row as their offense has gone cold, scoring three runs or less in four straight games (playing in pitcher-friendly parks hasn’t helped). Fortunately for them the Yankees have struggled as well, keeping Boston out of the basement in the AL East.

The Sox will try to turn it around tonight against a surging Mariners team that has won eight of its last 11. Boston will have ace Brayan Bello on the mound, though he’s hit a bit of a rough patch lately with a 6.75 ERA and a 7.77 FIP over his last three starts.

Seattle sends rookie Bryce Miller to the bump to extend its winning streak. Normally that would be a juicy opportunity for the Red Sox lineup, but Miller has been excellent this year with a 7-3 record, a 3.96 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP and a 4.7 K/BB ratio.

Miller just got roughed up by the Twins in his most recent outing, however, so he’s not infallible.

The over/under of 7.5 is expecting a pitching duel, but that’s hardly a guarantee with two young starting pitchers. Boston is averaging just under five runs per game (sixth in MLB), while Seattle is putting up 4.54 runs per game (13th). With two above-average offenses collectively averaging 9.5 runs per game, we should expect the Over to hit for the second night in a row.

Jason Schandl: Rays Moneyline vs. Yankees

Carlos Rodon has finally had one good start for the Yankees this season, so naturally New York fans are already declaring that he’s back and as good as ever. Just as predictably, they’re full of it.

Rodon held the Mets to 1 earned run over 5 ⅔ in his last start. Great. Congrats on your success against an offense that ranks bottom-10 against southpaws. Now lets see it against a Rays team that ranks third in wRC+ against lefties.

Not to mention that he didn’t even pitch particularly well against the Mets. He had 4 strikeouts to 3 walks, didn’t force a single soft-hit batted-ball, and his decreased velocity was still showing through.

Rodon is about to get shelled again, and with Zach Eflin (11-6, 3.64 ERA and an array of advanced numbers even better than that) on the mound the Rays won’t have much trouble controlling the Yanks’ offense either.

Getting this game at a pick ‘em price I’m happy to take the value on the Rays, but if you’re looking for an even better payout you should look at the Tampa runline too.

Isaiah De Los Santos: Orioles Moneyline vs. Blue Jays

Tuesday’s jam-packed AL East action includes the second game of the current series between the Orioles and Blue Jays. Monday’s contest featured a win by Baltimore, and I see a repeat of that result tonight.

Toronto is set to start Hyun Jin Ryu tonight, which will mark his first game back on the mound since undergoing Tommy John surgery. It’s been over a year since the former All-Star played a game in the majors, which means there’ll be plenty of rust to shake off in his return.

Making things even worse for the Blue Jays is some serious concerns in their lineup. Star shortstop Bo Bichette was forced to leave Monday’s game in the third inning due to right knee soreness, and the team didn’t sound very confident that he’ll be back right away. Meanwhile, George Springer has gone hitless over his last 19 at-bats, which won’t help the offense if Bichette is out tonight.

Given all of this, I see the Orioles taking game No. 2.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.