Rounding the Bases: MLB Straight Up Picks for Every Game Today (Diamondbacks will upset Braves)

Breaking down a pick for all 15 MLB games set to take place on Tuesday, July 9, including the Atlanta Braves vs. Arizona Diamondbacks.

Jul 8, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (12) hits a sacrifice fly out against the Atlanta Braves in the sixth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports / Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

The MLB season marches on and we're in the final week of action before the All-Star Break.

All 15 teams are in action today which means we have plenty of games to watch and bet on. As we always do on Rounding the Bases, I'm going to give you my pick to win each one of them. Let's dive into it.

Odds in this article are via FanDuel Sportsbook

Chicago Cubs vs. Baltimore Orioles Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Orioles -154

The Orioles offense continues to be one of the best in the Majors, ranking second in OPS over the past 30 days. Meanwhile, the Cubs are a measly 25th. Dean Kramer (3.93 ERA) should be able to hold his own against this Cubs lineup, I'll back the O's.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Philadelphia Phillies Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Phillies -142

Bobby Miller will get the start for the Dodgers tonight and his struggled have continued since returning from injury. He has a 6.75 in three starts since then and until he proves he can return to form, I'm going to go ahead and fade Los Angeles in his starts, especially against a lineup as strong as the Phillies.

Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Tigers Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Guardians -144

I expected regression from the Guardians, but they're starting to turn me into a believer. They're still a top 10 offense in the Majors and now get to face a slumping Kenta Maeda of the Tigers, who has a lowly 6.71 ERA on the season. Cleveland is the bet in this one.

New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Yankees -122

The Rays are lucky to be sitting at 44-46, just two games back from .500. They have one of the worst bullpens in the Majors and they're just 21st in OPS this season. It's time for the Yankees to snap out of their slump.

Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Nationals +114

The Nationals' offense has been surprisingly adequate the past 30 days, ranking 12th in OPS over that time frame. They are in a great upset spot tonight against the Mets with Jake Irvin and his 2.80 ERA on the mound.

Colorado Rockies vs. Cincinnati Reds Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Rockies +154

I simply don't think the Reds should be a -184 favorite with how their offense has played this season, specifically over the past month where they rank 27th in OPS while also batting a measly .219. You have to plug your nose before betting on the Rockies, but I'll pass on laying a big price on a team that's batting .219 over the past month.

Oakland Athletics vs. Boston Red Sox Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Red Sox -190

It's largely a wash on the starting pitcher matchup in this game between Joey Estes (4.39 ERA) and Brayan Bello (5.19 ERA), so we have to look to the offenses, an area where the Red Sox have a significant advantage. Boston ranks sixth in OPS over the past 30 days while the A's come in at 19th. I'll back the Bo Sox.

Kansas City Royals vs. St. Louis Cardinals Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Cardinals -118

Regression is here for the Royals offense. They're 26th in the Majors in OPS over the past 30 days while the Cardinals enter this game ranking 13th in that time frame. I'll take the Cardinals as short favorites.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Milwaukee Brewers Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Brewers -164

The Pirates have yet to announce who's going to start from them on the mound today, but it's hard to imagine it will be someone as good as Colin Rea (3.34 ERA) of the Brewers. That means Milwaukee will have both the pitching and offensive advantage in this one. Back the Brew Crew.

Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Twins -158

The Twins lead all of Major League Baseball in OPS over the past 30 days at .906. Despite the White Sox starting Erick Fedde and his 3.13 ERA, I simply can't look past just how good the Twins offense is.

Miami Marlins vs. Houston Astros Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Astros -225

The Marlins are dead last in the Majors in OPS over the past 30 days at .615, with the next worse team being significantly ahead of them at .648. Now they're starting Trevor Rogers with his 1-9 record. I'll back the Astros without hesitation.

Texas Rangers vs. Los Angeles Angels Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Rangers -174

Max Scherzer has been fantastic since making his 2024 debut, sporting a 2.70 ERA. I have no interest in betting against the Rangers when he takes the mound.

Atlanta Braves vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Diamondbacks +106

We're in for a great pitching matchup tonight between Chris Sale (2.71 ERA) and Zac Gallen (3.06 ERA), but it's the Diamondbacks who have had the hotter offense, ranking third in OPS over the last 30 days while the Braves rank 18th.

Seattle Mariners vs. San Diego Padres Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Padres +118

I'm shocked the Mariners have a 49-43 record at this point of the season. They're batting just .205 over the past 30 days, the worst mark in the Majors. They certainly have the pitching advantage in this one, but I have no interest betting on the Mariners' offense as road favorites.

Toronto Blue Jays vs. San Francisco Giants Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Blue Jays +108

Blake Snell won the National League Cy Young last season but has been completely abysmal in 2024, sporting an ERA of 9.51 across 23.2 innings pitched. He'll be making his first start since June 2 tonight but I still have no faith he can deliver.

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Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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You can check out all of Iain's bets here!