MLB · 1 year ago

MLB Betting Guide for April 18: Leiter Makes Debut for Texas

Ben DiGiacomo

Host · Writer

MLB Betting Guide for April 18: Leiter Makes Debut for Texas

We have just a five-game slate in the MLB today, so let’s dive into the limted action.

Kicking off the afternoon, the Tampa Bay Rays will host the Los Angeles Angels in their series finale, and thus far this season, both teams have been flirting with mediocrity. Could deadline sell-off moves be on the way? Especially in LA with one Mike Trout?

Additionally, the Detroit Tigers will host the Texas Rangers as Jack Leiter is set to make his much-anticipated debut for the Rangers. As Texas is without their entire pitching staff for the forseeable future due to injury, could Leiter make a meaningful impact for the reigning champs?

The Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Guardians will also meet in their series finale in Fenway while the the Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins will meet in Wrigley later on tonight, but there is a strong chance that weather doesn’t allow baseball to be played in Chicago tonight.

Lastly, we have an NL West battle in the Bay as the San Francisco Giants will host the Arizona Diamondbacks, highlighted by Logan Webb taking the mound.

It will be a great day of baseball, so stay with SportsGrid all day to have you covered on everything today could throw at us. Let’s ride!

Swing for the Fences with SportsGrid’s free daily MLB Game Picks and MLB Prop Picks.

MLB Betting Guide for April 18

Tonight’s Headlines: Analying Astros’ Struggles

Catch Up on Yesterday’s Action: Angels Defeat Rays | Yankees Overcome Blue Jays | Mets Dominate Pirates |

1:10 p.m. ET: Texas Rangers @ Detroit Tigers

Run Line: Rangers -1.5 | Moneyline: Rangers -110 | Total: 8.5
Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Comerica Park (Detroit, MI)
Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing out to left

Starting Pitching Matchup: Jack Leiter vs. Kenta Maeda (ERA: 6.00; K/9: 6.00)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Rangers -1.5 (5-Stars) | Rangers ML (5-Stars) | UNDER 8.5 (1.5-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Rangers by 2 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Adolis Garcia OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +105) | Kenta Maeda OVER 4.5 Ks (3.5-Stars)

1:10 p.m. ET: Los Angeles Angels @ Tampa Bay Rays

Run Line: Rays -1.5 | Moneyline: Rays -156 | Total: 8.5
Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Tropicana Field (St. Petersburg, FL)
Weather Notes: Dome

Starting Pitching Matchup: Griffin Canning (ERA: 9.88; K/9: 7.90) vs. Ryan Pepiot (ERA: 5.40; K/9: 10.80)

SportsGrid’s Best Bet: Angels +1.5 (1.5-Stars) | UNDER 8.5 (1-Star)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Rays by 2 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Griffin Canning OVER 5.5 Ks (5-Stars, +128) | Ryan Pepiot UNDER 6.5 Ks (5-Stars)

1:10 p.m. ET: Cleveland Guardians @ Boston Red Sox

Run Line: Red Sox -1.5 | Moneyline: Red Sox -118 | Total: 9.5
Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Fenway Park (Boston, MA)
Weather Notes: Clear, chilly, winds blowing in from right

Starting Pitching Matchup: Carlos Carrasco (ERA: 3.55; K/9: 7.82) vs. Brennan Bernardino (ERA: 1.69; K/9: 13.50)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Red Sox ML (5-Stars) | Red Sox +1.5 (5-Stars) | UNDER 9.5 (2-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Red Sox by 1 run

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Carlos Carrasco UNDER 4.5 Ks (5-Stars) | Tristan Casas OVER 0.5 HRs (2-Stars, +600)

7:40 p.m. ET: Miami Marlins @ Chicago Cubs

Run Line: Cubs -1.5 | Moneyline: Cubs -152 | Total: 7.5
Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Wrigley Field (Chicago, IL)
Weather Notes: Chilly, strong chance of storms leading up to and through the game, postponement possible

Starting Pitching Matchup: AJ Puk (ERA: 5.91; K/9: 6.75) vs. Jameson Taillon

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Cubs ML (5-Stars) | OVER 7.5 (5-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Cubs by 2 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: AJ Puk UNDER 4.5 Ks (5-Stars) | Jameson Taillon OVER 4.5 Ks (5-Stars, +118)