MLB Betting Guide for June 21: Braves’ Biggest Test Awaits

We have a 14-game MLB slate set for today, so let’s dive into everything the night should bring ahead of what should be a fun weekend of baseball.

There is a lone afternoon game in Wrigley as the Chicago Cubs will host the New York Mets. Shota Imanaga will be on the mound, so as the Mets have won eight of their last ten games, we’ll see if they’ll be able to spark something against Imanaga.

Kicking off the night, we’ll head to the NLCS rematch as the Philadelphia Phillies will host the Arizona Diamondbacks, so we worked up a +925 ultimate same-game parlay for what should be some entertaining, high-scoring Friday night baseball.

Additionally, we’ll keep our eyes on a fun matchup in the Bronx as the New York Yankees will welcome the Atlanta Braves to town just as the Braves have regained some of their swagger.

Later on, the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros are set to begin what should be an intriguing weekend set down in Houston while Los Angeles’ two teams in the Dodgers and Angels will square off in Dodger Stadium, providing us with our first chance to see Shohei Ohtani go against his old club.

It should be a great day of weekend, so stay with SportsGrid to be covered on everything that will be thrown 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 June 21

Tonight’s Headliners: MLB Power Rankings | +925 Diamondbacks-Phillies SGP | Mets to the Postseason? | Skenes for NL ROY | Willie Mays Honored in Birmingham

2:20 p.m ET: New York Mets @ Chicago Cubs

• Run Line: Cubs -1.5 | Moneyline: Cubs -152 | Total: 8.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Wrigley Field (Chicago, IL))
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing in from right-center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Jose Quintana (ERA: 4.98; K/9: 6.22) vs. Shota Imanaga (ERA: 1.90; K/9: 9.24)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Cubs -1.5 (3.5-Stars) | Cubs ML (2-Stars) | OVER 8.5 (3-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Cubs by 1.4 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Francisco Alvarez OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +200) | Dansby Swanson OVER 0.5 RBIs (4.5-Stars, +160)

6:40 p.m ET: Chicago White Sox @ Detroit Tigers

• Run Line: Tigers -1.5 | Moneyline: Tigers -180 | Total: 7.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Comerica Park (Detroit, MI)
• Weather Notes: Chance of showers early, late-start is certainly possible

Starting Pitching Matchup: Erick Fedde (ERA: 3.09; K/9: 8.55) vs. Jack Flaherty (ERA: 3.01; K/9: 11.59)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: OVER 7.5 (2.5-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Tigers by 0.7 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Paul DeJong OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +200)

6:40 p.m ET: Tampa Bay Rays @ Pittsburgh Pirates

• Run Line: Rays -1.5 | Moneyline: Rays -126 | Total: 8.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: PNC Park (Pittsburgh, PA)
• Weather Notes: Warm, clear, winds blowing out to left-center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Ryan Pepiot (ERA: 4.57; K/9: 10.29) vs. Undecided

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Awaiting Pirates’ Starter

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Awaiting Pirates’ Starter

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Awaiting Pirates’ Starter

6:40 p.m ET: Arizona Diamondbacks @ Philadelphia Phillies

• Run Line: Phillies -1.5 | Moneyline: Phillies -142 | Total: 9.5
• Where to Watch: Apple TV+ | Location: Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia, PA)
• Weather Notes: Hot, clear, winds blowing out to right-center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Jordan Montgomery (ERA: 6.00; K/9: 6.16) vs. Taijuan Walker (ERA: 5.33; K/9: 7.35)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: UNDER 9.5 (4.5-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Phillies by 0.4 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Christian Walker OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +115) | Bryce Harper OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +125)

7:05 p.m ET: Atlanta Braves @ New York Yankees

• Run Line: Braves -1.5 | Moneyline: Braves -116 | Total: 8
• Where to Watch: Apple TV+ | Location: Yankee Stadium (Bronx, NY)
• Weather Notes: Scattered showers throughout the area most of the night, could result in a delay.

Starting Pitching Matchup: Chris Sale (ERA: 2.98; K/9: 10.91) vs. Carlos Rodon (ERA: 3.28; K/9: 8.58)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Braves -1.5 (4-Stars) | Braves ML (5-Stars) | UNDER 8 (3.5-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Braves by 1.4 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Marcell Ozuna OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +130) | Carlos Rodon UNDER 6.5 Ks (5-Stars, +106)

7:10 p.m ET: Boston Red Sox @ Cincinnati Reds

• Run Line: Red Sox -1.5 | Moneyline: Red Sox -108 | Total: 9
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati, OH)
• Weather Notes: Hot, clear, winds blowing out to center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Kutter Crawford (ERA: 3.54; K/9: 9.17) vs. Andrew Abbott (ERA: 3.42; K/9: 6.84)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Reds +1.5 (3-Stars) | Reds ML (3-Stars) | OVER 9 (1-Star)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Reds by 0.9 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Andrew Abbott UNDER 5.5 Ks (5-Stars)

7:10 p.m ET: Seattle Mariners @ Miami Marlins

• Run Line: Mariners -1.5 | Moneyline: Mariners -166 | Total: 7.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: loanDepot Park (Miami, FL)
• Weather Notes: Dome

Starting Pitching Matchup: George Kirby (ERA: 3.54; K/9: 8.76) vs. Trevor Rogers (ERA: 5.09; K/9: 7.17)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Mariners ML (2.5-Stars) | OVER 7.5 (4-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Mariners by 1.7 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: George Kirby UNDER 6.5 Ks (4-Stars) | Trevor Rogers UNDER 4.5 Ks (4.5-Stars, +102)

7:10 p.m ET: Toronto Blue Jays @ Cleveland Guardians

• Run Line: Guardians +1.5 | Moneyline: Guardians -122 | Total: 9.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Progressive Field (Cleveland, OH)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing in from center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Undecided vs. Carlos Carrasco (ERA: 5.80; K/9: 6.71)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Awaiting Blue Jays’ Starter

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Awaiting Blue Jays’ Starter

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Awaiting Blue Jays’ Starter

8:05 p.m ET: Kansas City Royals @ Texas Rangers

• Run Line: Rangers -1.5 | Moneyline: Rangers -142 | Total: 7.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Globe Life Field (Arlington, TX)
• Weather Notes: Dome

Starting Pitching Matchup: Brady Singer (ERA: 3.39; K/9: 8.88) vs. Nathan Eovaldi (ERA: 3.15; K/9: 9.60)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Royals +1.5 (2-Stars) | Royals ML (3.5-Stars, +120) | OVER 7.5 (4-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Royals by 0.2 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Bobby Witt Jr. OVER 1.5 Total Bases (5-Stars) | Corey Seager OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +135)

8:10 p.m ET: Baltimore Orioles @ Houston Astros

• Run Line: Orioles -1.5 | Moneyline: Orioles -164 | Total: 8.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Minute Maid Park (Houston, TX)
• Weather Notes: Dome

Starting Pitching Matchup: Grayson Rodriguez (ERA: 3.20; K/9: 9.85) vs. Jake Bloss (MLB Debut)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Astros +1.5 (2-Stars) | OVER 8.5 (1-Star)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Orioles by 0.7 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Anthony Santander OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +130) | Alex Bregman OVER 0.5 RBIs (4-Stars, +190) 

8:40 p.m. ET: Washington Nationals @ Colorado Rockies

• Run Line: Nationals -1.5 | Moneyline: Nationals -120 | Total: 11
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Coors Field (Denver, CO)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing in from left

Starting Pitching Matchup: DJ Herz (ERA: 3.77; K/9: 13.19) vs. Dakota Hudson (ERA: 4.89; K/9: 5.01)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Rockies +1.5 (5-Stars) | Rockies ML (5-Stars, +102) | UNDER 11 (1-Star)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Rockies by 1.3 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Hunter Goodman OVER 0.5 RBIs (4-Stars, +125)

9:40 p.m. ET: Minnesota Twins @ Oakland Athletics 

• Run Line: Twins -1.5 | Moneyline: Twins -162 | Total: 8
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Oakland Colesium (Oakland, CA)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing out to center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Chris Paddack (ERA: 5.25; K/9: 8.19) vs. Joey Estes (ERA: 5.97; K/9: 7.79)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Athletics +1.5 (1.5-Stars) | OVER 8 (1-Star)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Twins by 0.5 Runs 

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Chris Paddack UNDER 5.5 Ks (5-Stars) 

9:40 p.m. ET: Milwaukee Brewers @ San Diego Padres 

• Run Line: Padres -1.5 | Moneyline: Padres -154 | Total: 7.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Petco Park (San Diego, CA)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing across from left to right

Starting Pitching Matchup: Colin Rea (ERA: 3.29; K/9: 6.34) vs. Dylan Cease (ERA: 3.95; K/9: 11.01)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Brewers +1.5 (2-Stars) | Brewers ML (4.5-Stars, +130) | OVER 7.5 (1-Star)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Brewers by 0.2 Runs 

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Joey Ortiz OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +210) | Jurickson Profar OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +190)

10:10 p.m. ET: Los Angeles Angels @ Los Angeles Dodgers 

• Run Line: Dodgers -1.5 | Moneyline: Dodgers -210 | Total: 8.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles, CA)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing out to right-center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Patrick Sandoval (ERA: 5.24; K/9: 9.31) vs. Landon Knack (ERA: 2.61; K/9: 6.97)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Dodgers -1.5 (5-Stars) | OVER 8.5 (2.5-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Dodgers by 2.9 Runs 

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Teoscar Hernandez OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +115)