MLB Weekly Preview 18

Welcome to week 18 of the 2024 MLB season! As we move into the second half of the regular phase, the intensity and stakes of each game increase as teams jockey in the postseason race. With the All-Star Game break in the rearview mirror, every win and loss becomes crucial in determining who will ultimately secure a berth.

In addition to the increased competition, the American League’s recent All-Star Game victory has secured home-field advantage for the AL champion team in the upcoming 2024 World Series. This sets the stage for an exciting and potentially pivotal advantage for the American League, as they will have the opportunity to start the World Series in their home stadium.

The Phillies remain the best team in the league with a 63-36 record. However, also of note are the Orioles (60-39), Yankees (59-42), Guardians (59-39) and Dodgers (59-41).

Here is a preview of the best games we can enjoy at the start of Week 18 of the 2024 MLB season.

Betting Odds

MLB Weekly Preview 18: Yankees vs. Rays

The Yankees are in second place in the AL East with a 59-42 record and are only 2.0 games behind the Orioles, so every game is critical for them in their quest to climb to the top of their division. Likewise, it is worth noting that the Yankees are coming off losing the last two games of their series against the Rays at home by scores of 9-1 and 6-4. In the latter match, Juan Soto went 5-3 with 1 RBI, while Aaron Judge went 4-2 with 1 HR and 3 RBI.

On the other hand, the Rays have been the Yankees’ tormentors in recent days, even though they are in fourth place in the division and are 10.0 games behind the Orioles. As mentioned, Tampa Bay beat the Yankees twice in a row this weekend, and in the most recent match, Jose Manuel Caballero led the offense with 1 HR and 2 RBI, while Jose Siri also went 4-2 with 1 HR and 2 RBI.

For this game, our winner’s chip goes to the Yankees.

Yankees vs. Rays Betting Pick: Yankees

MLB Weekly Preview 18: Guardians vs. Tigers

The Guardians are one of the best teams in the MLB this season and are leading the AL Central with a 59-39 record. However, in recent weeks, the team’s performance has not been as expected, as they accumulated three wins in their last ten games, which allowed the Twins and Royals to close to within 5.0 games in the standings.

Cleveland is coming off two consecutive home losses to the San Diego Padres, the most recent being by a score of 1-2. In this game, the offense could not support the great work of Ben Lively on the mound, who managed to pitch 5.1 innings, with 6 hits allowed and 2 runs conceded.

On the other hand, the Tigers lost rhythm as the season wore on, and right now, they are in fourth place in the AL Central with a record of 49 wins and 51 losses. Detroit is 11.0 games behind the Guardians in the division, so their chances of qualifying for the postseason are extremely slim. However, it should be noted that the team has awakened in recent days, winning seven of their last ten games.

The Tigers won the previous series against the Blue Jays with a 3-2 score, but their most recent game was a 4-5 loss, precisely against Toronto. In this game, Justyn-Henry Malloy hit a grand slam, which was not enough to prevent the team’s downfall.

For this game, our prediction is a victory for the Guardians.

Guardians vs. Tigers Betting Pick: Guardians

MLB Weekly Preview 18: Twins vs. Phillies

Minnesota has had a decent season so far, but that doesn’t work for them to be in the fight for the top of the AL Central and, much less, for the Wild Card. However, there are still a lot of games left to play, so, they can pull off the upset from here on out. The Twins are second in the division with a 54-44 record and are coming off a 5-5 record in their last ten games played.

The Minnesota Twins are coming off an 8-7 loss in their most recent home game to the Brewers. While they came very close to accomplishing the feat of blanking Milwaukee, the comeback in the 9th inning fell short, and they ended up giving up just one run. Bryon Bruxon had an exemplary night, going 5-2 with 2 solo HRs.

On the other hand, the Phillies remain the best team in MLB this 2024 season, thanks to their excellent 63-36 record. With a +27 win-loss differential, Philadelphia is comfortably in first place in the NL East, 8.5 games ahead of their closest rival, the Atlanta Braves.

Philadelphia is coming off an excellent win over the Pirates with a score of 6-0. In this game, their offense was excellent, with Alec Bohm, Nicholas Castellanos, and Garrett Stubbs leading the charge with 2 hits each and 1 RBI.

For this game, our prediction is a win for the Phillies.

Twins vs. Phillies Betting Pick: Phillies

MLB Weekly Preview 18: Dodgers vs. Giants

With the addition of Shohei Ohtani at the beginning of the season, we were all sure that the Californian squad would be one of the main candidates to fight for the title, not only in the NL but also in the World Series. Right now, the Dodgers lead the NL West with a 59-41 record and have an 8.0 game lead over the Dbacks and Padres.

The Dodgers come into this week’s opener on the heels of three straight wins over the Boston Red Sox, with the most recent being by a score of 9-6. In this game, we enjoyed a rain of HRs by the Dodgers, as Ohtani, Teoscar Hernandez (HR Derby Winner), Freeman, Gavin Lux, and Jason Heyward, managed to annihilate the Boston pitchers.

On the other hand, the Giants are having a tough season, as they are currently in fourth place in the NL West with a 48-52 record and are coming off 4 wins in their last 10 games played. Right now, San Francisco is 11.0 games behind the Dodgers, which puts them in a complicated position for the postseason.

The Giants are coming off a 3-2 win over the Rockies, in a game where Jorge Soler (4-2, 1 RBI and 1 HR) and Tyler Fitzgerald (2-1, 1 HR and 1 RBI) played heroes to lead the team to victory.

We do not doubt that, for this game, our prediction is a victory for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Dodgers vs. Giants Betting Pick: Dodgers

Gambyl Nation Editorial Team Staff Writer

The Gambyl Nation Editorial team are made up of industry betting professionals and sports fans from across North America, Latin America and South America.

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