As sports betting becomes increasingly accessible across the United States, betting markets are presenting opportunities on games with significant favorites. One analysis highlights three such matchups, with a particular focus on the Brewers vs. Pirates game, where the Pirates are identified as the best underdog pick.
Athletics vs. Rays
The Oakland Athletics, currently 28 games under .500, face the American League's top team, the Tampa Bay Rays. Many of Oakland's key players are sidelined due to injury, and their pitching staff is also depleted. The Rays, still competing for the American League East title, are favored at -239. The pitching matchup features Jack Perkins of the Athletics, who has a 6.53 ERA, against Griffin Jax of the Rays, who holds a 3.99 ERA.
Dodgers vs. Reds
The Los Angeles Dodgers, with a 91-59 record, are considered strong contenders for the World Series. They face the Cincinnati Reds, who have a 70-80 record and have underperformed expectations after making the postseason last year. The Dodgers are listed as -246 favorites. The pitching duel is between the Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who boasts a 2.62 ERA and 0.88 WHIP, and the Reds' Rhett Lowder, with a 5.81 ERA and 1.53 WHIP.
Brewers vs. Pirates
The Milwaukee Brewers, leading the National League, are preparing for the postseason. Their opponent, the Pittsburgh Pirates, are at .500 and aiming for improvement. The analysis identifies this game as the most promising for an upset. Jacob Misiorowski is slated to pitch for the Brewers, but he has struggled against the Pirates this season, allowing three earned runs in his only start against them and posting a higher ERA on the road. The Pirates will counter with Lake Bachar, who has a 3.52 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. Bachar has performed well at home with a 2.02 ERA in four starts and has limited the Brewers to one earned run over five innings in three previous relief appearances this season.
Given these factors, the Pirates are presented as the most attractive underdog bet at +188 against the Brewers.