Today's MLB Rundown & Best Bets - Friday, April 18th

We send quick, no-fluff MLB previews with simple takeaways for every matchup.

You'll find our Best Bets powered by state-of-the-art AI to spot value edges. X/Instagram: @BetMonteCarmelo.

Mariners ML at Blue Jays
Seattle brings MLB's lowest opponent OBP (.265) against a Blue Jays team struggling at the plate, while Bryan Woo (2-0, 2.84 ERA) continues to excel in a rotation that's walked just 5% of batters faced.

Mets ML vs Cardinals
New York's MLB-best 2.30 ERA staff faces a Cardinals team with a league-worst 6.75 ERA on the road. Peterson (2.70 ERA) battles struggling Mikolas (9.00 ERA) at Citi Field where the Mets are 6-1 this season.

Over 8.5 Runs - Diamondbacks at Cubs
Arizona ranks second in MLB in OPS and excels late in games (MLB-best 41 runs in innings 7-9), while Chicago leads MLB in runs scored and faces a struggling Burnes (5.28 ERA, 54.5% hard-hit rate).

Reds at Orioles
Andrew Abbott (1.80 ERA) leads a Cincinnati staff that's been dominant in the zone, allowing just a .372 slugging percentage on strikes (best in MLB). Baltimore counters with rookie Cade Povich (3.60 ERA) as Cedric Mullins (.291, 4 HR) and Ryan O'Hearn (.326, 3 HR) look to provide offense for an Orioles team that's outscored opponents by seven runs over their last ten games.

Royals at Tigers
Cole Ragans (2.28 ERA) brings consistency with three straight one-run outings against AL Central-leading Detroit, who's won five of six at Comerica Park this season. Jackson Jobe (3.00 ERA) looks to build on his six-inning shutout in his last start as the Tigers aim to extend their dominance at home, where they've outscored opponents by 13 runs over their last 10 games.

White Sox at Red Sox
Martin Perez (1.59 ERA) faces Hunter Dobbins (3.60 ERA) in a rematch from April 12, when both pitchers allowed two earned runs in a solid pitching duel. Chicago brings MLB's worst offense (.278 OBP, .618 OPS) to Fenway against a Boston team that leads MLB with a .382 batting average in hitter's counts this season.

Athletics at Brewers
Rookie J.T. Ginn (1.69 ERA) makes just his second start for Oakland against Milwaukee ace Freddy Peralta (2.31 ERA) as the A's aim to overcome their road struggles from last season. The Brewers' patient approach (MLB-leading 4.03 pitches per PA vs RHP) could challenge an Athletics staff with the second-lowest strikeout rate with two strikes since 2023.

Twins at Braves
Chris Paddack (9.49 ERA) looks to rebound against Atlanta's Bryce Elder (7.20 ERA) in a matchup of struggling starters and underperforming clubs. Minnesota's road woes (3-7 away from home) face a stiff test against a Braves team featuring a hot Austin Riley (16-for-43 with four homers over last 10 games), though both teams are hampered by significant injuries to key players.

Guardians at Pirates
Luis Ortiz (6.06 ERA) faces his former team against Carmen Mlodzinski (6.23 ERA) in a battle of struggling starters at PNC Park. Cleveland's elite bullpen (MLB-best .571 OPS allowed with RISP) could be decisive against a Pirates offense ranking 29th in batting average (.197) and slugging percentage (.302) this season.

Yankees at Rays
Carlos Rodon (5.48 ERA) looks to overcome his early-season struggles against Drew Rasmussen (0.60 ERA), who incredibly hasn't allowed a run to the Yankees in 21 career innings. New York's MLB-leading offense (5.94 runs per game) faces a Tampa Bay team that's struggled with timely hitting, notably loading the bases three times without capitalizing in Thursday's loss.

Marlins at Phillies
Sandy Alcantara (2-0, 4.70 ERA) faces Zack Wheeler (1-1, 4.07 ERA) in a premier pitching matchup at Citizens Bank Park, where Philadelphia has gone 7-3 this season. Miami enters on a three-game skid against a Phillies team that's won 56% of home games when opponents score first since 2023, though Philadelphia has struggled against right-handed pitching this season (.373 batting average, 5th lowest in NL).

Mariners at Blue Jays
Bryan Woo (2.84 ERA) brings Seattle's elite pitching staff (MLB-best .265 OBP allowed) against Bowden Francis (3.71 ERA) and a Toronto team that's shown impressive plate discipline. The Mariners have won seven of nine behind Cal Raleigh's eight homers, while Bo Bichette (.292, 8 doubles) has recorded hits in 16 straight home games against winning AL teams.

Cardinals at Mets
Miles Mikolas (9.00 ERA) seeks his first win against David Peterson (2.70 ERA) and a Mets team that's allowed just eight home runs all season. St. Louis brings MLB's highest batting average on changeups (.380) and best leadoff average (.305) against New York's stellar pitching staff (2.30 ERA) and elite bullpen (30% miss rate, best in MLB since last season).

Padres at Astros
MLB-best San Diego (15-4) sends Kyle Hart (5.40 ERA) against Ryan Gusto (3.00 ERA) in a fascinating interleague clash at Daikin Park. The Padres' league-leading .274 batting average and elite strikeout discipline (18% K-rate) face an Astros staff that's held opponents to a .130 batting average with two strikes this season (second-best in MLB).

Nationals at Rockies
MacKenzie Gore (3.52 ERA) visits Coors Field against rookie Chase Dollander (5.06 ERA) as both teams look to snap losing streaks. Washington's offensive limitations face a golden opportunity against Colorado's MLB-worst pitching staff (5.29 ERA), whose starters have allowed opponents to hit .316 against them this season.

Giants at Angels
Logan Webb (2.63 ERA) brings his ground-ball prowess against Tyler Anderson (2.87 ERA) and an Angels team batting .308 at home this season. San Francisco's 5.69 runs per game over their last 14 days (best in MLB) faces a significant challenge in an Angels lineup that's hit 26 home runs in the same span (also best in MLB).

Diamondbacks at Cubs
Corbin Burnes (5.28 ERA) continues seeking his first Arizona win against Colin Rea (1.00 ERA) in an afternoon clash at Wrigley Field. The Diamondbacks' elite late-inning offense (MLB-best 41 runs in innings 7-9) faces Chicago's struggling bullpen that's allowed a .343 batting average to left-handed hitters this season.

Dodgers at Rangers
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (1.23 ERA) brings his dominant early-season form (28 Ks in 22.2 IP) against Jacob deGrom (4.30 ERA) in a potential World Series preview at Globe Life Field. Los Angeles leads MLB with 34 home runs against a Rangers team that's gone 9-0 in their last nine home games despite ranking just 26th in runs scored (3.3 per game) this season.