👉 TAP TO SAVE 30% WITH CODE NEW
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 30% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

Free MLB Betting Picks - Today's Best Bets, Expert Predictions, Odds (4/19/24)

Shohei Ohtani - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

John Brubaker's top MLB betting picks and best bets for today's MLB games on 4/19/24. Use John's free picks against the spread, game totals, NRFI, and other various baseball bets to win big.

Happy Friday, RotoBallers! I'm stoked to be back to provide some MLB picks for this marathon of a baseball season, so let's take a look at the board and get some momentum rolling as we head into the weekend.  

Attention, fellow sports bettors! We have some exciting news to share as we are now officially partnered with various sportsbooks and have some sweet sports betting promo offers! Get your deposit bonus, as well as a year of free RotoBaller Premium access, when you sign up with a new account today! After you're signed up, use our picks in this article for spreads, totals, and props to win big.

If you're new or just a refresher to those who read my articles last season, I'm John Brubaker. I've been betting on MLB baseball games for five years now, and this is my third MLB season working with the great folks at RotoBaller. I've created my own betting model to help me create and identify value on run lines, totals, and money lines, among many other things! In this article, I'll provide my favorite betting picks for the MLB games on Friday, April 19, 2024.

Featured Promo: New Novig users get a $25 purchase match (50% discount up to $25) on your first Novig deposit, and 6 free months of RotoBaller's "Big-4" Premium Pass (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL) which includes exclusive tools for Betting, Props, DFS and more! CLAIM IT NOW

 

LucidMedia's 2023 MLB Betting Picks

2024 Regular Season: 3-8-1 (-5.11 units)

I'm continuously working to improve my models to make them more accurate. As the season progresses, I'll share the data I have on my personal Twitter/X @LucidMediaDFS. Feel free to give me a follow if you haven't already, and do not hesitate to ask any questions! My DMs are always open. With all of that said, let's break down some baseball games.

 

Today's MLB Betting Picks - Marlins @ Cubs

O/U: 9.5 | Moneyline: CHC -175
MIA: A.J. Puk | CHC: Jameson Taillon

We took one of two on Sunday, pushing on our F5 play and winning on our Rangers team total. I'll back two teams in the first five innings on Friday, starting with the early game in Chicago.

The Marlins will send A.J. Puk (0-3, 5.91 ERA) to the mound. Puk had a fine last start against the Yankees, but the experience of making him a starter has been a rocky one to this point. He projects to a 4.42 xFIP this afternoon, and the Cubs will look to take advantage, as they bring in a projected .372 wOBA.

Conversely, the Cubs will send Jameson Taillon to the mound for his season debut. Taillon didn't have a great season in 2023, pitching to a 4.84 ERA. He projects some serious positive regression, projecting to a 3.49 xFIP. The Marlins project to a respectable .328 wOBA, but I still give the Cubs the advantage here. I'll back their first five money line, which we can get at -166 on FanDuel.

Pick: Cubs F5 Money Line (-166), FanDuel Sportsbook, 1 unit to win 0.6 units.

 

Sports Betting Promo Offers

Featured Promo: Get any Betting Premium Pass for 30% off using code NEW. Win more with exclusive betting picks from proven winners across 9 sports! Find optimal bets with our Betting Picks Tool and Bet Weighting Tool and follow along in our VIP chat rooms! Go Premium, Win More!

 

Today's MLB Betting Picks - Mets @ Dodgers

O/U: 8.5 | Moneyline: LAD -200
NYM: Sean Manaea | LAD: Yoshinobu Yamamoto

I'll head out to the City of Angels for my second play of the night.

The Mets will send Sean Manaea (1-1, 4.29 ERA) to the mound this evening. Manaea had a strong start to the season but got roughed up in his last start against the Royals, allowing eight runs (six earned) across 3.2 innings. Manaea has a lot of familiarity with the Dodgers, having pitched for the Padres and Giants for the last two years, respectively. He projects a respectable 3.58 xFIP in this one, while the Dodgers project a .343 wOBA against the lefty.

Conversely, the Dodgers will send rookie Yoshinobu Yamamoto (1-1, 4.50 ERA) to the mound. It's been an up-and-down start to Yamamoto's MLB career, as he hasn't gone more than five innings in any of his four starts. He's shut his opponents out in two of those starts, and allowed five and three runs in the other two, respectively. Regardless, he projects a 2.56 xFIP in this one against a Mets lineup that projects a very poor .268 wOBA against him.

I'll back the Dodgers first-five run line here, which we can grab at -148 on FanDuel.

Pick: Dodgers F5 -0.5 (-148), FanDuel Sportsbook, 1 unit to win 0.68 units.

Good luck, RotoBallers, and follow my X for more plays!



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



More Fantasy Baseball Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 30% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jock Landale

Hawks Plan to Re-Evalute Jock Landale in Two Weeks
Mike Trout

Hits Five Homers in Series Versus Yankees
Jonathan Isaac

Considered Questionable for Matchup Versus Hornets
Moussa Diabaté

Moussa Diabate Listed as Questionable for Friday
Paris Johnson Jr.

Cardinals Pick Up Paris Johnson Jr.'s Fifth-Year Option
Joel Embiid

Expected to Miss Start of Playoffs
CGY

Arsenii Sergeev to Make NHL Debut Thursday
Aleksander Barkov

Cleared for World Championship
New York Giants

Giants Want "a Lot" for Dexter Lawrence
Pierre-Luc Dubois

Dealing With Fractured Hand
Zach Whitecloud

Ready to Rock Thursday
Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers, Derwin James Expected to Pick Up Contract Talks After Draft
Matt Coronato

Available Against Kings
Josh Manson

Expected to Return for Postseason
Nathan MacKinnon

Martin Necas Sit Out Regular-Season Finale
New York Jets

Jets Cancel Visit With David Bailey
NFL

K.C. Concepcion Visits With Chargers, 49ers
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals a Real Threat to Select Jeremiyah Love at No. 3 Overall
Cameron Ward

Should Throw at Minicamp
De'Von Achane

Spotted at Dolphins Training Facilities
Spencer Arrighetti

Fans 10 in Season Debut, to Remain a Focal Point in Rotation?
Nick Pivetta

Dealing With Flexor Strain, Could Miss Months
Nico Hoerner

Homers, Drive in Five in Win Over Phillies
Shota Imanaga

Strikes Out 11 in First Win of the Season
Sal Stewart

Continues to Hit, Goes Deep Twice on Wednesday
Shohei Ohtani

Strikes Out 10 in Win Over Mets
NFL

Can Zacharia Branch Actually Succeed for Fantasy Managers?
Cade Otton

Could be at Risk on Day 1 of NFL Draft
Connor Bedard

Has Two Assists in Season Finale
Claude Giroux

Sends Out Two Assists in Battle of Ontario Win
Tetairoa McMillan

It's Possible That Tetairoa McMillan Has Only Shown His Floor
Tye Kartye

Registers First Career Three-Point Game
T.J. Hockenson

Should Still Have More to Give
Owen Power

Records Two Assists Wednesday
Jordan Love

a Middle-of-the-Road Superflex Option
Esa Lindell

Tallies Two Points in Regular-Season Finale
Reilly Smith

Produces Three-Point Performance Wednesday
Shane Wright

Returns With a Goal Wednesday
Bennedict Mathurin

Leads Clippers in Scoring Wednesday Night
Kristaps Porzingis

Impresses in Play-In Win
Stephen Curry

Leads Warriors to Vital Victory With 35 Points
Desmond Bane

Scores Game-High 34 Points in Play-In Loss
Tyrese Maxey

Guides 76ers Into Playoffs With 31-Point Effort
LaMelo Ball

Receives $60,000 Fine for Tuesday's Actions
Thomas Bryant

Practices in Limited Capacity Wednesday
Spencer Jones

Limited at Wednesday's Practice
Peyton Watson

Limited to Non-Contact Work at Practice
Bam Adebayo

NBA Investigating LaMelo Ball's Trip of Bam Adebayo
Isaiah Jackson

Cleared for Wednesday
Terrance Ferguson

Can Terrance Ferguson Establish a More Consistent Role in 2026?
Dalton Schultz

Could See a Reduced Role in Houston in 2026
Kimani Vidal

Playing Time in Los Angeles an Open Question Heading into 2026
Juwan Johnson

Looking to Build on Breakout 2025 Campaign
Chuba Hubbard

Set to Re-Emerge as a Top-24 Running Back?
Gunnar Helm

Poised for Expanded Role in 2026
Immanuel Quickley

Remains Day-to-Day After Workout
Isaiah Jackson

Probable to Return for Play-In Game
Tyler Kolek

Returns to Practice Ahead of Playoffs
Trendon Watford

Active on Wednesday
Jonathan Isaac

Ruled Out for Play-In Game Wednesday
Dylan Harper

Expected to Suit Up for Game 1 on Sunday
Shohei Ohtani

Will Pitch on Wednesday, But Won't DH
Nick Pivetta

Confident he'll Pitch Again This Year
Alex Lyon

Expected to Miss Playoff Opener
Zach Hyman

Set to Return Thursday
Sam Steel

Back in Action Wednesday
Gustav Forsling

Sits Out Season Finale
Matthew Tkachuk

Rejoins Panthers Lineup Wednesday
TB

Max Crozier Available Against Rangers
Brandon Hagel

Returns for Regular-Season Finale
Trevor Story

Carries Red Sox With Five RBI on Wednesday
Sam Antonacci

Officially Called Up by White Sox
Jorge Soler

Suspension Reduced to Four Games
Harrison Bader

Giants Place Harrison Bader on 10-Day Injured List With Hamstring Strain
Matthew Golden

Packers "Clearing the Way" for Matthew Golden on WR Depth Chart
CFB

Michigan Lands Commitment From Quarterback Kamden Lopati
Arizona Cardinals

Ty Simpson Visiting With Cardinals on Wednesday
Ketel Marte

Serving as Designated Hitter on Wednesday
Kevin McGonigle

Tigers, Kevin McGonigle Agree to Eight-Year Contract Extension
Sahith Theegala

Brings Strong Form Into Harbour Town
Wyndham Clark

Needs Putter to Show Up at RBC Heritage
Ryan Weathers

Allows Four Homers, Strikes Out 10 on Tuesday
Byron Buxton

Sets the Tone for Twins With Two Homers on Tuesday
Hunter Goodman

Homers Twice in Loss to Astros
JJ Wetherholt

Goes Yard Twice in Win Over Guardians
Jacob Bridgeman

Looks to Return to Elite Form at Harbour Town
J.J. Spaun

a Volatile Option at RBC Heritage
PGA

Sungjae Im Offers High-Upside Value at RBC Heritage
Matt Fitzpatrick

Set for Another Strong Showing at RBC Heritage
Jason Day

Eyes Bounce-Back After Sunday Struggles at the Masters
Akshay Bhatia

Looking to Rebound at Harbour Town
Ketel Marte

Diamondbacks Expect Ketel Marte to Return on Wednesday
Cameron Young

Hoping to Secure Second Win of Season at RBC Heritage
Scottie Scheffler

Looks to Win Again at RBC Heritage
Shane Lowry

Has Disappointing Final Round at Masters
Viktor Hovland

Hoping to Build on Final Round at Masters
Brian Harman

Struggling For Consistency Heading to RBC Heritage
Chris Gotterup

Putting Together Outstanding 2026 Season
Emilio Pagán

Emilio Pagan Getting Hamstring Checked After Earning Save on Tuesday
Justin Thomas

Looks to Defend in Hilton Head
Jordan Spieth

in Search of Improved Putting at RBC Heritage
Marco Penge

May Continue Up-and-Down Ride at the RBC Heritage
Xander Schauffele

Could Get The Job Done at RBC Heritage
Jake Knapp

Keeps Building Strong Results in 2026
Kurt Kitayama

Trying to Regain Form From Florida
Collin Morikawa

Continues to be a Scary DFS Play at RBC Heritage
CFB

Tramell Jones Jr. Outperforms Aaron Philo During Florida's Spring Scrimmage
CFB

Keelon Russell Flashes in Alabama's Spring Game
Ty Gibbs

Holds off the Field for His First Cup Series Victory at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Earns His First Runner-Up Finish at Bristol
Kyle Larson

Dominant Performance At Bristol Falls Short of Victory
Tyler Reddick

Matches his Career-Best Finish at Bristol
Alex Bowman

Crashes Early at Bristol in Return From Injury
Carlos Ulberg

Is The New Light Heavyweight Champion
Jiří Procházka

Jiri Prochazka Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Azamat Murzakanov

Suffers His First Loss
Paulo Costa

Wins Back-to-Back Fights
Curtis Blaydes

Drops Decision At UFC 327
Josh Hokit

Remains Unbeaten
Carson Hocevar

Is Carson Hocevar A Worthy DFS Option for Bristol Lineups?
NASCAR

Could Bubba Wallace Be A Solid DFS Option for Bristol Lineups?
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF