TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
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

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
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.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball draft tools and resources:

 

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

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Marlon Vera

Loses Fourth Fight in a Row
Daniel Jones

Colts Have "50/50" Chance to Get a Deal Done With Daniel Jones
David Martinez

Remains Undefeated In The UFC
Daniel Zellhuber

Loses Third Consecutive Fight
King Green

Gets Second-Round TKO Win
Felipe Bunes

Drops Decision At UFC Mexico City
Édgar Cháirez

Edgar Chairez Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Ryan Blaney

Falls to Eighth Despite Running Most of the Race in the Top Five At COTA
Ty Gibbs

Wins A Stage and Finishes Fourth At COTA
Christopher Bell

Earns First Top-Five Finish of the 2026 Season at COTA
Kyler Murray

"Repeatedly" Linked to Jets
Shane Van Gisbergen

Falls Short of Victory At COTA
Tyler Reddick

Wins At COTA and Makes NASCAR History
Yordan Alvarez

Making Spring Debut on Monday
Dylan Crews

X-Rays Come Back Negative on Dylan Crews' Thumb
David Montgomery

Texans Acquire David Montgomery From Lions
Bubba Chandler

Struggles to Command Pitches Again in Second Outing
Jett Williams

Dealing with Left Quadriceps Soreness
Brice Matthews

Enjoying Hot Start in Grapefruit League
Neemias Queta

Explodes for Career-High 27 Points
Spencer Jones

Flashing Elite Power in Spring Games
Stephen Curry

Out at Least Five More Games
Kristaps Porzingis

to Miss Fifth Straight Game
Konnor Griffin

Launches Third Spring Training Home Run
Cameron Johnson

Exits with Ankle Issue in Loss
Lukas Dostal

Sets New Career High With 24th Win
Andrew Painter

Sharp in Spring Debut, Emerging as Favorite for Starting Role
Klay Thompson

Leaves Game After Second-Quarter Injury
Kris Dunn

Leaves Game After Taking Elbow to Head
Cutter Gauthier

Hits Two Goals in Shootout Win
John Collins

Suffers Elbow Injury Sunday
Robert Thomas

Returns to Action With Multi-Point Effort
Matthew Tkachuk

Dishes Out Three Assists Sunday
Matthew Schaefer

Has First Three-Point Outing
Teuvo Teravainen

Pots Two Goals In Sunday's Win
Arvid Soderblom

Keeps Mammoth Quiet
LeBron James

Available Versus Sacramento
Zion Williamson

Ruled Out Versus Clippers
Shelby Miller

Officially Placed on 60-Day Injured List
Kevin Love

Resting Monday Against Nuggets
Jacob deGrom

is Nearing Spring Debut
Tristan Vukcevic

Could Miss Game Vs. Houston
José Soriano

Jose Soriano has Start Pushed Back
John Collins

Cleared to Play Sunday
Bobby Miller

Being Viewed as Reliever
Brandon Clarke

to be Re-Evaluated in Two Weeks
Walker Jenkins

is Diagnosed with Hamstring Strain
Caleb Martin

Returns Against Thunder
P.J. Washington

Naji Marshall Ruled Out Sunday
Kyshawn George

Could Miss Game Against Houston
Baylor Scheierman

Cleared to Play Sunday
Rui Hachimura

Set to Return Against Kings
LeBron James

Questionable Against Kings
Jonathan Drouin

Unavailable Sunday
Darcy Kuemper

Won't Play Monday Due to Illness
EDM

Oilers Place Andrew Mangiapane on Waivers
Jabari Smith Jr.

Still Out on Monday
Uvis Balinskis

Out Sunday
Jalen Johnson

Back on Sunday Night
Dmitry Kulikov

Comes Off Injured Reserve
Mark Stone

Exits With Injury Sunday
Merrill Kelly

"Optimistic" About Being Ready by Opening Day
Gabriel Moreno

Can Gabriel Moreno Put Together a Fully Healthy Season in 2026?
Mark Vientos

May Be Limited to Part-Time Role in New York
Kyler Murray

Likely to be Released
Noah Cameron

Can Noah Cameron Repeat His Breakout 2025 Season?
Justin Steele

"Full-Go" on Throwing, Still Eyeing May or June Return
Travis Etienne Jr.

Not Expected to be Franchise-Tagged
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Planning to Release Aaron Jones Sr.?
Samuel Basallo

is Returning on Sunday
St. Louis Cardinals

Cardinals Sign Oliver Marmol to Two-Year Extension
Thomas White

is Diagnosed with Oblique Strain
Tyler Reddick

Could Make History at COTA
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Still the Favorite at COTA
Christopher Bell

Will Be Tough to Beat at COTA
AJ Allmendinger

Could Contend at COTA
Connor Zilisch

Carries Plenty of Upside for DFS at COTA
Chase Elliott

May be A Strong Contender Again at COTA
Chris Buescher

Is Nothing But Consistent at Road Courses
Ross Chastain

May Be An Underrated Competitor for the Win at COTA
William Byron

Is William Byron a Viable DFS Option for COTA?
Carson Hocevar

Needs Clean Race at COTA
Nick Suzuki

Enjoys Three-Point Night Against Capitals
Rasmus Dahlin

Collects Three Points Saturday
Kyle Larson

Could be A Decent DFS Option for COTA Lineups
Joel Kiviranta

in Concussion Protocol
Joel Eriksson Ek

Available Sunday
Ryan Blaney

Could Ryan Blaney be A Sleeper DFS Option for All Formats for COTA?
Mark Scheifele

Expected to Play Sunday
Chase Briscoe

Should DFS Players Roster Chase Briscoe at COTA?
Adam Wilsby

Exits Early Versus Stars
Gage Goncalves

Hurt in Saturday's Loss
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Is A Favorable Value Option for COTA DFS Lineups
Ty Gibbs

Could Ty Gibbs Be A Rosterable DFS Play for COTA?
Michael McDowell

Is Michael McDowell A Favorable DFS Option for COTA?
Cale Makar

Scores Twice Versus Chicago
A.J. Brown

Patriots "Have Explored Trade Talks" Involving A.J. Brown
Lone'er Kavanagh

Set For UFC Mexico City Main Event
Brandon Moreno

Looks To Bounce Back
David Martinez

Set For UFC Mexico City Co-Main Event
Marlon Vera

In Dire Need Of Victory
King Green

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Daniel Zellhuber

Aims To Snap Two-Fight Skid
Felipe Bunes

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Édgar Cháirez

Edgar Chairez A Favorite At UFC Mexico City
George Pickens

Cowboys Not Interested in Trading George Pickens
Ashton Jeanty

Not in Line for Workhorse Role in 2026?
Anthony Richardson Sr.

Colts Give Anthony Richardson Sr. Permission to Seek a Trade
Kyler Murray

Prefers to be Released
Derek Carr

"Strong Belief" That Derek Carr is "Very Serious" About Unretiring
Andy Dalton

Is Andy Dalton Available for a Trade?
Keith Mitchell

Making The Comfortable Return to PGA National
CFB

Chandler Morris Suing NCAA for Seventh Year of Eligibility
Chris Kirk

Searching for a Spark at Cognizant Classic
Brooks Koepka

Making Third PGA Tour Start at Cognizant Classic
Mackenzie Hughes

a Steady Option at Cognizant Classic
Seamus Power

Seeking More Green in Florida
PGA

Haotong Li Back From a Break as Florida Stretch Starts
Stephan Jaeger

Trying to Put Four Rounds Together in Florida
PGA

Nico Echavarria Again Attempting to Make the Weekend
Patrick Fishburn

Looking for a Spark at Cognizant Classic
Blades Brown

Set for Cognizant Classic Debut
Michael Thorbjornsen

Looking to Bounce Back at Cognizant Classic
Maxx Crosby

Raiders Expect Maxx Crosby to Return
Billy Horschel

Looks to Improve Season at Cognizant Classic
Kyle Pitts Sr.

Falcons Place Franchise Tag on Kyle Pitts Sr.
Joe Highsmith

Returns to Defend at Cognizant Classic
Quinshon Judkins

Out of Walking Boot, Will be Ready for Training Camp
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF