Wake up with VSiN Daily Morning Bets, a quick 15-minute podcast posted at 7 a.m. ET highlighting the top games and biggest line moves of the day. For a full breakdown of Friday’s betting action be sure to catch the VSiN Market Insights Podcast at 3 p.m. ET.
You can also track the latest odds and percentages for every game using our VSiN Betting Splits.
In the meantime, let’s examine where smart money is leaning for Friday’s MLB slate...
6:40 p.m. ET: Pittsburgh Pirates at Miami Marlins (-175, 8)
The Marlins (43-33) came from behind in epic fashion to win Thursday night’s series opener 6-4, cashing as -165 home favorites. In tonight’s rematch, the Pirates (34-40) start righty Luis Ortiz (1-3, 4.30 ERA) and the Marlins counter with lefty Jesus Luzardo (6-5, 4.09 ERA). This line opened with Miami listed as a -165 home favorite and Pittsburgh a +150 road dog. Sharps are laying the chalk with Miami at home, steaming the Marlins up from -165 to -175. Miami is receiving roughly 75% of bets and dollars, signaling a heavy combination of both Pro and Joe support. Home favorites off a win receiving 5-cents of steam or more are 119-58 (67%) this season, producing a 9% ROI. The Fish also have correlative betting value as a favorite in a low total game (8), with the fewer amount of expected runs scored more likely to come from the better team. The Marlins have a big edge at the plate, hitting .260 versus .240 for Pittsburgh. Miami is 22-11 as a favorite, 34-23 against righties and 23-15 at home. Luzardo has a 3.04 ERA at home (compared to 5.45 on the road). Ortiz has a 5.50 ERA on the road (compared to 3.20 at home).
8:10 p.m. ET: Boston Red Sox (-115, 8.5) at Chicago White Sox
The Red Sox (39-37) just split a four-game series at the Twins, losing Thursday’s series finale 6-0 as +125 road dogs. Meanwhile, the White Sox (32-44) just dropped two of three at home against the Rangers, losing the finale 6-3 as a -110 home pick’em. In tonight’s series opener, Boston hands the ball to righty Brayan Bello (4-4, 3.49 ERA) and Chicago taps fellow righty Lucas Giolito (5-4, 3.54 ERA). This line opened with the Red Sox listed as a short -110 road favorite and the White Sox a +110 home dog. Sharps have quietly gotten down on Boston, pushing the Red Sox up from -110 to -115. Boston is receiving 73% of bets and 81% of money, indicating both public and sharp support. Non-division road favorites are 109-64 (63%) this season, producing a 13% ROI. AL East favorites vs non-AL East teams are 123-52 (70%) with a 15% ROI. The Red Sox have the better bats, hitting .265 compared to .234 for the White Sox. Boston is 17-13 as a favorite. Chicago is 14-29 as a dog. Bello has given up two earned runs or less in eight of his last nine starts.
