Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images. Pictured: Trevor Bauer #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches
The U.S. Open is underway at Torrey Pines, which sets up golf fans and bettors for a jam-packed Friday. A handful of golfers still have to finish their opening rounds before second round action will dominate the rest of the day (and night).
Because of this, there is even less of a focus on basketball betting, especially from recreational bettors who are largely tied up with U.S. Open sweats.
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t value to be found elsewhere — most notably, among Friday’s MLB slate of games.
In fact, a handful of games are already attracting significant action from the market’s sharpest bettors. The two foremost among those games include Indians vs. Pirates and Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks.
Using our PRO betting tools, let’s pinpoint the exact wagers professionals are making for each of these two MLB matchups.
Friday MLB Betting Picks
Indians vs. Pirates
7:05 p.m. ET | SportsNet PT
Sharp Action
When it comes to sharp action alone, Indians vs. Pirates is arguably the most intriguing bet of Friday’s MLB slate.
Wiseguys have popped Pittsburgh at plus-money four times since this number opened, pushing it from around +130 (depending on the sportsbook) to the current consensus of -110 (click here for live MLB odds).
Big Money
Ticket volume and money wagered are each backing Cleveland, but the difference in those splits is noteworthy.
The Pirates have landed just 18% of the bets, but that very small minority accounts for 36% of the money.
Again, 36% of the loot isn’t overwhelming by itself, but the fact that it’s taken less than 20% of betting tickets to get there tells us that those wagers are larger in size than those landing on the Indians.
Top Experts
One of The Action Network’s top MLB bettors has taken note of this market activity and is backing Pittsburgh as well.
PRO Report Pick: Pirates +110
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Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks
9:40 p.m. ET | BSAZ
Sharp Action
While pros haven’t popped Arizona as many times as Pittsburgh, that doesn’t mean that smart money isn’t moving the Diamondbacks’ moneyline either.
We’ve tracked two instances of sharp action hitting the D-Backs, which coincides with the line movement from the +192 opener to +170.
Big Money
Similar to Indians vs. Pirates, bettors are all over the favorite in this matchup as well. But it’s the difference between tickets and money that should raise red flags.
Arizona has convinced just 9% (!) of MLB bettors take a shot on its big price tag, but 21% of real dollars wagered have come down on that side of this game.
PRO Systems
Because of the drastically one-sided betting percentages, the Diamondbacks are a match for our Betting Against the Public PRO MLB System, which has rewarded faithful bettors with a profit of 159 units since the start of the 2005 season.
Top Experts
And to tie this up in a bow, one of our MLB expert bettors is also on Arizona, giving the road underdog four of five possible MLB PRO Report value indicators.
PRO Report Pick: Diamondbacks +170
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