MLB picks: Mariners vs. Rangers, A's vs. White Sox

We took a look at Tuesday’s MLB slate and came up with our two best bets for the evening, which we’ll present below!

Let’s start with our preview of an AL West clash between the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers. Then we’ll highlight a game with serious playoff implications between the Oakland A’s and the Chicago White Sox.

Seattle Mariners (63-56) at Texas Rangers (42-76), 8:05 p.m. ET

The Mariners should make light work of the Rangers in Arlington on Tuesday night.

Tyler Anderson gets the nod for Seattle, already making his third start against Texas from four opportunities with the M’s. The southpaw failed to earn a win in his first two chances against the Rangers, but pitched to a respectable 3.38 ERA over 10 2/3 innings.

Anderson is backed by a bullpen that continues to thrive despite the departure of Kendall Graveman, producing a 2.01 ERA over the last two weeks. Only the San Francisco Giants’ relief corps can boast a better number in that span (1.96).

The struggling Spencer Howard (0-3, 5.61 ERA over 33 2/3 innings) counters for Texas. He’s lasted barely over three innings per start in 2021, so expect the Rangers’ lackluster bullpen – 18th by ERA over the last two weeks (4.30) – to work overtime in this one.

The Mariners – winners of five of their last seven – should get another solid effort from Ty France, who has 10 hits in his last 23 at-bats (1.132 OPS in that span).

MLB pick: Mariners -143

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Oakland A’s (68-51) at Chicago White Sox (69-50), 8:10 p.m. ET

The A’s dropped a tough one to the White Sox on Monday, but dark horse Cy Young contender Chris Bassitt should serve as a “stopper” for Oakland in this spot.

Bassitt has been nothing short of brilliant in his last three outings, allowing just one earned run over his last 20 innings on the mound. He’s yet to face Chicago this year, but has solid career numbers against Jose Abreu, Tim Anderson, and Yoan Moncada. That trio has combined to go just 6-for-24 against Bassitt with no homers, no walks, and three strikeouts.

Reynaldo Lopez responds for the South Siders, and while he’s had a solid summer in the White Sox bullpen, he’ll be making just his second start of the season. Bettors should not expect him to last very long against an Oakland offense that’s plated 4.88 runs per game on the road in 2021.

A’s first baseman Matt Olson could potentially make an early impact here; he’s 3-for-9 lifetime with a home run off Lopez.

MLB pick: A’s -109