MLB picks: Nationals vs. Orioles, White Sox vs. Brewers

Let’s discuss a pair of intriguing interleague series openers as we give out our best bets in baseball for Friday night!

Leading off is our look at the latest installment of the “Beltway Series” between the Washington Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles. Then we’ll dig into a midwest matchup pitting the Chicago White Sox against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Washington Nationals (45-50) at Baltimore Orioles (31-64), 7:05 p.m. ET

Two shaky starters and two even shakier bullpens should send Over bettors flocking to the windows for the series opener between the Nationals and Orioles.

Patrick Corbin gets the call for Washington, and he’s pitched poorly in July, producing a 7.33 ERA and 2.000 WHIP over three outings. He’s 1-4 with a 6.05 ERA and 1.488 WHIP through eight starts on the road in 2021. Corbin will have to be wary of Baltimore All-Star Cedric Mullins, who owns a 1.018 OPS at home this season.

Once Corbin exits, the Nats’ MLB-worst bullpen for the month of July (6.64 ERA) will take over.

Jorge Lopez counters for the O’s, and his 6.04 ERA and 1.63 WHIP for the year do not inspire confidence. He’s averaging just over 4 2/3 innings per start, meaning Baltimore’s beleaguered bullpen (5.58 ERA, 24th in baseball for July) will likely have to do some heavy lifting in this one.

Look for Juan Soto – who’s been tearing the cover off the ball since the second half started (.522 average, five homers, 12 RBI) – to keep his hot streak going.

MLB pick: Over

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Chicago White Sox (58-38) at Milwaukee Brewers (56-41), 8:10 p.m. ET

The Brewers’ Freddy Peralta should outduel White Sox starter Lucas Giolito in Milwaukee on Friday night.

Giolito is fresh off a one-run complete game against the Houston Astros, but that was earned at home. In nine starts on the road this year, Giolito has a 4.98 ERA and .250 opponent batting average.

Willy Adames – who’s done nothing but hit since joining the Brewers 53 games ago (.302 average) – is batting .400 since the All-Star break, and should keep his momentum going.

Peralta has been rested nearly two full weeks by design, so he should be ready to pitch deep into this one if necessary. He’s been nearly untouchable at home in 2021, authoring a 2.04 ERA and .109 opponent batting average.

Milwaukee should win the bullpen battle too; the Brewers’ relief corps is fourth by ERA in July (2.79), while the White Sox rank 12th by the same measure (4.18).

MLB pick: Brewers -136