By R. Nikhil Parshy
MLB’s Saturday slate boasts a mixture of day and night games. Some rivalries will be played out with the Subway Series continuing while the Dodgers and Astros lock horns again.Here’s a look at the best bets from the games on July 5th as per ESPN Sportsbook and Bet MGM.MLB picks, predictions, best bets for Saturday, July 5Marlins vs. BrewersBest Bet: Chad Patrick u5.5 Strikeouts Thrown (-145)Picks: Brewers ML (-145), Over 8.5 runsPrediction: Brewers 5, Marlins 4The Brewers took a close series opener on Friday with a 6-5 finish. Both starters on Saturday, Milwaukee’s Chad Patrick (3-7, 3.51 ERA) and Miami’s Cal Quantrill (3-7, 5.42 ERA) are expected to have a strong duel considering their identical figures. Otto Lopez for the Brewers has 17 RBIs in the last 10 games.Guardians vs. TigersBest Bet: Kyle Manzardo o0.5 Total RBIs (+155)Picks: Tigers ML (-141), Under 9 runsPrediction: Tigers 5, Guardians 4It is going from bad to worse for the Cleveland Guardians, who are now on an eight-game losing streak. They lost the series opener 2-1. Their offence will have a hard time facing Tigers starter Casey Mize (8-2, 2.86 ERA). Even Detroit’s offence has a collective batting average of .285 in the last 10 games.Nationals vs. Red SoxBest Bet: Roman Anthony o1.5 Hits, Runs, and RBIs (-118)Picks: Red Sox (-125), Under 9.5 runsPrediction: Nationals 5, Red Sox 4Despite the win in the series opener for Boston, it is an even matchup on paper on Saturday for bookmakers who are giving both sides an equal chance to win. The Nats are outpacing their opponents with a .287 to .279 batting average in the last 10 games, while the Red Sox have a better 4.60 ERA compared to 6.47 ERA.Dodgers vs. AstrosBest Bet: Shohei Ohtani Over 1.5 strikeouts thrown (-175)Picks: Dodgers (-145), Under 8.5 runsPrediction: Dodgers 4, Astros 3The Dodgers suffered a humiliating 18-1 loss in the series opener, the likes of which the defending champions haven’t seen in a long time. Shohei Ohtani is expected to get the start on the mound on Saturday and then be relieved by the bullpen after a few innings. His plate appearances will be crucial against Astros ace Framber Valdez (9-4, 2.72 ERA).Padres vs. RangersBest Bet: Fernando Tatis Jr. o0.5 Total RBIs (+160)Picks: Padres (-150), Under 8.5 runsPrediction: Padres 4, Rangers 3San Diego heads into the game with a three-game win streak at Petco Park. They will start as the favorite to extend that with Stephen Kolek (3-3, 3.73 ERA) on the mound against Rangers starter Jack Leiter (4-5, 4.29 ERA). Both batting lineups are having a tough time out there, with the Padres at a .214 pace and the Rangers at .226 in the last ten games.Here are the other predictionsTampa Bay @ Minnesota: Rays 6, Twins 5St. Louis @ Chicago: Cubs 7, Cardinals 6Los Angeles (A) @ Toronto: Blue Jays 5, Angels 4Cincinnati @ Philadelphia: Phillies 4, Reds 3Baltimore @ Atlanta: Braves 5, Orioles 4New York (Y) @ New York (M): Yankees 5, Mets 4Kansas City @ Arizona: Diamondbacks 4, Royals 3Chicago (WS) @ Colorado: Rockies 6, White Sox 5San Francisco @ Athletics: Giants 5, Athletics 4Pittsburgh @ Seattle: Mariners 4, Pirates 3