wake up with VSiN Daily Morning Bet, a short 15-minute podcast posted at 7am ET that focuses on the top games and biggest line moves of the day. Be sure to stay tuned for a full breakdown of Monday’s betting action. VSiN Market Insights Podcast 3:00 p.m. Eastern time.
You can also track VSiN betting splits for each game.
In the meantime, let’s find out where the smart money leans into Monday’s MLB contenders…
6:35 p.m. ET: Los Angeles Angels (-120, 8) vs. Baltimore Orioles
The Angels (21-20) are 2-6 in their last eight games, having just dropped two of their three games against the Guardians before losing 4-3 on Sunday to become a +115 road dog. Conversely, the Orioles (26-14) are 4-1 in their last five games and had just won two of their three home games against the Pirates before losing 4-0 on Sunday and the Home Dogs. -105. In tonight’s series opener, Los Angeles will bring in ace right-hander Shohei Ohtani (4-1, 2.74 ERA) while Baltimore will face right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (2-0, 5.08 ERA). The line opened with the Angels listed as -130 road favorites and the Orioles as +115 home dogs. The public is rushing to the windows to put Ohtani and short pieces of chalk. But the Angels dropped from -130 to -120 despite scoring 68%. This marks a sharp comeback line move in Baltimore, where the Pros grabbed some plus money at home against the Orioles (+115 vs. +105). The Orioles have contrarian value and only receive 32% of bets as homedogs if the line moves in their favor. Baltimore are 14-9 against right-handers and 13-6 at home. The Orioles are +30 on the difference. +9 for the Angels.
8:10 p.m. ET: Chicago Cubs vs. Houston Astros (-180, 7.5)
The Cubs (19-21) have just gone 5-11 in their last 16 games and lost 2-of-3 against the Twins, losing 16-3 on Sunday as a +115 road dog. Meanwhile, the Astros (21-19) have won four of their last five games, winning just two of three against the White Sox and won 4-3 on Sunday as the -135 road favorites. In tonight’s series opener, Chicago will get right-hander Jameson Taillon (0-2, 6.41 ERA) and Houston will send out left-hander Flamber Valdez (3-4, 2.38 ERA). The line started with the Astros listed as home favorites at -170 and Chicago listed as road dogs at +150. Pros ride hotly, pushing Houston up from -170 to -180. The Astros took 82% of the bets and 87% of the funds, which shows the endorsement of both the pros and Joe. The winning Monday home favorites are 15-8 (65%) this season and 137-82 (63%) from 2020 onwards. Houston is also a worthy Interleague favorite, where inexperience benefits the better teams and is the most likely team. The lower the match total (7.5) and the lower the number of expected points, the more likely it is to come from a better team. Houston is 17-14 against right-handed pitchers. Chicago is 11-17 against right-handed pitchers. The Astros’ bullpen is also fresh, throwing 8.2 innings over their last three games, versus 11.1 for the Cubs.