MLB.TV Free Game of the Day Betting Picks for Rockies-Athletics (5/21/24)

The lengthy MLB season can cause some games to get lost in the shuffle, but MLB.TV provides fans with a Free Game of the Day throughout the regular season that can also be seen on FanDuel TV+ here, or also available on Apple TV, Roku, Android TV, Fire TV, and FanDuel Sportsbook.

Why not add to the viewing excitement by getting in on the MLB odds over at FanDuel Sportsbook?

For this article, we've got you covered with a betting guide for each Free Game of the Day. With that, let's take a look at some of the best bets for today's free game.

Note: Lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published. All stats come from FanGraphs and Baseball Savant unless noted otherwise. Please check here to make sure you're seeing the most updated projections.

MLB Betting Picks

Rockies vs. Athletics Betting Odds: Spread, Total, and Moneyline

• Time: 9:40 p.m. ET
• Spread: Athletics -1.5 (+164)
• Total: 7.5
• Moneyline:
  • Rockies: +112
  • Athletics: -132

Best Bet

Athletics Under 3.5 Runs (+110)

Today's Free Game of the Day brings us a matchup between two of the worst teams in baseball: the Oakland Athletics (19-30) and Colorado Rockies (15-31).

While it's natural to bet against the Rockies these days, I'm more interested in targeting an anti-Oakland bet for tonight's contest.

Cal Quantrill will be on the bump opposite the A's. Through nine starts, Quantrill owns a 3.66 ERA and 4.06 xERA, but recent outings suggest he has found a solid groove.

In three May starts, Quantrill has surrendered just 2 ER through 19 2/3 IP. He touts a 26.0% K%, 2.28 xFIP, and 1.02 WHIP in this span. He's also only allowed a .255 wOBA and 0.46 HR/9.

While this three-game sample is willfully ignorant of what came before for Quantrill, I do think it could be of use when looking at this evening's matchup.

Quantrill has taken the brunt of his beatings in Colorado. We know Coors Field to be the friendliest home run park in all of baseball, which is a large reason why Quantrill struggles with a 1.48 HR/9 ratio at home but has managed a 0.99 HR/9 ratio on the road.

He's allowed just 3 ER in 18 IP across his last three away games, so I like that we'll find him on the mound in Oakland.

The A's, while better than initially suspected, haven't shown a lot of punch against righties. Their active roster has posted a .225 BA (24th), .306 OBP (19th), and .377 SLG (18th) versus right-handed pitchers this season.

Quantrill has only started two games against teams that ranked in the bottom 12 of both batting average and slugging percentage against righties. He managed to pitch 13 2/3 scoreless innings in this span.

Oakland has scored under 3.5 runs in 59.2% of their games this season (29 out of 49 contests), but these +110 odds would suggest only a 47.6% hit rate.

Brent Rooker will not be an easy out, but the A's are averaging a mere 2.1 runs across their last eight games, scoring under 3.5 runs in six of those contests. Colorado, meanwhile, has surrendered less than 3.5 runs in six of Quantrill's last seven starts.

Best Prop

Cal Quantrill Over 4.5 Strikeouts (-104)

Quantrill has never been a strikeout ace, but he's managed to punchout 19 batters across his last 19 2/3 IP and could be in a good spot to deliver a fourth straight 5-plus-strikeout game.

Oakland owns a 26.5% K% against right-hand pitchers, good for the third-highest rate in the MLB.

Opposing starters have fanned at least five Oakland batters in 8 of their last 10 games, so the A's aren't exactly coming into this one hot.

Quantrill hasn't had an easy go of it matchup-wise. Six of his nine starts have come against teams that boasted a 21.5% K% against righties or lower, situating these teams in the top 13 of K rate.

But, in two contests against teams that fared in the bottom 10 of K rate (Seattle Mariners and Pittsburgh Pirates), he struck out a combined 13 batters through 13 2/3 IP.

Off the heels of a trio of great starts and a matchup against a strikeout-prone team inbound for tonight, I'll back Colorado's starter.

Dinger Tuesday is back! Place a pre-live, straight "To Hit a Home Run" wager on any MLB game happening May 21st. You’ll get Bonus Bets for each home run BOTH TEAMS hit in the game! See here for full terms and conditions. Learn about today’s other offers at FanDuel Sportsbook Promos.

Looking for more MLB betting opportunities? Check out all of the MLB odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel Daily Fantasy today!

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.