MLB Best Betting Picks for July 7: Skubal, Skenes, and Wheeler Lead Sunday Slate

A trio of elite pitchers take the mound Sunday—arguably the best arms in the American and National Leagues included.

Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, is pitching like he’s hungry for another. Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates continues to dominate despite receiving minimal run support. And Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler, still dominant at age 35, shows no signs of slowing down.

Even his opposing pitcher Sunday—Cincinnati’s Chase Burns—has the potential to be a future star.

Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Guardians

Skubal (10–2, 2.15 ERA) has now won 10 consecutive decisions after dropping his first two starts of the season. The left-hander is rolling—and the Guardians know it.

Skubal struck out 13 in a two-hit shutout of Cleveland back on May 25. He also fanned 13 in his most recent outing, a one-hit, seven-inning shutout of the Minnesota Twins.

The southpaw is 3–2 with a 2.84 ERA in nine career starts vs. Cleveland. The only real problem? All-Star José Ramírez, who’s 10-for-28 lifetime against Skubal, though without a home run.

Right-hander Gavin Williams (5–4, 3.86 ERA) gets the tough assignment for the Guardians. He hasn’t won since June 1 and is winless over his last five starts. In four career outings vs. Detroit, he’s 1–2 with a 2.53 ERA.

Best Bet: Skubal to win + 8+ strikeouts (+140, FanDuel)

Pittsburgh Pirates at Seattle Mariners

Skenes (4–7, 2.03 ERA) is winless over his last six starts despite allowing two or fewer runs in five of them. His ERA during that stretch? A stellar 1.77. Life as a Pirate, indeed.

Skenes has pitched seven or more innings in just five of 18 starts—a reflection of the modern game. It’s hard to imagine a young Bob Gibson or Nolan Ryan being pulled after six frames like this.

Seattle counters with right-hander George Kirby (2–4, 4.85 ERA), who’s looked sharp of late—allowing one run on three hits in each of his last two outings. He earned a win in one and a no-decision in the other. If he can match Skenes for six innings, the bullpens could decide it—and that favors Seattle.

Best Bet: Mariners +1.5 runs (+115, DraftKings)

Cincinnati Reds at Philadelphia Phillies

Wheeler (8–3, 2.27 ERA) has finished runner-up in NL Cy Young voting twice, including last year when Chris Sale of the Braves won it. He’s back in the conversation again this season, leading the NL in strikeouts (136) and WHIP (0.91), and sitting second in ERA behind Skenes.

The right-hander was dominant in his last start, striking out 10 and tossing eight shutout innings against the Padres. It marked the fourth time this season Wheeler has delivered six or more scoreless innings.

Opposing him is Reds rookie Chase Burns, who will be making his third major league start. His second outing was disastrous: he recorded just one out while giving up seven runs (five earned) and five hits to the Red Sox on Monday. The No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft is highly talented—but Cincinnati might be rushing him into the spotlight.

Best Bet: Wheeler over 8.5 strikeouts (+115, DraftKings)