After going for the moneyline on Monday, it’s time to play the over/under market on Tuesday. Here are some top total plays available for July 20, including options from baseball, MLS and the NBA Finals.
ORIOLES-RAYS OVER 7.5
John Means really doesn’t seem to like pitching in Tropicana Field very much, but then again, not many people do. Means will make his first start in St. Petersburg since 2019, and while he didn’t put up terrible numbers in his first two appearances in the Trop, both games hit double digits. Considering Means hasn’t pitched in a month after injury and the Rays have averaged nearly six runs a game in their past six games in the Trop, this total appears too low.
PHILLIES-YANKEES OVER 8.5
Taking the over on the Yankees is risky given their lack of hitting, but with this pitching matchup, it seems to be the safe play. New York should be able to get to Aaron Nola, who has given four runs or more in three of his past four starts. Nola did give the Phillies nearly eight shutout innings against the Yankees earlier this year, but New York’s hitting has improved a little and another shutout seems unlikely. Meanwhile, the Phillies are hitting well and had no problems tagging Domingo German last month for seven runs and 10 hits. Expect some offense in this one.
VANCOUVER-HOUSTON OVER 2.5
The Whitecaps haven’t been able to stop anyone this year. Vancouver has hit the over in eight consecutive games, in large part because they’ve given up at least two goals in eight consecutive matches, including one against Houston. Vancouver has never been comfortable at its temporary home in Salt Lake City, but the Whitecaps won’t get back to Canada until at least mid-August and will yet again have no home advantage. Houston doesn’t have the greatest offense in MLS by any means, but without the Southsiders in the stands to bolster the Caps’ sieve-like defense, the Dynamo should be able to slide two home.
BUCKS-SUNS OVER 222
Both teams seem to have figured out how to hit contested shots now, as the offense is gaining an edge on the defense in this series. The under cashed in both Game 3 and Game 4, which were played in Milwaukee, but the Suns also played out of sorts in Game 3 and the Bucks couldn’t hit much of anything until the fourth quarter of Game 4. Both teams should have the kinks worked out and should be able to get over this total. They probably won’t be hitting 55 percent of their shots the way they did in Game 5, but there’s a good chance that they hit close to 50 percent, which would put them over the total.
