LyDia daily card

MLB Picks | Friday, July 31, 2026

One authoritative page for every official pick, research setup, and pass. Each decision includes the model probability, matchup evidence, risk, and author.

GAMES
15
OFFICIAL PICKS
0
across all markets
VALUE WATCH
0
WATCHLIST
1
PASSES
14

Updated Jul 31, 1:25 PM EDT. Official picks are published before grading.

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San Francisco Giants @ San Diego Padres

Lynold Mercado
Watchlist
LyDia side
San Diego Padres Money Line
Lab Rating
7.1/10
Model probability
80.3%
Market probability
57.2%
Model vs market
+23.0%
Current price
-138
Pitcher edge
San Diego Padres by 27 points
Bullpen read
San Diego Padres carries the heavier bullpen workload, 8.5/10 versus 6.5/10, which adds late-game risk. San Diego Padres has used 14.7 bullpen innings over the last three days with 3 back-to-back arms.
Why LyDia made this decisionBullpen game impact
San Diego Padres is using a bullpen game. Bradgley Rodriguez is expected to cover about 1.0 innings, leaving roughly 8.0 innings to the bullpen. The pen carries 7.9/10 risk with 6.3/10 recent efficiency. Because this is LyDia's side, bullpen quality is central to the pick. The bullpen efficiency comparison is 6.3/10 for San Diego Padres versus 4.4/10 for San Francisco Giants.

San Diego Padres is worth monitoring, but it does not clear every requirement for an official pick. LyDia projects 80.3% win probability, the market is at 57.2%, and the setup carries a 7.1/10 Lab Rating. San Diego Padres has the stronger starting pitcher matchup by 27 rating points. Bullpen risk is elevated but not decisive. San Diego Padres is 7.9/10 and San Francisco Giants is 6.8/10.
Risk noteNo model can see every live lineup, injury, or late bullpen availability update. Recheck official news before first pitch.

Arizona Diamondbacks @ Cleveland Guardians

7:10 PM ET · Mitch Bratt vs Tanner Bibee
Lynold Mercado
Pass
LyDia side
Cleveland Guardians Money Line
Lab Rating
6.4/10
Model probability
81.1%
Market probability
56.8%
Model vs market
+24.2%
Current price
-132
Pitcher edge
Cleveland Guardians by 56 points
Bullpen read
Bullpen workload is elevated but not decisive. Cleveland Guardians is 7.1/10 and Arizona Diamondbacks is 5.8/10.
Why LyDia made this decisionThe combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.
Pass reasonThe combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.

Miami Marlins @ New York Mets

7:10 PM ET · Janson Junk vs Freddy Peralta
Lynold Mercado
Pass
LyDia side
New York Mets Money Line
Lab Rating
6.4/10
Model probability
65.3%
Market probability
54.4%
Model vs market
+11.0%
Current price
-122
Pitcher edge
New York Mets by 16 points
Bullpen read
Bullpen workload is elevated but not decisive. New York Mets is 5.3/10 and Miami Marlins is 6.0/10.
Why LyDia made this decisionThe combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.
Pass reasonThe combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.

Washington Nationals @ Atlanta Braves

7:15 PM ET · Foster Griffin vs Bryce Elder
Lynold Mercado
Pass
LyDia side
Atlanta Braves Money Line
Lab Rating
6.3/10
Model probability
65.6%
Market probability
51.9%
Model vs market
+13.7%
Current price
-110
Pitcher edge
Atlanta Braves by 18 points
Bullpen read
Atlanta Braves carries the heavier bullpen workload, 8.7/10 versus 6.2/10, which adds late-game risk. Atlanta Braves has used 11.0 bullpen innings over the last three days with 4 back-to-back arms.
Why LyDia made this decisionThe combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.
Pass reasonThe combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.

St. Louis Cardinals @ Toronto Blue Jays

7:07 PM ET · Kyle Leahy vs Dylan Cease
Lynold Mercado
Pass
LyDia side
Toronto Blue Jays Money Line
Lab Rating
6.2/10
Model probability
59.2%
Market probability
62.8%
Model vs market
-3.6%
Current price
-180
Pitcher edge
Toronto Blue Jays by 11 points
Bullpen read
Toronto Blue Jays has the fresher bullpen, 6.8/10 versus 10.0/10. St. Louis Cardinals has used 17.7 bullpen innings over the last three days with 5 back-to-back arms.
Why LyDia made this decisionMarket is higher than LyDia's model probability.
Pass reasonMarket is higher than LyDia's model probability.

Texas Rangers @ Houston Astros

8:15 PM ET · Nathan Eovaldi vs Hunter Brown
Lynold Mercado
Pass
LyDia side
Houston Astros Money Line
Lab Rating
6.1/10
Model probability
64.4%
Market probability
54.2%
Model vs market
+10.2%
Current price
-122
Pitcher edge
Houston Astros by 8 points
Bullpen read
Bullpen workload is elevated but not decisive. Houston Astros is 7.2/10 and Texas Rangers is 8.0/10.
Why LyDia made this decisionThe combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.
Pass reasonThe combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.

Boston Red Sox @ Los Angeles Dodgers

Lynold Mercado
Pass
LyDia side
Boston Red Sox Money Line
Lab Rating
6.1/10
Model probability
70.4%
Market probability
45.4%
Model vs market
+25.0%
Current price
+118
Pitcher edge
Boston Red Sox by 18 points
Bullpen read
Bullpen workload is elevated but not decisive. Boston Red Sox is 7.0/10 and Los Angeles Dodgers is 6.9/10.
Why LyDia made this decisionBullpen game impact
Los Angeles Dodgers is using a bullpen game. Edgardo Henriquez is expected to cover about 4.5 innings, leaving roughly 4.5 innings to the bullpen. The pen carries 6.8/10 risk with 5.2/10 recent efficiency. That heavy bullpen exposure strengthens the case for Boston Red Sox. The bullpen efficiency comparison is 7.5/10 for Boston Red Sox versus 5.2/10 for Los Angeles Dodgers.

The combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.
Pass reasonThe combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.

New York Yankees @ Chicago Cubs

2:20 PM ET · Will Warren vs Shota Imanaga
Lynold Mercado
Pass
LyDia side
Chicago Cubs Money Line
Lab Rating
6.0/10
Model probability
79.9%
Market probability
59.1%
Model vs market
+20.9%
Current price
-148
Pitcher edge
No clear SP edge
Bullpen read
Bullpen workload is elevated but not decisive. Chicago Cubs is 7.7/10 and New York Yankees is 8.6/10.
Why LyDia made this decisionThe combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.
Pass reasonThe combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.

Detroit Tigers @ Athletics

9:40 PM ET · TBD vs Jeffrey Springs
Lynold Mercado
Pass
LyDia side
Detroit Tigers Money Line
Lab Rating
4.8/10
Model probability
71.3%
Market probability
56.4%
Model vs market
+14.9%
Current price
-132
Pitcher edge
No clear SP edge by 3 points
Bullpen read
Detroit Tigers has the fresher bullpen, 5.6/10 versus 7.2/10. Athletics has used 11.7 bullpen innings over the last three days with 2 back-to-back arms.
Why LyDia made this decisionBullpen game impact
Detroit Tigers is using a bullpen game. TBD is expected to cover about 4.5 innings, leaving roughly 4.5 innings to the bullpen. The pen carries 6.2/10 risk with 3.9/10 recent efficiency. Because this is LyDia's side, bullpen quality is central to the pick. The bullpen efficiency comparison is 3.9/10 for Detroit Tigers versus 4.3/10 for Athletics.

The combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.
Pass reasonThe combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.

Kansas City Royals @ Colorado Rockies

Lynold Mercado
Pass
LyDia side
Colorado Rockies Money Line
Lab Rating
4.4/10
Model probability
64.6%
Market probability
49.8%
Model vs market
+14.8%
Current price
-102
Pitcher edge
Colorado Rockies by 18 points
Bullpen read
No meaningful bullpen fatigue edge — both pens come in comparable (Colorado Rockies 5.3/10, Kansas City Royals 4.5/10).
Why LyDia made this decisionThe combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.
Pass reasonThe combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.

Minnesota Twins @ Seattle Mariners

10:10 PM ET · Zebby Matthews vs Bryce Miller
Lynold Mercado
Pass
LyDia side
Minnesota Twins Money Line
Lab Rating
4.2/10
Model probability
52.8%
Market probability
39.4%
Model vs market
+13.4%
Current price
+150
Pitcher edge
No clear SP edge by 1 points
Bullpen read
Minnesota Twins has the fresher bullpen, 4.5/10 versus 6.9/10. Seattle Mariners has used 10.0 bullpen innings over the last three days with 3 back-to-back arms.
Why LyDia made this decisionThe combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.
Pass reasonThe combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.

Philadelphia Phillies @ Baltimore Orioles

7:05 PM ET · TBD vs Brandon Young
Lynold Mercado
Pass
LyDia side
Baltimore Orioles Money Line
Lab Rating
4.0/10
Model probability
61.8%
Market probability
51.5%
Model vs market
+10.3%
Current price
-110
Pitcher edge
No clear SP edge
Bullpen read
Bullpen workload is elevated but not decisive. Baltimore Orioles is 6.5/10 and Philadelphia Phillies is 5.1/10.
Why LyDia made this decisionBullpen game impact
Philadelphia Phillies is using a bullpen game. TBD is expected to cover about 4.5 innings, leaving roughly 4.5 innings to the bullpen. The pen carries 5.4/10 risk with 4.4/10 recent efficiency. That heavy bullpen exposure strengthens the case for Baltimore Orioles. The bullpen efficiency comparison is 3.7/10 for Baltimore Orioles versus 4.4/10 for Philadelphia Phillies.

The combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.
Pass reasonThe combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.

Pittsburgh Pirates @ Cincinnati Reds

6:10 PM ET · Paul Skenes vs Hunter Greene
Lynold Mercado
Pass
LyDia side
Pittsburgh Pirates Money Line
Lab Rating
3.4/10
Model probability
65.8%
Market probability
53.6%
Model vs market
+12.2%
Current price
-118
Pitcher edge
Pittsburgh Pirates by 6 points
Bullpen read
Both bullpens are heavily taxed. Pittsburgh Pirates is 9.3/10 and Cincinnati Reds is 8.8/10, so late-game volatility is elevated on both sides.
Why LyDia made this decisionThe combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.
Pass reasonThe combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.

Milwaukee Brewers @ Los Angeles Angels

9:38 PM ET · Shane Drohan vs Ryan Johnson
Lynold Mercado
Pass
LyDia side
Los Angeles Angels Money Line
Lab Rating
3.4/10
Model probability
58.2%
Market probability
40.1%
Model vs market
+18.0%
Current price
+147
Pitcher edge
Los Angeles Angels by 25 points
Bullpen read
Los Angeles Angels carries the heavier bullpen workload, 8.1/10 versus 5.7/10, which adds late-game risk. Los Angeles Angels has used 8.0 bullpen innings over the last three days with 7 back-to-back arms.
Why LyDia made this decisionThe combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.
Pass reasonThe combined Lab Rating did not clear the official threshold.

Chicago White Sox @ Tampa Bay Rays

7:10 PM ET · Erick Fedde vs Nick Martinez
Lynold Mercado
Pass
LyDia side
Tampa Bay Rays Money Line
Lab Rating
3.3/10
Model probability
55.5%
Market probability
56.3%
Model vs market
-0.8%
Current price
-132
Pitcher edge
No clear SP edge by 1 points
Bullpen read
Both bullpens are heavily taxed. Tampa Bay Rays is 10.0/10 and Chicago White Sox is 9.7/10, so late-game volatility is elevated on both sides.
Why LyDia made this decisionMarket is higher than LyDia's model probability.
Pass reasonMarket is higher than LyDia's model probability.

Model outputs, not promises. LyDia provides analysis and education only, not betting advice. Every official pick is graded on the Results page.