Thursday’s slate of MLB action will begin at 12:35 PM eastern time with a full slate of games throughout the day. Before we look ahead to our MLB betting picks for Thursday, let’s recap what happened on Wednesday.
It wasn’t a very productive day for us as we went 1-2 with our MLB picks. We had the New York Yankees at -110 but they failed to get the job done against the Tampa Bay Rays. Michael Pineda got rocked for four runs in 3.2 innings pitched and while the Yankees didn’t give up another run, that still cost them in the 4-1 loss. We also had the Toronto Blue Jays, who fell to the Baltimore Orioles. The Jays bats have done nothing this season – including their three, four and five hitters – and that has cost them. We did end up getting a win with the Boston Red Sox, which saved the day. We laid the juice with Chris Sale and he came through for us as the Red Sox shut out the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0.
In addition to making sure your fantasy lineups are set ahead of time, you might want to consider a handful of smart MLB betting plays for Thursday’s action. Here is a look at Thursday’s best MLB bets.
Philadelphia Phillies @ Cincinnati Reds
Thursday, 12:35 PM ET
The Reds will turn to a true rookie in every sense of the word for Thursday’s date with Philadelphia. Rookie pitcher Rookie Davis is set to make his major league debut. The 23-year-old is one of four rookie pitchers that Cincinnati will lean on this season and they will be motivated to get him the win at home in his debut. The rookie could have the edge with Clay Buchholz on the mound for the Phillies. Buchholz went 8-10 with a 4.78 ERA for the Boston Red Sox last season. At 32-years-old, Buchholz is in the twilight of his career. Considering he posted a season-worst 6.51 ERA in five starts for Boston in the month of April last year, we are willing to bet against him. Rookie Davis will lead the Reds to a victory in his major league debut.
The Reds aren’t costing us much here at -105, so it’s not a steep price to pay.
MLB Betting Pick: Cincinnati
Chicago Cubs @ St. Louis Cardinals
Thursday, 1:45 PM ET
The matinee date between John Lackey and Lance Lynn was postponed on Wednesday due to the weather conditions in St. Louis. They should be able to play on Thursday and it will be Lackey versus Lynn. The 38-year-old Lackey was excellent for Chicago last season when he posted a 3.35 ERA. That included a 2.03 ERA in 26.2 innings of work against the Cardinals. Meanwhile, Lynn really struggled against the Cubs last season when he went 0-3 with a 7.64 ERA in four starts. We are a lot more willing to risk our money on Lackey shutting down St. Louis than Lynn slowing down the Cubs.
With the Cubs being on the road here, you don’t have to lay a big price. We got in at -115. Take Chicago for the win over the Cardinals.
MLB Betting Pick: Chicago
San Diego Padres @ Los Angeles Dodgers
Thursday, 3:10 PM ET
Our final recommendation includes two bets for the late afternoon matchup between the Padres and Dodgers. These teams combined for 17 runs in their opener and they could go well over the total again in this game. Meanwhile, the Dodgers will be looking to wrap up the home series with a win. Brandon McCarthy ended up earning a spot in the starting rotation for Los Angeles. While he struggled with a 4.95 ERA last season, the Dodgers clearly think he can still perform at a decent level for them this season. Meanwhile, that’s likely more than what Jered Weaver will be able to do for the Padres this season. Weaver’s ERA ballooned to a career-worst 5.06 with the Los Angeles Angels last season, including a 5.54 mark on the road. Weaver will be in tough to slow down a potent Dodgers offense on Thursday. Take Los Angeles to win in a high scoring game that goes over the total.
MLB Betting Pick: Los Angeles
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