It is easy for the baseball experts and fans to write off slow starts in the context of a long MLB season. However, the Toronto Blue Jays are just 1-6 while the Kansas City Royals are just 2-5 in the American League. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Giants are 3-6 and haven’t looked anything like a contender in the National League out of the gate. All three teams will have another opportunity to get their season on track on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers are set to visit the defending World Series Champion Chicago Cubs in a matchup of two legitimate NL contenders. Here is a look at our MLB betting picks for Thursday.
Los Angeles Dodgers @ Chicago Cubs
Thursday, 2:20 PM ET
The Cubs have shown no signs of slowing down with wins in five of their first seven games to open a new season. Chicago has the potential to run away with the best record in the majors and is off to an excellent start. The Cubs will turn to a former Dodgers pitcher in Brett Anderson on Thursday. Anderson struggled in limited starts for Los Angeles last season. However, he gave up just one run on five hits over 5.2 innings in a no decision against the Milwaukee Brewers in his debut and should be motivated to pitch a gem against his former club. Hyu-Jin Ryu will be in tough to contain the most lethal offense in the majors. Anderson should get more than enough run support to pick up the win against his former team on Thursday.
MLB Betting Pick: Chicago
Baltimore Orioles @ Toronto Blue Jays
Thursday, 7:07 PM ET
The Blue Jays are off to a miserable start with an inconsistent offense the biggest issue. Edwin Encarnacion is in Cleveland, Josh Donaldson is dealing with a nagging injury and Toronto can’t seem to generate runs. It doesn’t help that the starting rotation has struggled as well. Francisco Liriano lasted just one-third of an inning in his season debut against the Tampa Bay Rays. He gave up five earned runs despite just three hits allowed as he gave up four walks before getting the hook. Liriano will face an even tougher assignment against Baltimore on Thursday. It could help the Blue Jays that they get to face Kevin Gausman, who had a 7.04 ERA in three starts versus Toronto last season. Liriano can’t be any worse than he was against the Rays. Factor in home advantage and the Blue Jays should have a slight edge at home as they attempt to start to turn things around against their division rival.
The other factor here is that the Jays aren’t laying a lot in this spot. Laying over -200 is concern – the Blue Jays lost on Wednesday as a -230 favorite – but this is a much more reasonable price.
MLB Betting Pick: Toronto
Oakland Athletics @ Kansas City Royals
Thursday, 8:15 PM ET
Kansas City should be in a favorable position against the Athletics on Thursday. Jesse Hahn had a 13.17 ERA in four road starts last season and could definitely be vulnerable against an underrated Royals lineup. He did OK in his first road start of the season, pitching in Texas. He lasted six innings and only gave up two runs but he allowed seven hits and 13 fly balls. That’s ominous.
Meanwhile, Jason Vargas looked excellent in a 5-1 win over the Houston Astros in his debut as he gave up just one earned while striking out six over six innings of work. If Vargas can deliver another strong performance then Kansas City should be able to take down Oakland on Thursday.
MLB Betting Pick: Kansas City
Colorado Rockies @ San Francisco Giants
Thursday, 10:15 PM ET
Colorado owns one of the most dangerous offenses in the majors. While they have an even more distinct advantage at home they have proven they can be just as dangerous on the road. The Giants hope Madison Bumgarner can tame them on Thursday after he was on the mound for a couple of losses in his first two starts. Bumgarner is 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA this season. He hasn’t received much run support as the Giants have scored six runs in his two starts. While he hasn’t been terrible, he just hasn’t received enough help.
Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see what Jon Gray has in store. Gray was talked about as a potential sleeper fantasy pick to perform at a high level this season and he looked excellent in a win over the Dodgers in his last start. He allowed just one run in 5.1 innings of work.
The Rockies have scored 11 runs over Gray’s first two starts of the season. If their offense can get to Bumgarner, then Colorado could add another win to its impressive start to the season.
MLB Betting Pick: Colorado
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