We are 116-90-16 on the season, up over 10 units. Got 4 picks for today's MLB slate. Odds according to BetSaracen from Saracen Casino Resort.
CLE Guardians F5 ML (+105)
We've got a showdown brewing between the Cleveland Guardians and the New York Yankees, but it's not looking too hot for the Bronx Bombers. I'm here to break down why I believe the Guardians are about to send the Yankees packing in their upcoming MLB matchup.
First and foremost, let's talk about the Yankees' offense – or should I say, lack thereof. With Giancarlo Stanton and likely Aaron Judge out of the picture, this once-fearsome lineup is now more reminiscent of a minor league squad than the legendary Yankees. They've managed a measly average of 4.07 runs per game this season, ranking tied for 22nd in the league.
On the other hand, the Guardians have been holding their own, hovering around a .500 record. While their offense might not be the strongest, they've been relying on their solid pitching to keep them in the game. And speaking of pitching, let's dive into the pitching matchup for this game.
Cal Quantrill will be making the start for the Guardians. Quantrill has had some ups and downs to start the year. He is only striking out 5.4 batters per 9 innings and is allowing a BABIP of .330 to opposing hitters. However, I think he'll be able to handle the Yankees' weakened lineup.
Meanwhile, the Yankees will be handing the ball to Domingo German. His season ERA sits at 5.54. He is striking out 11.42 batters per 9 innings but is allowing 2.42 home runs per 9 innings which spells danger when pitching at a hitter's ballpark like Yankee Stadium. The Yankees' pitching staff may rank third in the league in ERA, but without their big hitters in the lineup, they'll need more than just solid pitching to secure a win against the Guardians.
Now, let's discuss the elephant in the room – the Yankees' dismal bottom-five hitters. These guys are making it easy for opposing pitchers to carve through their lineup, and with an experienced arm like Cal Quantrill on the mound for the Guardians, it's not looking good for the Bronx Bombers.
In the betting world, we know that events featuring plenty of variance tend to favor the underdogs – and in this case, that's the Guardians. So, despite the Yankees' storied history and the potential for the unexpected in any given game, I'm confident that the Guardians have the edge in this matchup.
CHI Cubs F5 ML (-130)
Coming off a three-game losing streak, the Chicago Cubs are ready to turn things around, and there's no better catalyst than left-hander Drew Smyly. With a 2-1 record and a 3.21 ERA this season, Smyly is proving to be a force to be reckoned with, and the Washington Nationals are about to find that out the hard way.
Smyly's success this year can be attributed to his ability to keep the ball in the park and limit walks to opposing batters. In fact, he's only allowing 1.93 walks per nine innings and has a BABIP of .247 against opposing hitters. His xERA of 2.37 is a testament to his consistency on the mound, and it's no surprise that the Cubs are rolling with him in this crucial game.
On the other side, the Nationals are relying on MacKenzie Gore to take the mound. While Gore has an impressive strikeout rate with 11.67 batters per nine innings, his walk rate is alarmingly high at 5.33 walks per nine innings. This matchup presents a prime opportunity for the Cubs' offense to capitalize on Gore's lack of control and secure a much-needed win.
The Cubs' batting lineup has been showing sparks of greatness, with Cody Bellinger hitting .297 with seven home runs and 18 RBIs in April alone. As a free agent signing in the offseason, Bellinger has quickly become a key component of the Cubs' success, and there's no doubt he'll be looking to make an impact against the Nationals. Add in Nico Hoerner's impressive 25-game on-base streak, and you've got a potent offense ready to pounce on any mistakes made by Gore.
The Nationals, on the other hand, have had a mixed run recently. Despite avoiding a sweep against the Pittsburgh Pirates with a 7-2 victory, they were demolished 16-1 in the second game of a day-night doubleheader just a day before. The inconsistency in their performance might be a cause for concern, especially against a motivated Cubs team looking to end their losing streak.
Washington's offense is no slouch, with Jeimer Candelario and Victor Robles each notching an early two-run double in their recent win against the Pirates. However, the Cubs' pitching staff, led by Smyly, will present a much more daunting challenge. If Smyly can maintain his stellar form and minimize walks, the Nationals' offense will have a hard time getting anything going.
Ultimately, it all comes down to the pitching duel between Smyly and Gore. Smyly's consistency and ability to limit walks give the Cubs a clear advantage, while Gore's high walk rate spells trouble for the Nationals. With a fired-up offense led by Bellinger and Hoerner, the Cubs are more than capable of capitalizing on Gore's weaknesses and securing a victory.
TOR Blue Jays F5 ML (-135)
First up, let's talk about the man with the golden arm, Jose Berrios. With a 2-3 record and a 4.71 ERA to start the season, Berrios is stepping up his game when it matters most. He's been crushing it lately by limiting walks and keeping opposing hitters from knocking it out of the park. Sure, his BABIP of .321 might not be the prettiest number, but don't let that fool you. Berrios is facing a Boston Red Sox offense that's been struggling recently, which means he's got a prime opportunity to flex his pitching prowess and keep the Red Sox at bay.
On the flip side, we've got Corey Kluber stepping up to the mound for the Boston Red Sox, and let's just say 2023 hasn't been his year. With a 6.75 ERA and a whopping 2.63 home runs allowed per 9 innings, Kluber is looking like a prime target for the Blue Jays' offense to capitalize on. The Toronto bats are hungry, and they're ready to feast on Kluber's struggling performance.
Speaking of Toronto's offense, we can't ignore the powerhouses that have been lighting up the field lately. Third baseman Matt Chapman is leading the AL in batting average (.384) and topping both leagues with 20 extra-base hits. The dude went 3-for-5 with two doubles on Sunday, which just goes to show he's not slowing down anytime soon.
And let's not forget about Bo Bichette, who's already smashed six homers this season and racked up 10 multi-hit games. With these guys leading the charge, the Blue Jays are an offensive force to be reckoned with. Even with Sunday's loss, Toronto outscored the Chicago White Sox and Mariners 32-14 during their six-game homestand, proving that they've got the firepower to take on the Red Sox.
Now, I'm not saying this game is a total lock for the Blue Jays, but all signs are pointing to them coming out on top. With Berrios on the mound and a hungry offense ready to capitalize on Kluber's struggles, the Toronto Blue Jays are in prime position to soar past the Boston Red Sox and secure a victory.
LAD Dodgers ML (-165)
With Tony Gonsolin taking the mound for the Dodgers and Taijuan Walker pitching for the Phillies, there's no doubt that LA is the team to back tonight. Here's why.
First up, let's talk about Tony Gonsolin. After recovering from a sprained ankle suffered in spring training, Gonsolin has been on a mission to rebuild his mound presence. While his early season numbers might not be jaw-dropping just yet, there's something about Gonsolin's grit and determination that makes us believe he's ready to flip the script and dominate the Phillies' offense tonight. Call it a gut feeling or just wishful thinking, but we're banking on Gonsolin to bring the heat and silence Philly's bats.
On the flip side, we've got Taijuan Walker taking the mound for the Phillies. Walker's stats this season have been less than impressive, to say the least. With a 4.97 ERA, striking out 8.17 batters per 9 innings, and allowing 4.97 walks per 9 innings, it's safe to say that Walker has struggled to find consistency in his game. This spells trouble for the Phillies, as the Dodgers' offense is salivating at the opportunity to face Walker and his lackluster pitching.
The Dodgers' lineup is stacked with talent, and they're more than ready to capitalize on Walker's struggles. When you've got guys like Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, James Outman, and David Peralta on your squad, it's hard not to feel confident about your chances of putting up some serious runs. Add in the fact that the Dodgers have been on a roll lately, completing a three-game sweep against the St. Louis Cardinals, and it becomes clear that this team is poised for another big win.
But it's not just about the individual players – the Dodgers have shown their ability to play as a cohesive unit and execute in high-pressure situations. Their recent victory over the Cardinals showcased their ability to score runs without relying on the long ball, proving that they can adapt and find ways to win even when their big bats aren't firing on all cylinders.
On top of that, the Dodgers' bullpen has been holding its own, with Evan Phillips securing his third save of the season and Brusdar Graterol stepping up as a reliable closer option. While the "closer-by-committee" approach might not be ideal for some teams, it's working for the Dodgers, and their relievers are getting the job done.
Meanwhile, the Phillies are still eagerly awaiting the return of Bryce Harper, who could potentially make his way back into the lineup during this series. However, even with Harper's impending return, it's tough to imagine the Phillies overcoming the powerhouse that is the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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