It was another good day on the diamond on Friday. I do enjoy being able to string together some winning days in a row. It’s nice when you get in a groove and it feels like you’re seeing the board well. We have another full day of baseball this Saturday, with every team in action. I was able to get out to my first ballgame in nearly two years yesterday. It sure does feel good to get back to some normalcy and watching live sports. I have quite a few more plays today, so let’s keep this train moving!
MLB⚾️ 5/14: 3-1-1 (+2.48u)
Cubs (-125)✅
Braves (+123)✅
Phillies (+135)✅
Yankees -1 (-135)🤚🏼
A's/Twins O8.5 (-110)❌— Bets By Bob (@BetsByBob) May 15, 2021
St. Louis Cardinals (Adam Wainwright) @ San Diego Padres (Chris Paddack)
Pick: Over 7 (+105)
*Playable to Over 7 (-110)
The St. Louis Cardinals look to bounce back after losing the series opener to the San Diego Padres. It was a tight game, and both bullpens were used quite a bit. The Padres are still without some of their key guys due to COVID, and they won’t be eligible to return until after this weekend. Some of the younger guys have to pick up the slack, and they have done just that so far.
The Cardinals will be sending out the 16-year veteran, Adam Wainwright. Wainwright keeps on being a reliable starter for the Cardinals, and while he doesn’t blow anyone away anymore, he still knows how to pitch. He has an ERA of 3.80 and a FIP of 4.02. He is a crafty right-hander that mixes up his pitches well, and does a good job keeping hitters off balance.
Countering Wainwright for the Padres will be Chris Paddack. I am not the biggest believer in Paddack, and it is hard to be a starter in this league throwing only 2 pitches. Paddack relies on his fastball/changeup combo, and it’s hard to go multiple times through the order with a small arsenal like that. He has an ERA of 4.78 and a FIP of 3.03. That signifies that there should be some better luck in his future, but I am not buying it. The Cardinals have a good lineup and I think they are able to take advantage of Paddack today. I expected this total to be closer to 8, so I am taking a shot here at Over 7 while getting plus money.
Chicago Cubs (Trevor Williams) @ Detroit Tigers (Jose Urena)
Play: Cubs (-129)
*Playable to (-140)
© Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com via Imagn Content Services, LLC
The Chicago Cubs look to get another win in the motor city, as they take on the Detroit Tigers. The Cubs were able to get the victory on Friday, thanks to a strong showing from Jake Arrieta. It helped that Kris Bryant returned, and it showed as he hit an opposite field 2-run homer.
Trevor Williams will be looking to follow suit, as he takes the mound for the Cubs today. Williams has pitched better than his numbers show so far this season. He enters with an ERA of 5.81 and a FIP of 5.11, but that is mostly due to two bad starts. Take those out, and he would have an ERA of 2.77. Williams struggles when he can’t locate his fastball, because then hitters sit on the off-speed stuff. When he has been able to locate, his stuff has been good. He should be in for some better luck also, as he is carrying a BABIP of .368 so far.
The Tigers will be sending out right-hander Jose Urena. Urena has been good thus far with the Tigers, carrying and ERA of 3.60 and a FIP right in line of 3.56. He has done a good job limiting the long ball so far, and his ground ball rate is much higher than his career norms. Urena can battle through some control issues, as he does allow quite a few free passes. The Cubs are a patient team, and take their walks when it is presented to them. They will also get the advantage of having the DH, and get a key bat back off the IL in Nico Hoerner. This should be a good matchup for the Cubs, and like them to capitalize on it again today.
Pickswise is the home of free MLB Picks and Predictions. Check out the latest MLB Prop Bets and MLB Parlays as well as our MLB Best Bets from the experts.
