I am 9-3 with my picks for Pickswise since this column began last week, so let’s try to build on that great start with 3 picks for Thursday’s Major League Baseball schedule.
Today I am looking primarily at the American League East, where the Tampa Bay Rays are still undefeated and both the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are trying to keep up. I will turn my attention to the National League, as well, for 1 of my plays.
Let’s take a look at my best bets.
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Boston Red Sox +1.5 (-102) over Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays counter with Jeffrey Springs, who was dominant in his 2 starts against Oakland and Detroit. Last year against Boston Springs made four starts and went 0-2. He only pitched 18.0 innings, gave up 16 hits, 9 earned runs, walked 7 and surrendered 3 home runs. Plus there may be a little revenge factor for Kluber, who would love to end Tampa Bay’s streak against his former team. It’s a small play and I’ll take the chance and take the Red Sox on the run line.
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New York Yankees ML (-145) over Minnesota Twins
The Yankees host the Twins in the Bronx and they will send rookie Jhony Brito to the mound for his third start of the year. He was fantastic in his first 2 starts, allowing just 5 hits and 1 run combined. The Yankees’ offense continues to pace them early on this season. They are top 10 in baseball in home runs, runs and total bases. They have also won all 4 series they have played. Lastly, the Yankees have hammered the Twins and won 11 of the last 14 games against them while averaging more than 6.5 runs per game.
The Twins feel like they are doing it so far with smoke and mirrors. They have beaten up on the Royals and Marlins, and then they have taken advantage of a struggling Astros team to start the season. Minnesota is bottom 10 in MLB in batting average, home runs and OPS. Their 47 runs are the fewest of any team with a positive run differential. This series will tell if the Twins pitching is for real or they feast on bad teams and bad lineups. I like the under here, as well, but the pick is going to be the Yankees money line at a reasonable price.
Milwaukee Brewers vs San Diego Padres Under 9 (-110)
The Padres return home after their series with the Mets to face the Brewers, who finished their series with the Diamondbacks. Both teams lost 2 of 3 coming into the series. Milwaukee has allowed the fewest runs in the National League, but it isn’t sending its best to the hill tonight. Eric Lauer will take the mound and his numbers to start the year aren’t good. It’s early, but the 12 hits and five walks amount to a 1.82 WHIP so far. Plus, he has given up 3 home runs already — but his first 2 starts were against some of the better hitting teams in the league in the Cubs and Cardinals.
The Padres’ offense hasn’t rounded into form just yet, but they do have the third most home runs in the National League on the year. Xander Bogaerts is the only regular position player batting over .250 for San Diego; he has been carrying the team to this point. Nick Martinez, who has converted to a starter this year, makes the start for the Padres. In his 2 starts he has limited opposing hitters to a .222 batting average, but his 7 walks have led to a 1.48 WHIP. I don’t trust either team’s offense right now, so let’s look to an under 9 runs in this game.
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