-CIN Reds v CLE Guardians Over 8.5 (-120) | 0.25 Units
-CLE Guardians Team Total Over 4.5 (-125) | 0.25 Units
-PIT Pirates ML (-115) | 0.5 Units
-CHI Cubs ML (+125) | 0.25 Units
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Why These Picks?
CIN Reds v CLE Guardians: This game has the potential to see plenty of runs, friends. Cincinnati starter Wade Miley (18.00 ERA) has only seen one start (two innings pitched) and it was, for lack of a better term, hot garbage. This game will likely see the Reds circulate through the bullpen (I can’t imagine Miley stays out there for a prolonged period of time…); I won’t be at all surprised if the Guardians bag a healthy number of runs early on here. I’ll take the Over to cash and Cleveland's Team Total to clear 4.5.
MIA Marlins v PIT Pirates: Okay, hear me out – the Pirates are fresh off of sweeping the Phillies, and Mike Burrows’ last outing was shockingly solid at 0 runs allowed (facing the Astros). Burrows is currently sitting at 1-1 (1 logged win, 1 loss…), and while 0 earned runs might not be the norm, the Pirates also found success against the Diamondbacks in Burrows’ start prior to their encounter with Houston in which he allowed 4 to cross home plate. I've had my doubts about the Pirates, but let’s be honest – the Marlins aren’t blowing anybody’s hair back these days having lost 6 of their last 7 games. My money’s on Pittsburgh to bag a win at home.
CHI Cubs v PHI Phillies: Plus money on a Cubs win seems a little generous given how tough a time Philadelphia has had over the last few weeks – but hey, I’ll bite. Without Bryce Harper in the lineup and the Phillies bullpen obviously struggling, I simply can’t back a team that’s lost 9 of their last 10 games. Comical stat: The Phillies have been favoured in 7 of their last 10 games – they’ve won 1/6 of those. I know the home squad is going to be hungry for a win, but I don’t think they’re going to find it against an offense that has the potential to heat up the way Chicago’s does. And while Zack Wheeler is typically impressive on the mound, his last outing against the Braves saw him allow a whopping 6 runs. I can’t resist a potentially nice payout here, friends – and the Phillies have lost to far lesser teams than the Cubs over the last 2 weeks. Give me the visitors to pull off a victory.
