Welcome back to a midweek preview of some MLB action. The games are coming thick and fast as the top teams start to assert themselves, and the gaps between the haves and haves not are widening. Still plenty of time left for teams to make a run, as long as your around .500 at the All Star break, any well timed win streak can seem you make the postseason. It’s been a solid week however a few bullpen collapses has caused a turnaround of a few results and units. It’s a game of fine margins, and betting on the sport takes a lot of willpower and nerve. It’s a long season and the signs are good, let’s hope Thursday fits the script.
Best Bet – Rangers -1.5 $1.97
Next Best – Jays -1.5 $2.14
Multi – Marlins/Nats $3.04 (0.5u)
Miami Marlins vs Atlanta Braves (2.10am AEST)
Marlins ($1.53) – Conley (3-4, 3.94 ERA)
Braves ($2.58) – Gant (1-1, 4.37 ERA)
Prediction
Marlins. Once again I find myself against the Braves, I’ve been burnt a few times but I have to stick with the figures. Adam Conley looks a future star pitcher but his work so far as been up and down. He comes off one of his better outings allowing one run over 5 innings. His last 6 starts he has struggled however the majority of them have come on the road. He has a much better BAA at home, even though his ERA has been worse. Gant got his 1st major league win in his last start. However making a spot start 2 games in a row, how will he hold up. The Marlins bats were off in the opening game of this series, and it’s a game they should of won. I can’t see them having another game with 2 or less runs so I will give them the edge here.
Suggested Bet
Marlins $1.53
Toronto Blue Jays vs Arizona Diamondbacks (6.05am AEST)
Blue Jays ($1.57) – Happ (8-3, 3.41 ERA)
Dbacks ($2.46) -Ray (4-5, 4.44 ERA)
Prediction
Blue Jays. Toronto have yet to really kick into gear, but that could be seen as a good thing. They sit above .500 and have not played their best baseball. A few injury concerns has hamstrung them but on any given night they can explode for runs. They send J.A Happ to the mound who has a nice record against the Dbacks going 2-1 with a 1.73 ERA over 5 starts. 4 of his last 5 starts have been solid and he has been able to pitch deep into the game. Robbie Ray is no slouch and his work away from his hitting friendly ballpark has been good. I just have a hard time seeing the Jays bats cooled off for a 4th game in a row and at home, where they tend to score often. If they win they win by a few.
Suggested Bet
Jays -1.5 $2.14
Texas Rangers vs Cincinnati Reds (10.05am AEST)
Rangers ($1.47) – Hamels (7-1, 2.88 ERA)
Reds ($2.76) -Straily (4-3, 3.66 ERA)
Prediction
Rangers. Texas got their hot streaked cooled off in the opening game of this series, with a 7 game win streaked snapped. They throw their ace on the mound to steady the ship, with Cole Hamels having a stellar season. He is 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA in June, and has a nice history against the Reds, with a 1.96 ERA over 14 starts. Dan Straily allowed 6 runs to the Braves in his last start,which signalled his worst outing of the season. He is not a bad pitcher by any means but he does give up a lot of walks which does not help. The Reds have a poor bullpen and if the Rangers can get to Straily early they will be winning by a couple.
Suggested Bet
Rangers -1.5 $1.96
Other Games
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Washington Nationals (12.00pm AEST)
Washington shot themselves in the foot in the last game of this series, with Dusty Baker somehow keeping a clearly tired pitcher in the game. Joes Ross is just a better pitcher than Julio Urias at the moment, with the Dodgers youngster still finding his feet. His last start was ok, but how deep into the game will he go. The Nats bats have been cooled off lately and they are due a few runs. I like the price at $1.99
All Prices Quoted via Crown Bet at time of writing.
For records. Best Bet 2 Units, Next Best 1 Unit, Multi Units stated
Be back later in the week for some more insight
Hopefully your thoughts on the games match up with mine. As always these are only a select few games I was interested in, feel free to share your opinions on any games at @MLB_TheProfits on Twitter. Happy Punting.
