Rockies at Pirates First Inning O/U 0.5 (Game One)
For the pitching matchup of game one of today’s doubleheader, we have JT Brubaker (3-4, 4.20 ERA) and Jon Gray (4-4, 3.43 ERA). Before Brubaker’s rough outing last time out against Atlanta, he had been enjoying a nice season. Gray on the other hand has been pretty solid all year. In this game though, I expect one of these teams to allow a first-inning run.
Pitching matchup aside, both the Pirates and Rockies rank in the top five in allowing first-inning runs. The Pirates have allowed the most. Colorado has allowed the fifth-most. Being that this game will last just seven innings, it will be crucial for one of these teams to get out to an early lead. I believe that will happen in the first inning.
Pick: over 0.5 first-inning runs (+100, DK)
Reds at Cubs Money Line
The Chicago Cubs (28-22) have won five straight games and 10 of their last 12. At this current moment, they sit one half-game back of first place in the NL Central. The Reds (22-27) have not been great lately losing eight of their last 11. When looking at the pitching matchup, the Cubs have a clear advantage on paper. Zach Davies (2-2, 4.96 ERA) has been worlds better than Luis Castillo (1-7, 7.61 ERA), especially as of late. All things point to any easy Cubs win today. Davies has settled down with a 1.71 ERA in May. The Reds have lost eight straight games in which Castillo has started. But as we know, the tides of baseball can change in an instant.
In my opinion, this matchup seems a little too perfect for the Cubs. At the end of the day, Castillo is miles ahead more talented than Davies. His funk has to end at some point, right? The Cubs have to lose at some point, right? Looking at the odds alone, one would think the Cubs should be bigger favorites (-126, FD) than they are. Somehow they are not.
Pick: Reds ML (+108, FD)
Cardinals at Diamondbacks Run Line
This bet is simple for me. The Cardinals have a good baseball team. The Diamondbacks do not. Adam Wainwright (2-4, 3.95 ERA) has been decently solid this season. Seth Frankoff (0-1, 7.27 ERA) has not been. In two of his last three starts, Wainwright has pitched at least eight innings of scoreless baseball. Sandwiched in between those two gems was a clunker in which he allowed six earned runs against the Padres. The Diamondbacks are not the Padres though. Wainwright will be solid tonight.
Frankoff has not made it through five innings in each of his two starts this year. In his last start against Colorado, he allowed five earned runs over four innings. I expect the Cardinals to easily take game three of this series after taking the first two.
Pick: Cardinals -1.5 (+118, DK)
Nathan Hursh Overall Record: (16-28-1)
Net Money (assuming all wagers are $100): –$1,256.61
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)