What an amazing slate of day baseball we have lined up for us on this Thursday. Only two games start after 4:00 EST so get your work done in the morning because I will be loading up baseball on every screen I can find in my residence.
This season, I have decided to treat readers to four bets in each article under the following parameters: 1) A bet on a team, 2) A bet on a total, 3) A batter prop bet, and 4) A pitcher prop bet. Hopefully, this diversification will lead to success in our wagers (but probably not).
Padres @ Reds Moneyline
The Cincinnati Reds went full fire-sale mode this offseason and it has shown with a 3-15 record to start the season, including losing 13 of their last 14. That is next level brutal, but as bad as they have played we have to remind ourselves that these are still professional baseball players and they can win against any team on any given day. Tyler Mahle was outstanding on Opening Day in delivering a win for the Reds, but since then he has struggled to limit baserunners and hasn’t made it through 5 innings. I think today is the day he gets back to his form from last season and keeps the Padres lineup in check.
Nick Martinez was a trendy pitcher coming into the season, but after an excellent first start he has allowed 9 walks and 5 HRs in last two starts over 9.2 innings. Cincinnati recently got 2021 NL Rookie of the Year Jonathan India back in the lineup and has scored 11 runs in the past two games despite two losses. The Reds are not going to keep losing forever and with Mahle on the mound I think today is the day they turn it around a little bit at home.
Pick: Reds ML (-120 DK, -116 FD)
Tigers @ Twins O/U 7 Runs
Tarik Skubal and Bailey Ober were two of the more intriguing young starting pitchers coming into the season and their impressive starts to the season have mirrored each other. Each allowed 4 ERs in a shaky first start but have since allowed just 1 ER total between the two of them in the last two starts. Skubal has all the makings of a breakout season and Ober is looking to continue to build off an impressive finish to 2021. Toss in a cold Minnesota afternoon with stiff winds blowing in and this has all the makings of a low-scoring affair.
Pick: UNDER 7 Runs (-110 DK, -104 FD)
Taylor Ward/Willy Adames Total Hits O/U 0.5 Each
My first parlay pick of the year and this is my guarantee lock of the early season. What a night Taylor Ward had on Wednesday, hitting a grand slam and coming a single shy of the cycle. The 28-year old is slashing .395/.531/.816 on the early season and has all the makings of a breakout player. Cal Quantrill has had a solid start to the year for the Guardians but he has been playing with fire as he has allowed 12 hits and 7 walks in 16 innings with just 6 Ks. That is not sustainable and Ward should be able to take advantage.
While Ward was electric on Wednesday, Adames was incredible on Tuesday cranking 2 homers among his 4 hits with 7 RBI. On Thursday afternoon, he faces Pirates LHP Jose Quintana, who Adames has had great success against. Quintana has yet to get Adames out in 3 ABs, which includes a HR. Something was unlocked in the young SS when he was traded from the Rays to the Brewers and we are going to benefit from that transformation in this parlay. Throw the house on the parlay! You definitely won’t regret it.
Pick: Ward/Adames OVER 0.5 Total Hits Each (+109 DK, +115 FD)
Zack Wheeler to Record a Win
Few pitchers have had such a disappointing start to the season as Zack Wheeler, who clearly was still working his way through Spring Training mode. Wheeler started to return to form in his last start, getting the fastball velocity back up to 96 MPH. Now he gets Rockie Road, which as we all know here at Pitcher List cures any pitching woes. I’m thinking we see the 2021 Zack Wheeler on Thursday afternoon, who is a top 7 pitcher in baseball in my opinion. Opposing Wheeler is Austin Gomber, who is not a bad pitcher in his own right, but faces a Phillies lineup that has scored a combined 25 runs in the first three games of this series. I think Philadelphia does enough offensively to get Wheeler the win and cash this +135 bet.
Pick: Wheeler to Record a Win (+135 DK)
Kyle Stanzel Overall Record: 12-8-0
Net Money (Assuming all wagers are $100): $655.91
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)