When you are going through such a prolonged slump as I have incurred over the past month or so, the only way to truly work your way out is to bet against the Pirates offense. As a die-hard Pirates fan, I know this for a fact. So without further ado, my slump-busting picks for Thursday:
Cardinals @ Pirates Total Runs O/U 9
Over the past two weeks, the Pirates have been so incredibly bad on offense (.252 wOBA, 56 wRC+) and it has resulted in a 3-12 record over their last 15 games. Without Adam Frazier leading off, the Bucs lineup has really thinned out, and nobody outside of Bryan Reynolds really poses a threat at the plate. While the Cardinals offense has been solid of late, they aren’t exactly blowing the doors off any pitcher as they have scored either 4 or 5 runs in each of their last 7 games. Wade LeBlanc and J.T. Brubaker aren’t exactly top-notch aces, but they have been solid for the most part this season. LeBlanc has been especially good of late and he hasn’t allowed more than 3 ERs in each of his last 7 starts. I see this game being similar to the first two games of this series, in which the Cardinals won 4-1 and 4-0. 9 runs is certainly too high, so look to the under here.
Pick: UNDER 9 (-120 DK, -120 FD)
Cubs Total Runs O/U 3.5
Those poor Chicago Cubs. With the mass exodus of former superstars at the trade deadline, the Cubs lineup is a shell of what it was to start this season. As a result, the team has lost 7 consecutive games and has failed to score more than 3 runs in its last 5, including 2 shutouts. Brandon Woodruff has been absolutely dominant in four starts against Chicago this season, allowing just 2 ERs in 25 innings. And that was before Javier Baez, Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant moved on to their new teams. At -130, this is as safe a bet as I will ever recommend, which is something you need to do when you are slumping as hard as I am. Bet on Woodruff holding the decimated Cubs lineup in check.
Pick: UNDER 3.5 (-130 DK)
Yankees @ White Sox Run Line
Andrew Heaney has not been overly impressive in his two starts with the Yankees, both of which came against mediocre offenses in Baltimore and Seattle. Now he gets a lethal White Sox lineup that is getting back some of its more talented right-handed bats in Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert. Opposing him on the mound is the anti-Heaney, in the no-drama Lance Lynn, who is quietly making a case for AL Cy Young. Lynn has allowed more than 1 ER in just one of his last seven starts. While I am betting against Chicago’s Northside today, the Southside should be in for a big win against the Bronx Bombers.
Pick: White Sox -1.5 (+115 DK, +112 FD)
Kyle Stanzel Overall Record: 40-47-2
Net Money (Assuming all wagers are $100): –$72.30
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)