I know you’re on the way to make moves and hit the bar, but before you go, let’s lock in these bets and have something to cheer for when we get there.
Rockies vs Phillies
Colorado Rockies starting their Ace Kyle Freeland, currently sitting with a 2-1 record, 3.80 ERA, and 12 strikeouts in 21.1 innings pitched. I think that he’s a great pitcher but often finds a lot of contact (7 ground balls and 10 fly balls in both of his last outings). This combined with the Phillies being a better offensive team, actually third overall in team batting average at .279, I think that the Phillies can pick the Rockies apart. Early season rankings had these teams as polar opposites that accurately reflect how these teams are performing to-date.
PICK: PHILLIES RUN LINE -1.5
Padres vs Diamondbacks
Diamondbacks starting Merrill Kelly, currently rocking a 1-2 record, 2.53 ERA, 18 strikeouts in 21.1 innings pitched. He has the best ERA between Z. Gallen, R. Nelson, and himself (Arizona’s best starters, Gallen leading the team in wins and strikeouts). Also noting that the team is top five in team batting average, they are truly firing on all cylinders.
The complete opposite of the last matchup, the padres were projected for dominance and not-so-much for the Diamondbacks. Nothing could be more false to the start of the year but the Padres have been missing a key piece to the puzzle… Starting Pitcher Joe Musgrove!
Previously out with an injury to his big toe after after an accident in the weight room, the expected #2 Ace behind Yu Darvish (NL Cy Young Favorite, current odds +4000). At his best, I think that he can make a comparable start to what he did in 2022 starting out 8-0.
PICK: JOE MUSGROVE OVER 4.5 K
Cardinals vs Mariners
Both of these teams matchup pretty well as the Cardinals are the better batting team (#4 overall, .267 batting average) and the Mariners are the better pitching team (#9 overall, 3.56 earned run average). Considering the Cardinals have five pitchers listed on the injury report I think that makes this matchup much more favorable for the Mariners.
St. Louis giving the start to Miles Mikolas who has a 0-1 record, 8.10 ERA, and 19 strikeouts in 20 innings pitched. Going against Luis Castillo with a 2-0 record, 0.73 ERA, and 26 strikeouts in 24.2 innings pitched. While I think that this game is lop-sided to favor the Mariners I do think that the Cardinals don’t make it easy on them given they’re offensive prowess. A lot of people expect L. Castillo to destroy the Cardinals but I think this might be a trap. I would love to take his under 6.5 strikeouts.
PICK: MARINERS RUN LINE -1.5
