It is Day One of the long anticipated NFL Draft and nobody cares because we have baseball to bet on! Here are the best bets we are looking at for Thursday:
Anthony Rizzo Total Runs O/U 0.5
Anthony Rizzo’s comical K’ing of Freddie Freeman in last night’s blowout loss to Atlanta might be the type of good natured, cathartic triumph that can pull the 31-year old 1B and the Cubs out of the offensive funk they are in. Chicago has been shut out in three out of their last four games and have been just a disappointing team overall in 2021. Ironically, when they have scored they do it in bunches as evidenced by three double-digit run outputs this month and I think this could be closer to one of those outings. Perched at the top of Chicago’s lineup, Rizzo should have all the opportunities to get on base and score. Luckily for Rizzo, he gets to face Bryse Wilson who he has batted 4-5 against with 2 HR’s. I’m not quite confident enough to predict a HR for Rizzo, but I do believe he will cross home plate at some point on Thursday.
Pick: OVER 0.5 (-106 DK)
Dodgers @ Brewers Pitcher to Record a Win
We have a good ole ‘Auer Battle on our hands on Thursday in Milwaukee when Trevor Bauer and the Dodgers take on spot starter Eric Lauer and the Brewers. The similarities between the two pitchers start and end with their last names and I’m looking for Bauer to dominate in this one. Lauer made two starts in 2020 and gave up 13 ER in 6.2 IP. That’s not good. Bauer hasn’t allowed more than two runs since his first start of the season in Coors Field and he has made four consecutive quality starts. While I am a little worried about some lethargic play from the Dodgers after playing yesterday afternoon and then flying from Los Angeles to Milwaukee, I expect Bauer to carry the team to victory.
Pick: Trevor Bauer to Record a Win (-112 DK)
White Sox Total Runs O/U 3.5
Anybody remember last season when the White Sox hit back-to-back HRs off Matthew Boyd to start the game twice in a six day span? Well, I bet the over for the White Sox total team runs on both of those occasions and I am going back to the well here. No, I am not concerned about Boyd’s successful start to the season (he’s pitching over his head). No, I am not concerned about the absence of Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez (they still have Tim Anderson, Jose Abreu, Yermin Mercedes etc…). No, I am not concerned about it being a 7-inning, second game of a doubleheader. This is about the White Sox utter dominance of LHP and Boyd in particular, as he has a 5.16 ERA against them all-time and a 6.19 ERA in ten starts in Chicago. Take that +114 over 3.5 runs for the White Sox all the way to the bank!
Pick: OVER 3.5 (+114 DK)
Kyle Stanzel Overall Record: 12-11-0
Net Money (Assuming all wagers are $100): +467.82
Featured Image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)