I’ll admit, my first round of bets did not go all that well. Assuming that I wagered $100 on each bet (that will be the fake figure I use going forward), I went 1-2 and lost a total of $88. Today is a new day though. Let’s make some money, shall we?
Reds vs Pirates O/U 8.5
In last night’s contest, the Reds destroyed the Pirates by a score of 14-1. In five total games this season, Cincinnati has scored a total of 46 runs. That’s a little over nine runs per game. Simply put, their offense has been scorching hot since the season began. On the other hand, the Pirates’ offense has not been scorching hot. In their five games, Pittsburgh has scored just 13 runs, less than three per game. Looking at the pitching matchup, we have Chad Kuhl against Luis Castillo. Both of these pitchers had short outings on Opening Day as neither got through four innings of work. Kuhl allowed one earned run over three innings. Castillo allowed eight earned runs over 3.1. In this game, I expect some runs to be scored. The Reds’ offense will stay hot. The Pirates’ offense will also find a way to scrape together some runs.
Pick: Over 8.5 (-104)
Rays at Red Sox Money Line
Looking at the pitching matchup, we have Ryan Yarbrough against Nathan Eovaldi. Yarbrough was great in his first start against the Marlins as he did not allow a run over 5.2 innings pitched. Eovaldi was also solid in his first start against the Orioles. He allowed just one run over 5.1 innings. In last night’s contest, the Red Sox were able to outlast the Rays 6-5 in a 12-inning affair. Uncharacteristically, the Rays bullpen has been pretty awful to start the season. The unit has allowed 20 earned runs over 19 innings pitched and their 9.47 ERA is currently the highest in baseball. But hey, were five games in. The sample size is minuscule. I like the Rays to bounce back today.
Pick: Rays ML (FD +100)
Athletics at Dodgers Money Line
The Athletics are 0-6. So far this season, they have been outscored 50-13. Their pitching staff has been the worst in baseball. Their offense has not been much better. This team could not have drawn up a more dreadful start to their season if they tried. They were swept in a four-game set by the hated and cheating Astros, a team they probably despise the most. They are now on the verge of getting swept by the super team Dodgers. Worse yet, every single one of these losses has come at home. The sad part is this team is not supposed to be terrible. Many picked them to make the playoffs. At this point though, the hole they’re digging can’t get much deeper before their season is completely ruined. I have a hunch that things will turn around starting today. I just don’t see the A’s as an 0-7 team, no matter the opponent (although I could’ve probably said the same thing about them being 0-6, oh well). Yes, the Dodgers have Trevor Bauer on the mound today, and he did look fairly impressive in his LA debut. I don’t care though. Slam the A’s!
Pick: Athletics ML (+142)
Nathan Hursh Overall Record: 1-2-0
Net Money (assuming all wagers are $100): -$88
Featured Image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)