Just six games between 12 teams are set for Thursday across Major League Baseball. Still, that doesn’t mean this slate lacks intrigue. Following an 11-inning marathon on Wednesday, the Blue Jays and Red Sox will finish their series this afternoon. Later, NL East rivals will battle in Atlanta when the Braves host the Phillies. Before the start of today’s contests, here are three MLB bets worth placing on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Brewers-Rockies over 10.5 runs (-118)
Sometimes, a bet is too good to be true. That’s almost how I feel about the over this afternoon in Denver. Neither of these two offenses are juggernauts, especially the home team. Still, this is Coors Field we’re talking about, baseball’s most hitter-friendly locale. In five home games this season, the Rockies and their opponents have averaged 12.8 runs per game.
It helps that neither starter taking the mound is what you’d call a household name. For the Brewers, former top prospect Quinn Priester will toe the slab. The right-hander, acquired two days ago from Boston, has struggled as a pro (6.23 career ERA). The Rockies will hand the ball to Ryan Feltner, owner of a 5.11 ERA during five seasons with the club. Following Wednesday’s 17-run outburst, Milwaukee might not need any support from Colorado to reach this total.
Blue Jays ML (-102)
Fenway Park was the site of an intense pitcher’s duel last night, with the Blue Jays pulling out a 2-1 victory. Toronto triumphed mainly due to Kevin Gausman, who allowed just one run over eight innings pitched. Canada’s team will now turn to another talented starter, Chris Bassitt. The former All-Star has been phenomenal thus far, surrendering one run over 12.2 innings of work (0.71 ERA).
It’s a tall order for any team to contain a deep Red Sox lineup two nights in a row. However, history suggests that Bassitt is up to the task. Over seven career starts vs. Boston, the 36-year-old has recorded a 2.40 ERA. In all but one of those appearances, he went at least six innings and allowed no more than two runs. On the other side, Walker Buehler has been a train wreck thus far in Boston. Through two starts, the right-hander has coughed up nine runs. Given the disparity on the mound, Toronto is undervalued as slight underdogs.
Braves -1.5 (+170)
Times are tough in Atlanta, as a 2-9 record has derailed a team expected to contend for a World Series. Still, there’s too much talent on this roster to wave the white flag in April. If there’s been a lone bright spot for the Braves, it’s Spencer Schwellenbach. Through two starts this season, the 24-year-old has yet to give up a run in 14.0 innings of work.
Extending that scoreless streak tonight against a lethal lineup won’t be easy. However, Schwellenbach has posted a 2.54 ERA over three career appearances against the Phillies. The visitors will send Jesus Luzardo to the mound, a starter with mixed success in this matchup. When he last faced Atlanta in 2024, the righty allowed five runs in five innings. If the Braves come close to that performance on Thursday, they could deliver a statement win over their rivals.
