Only 18 teams will take the field for Thursday’s nine-game MLB slate. Still. despite the limited amount of matchups, there are a few enticing wagers available on DraftKings Sportsbook. Before the start of this evening’s contests, here are three MLB bets worth placing
Tigers-Rockies G2 over 10 runs (-118)
A two-game set is on tap today at Coors Field. In the afternoon, Detroit will send starter Casey Mize to the mound, while Colorado will counter with staff ace Kyle Freeland. Both arms should give their teams at least five innings, but it’s no guarantee at baseball’s most hitter-friendly field. Regardless, the pitching in Game 2 appears to be far less formidable. For the home team, Tanner Gordon will start; the righty has eight career appearances, recording a ghastly 8.65 ERA. The Tigers will opt to go with a bullpen game.
The Tigers own the second-lowest bullpen ERA in baseball at 2.43. However, it’s uncertain if they’ll use their best late-inning arms in Game 1. As for the Rockies, they’ve allowed an MLB-worst 6.56 runs per game at home. Even if one side manages to pitch well, it’s a stretch to assume both teams will. On Wednesday, these clubs combined for 14 runs en route to an 8-6 Tigers victory. It helps that Detroit has scored the third-most runs per game on the road (5.35). There’s no reason to assume Thursday’s nightcap won’t be a shootout.
Blue Jays -1.5 (+130)
Despite hitting poorly this season, the Blue Jays have remained competitive thanks to a deep pitching staff. One of the early standouts has been former All-Star Chris Bassitt. Through seven starts, the veteran has notched a 2.95 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 43 strikeouts. Unfortunately for Toronto, the hurler has hit a rough patch. Over Bassitt’s last three appearances, he’s allowed 11 runs over 16.1 innings (6.06 ERA).
As bad as Toronto’s starter has been lately, the same can be said for the Angels. After a solid first few weeks, Los Angeles has lost 14 of its last 20 games. During that stretch, the team has posted atrocious .199/.231/.333 batting splits. The Halos are also without their best hitter, Mike Trout, currently battling a knee injury. LA will send Jose Soriano to the mound; the 26-year-old has an ERA of 6.14 at Angel Stadium this season. Tonight, Bassitt has a golden opportunity to carry the Blue Jays against one of baseball’s worst lineups.
Dodgers-Diamondbacks under 9 runs (-108)
For the first time this season, the Dodgers and Diamondbacks will face off. In the opening matchup of this NL West rivalry, both sides will send quality starters to the mound. For Los Angeles, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is an early Cy Young contender. Through 40.0 innings of work, he’s recorded a 0.90 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 49 strikeouts. The high-priced ace has earned his paycheck against Arizona, holding the Snakes to two runs over two career starts.
The D-Backs won’t have quite the same level of talent on the bump, but Brandon Pfaadt is no slouch. After a disappointing 2024 campaign, the former top prospect has put it together this season. Through seven outings, Pfaadt has logged a 3.79 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 35 strikeouts. Those numbers aren’t spectacular, but it’s fair to expect a quality start from the 26-year-old. As good as these lineups are, the pitching on display tonight makes it difficult to envision ten or more runs.
