Eight games between 16 teams are on tap for Thursday across Major League Baseball. Among the matchups to watch, the Cardinals and Brewers face off for the first time in a four-game series. Elsewhere, the rival Yankees and Royals meet for the last time this regular season. Before the start of today’s contests, here are two MLB bets worth placing on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Cardinals ML (-136)
The Cubs have controlled the NL Central for the entirety of 2025. However, every squad in this division (other than the Pirates) has a legitimate shot at reaching the playoffs. That includes the Cardinals and Brewers, set to meet for the first time since April. Milwaukee is adding some spice to this showdown by calling up top pitching prospect Jacob Misiorowski. The 6’7″ right-hander is a true strikeout artist, punching out 11.37 batters per nine innings in Triple-A this season. However, K’s could be hard to come by for the rookie in this one. St. Louis’ hitters are only whiffing 7.58 times per game, the sixth-lowest mark in baseball. In addition, the Birds rank seventh in the league with 4.65 runs scored per game.
For the Cardinals, it’ll be the dependable Sonny Gray taking the hill. It’s been another stellar season from the right-hander, who remains one of the sport’s most underrated pitchers. Through 75.1 innings of work, the veteran owns a 3.35 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 81 strikeouts. Gray enters tonight on a heater, surrendering just three earned runs over his last four starts (1.07 ERA). That’s bad news for a Brewers lineup that has scored just 18 runs during the past week, seventh-fewest in baseball. On Thursday, expect another terrific showing from St. Louis’ staff ace.
Yankees Royals under nine runs (-118)
The Yankees have come out on top in all five of their meetings with the Royals this season. However, Kansas City has a decisive pitching advantage on paper tonight. Former All-Star Seth Lugo is set to face the Pinstripes on Thursday, making his 12th appearance of 2025. During that time, the 35-year-old owns a 3.46 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 50 strikeouts. The right-hander is a modern innings eater, tossing at least six frames in nearly two-thirds of his outings. In his last four outings vs. New York, Lugo has held the Bombers to ten runs over 25.2 innings (3.51 ERA).
In theory, the Royals should have the edge in this one. Yankees starter Will Warren has pitched to a mediocre 5.34 ERA and 1.41 WHIP this season. In addition, the rookie has coughed up 11 earned runs over his last 6.2 innings of work. Still, those two outings came against the Dodgers and Red Sox, two elite lineups. Tonight’s contest is much different; Kansas City ranks 28th in baseball with 3.40 runs scored per game. In addition, Warren’s 3.34 FIP suggests he’s due for some much-needed positive regression going forward. While that’s not enough for me to back New York on the money line, runs should be at a premium tonight.
