The MLB Trade Deadline is here, with plenty of blockbuster deals being agreed to across the league. Still, not all of today’s drama will take place off the field. A select, but intriguing, three-game slate is on tap today. It all gets started this afternoon in the Bronx, where the Yankees will hope to earn a series win vs. the Rays. Later, the Braves meet the Reds for the inaugural MLB Speedway Classic at Bristol. As a nightcap, the rival Rangers and Mariners face off for a must-watch AL West clash.
Even with a small slate of games on tap, there’s plenty of enticing wagers on the board. Before the start of Thursday’s matchups, here are two MLB bets to consider on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Reds team total over 2.5 runs – 1st five innings (-125)
As previously mentioned, Bristol will be the site of baseball’s first-ever contest played on a race track. The unique location will generate most of the headlines, but don’t let it overshadow a surprisingly good Reds squad. Cincinnati, at 57-52, finds itself firmly in contention for a National League wildcard spot. Recent trades for Ke’Bryan Hayes and Zack Littell should only bolster the team’s chances at postseason play. What drives this group is their lineup, led by the incomparable Elly De La Cruz (129 wRC+). This season, the Reds are averaging the 11th-most runs per game in baseball (4.15).
Cincinnati’s offensive prowess could be on display tonight against an injury-depleted Braves pitching staff. In desperate need of a starter, Atlanta swung a trade with the Yankees for veteran Carlos Carrasco. The 38-year-old has looked washed during his limited action in 2025. Through 32.0 innings, Cookie owns a lackluster 5.91 ERA and 1.53 WHIP. Against right-handed pitching, the Reds have recorded the league’s seventh-best batting average (.255). Carrasco might be given a short leash, but it’s difficult to imagine he can keep this lineup in check.
Mariners -1.5 (+129)
Both the Mariners and Rangers enter Thursday with a 57-52 record. That leaves these two clubs tied for the American League’s third and final wildcard spot. Safe to say, July matchups don’t get much more important than tonight. Toeing the slab for Seattle will be George Kirby, making his 13th start of the season. It’s been an up-and-down campaign from the righty, plagued by injuries and inconsistent performance. Still, he’s managed to deliver a respectable 3.45 ERA since June 1st. The former All-Star has absolutely owned this matchup, as well. Over nine career meetings with Texas, Kirby has accounted for a sparkling 1.15 ERA.
As good as the Mariners’ ace has been, the bigger draw is who they’ll be facing tonight. Kumar Rocker has had a rough go of things this season, notching a 5.73 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. While the rookie has shown some flashes of greatness, it’s clear that he’s not quite ready for primetime. That’s bad news against a loaded lineup that will be welcoming back slugger Eugenio Suarez. The last time Rocker pitched in Seattle, on April 12th, he coughed up three runs in just 3.1 innings. A subpar performance on Thursday should lead to a comfortable Mariners win.
