A select nine-game slate is on tap for Thursday across Major League Baseball, with 18 teams taking the field. Tonight’s top matchup is an AL Central showdown, as the division-leading Tigers take on the Guardians in Detroit. Later, the Mariners welcome back All-Star pitcher George Kirby when they visit the Astros.
Before the start of this evening’s contests, here are three MLB bets worth placing on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Angels ML (+114)
Don’t look now, but the Angels have won six straight, including three over the rival Dodgers last weekend. Los Angeles has followed that up with three wins over the Athletics; is a four-game sweep on tap this afternoon? They’ll have to do it against A’s ace Luis Severino, who has had an up-and-down year. The right-hander has logged a 4.22 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 45 strikeouts over 59.2 innings of work. However, he’s a much better pitcher on the road (0.75 ERA) than he is at Sacramento’s Sutter Health Park (6.75 ERA).
The Halos will counter Severino with a former All-Star of their own, Tyler Anderson. While not a strikeout artist, the veteran has put together another stellar campaign at age 35 (3.04 ERA, 1.09 WHIP). Even more promising are his numbers in this spot, which are nothing short of dominant. Over 40.0 career innings pitched against the Athletics, Anderson has accounted for a 2.48 ERA. Los Angeles has several hitters catching fire as well, including Taylor Ward (1.098 OPS since May 8th), Nolan Schanuel (.984) and Matthew Lugo (.961). Surging bats and a reliable starter give LA plenty of value at plus money.
Tigers -1.5 (+154)
Right now, the Tigers are pacing the American League with a 33-17 record. That’s due in large part to one of the sport’s best pitching staffs; Detroit has held opponents to the fifth-fewest runs per game (3.64). A name that has been struggling recently is right-hander Jack Flaherty. The 29-year old has struggled mightily over his last five appearances, coughing up 17 earned runs over 25.1 innings (6.04 ERA). However, he’s been nearly perfect against the Guardians, recording a 1.96 ERA over seven career starts.
The same can’t be said for Cleveland’s starter on Thursday, Tanner Bibee. The 26-year old, despite possessing massive talent, has been ‘just ok’ this season (4.06 ERA, 1.29 WHIP). An even bigger concern is his career 5.28 ERA against the Tigers. To make matters worse for the Guardians, Detroit is hitting .279 since May 1st, the third-highest mark in baseball during that time. All signs are pointing to another big win tonight for the AL Central’s top squad.
Orioles vs. Red Sox over 8 runs (-118)
Few ballparks in baseball are more conducive to a shootout than Fenway Park. That should be the case once again on Thursday when the Orioles come to town. Baltimore will send Cade Povich to the mound tonight, currently in his second season as a professional. The 25-year old has been hit hard for most of 2025, notching a 5.23 ERA over eight starts. Last year, Povich allowed four runs in 4.2 innings during his only career start in Boston.
The Red Sox have a question mark of their own on the bump, Lucas Giolito. The former All-Star has been plagued by injuries recently, missing all of 2024 due to elbow surgery. Now fully healthy, it’s been a mixed bag for the veteran. Other than a one-run masterpiece against the Royals last week, Giolito has looked very hittable. Over 20.1 innings pitched, he’s on the hook for a 7.08 ERA and 1.53 WHIP. At this point, it’s impossible to trust either of the arms on the mound in this contest. That’s especially true when going against two lineups possessing plenty of star power. In what could be a high-scoring evening in Beantown, back the over tonight.
