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Happy Friday! We’ve got a big slate on the diamond for our viewing pleasure, and I’m ready to sweat out quite a few bets. With that said, I’ve picked out two that I really like, and without further ado let’s get to ‘em.
Philadelphia Phillies (-136) vs. New York Mets (+115) Total: 7.5
It’s hard not to back the Phillies after this offense, which has been hot of late, turned a seven-run loss into a nine-run victory on Thursday night, but there is so much more to love here with the pitching matchup.
Zack Wheeler will take the ball for Philly, and after the pressure of winning the Cy Young Award was alleviated from his shoulders the righty has returned to normal service. He’s allowed just one run over his last two starts, spanning 12.2 innings, with 17 strikeouts and just 10 hits allowed.
Not only is Wheeler dealing once again, he will face his former team — which has gone well for him since he left town. Wheeler owns a 2.70 ERA in seven career starts against the Mets with a solid 7.33 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Meanwhile, the wheels are beginning to fall off for Taijuan Walker, who appears either injured or fatigued from the long season, and I think Philadelphia should take full advantage here.
Edge: Phillies -136
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Arizona Diamondbacks (+190) vs. Houston Astros (-240) Total: 9
There’s nothing left to play for here for the Diamondbacks, who have lost nine of 11 games. So, why are the odds not longer on Arizona against the mighty Astros?
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Well, that would be oddsmakers and the public alike expressing skepticism towards Brandon Bielak. The long-reliever is making his first start in over a year, and hasn’t exactly had the greatest season. The right has certainly turned things around since the All-Star break, though, with 10 scoreless innings. On top of that, he’ll be backed by a bullpen with the sixth-best ERA in baseball over the last two weeks.
It probably won’t take much to quiet the second-worst offense over that same span, and even though his peripherals would point to a bit of regression, it’s not likely to hit against against the Snakes.
On the other hand, we have the top lefty-mashing offense in baseball doing battle with Madison Bumgarner, who has been terrible of late, allowing five earned runs in each of his last three starts with 10 walks and five homers in that span. The Astros are absolutely tearing the cover off the ball, and should leave no doubt here.
Edge: Astros -1.5 (-125)
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