Xam’s Daily Gems:
Blue Jays Money Line -138 FanDuel
Chris Bassitt got torched in his last start, giving up 7 runs while failing to get out of the 3rd inning at home against the Dodgers. He gets a matchup that’s a little easier today, as the Royals are averaging just 3.86 runs per game on the road this season. He faces Seth Lugo who’s been nothing short of fantastic for the Royals this season. He has a 1.66 ERA coming into the game and a 0.00 ERA on the road in 2 starts. However, the Blue Jays have the bats to be able to score some runs. The Blue Jays should also have a rest edge when it comes to the bullpen. Toronto’s premium bullpen arms should all be available as needed! The key will be Bassitt containing a potent Royals lineup. If he can throw up zeroes, the Blue Jays SHOULD be able to figure out a way to scratch out some runs and get the win.
Braves/Mariners Over 7.5 Runs -108 DraftKings
Chris Sale and Emmett Hancock are two pitchers that can give up plenty of runs. The last time Chris Sale pitched on the road, he gave up 5 runs to the lowly Marlins, of all teams! He has a 5.11 ERA in road starts this year. Emmett Hancock has pitched better recently, but he was truly awful to the start the year. The Braves SHOULD be able to score some runs against him. The Braves have scored 150 runs on the year and have run up the score on more than a couple of occasions. If the Mariners can similarly produce against veteran lefty, we SHOULD be in store for a bunch of runs tomorrow!
Phillies Money Line -170 DraftKings
The Phillies send ace Zack Wheeler to the mound, who’s been fantastic to start the year. He has a sparkling 1.93 ERA and now won’t have to face Mike Trout, who just went on the IL. The Angels counter with southpaw Patrick Sandoval, who’s been awful this year. He has a 6.33 ERA coming into the game and hasn’t shown a lot of confidence really. This is a tough matchup for the Angels, who are undermanned against a team that has World Series aspirations. Of course, the Phillies can rake with the best of them and they SHOULD be able to score runs. If Wheeler can be his typical dominant self, the Phillies shouldn’t have ANY ISSUES against an inferior team.
Reds/Padres Over 8 Runs -118 FanDuel
These are two offeense with electric offensive talent. Fernando Tatis Jr. Jurickson Profar. Manny Machado. Xander Bogaerts. Spencer Steer. Elly De La Cruz. It goes on. Both the Reds and Padres can light up the scoreboard. Graham Ashcraft goes for the Reds. He comes into this start with a 4.40 ERA. Interestingly, he’s been better on the road than at home. However, the Padres at home are a different beast. They’re scoring well over 4 runs per game at home and shouldn’t have much issue scoring runs tomorrow. The Padres go with Joe Musgrove, who’s been even worse! He has a terrible ERA of 6.94. He hasn’t shown any confidence whatsoever and the Reds have the lineup to take advantage.
Orioles First 5 Innings Money Line -156 FanDuel
Corbin Burnes is the ace of the staff and he’s facing a Yankees lineup that’s struggling to produce. Burnes has a sterling 2.55 ERA and that ticks down to 2.38 in 4 starts at Camden Yards. The Yankees counter with Luis Gil, who has a 4.01 ERA this season but sees that go up to 5.52 on the road. This is a really tough matchup for a young pitcher. The Orioles simply RAKE at home, and Burnes SHOULD be up to the task of stopping a potent Yankees lineup. If Burnes can throw up some zeroes, the Orioles shouldn’t have ANY ISSUES getting this done again in front of the O’s faithful.
Rangers -1 -113 DraftKings
Trevor Williams has gotten off to a nice start for the Nationals, but he hasn’t faced a team like the Rangers. We all know the Rangers can score and score A TON of runs at home. Southpaw Andrew Heaney goes for the Rangers. Simply put, he hasn’t been very good this year. Not only does he have a 6.26 ERA this year, it’s over 9 at home! This is a good spot for him to get right in, considering the Nationals are not the most potent offense. The Rangers will hit like they always do. If Heaney and the bullpen can throw up zeroes, the Rangers should get it done once again!
Astros First 5 Innings Money Line -176 FanDuel
Astros ace Justin Verlander goes for Houston, and they LOVE when he pitches. He has a 1.74 ERA through 2 starts. Triston McKenzie goes for the Guardians. He got off to a terrible start this year and he has been a little better in his last couple of starts, but he has still has a grotesque road ERA of 10.80, albeit in just one start. The Astros know how to hit and have the type of lineup that can take advantage. The Astros have a HUGE edge in starting pitching here. As long as Verlander can be his typical dominant self, the Astros shouldn’t have any issue putting up runs tomorrow and should get it done!
Mavericks Money Line -148 FanDuel
The Mavericks got off to such a terrible start in Game 4. They didn’t come ready to play whatsoever and it showed. However, despite going down by 20, they managed to come back and even take the lead late in the 4th quarter, before ultimately falling short.
Mavericks/Clippers Over 205.5 Points -160 FanDuel
Chris Bassitt Over 4.5 Ks -120 DraftKings
Bassitt has been a a strikeout machine at home. He has 17 Ks through 3 home starts this year, clearing 5 or more Ks in 2 of those starts. Even against the Dodgers, who blasted him and only gave him 8 outs, struck out 4 times against him. In his career as a Blue Jay, he averages over 6 strikeouts per start at home. He has a season high of 8 strikeouts and that came at home as well. The Royals haven’t struck out much this season, but they did strikeout a lot more in 2023, so there SHOULD be some regression there in the strikeout tomorrow. If Bassitt can keep his pitch count under control, he SHOULD be able to clear this number for the 3rd time in 4 starts at home!
Shota Imanaga Over 4.5 Ks -140 DraftKings
Imanaga has cleared this number in 2 straight games and is coming off 7 strikeouts on the road. He’s shown elite stuff and isn’t afraid to challenge hitters at home or on the road. The Mets have only struck out 7 times in this series, but their lineup has been wildly inconsistent all year. The key for Imanaga will be keeping his pitch count under control. He has the ability to miss bats and since they’ve gotten more than 5 innings just one time in the last 4 games from their starters, they could use Imanaga to give them some length tonight. Even with a day off tomorrow, the Cubs may be more inclined to let Shota go as deep as he possibly can! That’s great news for a pitcher with solid swing and miss stuff. As long as he keeps his pitch count under control, he shouldn’t have an issue clearing this number in his 3rd straight game.
Luka Doncic Over 3.5 Made 3s -162 DraftKings
Kyrie Irving Over 34.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists -186 FanDuel
Russell Westbrook Over 14.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists -180 FanDuel