Christian Yelich vs Detroit Tigers
- Yelich holds great career numbers against Tigers starter Jack Flaherty, including a double and a pair of homers in 33 at-bats.
Randy Arozarena vs Cincinnati Reds
- Already off to a hot start, Arozarena looks a nice bet with a pair of homers to his name off Reds starter Nick Lodolo.
Justin Verlander (SF) vs Jesus Luzardo (PHI)
There’s just enough value on the Phillies for me to entertain a bet on them here.
Yesterday’s 10-4 loss wasn’t the start to this series they were hoping for, but Jesus Luzardo does boost their chances significantly on the mound behind a tidy 1.78 ERA through three starts.
Luzardo has faced some tough lineups already this year in the Dodgers and Braves, compared to future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander, who’s looked a little off giving up five earned to the Reds last week.
All of that, alongside a 5.74 ERA at Citizens Bank Park, makes the Phillies a good play here.
Spencer Schwellenbach (ATL) vs Kevin Gausman (TOR)
This is probably the best pitching matchup on today’s docket with two bonafide strikethrowers on the mound.
With a sparkling 0.45 ERA and 19 K’s, Schwellenbach is probably the NL Cy Young frontrunner through the first three weeks of the season, while Gausman is enjoying a bounce back year on the rubber after striking out 10 in eight scoreless innings last week at Fenway.
It’s the young, bright arm versus the wily old veteran, and although these two sides both feature hot hitters in Ozzie Albies and George Springer, I feel confident in backing the Under if both pitchers produce their best stuff.
Shota Imanaga (CHC) vs Randy Vasquez (SD)
The Padres came back from a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Cubs in the first game of this series last night at home, and they should feel good heading into Game 2 with most of the lineup already having had a look at Cubs starter Shota Imanaga.
The Japanese left-hander threw 7.1 innings of one-run, four-strikeout ball when these two sides met to start the month at Wrigley, but his most recent start against the Rangers last week was concerning, giving up five earned and a couple of homers.
These two sides rank Top 10 in runs scored, so the Over might be another worthwhile play after yesterday’s scoreboard workout. But with the Padres also sitting fourth in runs scored against southpaws, I think the double market holds some serious value.