Let's dive into our top MLB picks. There is a good slate of games to choose from, with a few games during the day, so let's look at our top MLB picks to play.
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Thursday's Best MLB Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
St. Louis Cardinals (-105) at Chicago Cubs (-115) | O/U 8 (-1o6/-114)
The Cardinals were quiet during the trade deadline. They aren't a team that can be considered a championship contender, but they are in the hunt to make the playoffs as the National League Central and Wild Card are wide open.
While they have a few gems on offense and the pitching staff, they haven't had the consistency from the supporting players and have had both extended winning and losing streaks.
Sonny Gray has been their best starter this season, leading the team in ERA in WAR. While his overall 3.79 ERA is solid, if you peel it back, you'll see that he has a 2.67 ERA at home and 5.29 on the road.
The Cubs have struggled recently, losing nine of their last 14. As they sit in last, they have decided to unload a few of their assets as they plan for the future.
They put together an excellent pitching staff, as they're seventh in ERA, and the rotation is 12th in quality starts. If the offense could have done its part, they would still be contenders, and the team's former home run leader, Christopher Morel, would still be on the North Side.
Shota Imanaga looked to have the NL Rookie of the Year award locked down early in the year, but when Paul Skenes burst on the scene, that was done. Still, he's been fantastic, with a 2.95 ERA, which is tenth in the league, and he has registered 12 quality starts.
One was against the Cardinals when he allowed one run in seven innings. With Gray's continued struggles on the road, Chicago should start this series on the winning side.
Pick: Cubs Moneyline (-115)
Kansas City Royals (-162) at Detroit Tigers (+136) | O/U 8.5 (-1o8/-112)
The Royals are finally on the verge of becoming a contender after being an MLB punching bag for the last decade. They made some moves for pitching and offense, as the American League Central is a possibility and they are only six games out.
They added to what's been a great pitching staff led by Seth Lugo. He has fallen out of the AL Cy Young race as he comes in with a 4.78 ERA in his last four starts, but he did have a fantastic outing with seven scoreless against the Tigers earlier this year.
Detroit sold off a few pieces at the trade deadline, which Jack Flaherty headlined, but the bigger story was the one they didn't send away. Tarik Skubal would have been the biggest name if traded, as he is the current favorite to win the AL Cy Young award, but Detroit decided to keep their ace for at least the rest of this season.
The Tigers will start featuring their younger stars to see who will be a part of their rebuild. Rookie Keider Montero hasn't proved to be a part of the future just yet, and he's coming into this start having allowed five earned in the previous three.
Pick: Royals Moneyline (-162)
