Top 3 MLB Betting Plays for Thursday, September 3
So close, and yet, so unprofitable.
Such is the nature of MLB betting, with Wednesday coming oh-so-close to producing a nice profit. While I hit on the visiting Rays as a nice profit play, my other two road underdog picks were done in by ninth-inning heroics by the home teams, turning a potential 3-2 card (with three underdog wins) into a 1-4 laugher. Onward and upward, as they say.
Here are my top MLB betting plays for Thursday (Odds courtesy FanDuel Sportsbook):
Check out our daily MLB consensus moneylines here >>
Houston -1.5 (+118)
We have quite the pitching matchup at Minute Maid Park as the Astros send Zack Greinke to the hill against Rangers counterpart Lance Lynn. Greinke hasn’t been quite as sharp as Lynn for the season, but Lynn has been susceptible to the long ball of late with four home runs allowed over his past three games. Greinke, on the other hand, has been taken deep just twice in 40 1/3 innings. And the Rangers … well, they can’t hit. I like the Astros to win comfortably.
San Diego -1.5 (+106)
The Mike Clevinger-Cleveland Indians marriage ended unceremoniously Monday as the talented right-hander was dealt to the San Diego Padres in a nine-player deal. And while Clevinger started the season slowly, he has come on strong of late, limiting Minnesota and Cincinnati to two total runs in 11 2/3 innings over his past two starts. The Angels rank 26th in wRC+ (78), and will struggle to find their footing against one of the most dangerous starters in baseball.
LA Dodgers Over 5 Runs (-120)
You won’t make much money on the Dodgers, who are -310 favorites against a Diamondbacks team that squandered not one, but two late leads Wednesday (mentioned here only because I bet them). Clayton Kershaw has been nothing short of phenomenal so far (4-1, 1.80 ERA, 5.7 H/9), while Arizona counterpart Luke Weaver has been … well, nothing short of terrible (1-5, 8.23 ERA, 8 HR allowed). The Dodgers could put up some crooked numbers in this one.
Check out our daily MLB consensus moneylines here >>
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts
Whether you’re new to sports betting or a betting pro, our Sports Betting Strategy and Advice page is for you. You can get started with our 101 section — including 10 Sports Betting Tips for Beginners — or head to more advanced strategy — like Key Numbers When Betting Against the Spread — to learn more.