The New York Yankees cooled off offensively on Wednesday, but they get a great matchup today against the Texas Rangers. I also highlight why I expect plenty of scoring when the Washington Nationals host the Minnesota Twins. Finally, I explain why the Colorado Rockies may not have much success against the New York Mets. Here are the best MLB picks and bets for Thursday, May 7.
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Thursday’s Best MLB Picks & Predictions
This Season: 7-10-1 (-2.7 units) | (Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Texas Rangers vs. New York Yankees
The Yankees lost 6-1 on Wednesday, but they're still the second-highest scoring team in the league, and they get an excellent matchup this afternoon. Rangers' starter MacKenzie Gore has really struggled this season, allowing at least three earned runs in four of his six starts. In his last three starts, he's allowed 11 runs in 13.2 innings.
Additionally, Gore has allowed five home runs this season. That's bad news against the top home run-hitting team in the MLB. Additionally, the Yankees have pretty solid numbers against Gore throughout his career. In 61 at-bats, Gore has allowed 17 hits, eight extra-base hits, and four home runs. He's given up nine earned runs as well.
It's a bullpen day for the Yankees. While starter Paul Blackburn won't go more than 1.0-3.0 innings, he hasn't allowed a run in either of his last two appearances, giving up just one hit in his last 3.0 innings. Simply put, I don't expect the Rangers' 28th-ranked offense to be able to keep up with the Yankees.
Pick: New York Yankees -1.5 (+135)
Minnesota Twins vs. Washington Nationals
The first two games of this series between the Twins and Nationals have featured 31 total runs. What's been most amazing about the number of runs scored is that both teams have yet to score more than three runs in the same game. The Twins won the first game of the series 11-3, and the Nationals won the second game 15-2.
I have much more faith in the offenses than the defenses entering Thursday's game, as these are two top-10 scoring teams in the league. Not only are the offenses great, but the pitchers taking the mound have struggled this season. Twins' starter Simeon Woods Richardson has an ERA of 6.49 with a WHIP of 1.76, while Nationals' starter Jake Irvin has an ERA of 4.93.
Honestly, I'd consider playing this total all the way up to 11.5. The price for Over 11.5 is +207 at DraftKings.
Pick: Over 9 Total Runs (-110)
New York Mets vs. Colorado Rockies
Despite scoring just 152 runs this season, the Rockies have the seventh-most hits in the league. That said, they also have the second-most strikeouts, so it's definitely not fair to call them a great hitting team.
Today, they'll face Christian Scott, a pitcher who has allowed just three hits in 6.1 innings this season. Scott has almost no experience against the current Rockies' lineup, but still, he's performed well this year. Additionally, in Monday's game against the Mets, the Rockies managed just five hits.
Pick: Colorado Rockies – Under 8.5 Team Hits (-115)
Phil Wood is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Phil, check out his archive and follow him @Phil_Wood_Jr.