Top 3 MLB Picks & Predictions: Thursday (9/10)
There are only five MLB games today, and I'm making picks for three of them. Below, I explain why I expect the Yankees' offense to hammer the Rockies. Then, I highlight why the White Sox should get off to a hot start against the Pirates and why the Astros and Phillies are set for a low-scoring game. Here are the best MLB picks for Thursday, September 10th.
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Thursday’s Best MLB Picks & Predictions
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Colorado Rockies at New York Yankees
The Yankees scored six runs last night, breaking a streak of four consecutive games with five or fewer runs. But while the Yankees' offense has struggled at times this season, there's no reason not to trust them against Ryen Feltner.
Feltner has a 5.91 ERA, and he's allowed at least four earned runs in three of his last four starts. He didn't pitch more than 5.2 innings in any of those games.
Feltner has held the Yankees to a .158 batting average, but he's also only faced six current New York players. With how poorly he's pitched of late, I wouldn't be surprised if the Yankees top this total before the Rockies get to their bullpen.
Pick: Yankees Team Total Over 5.5 Runs (-102)
Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago White Sox
I'm shocked the Pirates are expected to lead after the first five innings of this game. Though he'll be on the mound for three innings or fewer, White Sox opener Hagen Smith has been incredible this season. He has a 0.56 ERA, and he's allowed just one earned run since making his first appearance in early August.
For those who are concerned about the White Sox after Smith leaves the game, they’ve won each of his last five appearances, with the last four wins coming by at least three runs.
Pirates starter Jared Jones is coming off a fantastic start against the Angels. In that game, he pitched six scoreless innings, allowing just three hits. But he has a 4.46 ERA, and he's allowed at least two earned runs in two of his last three starts. He didn't make it to five innings in either of those performances, and the Pirates lost both games.
Pick: White Sox First Five Innings Moneyline (+102)
Houston Astros at Philadelphia Phillies
Astros starter Cristian Javier has a 5.98 ERA, but he also has outstanding career numbers against the Phillies' lineup. He's struck out 16 of the 45 batters he's faced, holding the Phillies to a .222 average and allowing just three earned runs.
For the Phillies, Zack Wheeler will take the mound, and he's hot right now. After allowing eight earned runs against the Mariners in late August, he's held back-to-back opponents to one earned run each. He enters this contest having allowed two or fewer earned runs in three of his last four starts.
While both games in this series have been high-scoring, the Astros have seen six of their last eight games finish with eight runs or fewer. Philadelphia's results have been similar, with 11 of their last 14 games finishing below nine total runs.
Pick: Under 8.5 Runs (-110)
Phil Wood is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Phil, check out his archive and follow him @Phil_Wood_Jr.