MLB
2 Picks.
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2:20PM EST: Rockies ML +195 (3 Units).
Dakota Hudson has a career 3.84 ERA for COL and once projected as a top of the rotation guy for the Cards before an injury plagued last 4 years. He had a 4.5 ERA in 4 spring starts and was pitching well before giving up 3 solo home runs in his final one. He's a ground ball pitcher and can get in trouble when he leaves his stuff up. Going to be tough to leave the ballpark today though. It's 43° with an overcast and 15 MPH winds blowing in. This game might end up postponed but if not it's a pitchers day at Wrigley. The wet field also helps deaden groundballs which also helps the defense.
Shota Imanaga makes his MLB debut after coming over from Japan. He's been one of Japan's best but it's a big transition. Just saw it first hand with the LAD prized NPB FA signing when Yamamoto allowed 5 Runs and pitched just 1 inning in his MLB debut. He turned in a solid 2nd start but the baseball's different and the competition's better. Takes some time to get used and on top of it he'll have to deal with a wet ball today. Imanaga struggled in spring. He pitched to a 5.68 ERA over 4 starts and 12.2 IP. He surrendered 18 hits and walked 3 but he did rack up 25 strikeouts. Strikeouts tend to inflate pitch count and the Cubs bullpen's is already heavily taxed. They gave up 9 runs in their opening 3 game set vs TEX but had to pitch 14.1 innings.
Neither Colorado's or the Cubs offense has performed too well to start the season. The Rockies were victims of tough luck against Arizona. Their xBA is nearly .30 points higher than their actual BA on the young season.
9:40PM EST: Red Sox -1.5 +115 (3 Units).
Tanner Houck starts for Boston. He has a career 3.86 ERA and pitched to a 4.18 ERA on the road last year. He posted a 2.4 ERA in spring limiting hitters to a .189 batting average. The A's lineup isn't hitting well and they're likely to contend for worst offense in baseball. On the other end Oakland's Joe Boyle will make his 4th career big league start. He pitched to a 7.62 ERA across 4 March starts (13IP) allowing 10 hits and 15 walks. He surrendered 7 Runs on 6 Hits and 3 walks in his final spring start. Boston has a strong lineup with vets that can command the zone. Boyle's letting too many guys on base and Boston should cash in on that. Oakland's bullpen isn't any good behind him either.
