RADIO
A new week starts and while hockey and pro basketball are taking a break, baseball season is going to keep chugging along, with a 10-game schedule.
There are a couple of thoughts based on early-season results. One, don’t get too hyped about one or two good performances. This applies particularly to starting pitchers, especially those that have promise as a possible breakout candidate. Don’t just assume that because they have had an effective start or two that they are suddenly ace-caliber, because that level of consistency has not necessarily been established. This applies to a couple of promising starters on the hill today, Carlos Rodon of the White Sox and Jameson Taillon of the Pirates.
On the other hand, some players are just crushing it early, so you might as well ride them while they are producing at such a high level. Anthony Rendon, Cody Bellinger, and Christian Yelich are all examples that would apply here.
The good news about baseball, too, is that if the results aren’t what we expect today, there will be a whole new slate of games tomorrow.
So, enjoy some baseball and consider some of these angles before making your prop picks.
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TAMPA BAY-WHITE SOX
OVER/UNDERS
Carlos Rodon UNDER 6.5 STRIKEOUTS – He’s been great early for the White Sox, but Rodon has also pitched 11 1/3 innings through two starts and while he struck out nine last game, that’s the only time in his past 14 starts that Rodon has recorded at least seven strikeouts.
PITTSBURGH-CUBS
OVER/UNDERS
Jameson Taillon UNDER 5.5 STRIKEOUTS – A potential breakthrough ace pitcher, Taillon has nine strikeouts in two games and a road game at the Cubs doesn’t seem like the best opportunity to bust out.
WASHINGTON-PHILADELPHIA
OVER/UNDERS
Anthony Rendon OVER 1.5 RUNS + RBI – The Nationals third baseman is on a tear, hitting .433 with a 1.494 OPS and has multiple runs plus RBI in four of the past five games.
OAKLAND-BALTIMORE
RAPID FIRE
Khris Davis +0.5 total bases vs. Matt Chapman – While Davis has struggled recently, managing three singles in 17 at-bats over the past five games, that’s actually one more hit than Chapman has managed in that time. Might as well take Davis plus the half base in this case.
YANKEES-HOUSTON
OVER/UNDERS
Aaron Judge UNDER 1.5 RUNS + RBI – Judge is off to a mediocre start, averaging 1.2 runs plus RBI per game, so a road game in Houston, with Justin Verlander starting for the Astros, pushes this even further towards the under.
L.A. DODGERS-ST. LOUIS
OVER/UNDERS
Cody Bellinger OVER 1.5 RUNS + RBI – Maybe the hottest hitter in baseball right now, Bellinger has crushed seven home runs in 10 games, accumulating 17 runs and 18 RBI in the process. He may not continue with an average of 3.5 runs plus RBI per game, but he has to be a pick to go over 1.5 tonight.
SEATTLE-KANSAS CITY
OVER/UNDERS
Jorge Soler UNDER 1.5 RUNS + RBI – While Soler has been fine, hitting .258 with a .787 OPS, he has managed a total of nine runs plus RBI through eight games.
ATLANTA-COLORADO
RAPID FIRE
David Dahl +0.5 total bases vs. Charlie Blackmon – A battle of Rockies outfielders and while Blackmon has the established track record, he has 17 total bases through 10 games, compared to Dahl, who has 22 total bases in the same 10 games.
SAN DIEGO-SAN FRANCISCO
RAPID FIRE
Buster Posey +0.5 total bases vs. Ian Kinsler – Neither veteran is off to a wonderful start, so grabbing Posey as the underdog makes him more appealing in this head-to-head match-up.
MILWAUKEE-L.A. ANGELS
RAPID FIRE
Christian Yelich -0.5 runs + RBI vs. Jesus Aguilar – They keep offering this up, and it keeps paying off Yelich has combined for 26 runs and RBI in 10 games, while Aguilar has combined for six in eight games. Until further notice, Yelich is the pick.
