Seven games dot the MLB schedule for Thursday, including a pair of day games hosted by AL East teams in Baltimore and Tampa. The undefeated Rays host the Boston Red Sox, looking to extend their season-opening win streak to 13 games.
Since 1901, the only teams in MLB history to accomplish a 13-game winning streak to begin a season were the 1982 Atlanta Braves and the 1987 Milwaukee Brewers. Corey Kluber and the Sox will look to avoid being the team that Tampa matches that feat against.
The National League champion Phillies are on the road in Cincinnati after a slow start to the 2023 campaign. In the American League, the Yankees and Blue Jays are hosting with the possibility of being five games back in the division if they lose and the Rays win again.
Their 8-4 records would tie for or lead four of the six divisions. With the Orioles sitting at 6-6, the AL East is the only division with four teams at or above .500.
We’re rolling out a PrizePicks prop card for Thursday’s lighter baseball schedule and present three more best bets after a 2-1 record last Wednesday.
Triston Casas OVER 0.5 Total Bases
Casas’ struggles have carried over from a limited number of plate appearances in 2022. In each of the three series Boston has played before their current four-game road trip to Tampa, Casas has reached base safely in just one game.
Today’s game against starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs marks the final round of this series against the undefeated Rays. The first baseman has belted two home runs among the five hits he’s had through 12 games but has gone 0-10 with three strikeouts against Tampa.
We like Casas to at least get one base hit in the series finale against the Rays. Let's take the Over for some daytime MLB action!
Nolan Arenado OVER 1.5 Total Bases
A trip back to his former home in Denver did the third baseman some good, and we like him to carry that momentum into a home series with the Pirates. Arenado slugged his second double and home run of the season and notched five RBI in the final two games of the Cardinals’ series victory over the Rockies.
The seven-time All-Star has logged at least one hit in 11 of 12 games to start the season, and it feels like a matter of time before those start going for extra-base hits more consistently. Take Arenado’s over on total bases in St. Louis’ return home.
Bailey Falter UNDER 4.5 Strikeouts
The Phillies’ lefty has logged 10.1 innings through two starts, allowing three runs on 11 hits and two home runs. He’s relied on a mix of ground and fly balls to get those 31 outs and has only struck out five batters.
Falter has thrown a combined 158 pitches in his first two outings, so he’s had a quick hook. With a career 0.88 strikeout-to-innings pitched ratio, he’ll likely need to complete six innings for us to lose this bet. We don’t project that to be the case and are on his under for strikeouts tonight.
