The Orioles took the first two games of their series against the Athletics both by four runs. Last night, Oakland responded with a four-run win of its own. On Thursday, Baltimore sends former Athletics starter Cole Irvin to the mound to secure the series victory.
The Blue Jays already took their series with the Tigers with a 4-3 comeback victory last night. They go for the sweep and will hand the ball to Chris Bassitt.
The Cardinals have gotten off to a slower start than many expected following last year's NL Central title. However, they did just take two of three from the Rockies in Denver. They return home to face the Pirates, and that could mean a big night for reigning NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt.
Here is how I am betting their player props for Thursday's MLB slate.
MLB Player Props For Date, Day
Cole Irvin Over 1.5 Walks (+175)
| Oakland Athletics vs. Baltimore Orioles | |
| First Pitch | 1:05 PM ET |
| Best Line | DraftKings |
The Orioles acquired Cole Irvin from the Athletics to provide stability to their rotation. However, he has gotten off to a rocky start with his new team. Through two starts, he has allowed 12 hits and nine earned runs in 8 2/3 innings. He has also walked six and ranks in the 19th percentile in BB% percentage, according to Statcast.
The A's rank 18th in walks with a little over three per game. They have drawn three walks in every game of this series. Orioles starters surrendered two walks in two of those games. That has contributed to Oakland's offense being a bit better than it has shown so far this season.
Irvin has walked at least two batters in each of his starts this season and six of his last 10 starts dating back to last season. I expect him to turn in a quality outing, which is actually another reason why I like this prop.
He is averaging 21.5 batters faced despite falling to get out of the fifth inning in any of this starts. If Irvin pitches five or six full innings, he will likely face at least 20-25 batters. We just need him to walk two of them, which he has done at a 60% clip. I'll take the plus odds here.
Pick: Cole Irvin Over 1.5 Walks (+175)
Chris Bassitt Over 1.5 Walks (+105)
| Detroit Tigers vs. Toronto Blue Jays | |
| First Pitch | 7:07 PM |
| Best Line | DraftKings |
Like Irvin, Bassitt has struggled with his new team. He did not walk a batter in his first start, but he allowed 10 hits (four home runs) and nine runs in just 3 1/3 innings against the Cardinals. He turned in a better outing against the Angels, allowing two earned runs in six innings, but with five walks.
Bassitt has walked at least two batters in six of his last 10 starts dating back to last season. He is facing a Tigers team that's 25th in walks, averaging 2.73 per game. The Tigers worked six walks on Tuesday, five of which came against Alek Manoah. On Wednesday, Kevin Gausman did not walk a batter in eight innings, but he has walked just three in 20 innings this season.
If Bassitt has another rough outing, it is likely that he walks two batters in the process — though I do expect a quality start from him. However, the deeper he goes in the game, the opportunity there is for free passes.
A line like six innings, four hits, one earned run, two walks and five strikeouts would not shock me.
Pick: Chris Bassitt Over 1.5 Walks (+105)
Paul Goldschmidt Over 1.5 Total Bases (+100)
| Pittsburg Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals | |
| First Pitch | 7:45 PM ET |
| Best Line | DraftKings |
Paul Goldschmidt has hit just one home run in his first 12 games. That being said, he's off to an excellent start. He is hitting .364 with seven RBI and a 1.014 OPS. He enters play with a five-game hitting streak, which includes two multihit games in that span.
Goldy hit .450 with a 1.293 OPS over the Cardinals' six-game home stand to begin the season. He goes up against Bucs starter Vince Velasquez, which is a good matchup as he is 5-for-14 (.357) with a home run. A homer would be nice, but Goldschmidt also has four doubles this season.
The Cards first baseman has reached two bases in three of his last five games and five of his last 10. At home and facing a starter that he has a strong track record against, I like his chances to clear this line.
Pick: Paul Goldschmdit Over 1.5 Total Bases (+100)
