The 2018 MLB season got underway a few weeks ago and now that the dust has settled, and the teams have found their groove, it’s time to open our weekly preview and betting tips. Today we’ll be taking a look at some of the key matchups in the MLB this Thursday, the 19th of April.
Boston Red Sox at Los Angeles Angels (12pm AEST)
Through the opening few weeks of play, the Red Sox hold the best record in all of baseball at 14-2. Former Cy Young award winner Rick Porcello has started the year with a 3-0 record and a great 1.83 ERA and will be on the mound in LA on Thursday.
Porcello will be matching up with Tyler Skaggs, who is also unbeaten through his opening starts, boasting a 2-0 record with a 1.69 ERA. The Angels have also been impressive to start the season, currently holding a 13-4 record which makes this game a top of the American League clash.
LA and Boston are number one and two respectively in both total runs scored and batting average and Boston’s pitching is no joke either as they hold a team wide 2.94 ERA through their first 16 games, which is good for third in the league. We are only a couple of weeks into the season but this already seems like a massive game between two AL contenders. Porcello has proven he can get it done in big games in the past so we like the Sox to get a win on the road here and improve to 15-2.
Boston Red Sox to win
$2.13
St Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs (4.20am AEST)
Last years National League runners up, the Chicago Cubs, have started the 2018 season on the back foot, maintaining just a 7-8 record as they head into their Thursday clash against the Cardinals. They have played just 6 of their 15 games at home, however, and will welcome the return to Wrigley Field Thursday.
On the contrary, St Louis have been fantastic away from home to start the season, boasting an 8-3 away record while winning just 2 of their 6 home games to combine for a 10-7 record so far. Luke Weaver will be on the mound for the Cards on Thursday, after starting the season with a 2-0 record and an impressive 2.08 ERA.
Jon Lester will take the mound for the Cubs. Once a powerhouse in the American League, Lester has struggled in the regular season since making the move to Chicago and has started the season with a 4.40 ERA and gave up 7 hits in 5 shaky innings in his last outing. Back the Cardinals bats, who rank 8th in baseball, to get it done at home.
Houston Astros at Seattle Mariners (12.10pm AEST)
Last season’s MLB Champions, the Houston Astros, have started their campaign in decent fashion, going 11-7 through their first 18 games. Right hander Gerrit Cole, who was recruited from the Pirates to the Astros in the offseason, has started the season with three 11+ strikeout performances and is arguably the hottest hand in baseball at the moment with a 1.29 ERA.
Cole’s 36 strikeouts are the most ever by a player in his first three games with a new team, and he comes up against Mike Leake on Thursday, who despite having a 2-0 record, has just 8 K’s and a 3.50 ERA.
Astros start as strong favourites here and it’s easy to see why given Cole’s ridiculous start to the season. The Astros bats, which dominated 2017 have had a slow start to the season, but after a 4-1 win in Seattle Wednesday, we expect them to rally behind Cole here.
Houston Astros to win
$1.57
