2-1 last week in our MLB betting tips for another winning week and we’ll be looking to extend that streak this Thursday as we take a look at some of our favourite matchups in the 14 game slate and give our best bets below!
MLB Betting Tips Thursday 3rd September
Washington Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies
9.05am (AEST)
The best pitching matchup of the day comes via Philadelphia as the Phillies host the Nationals at 9.05am. Max Scherzer will be on the mound for the Nats and the three time Cy Young winner has been solid through his opening starts. Scherzer has a 3-1 record with a 3.86 ERA and in seven career starts against the Phillies, the right hander has a 5-0 record with a 2.4 ERA.
On the other side will be Zack Wheeler, who has been one of the standout pitchers in the National League so far this season. Wheeler has noe allowed more than three earned runs in any of his six starts so far this season, and in those six starts he is 3-0 with a dominant 2.58 ERA.
Like the look of the Phillies at home with Wheeler on the mound here. Their line-up has given pitching staff much more support than the NAts have so far this season, currently maintaining a 15-15 record and at home they are 11-9.
Toronto Blue Jays at Miami Marlins
8.40am (AEST)
The Blue Jays are 18-16 on the season and currently find themselves in 3rd place in the AL East division. They’ll have a winnable matchup against the Marlins on Thursday morning, even more so because they have a really in-form Hyun Jin Ryu on the mound. Ryu had an excellent August where he posted a dominant 1.29 ERA over the course of the month.
Ryu will be going up against Sixto Sanchez of the Marlins, who is throwing heat in his first season in the Major Leagues. Sanchez has made just two starts, maintaining a 1-0 record and a very competitive 2.25 ERA. He is consistently throwing 98mph + fast balls and looks like he belongs right away.
The problem for the Marlins this season has been their batting line-up. They sit in 21st place in the majors in team batting average and 27th in total runs scored. The Blue Jays have a much more consistent line-up and should get the job done on the road here with Ryu on the mound.
Texas Rangers at Houston Astros
10.10am (AEST)
The Rangers have been pretty poor to start the MLB season, currently sitting in fourth place in the AL West Standings with just a 12-21 record. They’ll have a tough test on Thursday as they square off against the 19-14 Astros. Kolby Allard will be on the mound for Texas and he has not been great this season despite taking a no hitter into the sixth inning in his last start. The lefty has a 0-3 record with a 6.50 ERA through five starts.
For the Astros, it’ll be Christian Javier on the mound, who has been really solid this season. The right hander has a 3-1 record through six starts this year and will be helped by pitching on a full seven days rest for this start.
The Astros should be too strong here. the first of the two teams three game series went into extra innings on Wednesday but we think the Astros win this one comfortably with Javier on the mound at home.
