MLB Best Bets: Three Picks for Thursday’s Five-Game Slate

MLB schedules are often a little light on Thursdays, but today's is especially light, with just five games scheduled. There is another pretty big game in another sport scheduled for today, but that shouldn’t stop anyone from taking advantage of our MLB Best Bets.

Our choices are limited, but here are my MLB best bets for today.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Atlanta Braves

Rays ML at +101 (DraftKings)

After reviewing the pitching matchup, I had every intention of recommending the Under (8.5 at -117). Nick Martinez (Rays) has a 3.04 ERA, and Martin Perez has a 3.25 ERA. Martinez seems to be at his best on the road, where he has a 2.15 ERA, but Perez has posted a 1.99 ERA at home.

The under is still a good play, but with how both teams are hitting, I have to go with the Rays ML. The Rays have hit .263 over the last week and recorded seven runs on Tuesday and Wednesday vs. the Braves. Atlanta, however, has hit just .175 over the last week.

Perez may slow the Rays down quite a bit, but the Braves may not get moving at all against Martinez.

Colorado Rockies vs. New York Yankees

Yankees -1.5 at -155 (DraftKings)

I generally do not make a habit of recommending bets with prices like this one, but it is the best option for this game. The Yankees won the first two games 5-3 and 6-1, which makes the Under (9 at -120) look like a solid play.

But teams have been hitting .300 against Rockies starter Ryan Feltner. New York has not been great at the plate over the last week (.229 BA), which gives me pause on taking the Over. However, the Yankees lineup will play its part against Feltner while Max Fried keeps the Rockies from scoring more than a couple of runs.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago White Sox

Jared Jones bounced back from a rough August (7.40 ERA) with a solid six-inning shutout performance last week against the Angels. Hagen Smith is listed as a starter for the White Sox but has only gone 2+ innings in four of ten appearances and has not started a game until today.

Chicago has not been hitting well of late, posting a .227 BA over the last week. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, has hit .262 over the last week, but I’m not so sure that will matter against one of the better bullpens in baseball.

My Pick: Chicago ML at -110