There are 10 games on the slate on Thursday, and there are a couple of National League matchups that have plenty of value for bettors. The Colorado Rockies take on the Miami Marlins, and the Chicago Cubs face the Pittsburgh Pirates. This betting guide will give some options for these contests based on the recent trends between the squads.
Chicago Cubs (-120) vs Pittsburgh Pirates (+100)
These teams wrap up a four-game series, with Chicago trying to win the last two contests after dropping the first two. Cubs starter Justin Steele looks like he’s turned around his rough start to post a 2.37 ERA over 19 innings in his last three starts. Pittsburgh’s Jose Quintana is going in the opposite direction, giving up 20 hits and 10 runs in his last 12.2 innings pitched to the tune of a 7.11 ERA over his last three outings. Take the Cubs (-120) here to keep the offense rolling against a struggling starter.
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Both of these teams have struggled to score runs this season, as they are both in the bottom 10 for runs per nine innings. The under has hit in three of their last five meetings, but the total has gone over in two of the previous three games of this series. Steele has been better, but Quintana has been a wreck lately. Lean towards the over (O8.5, -105).
Colorado Rockies (+110) vs Florida Marlins (-130)
Miami took the first two games of the series, holding on to take Wednesday’s game. The Rockies start Kyle Freeland, who has been pretty solid lately, going 2-0 with a 3.15 ERA and 1.00 WHIP (walks+hits per inning pitched) over his last three starts. Miami starter Braxton Garrett will be making just his third start, and he’s had one good one and one bad one. Freeland has been the more consistent play lately, so lean towards the Rockies for a minor upset here (+110).
Offense hasn’t been a problem for these squads when playing each other, as the under has hit in just one of the five games between them this season. Three of Freeland’s last four starts have gone over, even with the inflated Over/Under totals that come with Coors Field. In Garrett’s only home start this season, he gave up four runs in 3.1 innings. Take the over here again (O8.5, -105).
Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook
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