It’s officially that time of year, time for me to get into my MLB bag and find some winners. We’ve got a big slate of games today, so let’s get right into the best pitcher and batter matchups.
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Pitcher Report | June 5
Yak City
Let’s kick it off with Slade Cecconi. The third-year pitcher has a 5.28 ERA this year and he’s given up five HR across just three starts. He’s allowing opposing batters to hit 0.274 and allowing left-handed hitters to hit .333 with a .708 SLG. Despite playing here once before, today’s game marks his first ever start at Yankee Stadium.
Elsewhere in the AL East, it’s Zach Eflin taking the mound for the struggling Orioles. Eflin’s struggled in his first full season with Baltimore, recording a 4.46 ERA and allowing nine HR across just seven starts. His 2 HR/9 is the second highest on the slate today and he’s struggled even more in day games. Eflin’s ERA balloons to 5.08 during the day and eight of the nine HRs allowed this year have been during the day.
Lastly, let’s not forget to talk about Colin Rea’s struggles against left handed bats this year. Rea’s allowing lefties to hit .324 on the year with five of his eight HR allowed coming from lefties. The Nationals will have a lineup that consists of seven left-handed bats and two switch hitters; Rea might be in for a long day.
Weather Man, Weather Man
Let’s pick it up in the same game, the Cubs and Nationals might see the ball FLY today. With strong winds blowing out towards left field and weather in the high 80s, it’s looking like optimal baseball weather.
Keeping it on the East Coast, the Yankees host the Guardians at Yankee Stadium and strong winds blowing out and in the direction of left field. Aaron Judge has 10 HR at home this year and he’s already tagged Cecconi for one in his career.
With not just one but two Triple A Stadiums in play today, we’ve gotta talk about both. Both the Athletics and Rays host games at their respective temporary fields, with winds blowing out in the direction of center field for both home teams. Low air pressure in Sacramento should also really help that ball fly a little more in the Athletics-Twins game.
You can’t forget about the Dodgers-Mets playing in the afternoon. Drew Peterson’s been great this year, but he’s struggled against this Dodgers lineup. Landon Knack’s been a little worse than mediocre this year and with great conditions in Los Angeles, I like the idea of runs in this one.
Our Best Bets on the Diamond for Thursday, June 5
Cal Raleigh o1.5 Total Bases (+100 via BetOnline)
Cal Raleigh has been on a different planet this year. He’s currently tied with Shohei Ohtani for the league lead in HR (23) and he’s doing it while hitting over 50% of his HR in one of the least hitter-friendly parks in the league. T-Mobile Park in Seattle is geared towards pitchers, but Cal’s still hit 12 of his 23 HR at home this year with a .246 batting average.
Cal leads the team in RBI, runs scored, is second in hits, and today matches up with a struggling Zach Eflin. With just limited history against Eflin, we can turn to how he’s played this year. His 4.56 ERA and 2 HR/9 doesn’t inspire confidence from a pitching perspective and his struggles against right-handed bats makes me love this spot for Cal.
Eflin’s allowing righties to hit. 265 this year and eight of the nine HRs he’s allowed this year have come during the day. Raleigh’s got eight HRs during the day this year with a .576 SLG. It’s the last game of the three-game series between these two with the Mariners having lost the first two. Does Seattle respond today against Eflin?
Bonus: Cal Raleigh Home Run (+280)
James Wood o1.5 Total Bases (+100 via BetOnline)
The Cubs will have Colin Rea see the majority of innings today, despite going with Drew Pomeranz to open. Rea’s been decent in his first season with the Cubs, recording a 3.96 ERA and allowing 1.4HR/9. He’s started nine games, going 3-2 and giving up 9.6 hits/9.
Rea’s struggles against lefties is why this prop stood out to me. He’s allowing left-handed bats to hit .324 with five of the eight HRs he’s surrendered having come to lefties. Wood’s been great this season for the Nationals and has been even better at home.
At Nationals Park, Wood’s hitting .287 this year with seven HRs and a .565 SLG. He’s yet to record a hit against Rea in their limited matchups, but tonight feels like the night that changes. Wood’s gone 1/6 so far in this series and looks to right the ship against Rea and the Cubs tonight.
Bonus: James Wood Home Run (+340)
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