Sports are back in full swing, with an almost overwhelming amount of options to bet on. Here are a few of my strongest spots on the board for Thursday’s betting card, along with analysis on the play and the best place to take the bet, courtesy of the Awesemo OddsShopper tool. Let’s get into some MLB betting picks and NBA betting picks for today’s action.
NOTE: The majority of the games in this article get underway around 4 p.m. EST
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MLB Betting Picks
Baltimore Orioles vs. Philadelphia Phillies: Baltimore Total Over 3.5 (-130)
We’re on a nice little 3-0-1 MLB run here, so with a limited card, let’s try and keep it going with a couple more good spots. The Orioles are a pretty solid offense this season but still being valued as a poor one. The O’s average five runs per game, which ranks 11th in MLB, and they have scored five or more runs in five straight — including 15 total in two games in Philadelphia. Even if they just get a run or two early, I expect this bet to come together late. Philadelphia’s bullpen ranks dead last in MLB in just about every category, including an ERA of over 10.
OddsShopper is yet to breakdown team totals, but PointsBet is offering even money on over 9.5. If you like this play, scan the board and find the best price.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox: Tampa Bay Moneyline (-150)
Tyler Glasnow got roughed up by the Yankees his last time out this season, but that’s not indicative of the pitcher he is. Glasnow allowed just three total runs in his first two starts of the season and is getting ramped up more each time he takes the mound. The Red Sox struggle more against righties and will be without left-handed bat Andrew Bennintendi.
The Rays have come alive offensively at Fenway Park, scoring eight runs in each of the first two games and another nine on Wednesday. Simply put, they’re smashing bad pitching, which they’ll see more of on Thursday. Kyle Hart makes his MLB debut at 27 years old, which is usually a dead giveaway that the guy doesn’t have great stuff. He’s a career minors pitcher with a 3.86 ERA in his last 100 innings with Pawtucket in AAA. The Rays are hitting left-handed pitching well this season and should get to Hart early.
I’m fine making this a first-five play, but with the Rays having the eighth-ranked bullpen and the Red Sox ranking in the bottom 10, the moneyline feels like the stronger play. FanDuel currently offers the best price at -150.
NBA Betting Picks
Moneyline Parlay of Your Choosing
It is a unique day in the NBA, so stick with me here as I break it down. This morning, I was all about locking in a Suns/Blazers moneyline parlay for -140. The thought process is pretty elementary — both teams need to win and are playing teams locked into the seventh seed in their respective conferences. Spreads can get messy at big numbers like this, but we know these teams should win based off motivation alone. The Suns need to win just to have a shot at getting in, while the Blazers will likely be playing for the eight seed in the West and advantage in the play-in round.
But people had the same idea, and this moneyline parlay has been bet up as high as -200. Do I think it will hit? Absolutely, but I can’t blame you if you don’t want the price (personally, I locked it in at -148). But you can mix things up. The Grizzlies need to win to get in, and the Bucks will be without Giannis Antetokounmpo for this one. I’d imagine the rest of the starters will play very little, if at all. If news breaks, Memphis could be a betting piece here, and they are currently -143 on the moneyline as I put this together. The Spurs are -340 on the moneyline and still alive for the postseason. The issue is they play after Phoenix and Memphis, so by tip-off (or at least halftime), they may be eliminated and lose their motivation.
So if you’re comfortable putting together a parlay, the Suns and Blazers are the safest spots. OddsShopper has FanDuel offering the best price on the Suns and PointsBet offering the best on Portland. If another spot you’re comfortable with adding opens up, go for it.
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