Free MLB Picks for Best Props Odds: Thursday April 28, 2016

by Chris Vasile - 4/28/2016

There are some strange happenings going on in the majors this season already. The Atlanta Braves have seemingly forgotten how to hit home-runs, the Blue Jays offense is MIA, both Chicago teams are leading their respective leads and the Dodgers are on the verge of getting swept at home by the Miami Marlins. Strange times indeed.

For me, I am treading above water for the time being as I sit at 11-10 on the young season after going 2-1 on Tuesday for my MLB props picks. To say this month has been an up-and-down roller coaster ride would be an understatement. It should have been a clean sweep Tuesday, but the Nationals couldn't quite muster up enough offense in order keep their home winning streak alive.

Thursday's MLB Slate is afternoon friendly, which is good if you need a distraction to get through the work day. If you are looking for some night games to enjoy, there are four games on tap, which at first glance seem like toss-up type games, which is why my style I think is best for these type of nights.

For those just tuning in, I have two key first-inning props I focus on. The first one is "Will there be a run scored in the first inning?" The second is "Over/Under" 3 Hits/Runs/Errors. I feel as this is the best way to avoid any bullpen nonsense and make a quick buck after watching six outs, not three hours of baseball. My final prop selection is a team-total which can be profitable by riding the hot-hitting teams or those who couldn't hit the back side of a barn.

Let's take a look at three of my favorite prop options that are on the board tonight. As always, odds and lines are courtesy of Bovada.

St. Louis Cardinals @ Arizona Cardinals

Team Total: St. Louis
"Over" 4.5 -105, "Under" 4.5 -125

St. Louis has won four of their last five games and the offense is the reason for it. They've supplied the team with 45 runs and 66 hits, and because of that the Cardinals lead the MLB in runs per game with 6.52.

This team is raking right now, and there is absolutely no reason to look to buck the trend.

Next up to get torched is Rubby De La Rosa, who is 2-3 with a 5.94 ERA on the season. He has pitched all over the place this season, including from the bullpen to help relieve a taxed and shaky bullpen.

Arizona as a team has the second-highest home ERA in the majors at a whipping 6.77. To make matters worse for Diamondback supporters and better for Cardinals backers is the fact that the Cards simply own the D-backs.

The Cardinals will be looking for their 16^th win in the last 18 meetings, including a 9-2 mark at Chase Field.

Take the Cards. Take the team total "Over" the number.

Pick: "Over" 4.5 -105

Miami Marlins @ Los Angeles Dodgers
Team Total: Los Angeles Dodgers
"Over" 3-120, "Under" 3 -110

I was once told "there is no telling how long a certain streak will continue, but it is certain that you can only win once from betting against it." Ain't that the damn truth.

The Dodger's bats stink right now, and they are up against one of the best young pitchers in the game, Jose Fernandez. All of the more reason to fade them and continue to ride their ineptness!

Through the first three games of the series, the Marlins pitching staff has been able to hold the Dodgers to just five runs on 15 hits and 0-13 with runners in scoring position. The Marlins were even able to knock in six runs against the almighty Clayton Kershaw.

Fernandez should be able to further quiet the Dodgers bats as he is pitching well so far this season. Lifetime, Fernandez is 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA against the Dodgers, which means nothing but great things for the Marlins.

Take the Marlins straight up to complete the four-game sweep and take the Dodgers under their team total.

Pick: Team Total "Under" 3 -110

Atlanta Braves @ Boston Red Sox

Team Total: Atlanta Braves
"Over" 3.5 -115 "Under" 3.5 -115

I can't believe I am about to back the worst team in baseball. The team who just hit their first homerun in like seven-million games. It was actually 15 games, but who is counting?

The fact of the matter is this. I dislike Clay Buchholz. I think he is as overrated (if that's possible) as anyone in the Major Leagues today.

He owns a 6.33 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP, which bodes well for a slumping Braves squad who has to win another game sometime soon. Buchholz is coming off a performance where he tossed 106 pitches in just 5 2/3 innings of an 8-3 loss. He's given up five runs in three of his last four starts.

If there is any better time for the Braves offense to break out of this major slump they are in, it would be tonight as Boston has the Yankees on-deck, and I would assume they would want to keep their bullpen relatively fresh for that series.

Buchholz will be on the hook for the entirety of this game, for better or for worse.

Pick: "Over"3.5 -115

Start:	November 23, 2024 @ 10:07 PM
Expert:	Vernon Croy
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