Thursday is always an interesting day in the MLB schedule because teams are either finishing up series and will be traveling out after the game, or they are opening a long four-game weekend set. Here are three series finales and my top MLB betting picks for this Thursday.
Thursday’s Top MLB Betting Picks & Previews
#TigersWin pic.twitter.com/rp8oKdagrh
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) June 28, 2017
Kansas City Royals at Detroit Tigers
When: Thursday, June 28th, 1:10 PM ET Where: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan TV: FSKC (Kansas City) / FS-D (Detroit) Radio: KCSP 610 (Kansas City) / 97.1 The Ticket (Detroit) Stream: MLB.tv MLB Betting Odds: TBA It’s 24-year-old rookie Jake Junis on the mound for the Royals. He has been up-and- down from the minors this year and will make his sixth start of the season in the majors. Junis took a no-decision last Friday after he allowed a pair of runs on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings vs. the Blue Jays. It was his second quality start in five tries since moving into the Kansas City rotation, though his overall body of work remains unimpressive. Through 29 frames with the Royals in 2017, Junis has posted a 4.97 ERA with a 1.62 WHIP. He’s averaging 7.1 K/9 against 4.0 BB/9 with a below-average ground-ball rate as well. Junis dominated Triple-A hitters this season (2.34 ERA, 12.1 K/9 rate, 1.7 BB/9 rate).Who’s Starting for Detroit?
The Tigers goes with reigning AL Rookie of the Year Michael Fulmer. He was sensational in his last start, when stifling the Padres over seven innings. Fulmer limited San Diego to one run and two hits, with eight strikeouts. Fulmer completed seven innings for the eighth time in 14 starts this season and lowered his already-strong ERA to 3.29. He hasn’t faced the Royals since last year. Bet Detroit here.Latest MLB Betting Trends
- Royals are 11-4 ATS in the last 15 games
- Tigers are 2-4 ATS in the last 6 games
- Royals are 11-4 SU in thelast 15 games
- Tigers are 2-8 SU in its last 10 games
- The total went OVER in 8 of Kansas City’s last 11 games on the road
- The total went OVER in 4 of Detroit’s last 6 games
Oakland A’s at Houston Astros
When: Thursday, June 28th, 2:10 PM ET Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas TV: MLB Network / ROOTSW (Houston) Radio: 95.7 FM The Game (Oakland) / KBME 790 (Houston) Stream: MLB.tv MLB Betting Odds: TBA Oakland is hoping to start Jharel Cotton on Thursday but that’s not a sure thing. Cotton was cruising through his latest start against the White Sox on Friday, when he was forced to depart after five-plus scoreless innings because of a right thumb blister. He held Chicago to three hits. The sophomore starter was able to collect his fifth win of the season as he lowered his ERA from 5.40 to 5.02. On April 28, Cotton was ripped for six runs and 10 hits in 4.1 innings in a loss in Houston. The Astros will go with Brad Peacock. Peacock was supposed to start Sunday in Seattle, but he was placed on the paternity list.How Has Brad Peacock Done So Far This Season?
After making 12 bullpen appearances, he’s gone 2-1 with a 3.81 ERA in six starts. Peacock has displayed promising swing-and-miss skills this season (career-high 13.6 percent swinging-strike rate), and he ranks first in K/9 rate (13.3) among pitchers with at least 40 innings. He’s continued to miss bats since moving to the rotation (13.98 K/9). Peacock is 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA this year in three outings, one start, vs. Oakland. Current A’s bat just .191 off him with 18 strikeouts in 68 at-bats. Houston is the play here.Latest MLB Betting Trends
- Athletics are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 games
- Astros are 6-2 ATS in the last 8 games
- Athletics are 4-1 SU in the last 5 games
- Astros are 6-2 SU in thelast 8 games
- The total went OVER in 7 of Oakland’s last 10 games on the road
LA Dodgers at LA Angels
When: Thursday, June 28th, 10:07 PM ET Where: Angel Stadium, Anaheim, California TV: MLB Network / SportsNet LA (Dodgers) / FS-W (Angels) Radio: 570 LA Sports (Dodgers) / KWKW 1330 (Angels) Stream: MLB.tv MLB Betting Odds: TBA It’s always an event with Clayton Kershaw is on the mound for the Dodgers and the three-time Cy Young winner will be in the conclusion of the Freeway Series. Kershaw (11-2, 2.47) was typically brilliant last time out in beating Colorado. The Rockies loaded the bases with one out in the first, with Kershaw’s pitch count approaching 30. But the left-hander struck out the next two Rockies and went on to retire 13 consecutive batters. Kershaw allowed four hits and a walk in six innings, while striking out eight. The Dodgers have won his last 10 starts. He has allowed a whopping 17 homers this season, but he’s still racking up strikeouts (10.1 K/9) with elite control (1.5 BB/9).Who Will Be on the Mound for the Angels on Thursday?
The Halos go with JC Ramirez. He improved to 7-5 on Saturday after he held the Red Sox to one run on four hits (one homer) and no walks with five strikeouts through six innings. The 28-year- old Ramirez has been a pleasant surprise in the rotation, as he’s now sitting on a 4.38 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP through 86 1/3 innings in 2017. Ramirez last faced the Dodgers on June 8, 2015, throwing three perfect innings with the Mariners. Go Dodgers on the runline.Latest MLB Betting Trends
- Dodgers is 8-1 ATS in the last 9 games
- Angels is 4-2 ATS in the last 6 games
- Dodgers is 11-1 SU in the last 12 games
- Angels is 4-2 SU in the last 6 games
- The total went OVER in 13 of LA Dodgers’s last 18 games
- The total went UNDER in 4 of LA Angels’s last 5 games
