MLB Wednesday best bets: Fade Cubs amid 11-game losing streak
We split our MLB picks Tuesday, bringing our season record to 44-23-2. Here are our best bets for Wednesday:
Phillies (-135) at Cubs
The Cubs are a train off the rails, and they show no signs of stopping. After Tuesday's 15-10 loss to the Phillies, Chicago has now lost 11 straight games - its worst losing spell since 2012 - with an average scoring margin of minus-4.4 runs; the Cubs have plated two runs or fewer in seven of those losses.
Things won't get any easier against Philadelphia ace Zack Wheeler, who's allowed zero runs in four of his last five starts with a combined 35 strikeouts in those four outings. If the Phillies can get even one or two runs against the pedestrian Alec Mills, they should win this one.
Padres -1.5 (+110) vs. Nationals
Chris Paddack is getting back on track - or so it seems. After a disastrous five-run outing on June 25, the Padres righty took a step in the right direction when he allowed three runs on four hits through seven innings Friday against the Phillies.
More importantly, Paddack threw a career-high 20 curveballs and generated three strikeouts - his second-most ever with that pitch - on a 55.6% whiff rate. He coaxed another two punchouts with his changeup after recording none in his previous start, which is a key development for a pitcher whose changeup has been his meal ticket through three major-league seasons.
On the other side, Nationals veteran Patrick Corbin has been a liability in his age-31 season, and he's fresh off allowing six runs (five earned) to a Dodgers lineup with pop similar to the Padres'. Washington lost that game by four runs to spark a 1-5 skid in its last six games; expect this one to follow a similar script.
C Jackson Cowart is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on Twitter (@CJacksonCowart) or email him at [email protected].