MLB Wednesday best bets: Can the Blue Jays make it 8?
Tuesday was a great one on the diamond as we picked up wins on both of our best bets.
The Atlanta Braves picked up a three-run victory over Aaron Nola and the Philadelphia Phillies, while the Toronto Blue Jays did a number on the watered-down St. Louis Cardinals.
We'll look to replicate Tuesday's success with two more plays for Wednesday's slate.
Padres (-130) @ Tigers (+110)
The Detroit Tigers are in a huge rut right now, even by their standards. They've won just three times over the last 14 games and have been routinely blown out.
I don't see things getting much better Wednesday. The Tigers have to deal with Yu Darvish, who owns a 3.33 ERA and 3.68 FIP over the last month while striking out more than 11 batters per nine innings.
That doesn't bode well for a Detroit team in miserable form at the dish. The Tigers own a .265 wOBA (29th) and a .108 ISO (28th) against righties in July. Additionally, they sit 25th in fly-ball rate and 28th in hard-hit rate.
Also playing into Darvish's hands: he fares better against lefties than righties. It just so happens the Tigers have a few left-handed batters in their projected lineup.
Although the San Diego Padres are in a pretty tough matchup themselves against Tarik Skubal, they're better equipped to deal with it than Detroit.
The Padres sit 20th in wOBA and 14th in hard-hit rate against lefties in the month of July. They're not knocking the cover off the baseball, but they're competent.
That's likely all they'll need to pick up another win over the Tigers.
Bet: Padres (-130)
Cardinals (+220) @ Blue Jays (-270)
The Blue Jays are sizzling-hot. They've won seven games in a row and enter Wednesday's game with a great chance of making it eight.
Adam Wainwright has generally pitched very well this season, but the reliable veteran has seen his play tail off of late. Despite a very respectable 3.62 ERA over the last month, there are plenty of red flags in his profile.
Wainwright owns a 5.04 FIP during that period, which is second worst among Wednesday's projected starters. Although he's done a good job of keeping the ball down, he's conceded a ton of hard contact (37.1% over the last 30 days).
That's not going to do him any favors against a Blue Jays team that's simply destroying right-handed pitching. Toronto owns an absurdly high .393 wOBA against righties in July.
For perspective, the New York Yankees are second over that same stretch with a .357 wOBA.
The Cardinals will have a very difficult time keeping up. Not only do they have to deal with Kevin Gausman (2.92 FIP, 34.5 K% over the last 30 days), but they must do so without their two best hitters in Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt.
Look for the Blue Jays to pick up another multi-run victory on home soil.
Bet: Blue Jays -1.5 (-120)
Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.