We are back to give you an edge for making picks on this fine Thursday. Last time out we split our selections to continue the trend of giving you at least one winner each week for your game card. Today we focus on a couple of National League battles to help build your bankroll. Without further delay, let’s get to the Diamond Picks.
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Season Record: 17-6
Philadelphia Phillies at Miami Marlins 12:10 EDT
The battered and bruised Philadelphia Phillies will play a matinee game on YouTube tv versus divisional foe, the Miami Marlins. The Phillies will turn to highly touted rookie Spencer Howard to try to steal a win against the Fish. Pablo Lopez will be on the bump, he has been excellent this season for Miami. The rash of injuries for Philadelphia will be tough to overcome, they are struggling over their last 10 games having won just three contests. Bryce Harper, Scott Kingery, Didi Gregorius, and J.T. Realmuto are all ruled out for this contest. As for their coveted prospect, Howard, he had a rough 2021 debut allowing two earned runs while walking four batters over just three innings on May 22nd against the Red Sox.
Before Wednesday’s action, the Marlins hold three games to two edge in the season series. Miami has won six of their last 10 while allowing just 3.4 runs against. Both teams have struggled to put runs on the board as they have each averaged under four runs per contest over the 10 game block. Lopez last faced the Phillies in September of last year allowing just one earned over seven innings with six punchouts.
Both starting lineups have sputtered along for the month of May as they rank 21st and 24th in wRC+. Runs will be at a premium but you are getting a more experienced pitcher with Miami, so my lean is on them to get the job done in this one.
Diamond Pick: Miami money line -140
San Diego Padres at Milwaukee Brewers 1:10 EDT
Is there any stopping the high octane Padres offense right now? This seems like low-hanging fruit, but we got to back a really hot team here. San Diego is the winner of nine out of their last 10 as of Wednesday. They averaging 7.1 runs per contest during the time frame. Since coming off the IL, Fernando Tatis has been absolutely rolling. He has gone yard four times while knocking in 13 runs over six games. Jake Cronenworth has also been a hitting machine. Over his last 16 games, he is slashing. 381/.435/.603. As a whole, the Padres have a fourth-best 122 wRC+ over the last 14 days.
San Diego will be facing the very mediocre Adrian Houser. Houser owns a 4.53 ERA on the season but has been touched up over his last three games as he has allowed 10 earned runs over 13 innings. Left-handed pitcher Ryan Weathers gets the nod for the Padres. He has been very solid(1.48 ERA) despite not going past the fifth inning in any of his starts this season. The Brewers are hitting a 22nd ranked .226 when facing southpaws. They will also have their hands full once the bullpen takes over. The Friars group of relievers own a 1.23 ERA over their last 10.
Despite getting Christian Yelich back and adding Willy Adames, the Brewers are likely to keep struggling with this lineup. Usually a strength, the Brewers can’t even rely on the bullpen to bail them out. They own a nasty 7.68 ERA over their previous 10 games. Expect the Padres to continue their scorching hot pace and get the job done yet again.
Diamond Pick: San Diego money line -130
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