MLB picks: Rockies vs. Phillies, Nationals vs. Braves

There are only eight games on the MLB docket this Thursday, but that doesn’t mean there’s a shortage of solid wagering opportunities!

We’ll outline our top two plays below, starting with a look at the series opener between the Colorado Rockies and the Philadelphia Phillies. Then we’ll segue to the series finale between the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves.

Colorado Rockies (63-77) at Philadelphia Phillies (71-68), 7:05 p.m. ET

First five innings Under bettors are afforded a little leeway by oddsmakers in the series opener between the Rockies and the Phillies, so let’s take advantage.

Antonio Senzatela starts for Colorado, and he’s been on quite a run over his last five outings, turning in five consecutive quality starts. That includes his seven innings of shutout baseball in L.A. against the Dodgers.

Senzatela seems more than capable of handling a Philadelphia offense that averages just 4.36 runs per game at home, 20th in the majors. Bryce Harper, Jean Segura, and Andrew McCutchen are a mere 3-for-24 (.125) combined all-time against the Rockies right-hander.

Ranger Suarez responds for the Phillies, and it’s hard to see his team’s experiment in stretching out one of their better bullpen arms into a starter as anything other than an overwhelming success. Suarez has scattered two earned runs over his last three outings, going no fewer than five frames in each instance.

He’ll take on the Rockies’ league-worst road offense (3.29 runs per game) at Citizens Bank Park.

MLB pick: Under 4.5 runs (first five innings)

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Washington Nationals (58-81) at Atlanta Braves (73-65), 7:20 p.m. ET

The Braves are tremendous favorites over the Nationals for a reason, but there’s still a way to make decent money with Atlanta this Thursday.

Erick Fedde starts for Washington, sporting a dismal 11.12 ERA over three starts against the Braves this season. Adam Duvall – who has homered in three straight games for Atlanta – could go deep once more, as he’s 7-for-12 (.583) with a pair of longballs against Fedde all-time.

Huascar Ynoa counters for the Braves, boasting a 2.29 ERA and .160 opponent batting average over six starts at home in 2021. That includes consecutive quality starts at Truist Park to conclude the month of August before “escaping” with four earned runs to his name over 5 2/3 innings at Coors Field last time out.

Ynoa has bossed the Nationals in two starts against them this season, limiting their lineup to one unearned run over 12 frames.

The Braves – 10th by bullpen ERA over the last two weeks (3.72) – hold the late-innings advantage over Washington (24th by bullpen ERA at 5.19 over the same span) as well.

MLB pick: Braves -1.5 runs (-115)