The MLB season is officially underway and despite a strain of COVID-19 cases currently running through the Miami Marlins team, the season will continue on this Thursday! There are 15 games scheduled for Thursday, and we have a full preview and betting tips for the key matchups below.
MLB Betting Tips Thursday 30th July
Washington Nationals at Toronto Blue Jays
8.37am (AEST)
After a disappointing loss to the Yankees in the opening game of the season, Max Scherzer will be back on the mound for his second start against the Blue Jays on Thursday morning. Scherzer was trounced for four runs in five innings against the Yankees and will be desperate to bounce back and earn his first win of the year.
He’ll be up against Nate Pearson of the Blue Jays, who is Toronto’s No.1 prospect in the pitching ranks. He is ranked as the 8th overall prospect in the MLB and this debut should be one of the most anticipated of the season.
Unfortunately for a lot of starting pitchers making the leap into the Major Leagues, it doesn’t always go to plan, and he likely won’t get the run support he desires with Scherzer on the opposing mound. Back the Nationals to bounce back here after a 1-4 start and earn the win.
Washington Nationals -1.5
$1.94
Los Angeles Dodgers at Houston Astros
9.10am (AEST)
The Dodgers have started the season with a 3-2 record after many were talking them up to be one of the best teams ever assembled on paper. 22-year-old Dustin May was thrust into the spotlight on opening day against the Nationals last week and showed glimpses of brilliance, pitching just over four innings in a dominant Dodgers win.
He’ll be up against the Astros Cristian Javier on Thursday, who will make his first Major League start of the season in place of the injured Justin Verlander. The right hander threw a scoreless inning in relief on Saturday and should relish the opportunity to start in his first year in the major leagues.
Without having seen much of either pitcher heading into this game, it’s a little bit hard to get a read on it. As underdogs at home, we like the look of the Astros. Their batting line-up is looking super dangerous at the moment, having scored a league high 29 runs through their opening four games. Back them to get a hold of the young May and earn a win.
Boston Red Sox at New York Mets
9.10am (AEST)
The Red Sox started their season with a dominant 13-2 win over the Orioles but have since gone on to lose their last four games on the trot, two to the Orioles and two to the Mets. They’ll be up against the Mets again on Thursday from 9.10am, this time with their makeshift ace Nathan Eovaldi back on the mound.
Eovaldi is the only starting pitcher with a win for the Red Sox at the moment and was outstanding in that win, holding the Orioles to just one run through six innings and striking out four batters in the process. He’ll be up against Jacob deGrom on Thursday, who pitched just five innings on opening day as he continues to recover from back injury.
The Sox have lost their last two to the Mets with score-lines of 7-4 and 8-3 but we like them to bounce back here with Eovaldi on the mound. Could even be worth taking them with the 1.5 run handicap but we think they win straight up to move to 2-4 on the season.
