Thursday’s MLB Predictions and Betting Tips (May 6, 2021)

Gerrit Cole faces his former team at Yankee Stadium in front of a restless New York fan base. Brandon Woodruff and Zack Wheeler are set to clash in Philadelphia.

Not bad for the two 1:05 PM ET matchups that kick off Thursday’s 10-game slate.

I’ve made predictions for all 10 of the games in the section below. You’ll find my best MLB picks of the day in the following two segments.

*Stats referenced are through Tuesday

One way to get roped into betting baseball online is to check out the prop builders. It helps you stay inclined to follow the action, not to mention, a few bucks can turn into thousands.

One of my MLB predictions for Thursday that almost goes without saying is that the Red Sox beat the Tigers at Fenway Park. Boston is scoring a chunk of runs (4.97/game), and the Tigers are playing substantially worse than anyone else in the league.

I’m just a bit hesitant to cough up -208 in a game with so many variables. Nathan Eovaldi has been solid thus far, but he’s not quite “ace material.”

As for the games I’m ready to endorse, here’s a four-pack to explore.

I made sure to hop on the Redbirds at home before the “plus-money” vanishes. The Mets are 3-6 as a road favorite and just 7-10 as a favorite overall. It’s hard to trust Taijuan Walker after he gave up four runs in his last start.

On the flip side, Cardinals starter Jon Gant has become a fixture in the rotation, having surrendered a total of three runs across his last three starts. Nolan Arenado is starting to heat up, slashing .333/400/.704 over his last seven games.

To get a better glimpse at which of these clubs is playing better baseball in 2021, check out the table below.

I’ve penciled St. Louis in as one of my MLB underdog picks. I also latched onto the D-Backs at +125 in Miami.

Madison Bumgarner backed up his seven-inning no-no with another sparkling performance last Friday. Over his last three outings, “MadBum” has relinquished just six hits and two runs in 17 innings. Amassing 18 Ks compared to just two walks during that stretch tells me things are starting to click for the 3x World Series champ.

As long as Bumgarner can at least match what Pablo Lopez brings to the table, the Diamondbacks bats should be able to take over from there.

I’ve heard some touts say that Brandon Woodruff is evolving into one of the premier pitchers in baseball.

Evolving?

What more does this guy have to do to arrive?

The 28-year-old right-hander has given up just one homer in six starts; only Jacob deGrom has a lower ERA among qualified NL starters. His sinker runs 96-97 mph, and his curveball is straight nasty.

Brandon Woodruff, Filthy back to back Curveballs. ?
[tbh I thought Muncy quit after the first one] pic.twitter.com/GXZ714QHAL

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 2, 2021

I like the Phillies and believe in Zack Wheeler, but Woodruff isn’t getting the respect he deserves. Frankly, I’d lay -125 on Milwaukee and not even bat an eye.

Talk about dominant pitchers in 2021; Gerrit Cole has caught fire over his last five starts. And I mean that wholeheartedly. The way the fans in the Big Apple will be laying into the Astros batters every time they step to the dish, it’s unlikely Houston will be able to douse the flames.

62 strikeouts in 37.2 innings allude to Cole’s superiority, but here’s what catches my eye about what the $324 million man has been up to.

That’s 33Ks and 0 walks over his last three starts, or 54 Ks and 1 walk over his last five.

Are you still giving pause about laying -190 in a game that Cole is on the bump? If you’re not backing the Yanks as one of your MLB picks on May 6^th, you ought to rethink your process.