MLB Wednesday best bets: Bet over on Cole-led Yankees vs. Blue Jays
We went 1-2 on our daily MLB picks Tuesday despite a gem from Trevor Rogers in a losing effort as an underdog. We're still riding a 27-13-1 run since early in the season into Wednesday's best bets.
Yankees-Blue Jays over 8.5 (-120)
It wasn't long ago that betting over on a Gerrit Cole start was a recipe for disaster. Indeed, the Yankees ace entered June with an 8-3 record to the under in 11 starts and a 1.78 ERA to that point.
Then came the struggles. Cole ceded five runs through five frames to the Rays on June 3 before allowing two solo shots through six innings against the beleaguered Twins on June 9 - extending the Yankees' over run to 8-2 since that June 3 start.
The Blue Jays have posted gaudy numbers of their own, plating at least five runs in four of their last five games with a 3-2 record to the over. With a struggling Cole and inconsistent Ross Stripling on the bump, expect some fireworks.
Mets -1.5 (-135) vs. Cubs
A week ago, we speculated about Jacob deGrom as a potential MVP dark horse in the National League. After a dominant six-inning performance in which he allowed one baserunner and struck out 10, he's the new favorite, and it's hard to see the Mets ace slowing down anytime soon.
He'll have a chance to improve his numbers against the Cubs, who own MLB's 10th-highest whiff rate (27.4%) and lead the league in weak contact rate (6.2%). With journeyman Robert Stock on the mound, Chicago will need to capitalize on deGrom's few mistakes to have any chance of keeping this close. Don't bet on that happening.
Giants (-165) vs. Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks are cratering, and there appears to be no end in sight. Arizona has lost 12 straight after Tuesday's defeat to the Giants, who fell behind 7-0 early before handing the D-Backs a crushing 9-8 loss.
Arizona will rely Wednesday on Merrill Kelly, who's allowed at least three runs in five of his last six games, with six or fewer strikeouts in 12 of his 13 starts this season. Compare that to Anthony DeSclafani, who's coming off a complete-game shutout with eight punchouts against the Nationals.
DeSclafani has allowed fewer than three runs in nine of his 13 starts; Kelly's allowed three or more in nine of 13. Given the mismatch at the plate, too, this line should be much higher.
Pick: Giants -165
C Jackson Cowart is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on Twitter (@CJacksonCowart) or email him at cjackson.cowart@thescore.com.