MLB Gambling Previews- Thursday, April 5 Parlay
The 2012 MLB regular season started with a two-game set between Seattle and Oakland last week but the action really gets underway this Thursday with seven games on the slate.
The following is a sure-fire two-team parlay for Thursday that will help get your MLB wagering season off to a strong start.
Game 1- Washington Nationals (0-0) vs. Chicago Cubs (0-0)
Money Line: Washington -170 Chicago +150
Total Line: OFF
Washington will go with staff ace Stephen Strasburg as its starter in this one. The hard-throwing right-hander appears to be fully recovered from Tommy John surgery in 2010 but will remain limited in his pitch-count this season.
He did get bounced around a bit this spring with a 4.18 ERA in 23 2/3 innings of work, but in five starts to close-out the 2011 season, Strasburg posted a 1.50 ERA.
Chicago is hoping to get off to a fast start with Ryan Dempster taking the mound for his fourth opening-day start. Last season’s opener was one to forget as the right-hander gave-up six runs in 6 2/3 innings in a loss to Pittsburgh. He finished the 2011 season with a 10-14 record and an ERA of 4.80.
These two teams met seven times last season with the Nationals holding a 4-3 edge. Stick with Washington to grab the early lead this season as Strasburg easily outduels Dempster on the mound in the early going and the Nationals hold on for the win. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Game 2- Los Angeles Dodgers (0-0) vs. San Diego Padres (0-0)
Money Line: Los Angeles -155 San Diego +135
Total Line: 6
Los Angeles is favored to finish in the middle of the pack in the NL West, but it is safe to say it will remain extremely hard to beat when last season’s NL Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw is on the mound, like he will be on Thursday night. The left-hander posted a perfect 3-0 record against the Padres in 2011 as part of an overall record of 21-5 and an ERA of 2.28.
San Diego will go with Edinson Volquez as its opening day starter , which will be the second year in-a-row after opening the season for Cincinnati in 2011. He is coming off a very strong spring training in which he gave up eight earned runs on 12 hits in 20 2/3 innings. Last season as a starter for the Reds he went 5-7 with a dismal 5.71 ERA in 20 starts.
The Dodgers dominated last season’s series with 13 wins in 18 games and had a 6-3 record on the road. Nobody in San Diego’s lineup will have an answer for Kershaw no matter how well Volquez pitches, allowing Los Angeles to grind-out the win.
