Each day, one of our experts will offer up a best bet (or two or three) that mobile sportsbooks are offering. It might be a traditional spread bet, a player prop or one of the various odds boosts that books offer.
Here are our best bets for Thursday, June 15:
TOP PLAY
The play: MLB parlay, Braves over Rockies and Astros over Nationals
The odds/bet: +114
The book: FanDuel Sportsbook
Time/TV: Braves-Rockies, 7:20 p.m.; Astros-Nationals, 8:10 p.m. (Both on MLB TV)
Our take: It seems Ronald Acuna is in the “you can’t stop me” mode most predicted he would be this season, and what big hitter doesn’t like Colorado?
With young AJ Smith-Shawver on the mound for Atlanta, there could be a ton of runs scored, but one would have to love the Braves in a potential shootout with the way they have been hitting.
Meanwhile, Houston had a scare against the Nationals on Wednesday night, and now Washington manager Davey Martinez is complaining publicly about umpires, which can’t be a good thing heading into tonight.
The Astros have done a good job feasting on lesser opponents, and they should do so again here.
MLB RUN LINE
The play: MLB run line, Cubs -1.5 over Pirates
The odds: +142
The book: FanDuel Sportsbook
Our take: Marcus Stroman has been the rock for the Cubs this season, and the North Siders have had a great start to the homestand against a possibly fading Pirates team that looks like it may have played over their heads a bit to get the season started.
It’s gonna be another chilly night at Wrigley Field with a strong wind blowing in. That only strengthens Stroman’s game. Could be low-scoring, as well.
HOW WE’VE FARED
US Open: Scottie Scheffler to win (PENDING)
US Open: Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay all to finish in the top 20 (PENDING)
Wednesday’s record: 0-0, 2 pending
Total for the week: 3-1, 2 pending
Total for June: 12-14, 2 pending
Total for 2023: 132-148, 2 pending
NOTE: If a line or odds are minus, it considers the juice one must lay to place the bet. Ex: Team A is -160 on the money line, one would have to bet $160 to win $100 (or $16 to win $10). OR Team B is a 5-point favorite at -110, one would have to bet $110 to win $100 (or $11 to win $10.)
Conversely, on positive lines, if Team C is +140 on the money line, $100 would bring in $140 (or $10 to win $14).
