First and foremost, I hope everyone is having a safe and happy Memorial Day, and I want to give thanks to all who have served our country.
As for today's betting slate I have just one play on the diamond. Let’s dive into it…
Blue Jays at White Sox
We’re getting a repeat of last Wednesday’s showdown between Toronto and Chicago, which featured pitchers Chris Bassitt and Nick Nastrini.
Earlier that day I gave out the Blue Jays runline here on the website, and they went on to win 9-2.
I’ll be making the same wager in Round 2.
Heading into that outing, Nastrini had pitched in two games, managed 8.0 innings of work and had surrendered 7 earned runs. Not only was that already concerning, but his Triple-A numbers displayed similar issues.
Those red flags came to fruition once again as he allowed 8 ER in 3.1 innings against the Blue Jays. He also walked 6 batters.
It’s difficult enough to find success as a young pitcher who is struggling - and it’s even tougher when that pitcher is doing so as a member of one of the worst organizations in baseball.
There’s already the added pressure of feeling the need to pitch well in your subsequent start after delivering your worst outing in the big leagues, but it’s got to be even more nerve-wracking when it’s against the same team who caused it just five days ago.
Conversely, Toronto’s pitcher Chris Bassitt was in dire need of a quality start heading into last Wednesday’s game and he got just that.
The veteran right-hander went 7.0 IP, allowed 5 hits and no runs. He posted a 2.84 FIP in that matchup.
Prior to that he had allowed 15 ER throughout his last four starts. Suffice to say throwing a shutout at home was much needed.
His confidence and mentality should be on the opposite side of the spectrum compared to Nastrini’s.
The White Sox have now dropped to dead last in weighted runs created plus versus right-handed pitchers (74). The Blue Jays are 13th overall (100), but over the last two weeks have ranked 5th in that regard (124).
Toronto dropped their previous three spots and should be chomping at the bit to get back into the win column, and there’s no better team to do that against than the Southsiders.
The Blue Jays' bats should surge once again, as well as Bassitt's moxie on the mound.
Play: Toronto Blue Jays -1.5 (-120); Risk 1.20 units to win 1.00
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