Monday wasn’t quite what I was hoping for, as the Giants couldn’t get going offensively and the Mariners and Brewers never even scored, resulting in a 2-3 day overall. And that’s what makes the summer such a difficult time to bet, as baseball is one of the least predictable sports out there because of the nature of the game.
Luckily, we’ve got some soccer options today, so there’s plenty of betting available for this Tuesday besides the baseball slate. Here are my best plays for April 12.
CRUZ AZUL-PUMAS U1.5, +220
This is a risk, but it is the value play because of the way the first match of this tie ended. This is the CONCACAF Champions League semifinal, where the away goals rule is used, and Cruz Azul took home a precious road goal in the 83rd minute of its 2-1 loss to Pumas in the first leg.
That means Cruz Azul advances with a 1-0 win at the Azteca, and that happens to be the Sky Blues’ preferred way to play. Two of Cruz Azul’s past three home matches have finished 1-0 to them, and any other one-goal win does them absolutely no good. If you’re looking to play a prop, I think Cruz Azul 1-0 at +600 offers a ton of value here.
GUARDIANS-REDS U4 F5, -110
It’s Shane Bieber taking the mound against the Reds, and that usually means good things for under bettors. Bieber has faced the Reds three times in the past three years and has held them to three runs or less in all three starts, pitching into the eighth each time. That means there’s also plenty of value to be had on the Reds TTU 3.5, as a long start from Bieber likely means Cincinnati isn’t doing much at the dish today.
CUBS TTO 4.5, +105
Chicago against a left-handed pitcher is deadly, especially when they leave the Friendly Confines. The Cubs have played to the over in seven straight road games against lefty starters, and Pittsburgh isn’t exactly known for keeping runs off the board. This could be a big day for the Cubs as they get this series started.
RED SOX-TIGERS U9, -120
Boston’s biggest bats are hitting it well, but the rest of the lineup is simply not doing the job. The Red Sox have just 10 hits from hitters not named Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers or J.D. Martinez, and Detroit starter Tyler Alexander gave up two or fewer earned runs in 10 of his final 12 starts a season ago. Don’t look for offense in this early matinee.
ASTROS-DIAMONDBACKS U9.5, -120
Don’t look for much out of the Diamondbacks, either. Arizona managed just 15 hits in four games against the Padres, and the only reason the Diamondbacks plated 11 runs is that four of their hits were home runs and San Diego issued 19 walks to put runners on base. Houston isn’t giving up any cheap runs that way, as the Astros have just seven walks on the season. Expect the Astros to make the Diamondbacks beat them for runs, which is something Arizona can’t do without help.
