Sometimes, you just need a bit of time away. That was the case for the past two days, as I needed to take some time to rest my body and clear my head and needed some time away from making picks as well as writing. If you’re going to take a break, mid-week springtime is the time to do it, as there’s just not a lot going on unless you’re betting the NBA playoffs (and we all saw how well that went for me).
But the NFL Draft is tonight, so there’s a lot more in the way of picks to make, in more ways than one. Today’s Three-Play Thursday will be a tad different, as the NFL Draft won’t allow you to parlay your picks. So I’ll instead give three plays I really like for the draft as one-roll plays, while providing two parlays. Here we go.
MLB PARLAY: GUARDIANS +1.5, CARDINALS ML, BRAVES ML, +280
Reid Detmers has been a mess on the mound this season, and I can’t see that changing against the Guardians, who should look to get some frustration out after losing three to the Angels in this four-game set. St. Louis should be able to handle Arizona’s weak lineup, even with the Diamondbacks winning two of three against the Dodgers. The D-Backs have to cross two time zones after Wednesday’s win, while the Cardinals were playing at home and playing early.
Finally, Atlanta sends the much better pitcher to the mound in Kyle Wright. There’s a lot to like about the way Wright has pitched this year, while I’m not excited at all about Drew Smyly taking the hill against his old team.
ENGLISH PARLAY: CHELSEA ML, WEST HAM UNITED ML, LEICESTER CITY DOUBLE CHANCE, +435
I don’t trust Manchester United in the slightest right now, and I think Chelsea can handle the Red Devils rather easily, even at Old Trafford. United has lost three of its past four Premier League matches, and the win was over Norwich City, which would be officially doomed with a loss and a Burnley win. West Ham United has been strong at home in the Europa League, while Eintracht Frankfurt has been poor away in the Bundesliga, which should give the Hammers the edge to pull out a win here. Finally, Leicester has yet to lose a game at the King Power Stadium in European competition, making the double chance an appealing option here.
NFL DRAFT PLAYS: NEW YORK JETS TO DRAFT A DEFENSIVE BACK (+250), PITTSBURGH STEELERS TO DRAFT A QUARTERBACK (-150), TREVOR PENNING U16.5 (-175), INDIANAPOLIS COLTS TO DRAFT A WIDE RECEIVER (+250)
There’s a lot to unpack here. First, I really like the idea of Sauce Gardner going to the Jets at No. 4, and I don’t see him falling below this spot. I think the Jaguars, Lions and Texans have a pretty good idea of where they’re going, which should leave Gardner available at 4 if New York wants to make the move. Given that they play in a division with Josh Allen and Mac Jones, the Jets need a top defensive back.
In Pittsburgh, Nick Farabaugh has been all over the Steelers’ plans, and I think he’s right on the money with the Steelers drafting a quarterback. Pittsburgh is in prime position to pick one at No. 20, and the Steelers won’t even have to make a move with this class. Trevor Penning is a top talent at tackle, and I don’t see him getting past New Orleans at No. 16. Finally, the Colts LOVE the idea of taking a wide receiver with their first pick at No. 42. I’m getting this pick in today because there is a remote possibility that Indy trades back into the first round to grab someone if there’s a run, but I will be very surprised if the Colts go any other position with their top choice.
