When the only good news of the night is the Cubs scratched starter Tyler Chatwood so your pick is a “no bet’’ it’s not a good night.
I didn’t get the same break from the Braves, who lost to the Marlins or the Padres, who lost to the Diamondbacks.
Oh well, that’s why they play again. And we’ll try again with a good slate of games Saturday.
New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies, 6:05 p.m.
Pitchers: Matz vs. Nola
Odds: Mets +144; Phillies -168
Cleveland Indians at Detroit Tigers, 6:10 p.m.
Pitchers: Bieber vs. Turbull
Odds: Indians -180; Tigers +160
Texas Rangers at Colorado Rockies, 8:10 p.m.
Pitchers: Gibson vs. Marquez
Odds: Rangers +145; Rockies -165
Single: I’ve been asked why I never bet the Phillies game one way or another. I just haven’t felt very strongly about any of their games. Until Saturday. Aaron Nola is 7-1 in 13 starts against the Mets, while Matz is 2-4 with a 5.14 ERA in 11 games against the Phils. Take the home team.
Double: The Indians have beaten the Tigers 18 straight times and send their ace Shane Bieber to the mound Saturday. Bieber is 3-0 with a 1.63 ERA this season and 3-1 with a 2.28 ERA in his career against Detroit. Spencer Turnbull is 0-5 with a 5.22 ERA in six games against Cleveland. Take the Tribe.
Triple: The Rockies have their ace German Marquez going against young, untested Kyle Gibson. Take the Rockies. All three picks are heavy favorites (sorry), so you may want to parlay them.
Home Run: We’ll stick with the three teams we picked and go with Bryce Harper, Carlos Santana and Trevor Story to homer Saturday.