Another day, another slate of MLB expert picks today!
We'll start with a ML bet on the underdog Blue Jays, who have Bowden Francis on the mound. Then we'll go for a ML bet on the red-hot D-backs offense.
Here are my two MLB picks for September 4:
MLB Expert Pick Today: Blue Jays ML (+110) vs Phillies
Phillies vs Blue Jays Odds - Game Time: 3:07 pm ET
So, not sure if you heard, but Blue Jays starter Bowden Francis just won AL Pitcher of the Month for August. The right-hander posted a 1.05 ERA in five starts, yielding just 10 hits in 34.1 innings pitched. Francis tapped into his newfound splitter, stymied his opponents, and emerged as the hottest pitcher in baseball. Even better, the Jays have won four straight games with Francis on the hill, so I'll be taking them at +110 on the ML today.
The Blue Jays bullpen stinks, but their offense has been fantastic lately. Toronto took a 6-1 lead in the first inning of yesterday's contest before things unraveled into a 9-8 loss, where Kyle Schwarber homered three times and all kinds of chaos unfolded at Rogers Centre. I'm counting on Francis to deliver another quality start, leaving only two or three innings for the Jays' crappy 'pen.
It'll be up to the Blue Jays offense to give their man some run support, but even if they don't, I'm not too worried. Francis has won four straight despite receiving just an average of 2.5 runs of support during that span. He needs only a little wiggle room to get it done, so I'll bet the Jays as the underdogs vs Phils starter Cristopher Sanchez.
MLB Expert Pick Today: D-backs ML (-140) vs Giants
D-backs vs Giants Odds - Game Time: 9:45 pm ET
The D-backs are basically repeating the 2023 season that saw them end up in the World Series. After a first half of mediocrity and poor pitching, Arizona has come alive in the second half, thanks to an incredible surge by key hitters, such as Ketel Marte, Corbin Carroll, and Joc Pederson. Together, this goon squad has pummeled teams and opposing pitchers, and I fear the G-Men are the Snakes' next victim.
Arizona is the best offense in baseball right now. You can play with the sliders, but that fact remains the same, whether it's over the last seven days, 14 days, or 30 days. Everything comes up D-backs, which is why I'm betting them against rookie pitcher Hayden Birdsong. Plus, the D-backs have ace Zac Gallen on the hill, making this a no-brainer for me at -140 odds.
