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Thursday’s MLB slate will be a lot easier to track than usual. Wednesday’s 15-game lineup will be followed up by a manageable eight-game slate that will start just after noon and end with a late-night matchup between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers, which will start at 10:10 p.m. ET. Let’s go over the best games, fantasy options, and rookies to watch.
Best Games To Watch
The New York Yankees are still playing like one of the worst teams in MLB and will attempt to gain some momentum against the Cleveland Indians in an American League matchup. The Yankees have been suspect at the plate, but their lineup is as talented as any. Aaron Civale is on a tear and boasts a 3-0 record and 0.73 WHIP in 2021, so he’ll make things tough for the visitors.
Another good matchup to watch is the budding, West Coast Rivalry between the Padres and Dodgers. Los Angeles is 2-1 against San Diego this year, but the Padres have a chance to even things up on Thursday to kick off the four-game series on a high note. We’ll get to see two young pitchers — Walker Buehler and Ryan Weathers — duke it out. Buehler is the more established player of the two, but Weathers has impressed in his age-21 season. He’s given up three hits and one earned run in 9 2⁄3 innings.
Fantasy Spotlight
The Boston Red Sox are an offensive juggernaut and lead MLB in hits (183), batting average (.285), and runs (103). They’ll face off against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday. Seattle’s pitching has been decent this year, but they’re among the league leaders in errors with 13. Boston puts the ball in play a ton. If they make enough contact, Seattle could fold and give up plenty of runs.
Rookies to Watch
Jazz Chisholm has continued to impress. The Miami Marlins rookie started off the season under the radar and has been one of the more consistent young players in MLB. He’s tallied three multi-hit games in his last five outings. He leads Miami in batting average (.326) and OBP (.439) ahead of Thursday’s matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
MLB Betting Splits, April 26
| Teams | Run Line | % Handle | % Bets | Total Runs | % Handle | % Bets | Moneyline | % Handle | % Bets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teams | Run Line | % Handle | % Bets | Total Runs | % Handle | % Bets | Moneyline | % Handle | % Bets |
| KC Royals | -1.5 | 90% | 77% | Over 8.0 | 62% | 45% | -110 | 70% | 68% |
| DET Tigers | +1.5 | 10% | 23% | Under 8.0 | 38% | 55% | -105 | 30% | 32% |
| MIN Twins | -1.5 | 61% | 46% | Over 7.5 | 89% | 78% | -129 | 81% | 51% |
| CLE Indians | +1.5 | 39% | 54% | Under 7.5 | 11% | 22% | +110 | 19% | 49% |
| NY Yankees | -1.5 | 92% | 80% | Over 9.0 | 18% | 47% | -167 | 43% | 69% |
| BAL Orioles | +1.5 | 8% | 20% | Under 9.0 | 82% | 53% | +145 | 57% | 31% |
| CHI Cubs | +1.5 | 43% | 36% | Over 8.5 | 23% | 51% | +155 | 22% | 35% |
| ATL Braves | -1.5 | 57% | 64% | Under 8.5 | 77% | 49% | -180 | 78% | 65% |
| OAK Athletics | -1.5 | 5% | 42% | Over 8.5 | 91% | 54% | -125 | 64% | 61% |
| TB Rays | +1.5 | 95% | 58% | Under 8.5 | 9% | 46% | +108 | 36% | 39% |
| MIA Marlins | +1.5 | 5% | 13% | Over 6.5 | 11% | 53% | +155 | 28% | 26% |
| MIL Brewers | -1.5 | 95% | 87% | Under 6.5 | 89% | 47% | -182 | 72% | 74% |
| PHI Phillies | -1.5 | 6% | 24% | Over 8.0 | 48% | 39% | -115 | 55% | 49% |
| STL Cardinals | +1.5 | 94% | 76% | Under 8.0 | 52% | 61% | +100 | 45% | 51% |
| COL Rockies | +1.5 | 15% | 41% | Over 8.0 | 82% | 53% | +143 | 27% | 25% |
| SF Giants | -1.5 | 85% | 59% | Under 8.0 | 18% | 47% | -167 | 73% | 75% |
| CIN Reds | +1.5 | 2% | 8% | Over 7.5 | 9% | 80% | +155 | 19% | 12% |
| LA Dodgers | -1.5 | 98% | 92% | Under 7.5 | 91% | 20% | -186 | 81% | 88% |
MLB regular season schedule for Thursday, April 22nd
If no streaming option is listed, game is available on MLB.tv pending blackout restrictions.
Diamondbacks vs. Reds, 12:35 p.m. ET
Pirates vs. Tigers, 1:10 p.m. ET
Yankees vs. Indians, 6:10 p.m. ET
Mariners vs. Red Sox, 7:10 p.m. ET
Mets vs. Cubs, 7:40 p.m. ET
Angels vs. Astros, 8:10 p.m. ET
Marlins vs. Giants, 9:45 p.m. ET
Padres vs. Dodgers, 10:10 p.m. ET
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