Pick Summary
- Guardians vs. Yankees: Under 8.5 (-115) at Caesars Sportsbook
- Cubs vs. Nationals: Cubs ML (-135) at Bet365
- Blue Jays vs. Red Sox: Blue Jays ML (-135) at WynnBet
The New York Yankees are not the same team without reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge, and he’s expected to miss another game on Monday night vs. Cleveland. Where will OddsTrader’s computer picks lean in that matchup and two others?
Cleveland Guardians vs. New York Yankees
Monday, May 01, 2023 – 07:05 PM EDT at Yankee Stadium
Teams Analysis
The last time Cleveland played at Yankee Stadium was on Oct. 18, 2022, when the Guardians lost 5-1 in Game 5 of the ALDS to be eliminated. Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge hit early homers for the Yankees, who would then lose in the ALCS to Houston. Judge and Stanton are both out today – and that Yankees lineup is a lot more punchless without them.
Judge injured his hand last Wednesday but still started Thursday at Texas… only to leave mid-game with a hip issue and not back since. He might be headed to the injured list. New York lost the three full games without Judge to the Rangers over the weekend by a combined score of 22-4. Stanton hasn’t played since April 15 with a hamstring strain. Third baseman Josh Donaldson and outfielder Harrison Bader are also on the injured list. This is simply not a good offense right now.
Domingo German (2-2, 5.55 ERA) is on the mound for the Yankees. He took a no-decision in Cleveland on April 10, allowing two earned over three. If he gets in trouble, Yankees relievers have posted an MLB-best 2.33 ERA this season.
The Guardians’ Cal Quantrill (1-2, 5.40) didn’t face the Yankees in the first series. Historically, Quantrill has been much better in Cleveland but this year he’s 0-2 with an 8.64 ERA at home compared to 1-0 with a 3.78 ERA on the road.
The Pick
The computer has Monday’s matchup being fairly low scoring at 3.8-3.4 in favor of New York.
- Under is 19-7 in Yankees’ last 26 home games.
- Under is 10-2 in Guardians’ last 12 overall.
MLB Pick: Under 8.5 (-115) at Caesars Sportsbook
Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals
Monday, May 01, 2023 – 07:05 PM EDT at Nationals Park
Teams Analysis
The Cubs were an early pleasant surprise but have dropped seven of 10 and were swept over the weekend at a mediocre Miami team. One bright spot Sunday was Cody Bellinger’s seventh homer of the season for Chicago, marking his most in a month since August 2020. Factor in his .975 OPS before May and it was Bellinger’s best monthly showing since March-April 2019. He was voted the NL’s Most Valuable Player that season.
Teammate Nico Hoerner’s 25 straight games reaching safely is the longest by a Cub since Kris Bryant reached in 26 straight games April 17-May 17, 2019. The Cubs lead the majors with a .217 average and 60 RBI when batting with two strikes in the count.
Chicago goes with veteran lefty Drew Smyly (2-1, 3.21 ERA) on the mound. He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four straight with a 1.54 ERA on 23.1 innings in that span. Smyly is 1-0 career with a 3.38 ERA in 34.2 innings vs. Washington and 1-0 with a 2.76 ERA in 29.1 innings at Nationals Park.
For Washington, it’s young lefty MacKenzie Gore (3-1, 3.00 ERA). The former top prospect is coming off his first double-digit strikeout performance as a member of the Nationals, whiffing 10 over six against the Mets.
The Pick
The computer has the Cubs prevailing 4.5-3.9, and they do have the vastly better offense and bullpen.
- Cubs are 11-3 in their last 14 games vs. a left-handed starter.
- Nationals are 16-45 in their last 61 games vs. a left-handed starter.
MLB Pick: Cubs ML (-135) at Bet365
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox
Monday, May 01, 2023 – 07:10 PM EDT at Fenway Park
Teams Analysis
First meeting of the season between AL East rivals. The Blue Jays won a franchise-record 16 games against Boston in 2022 and have won their past eight at Fenway Park.
Toronto probably should be on a seven-game winning streak as of Monday but blew an 8-4 home lead to the Mariners in the sixth inning Sunday and lost 10-8 in 10 innings.
The Jays were one strike from completing a three-game sweep and extending their winning streak to seven, but Mariners shortstop J.P Crawford hit a game-tying single off Yimi Garcia in the ninth. Matt Chapman had three hits in the loss for Toronto and is leading the AL in averaging (.384), OBP (.464), SLG (.687), and OPS (1.152).
It’s Jose Berrios (2-3, 4.71) on the mound for Toronto. He was brilliant last time out vs. the White Sox with seven shutout innings. Berrios went 1-0 with a 2.37 ERA in three starts against Boston last season.
The Sox counter with past-his-prime two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber (1-4, 6.75). At home this season, he is 0-3 with an 8.75 ERA. Chapman destroys him, going 5-for-5 with two doubles and two homers. A few other Blue Jays hit Kluber hard.
The Pick
The computer has the Jays winning 5.7-5.6.
- Blue Jays are 7-2 in their last 9 Monday games.
- Red Sox are 18-37 in their last 55 vs. American League East.
MLB Pick: Blue Jays ML (-135) at WynnBet
