Today's Pick: PHI (+125) ML @ PIT
First pick of the season and I'm taking a dog. They are going to give me plus money on the Phillies against the Pirates, I ain't going to pass it up.
Aaron Nola (2-3) starts for Philadelphia. Nola hasn't been his typical self. He is carrying a 5.14 ERA and has had a terrible time getting lefties out this season. His fastball has been getting tanked. I'd chalk it up, at least somewhat, to the unseasonably cold weather. Have a look at the game logs and you'll see that Nola has been good for three runs minimum in six of his eight starts. The knucklecurve ball is still dancing and Nola can shut down the righties but his troubles against left-handed hitting could factor in. The Pirates' lefty bats are dangerous and they can stack six. Bryan Reynolds and Endy Rodriguez hit better from the strong side and it's the Pirates righties, Nick Gonzalez and Konnor Griffin that spark this club. In that way, it is a good matchup for Nola.
Braxton Ashcraft (2-2) starts for Pittsburgh. The young righty is a bull. 6'5, 220 lbs., he is a big dude and throws some smoke. Ashcraft was a staple in the Pirates' bullpen last season. I had thought that moving him to the rotation was a bad idea for the Pirates but these days, players want to earn the big dollars and want the innings, and the statisticians say that you have to get as many innings out of your top flight pitchers as you can. I think Ashcraft is better suited for the bullpen but the transition has gone well for the big righty. He is susceptible to lefty-power hitters and the Phillies have a pair of them in the "Great Schwarbino" and Bryce Harper, who doesn't tolerate dumb nicknames.
The Phillies' bullpen is in bad shape entering the game tonight and the Pirates have their top four available. It is a concern, as is Aaron Nola having been just mediocre over his first eight starts. I can see why the bookies have Philly at (+125) but the number is too good to pass up. The Pirates are still the Pirates. They aren't out of the woods yet. I don't think they are that good of a team.
Philly is the big dog in Pennslyvania. It's a big game tonight. Both these teams are vying for an NL Wild Card. I like Nola to step up his game tonight. I like the number on Philly at (+125). With the first pick of the '26 MLB Pickstreak season, I select the Philadelphia Phillies over the Pie-Rats of Pittsburgh.
---------------Friday, May 15th--------------------
Today's Pick: PHI (+125) ML @ PIT
Opening Account Balance: 50.00 Units
Current Account Balance: 49.00 Units
Bank Balance: 0.00 Units
Units in Play: 1.00 units
Amount Wagered: 1.00 units
Ticket Pays: 2.25 units
---------------------Cash Ticket-------------------------
Let's get it done tonight Philly. I'm rooting for the "Schwarbino" and Harper to have a big game for the Fightin' Phillies.