MLB Best Sports Betting Picks and Predictions for Thursday September 5, 2024 | Deadspin.com

It seemed certain that Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes was going to waltz his way to National League Rookie of the Year honors after he was recalled to the majors and dominated hitters. The only mystery was whether the Pirates would ever let him stay in the game long enough to pitch a no-hitter.

But here we are with three-plus weeks left in the season, and we can’t mark Skenes’s name on the trophy. San Diego Padres standout Jackson Merrill just may end up with his name etched on the trophy.

We will look at the Padres and Detroit Tigers as San Diego looks to finish off a three-game sweep and maintain its tight edge for the NL’s top wild-card spot. The Tigers are somehow hanging around in the American League wild-card chase.

We will also check in on the Phillies-Marlins and Rockies-Braves contests. Kyle Schwarber of the Phillies has smacked leadoff homers in each of the past two games to tie Alfonso Soriano’s single-season record of 13 (set in 2003 for the New York Yankees). 

DETROIT TIGERS AT SAN DIEGO PADRES

The caption on the television set displayed something stunning after San Diego beat Detroit, 6-5 in 10 innings on Wednesday night. It stated that Fernando Tatis Jr. had just delivered his first career walk-off hit.

That took a while to sink in as Tatis and his teammates celebrated wildly. Tatis’ jersey came off during the madness, and he later threw it into the stands, giving some fan a memorable — and sweaty — memento. The clutch hit came in Tatis’ second game since returning from a leg injury.

The Padres bring momentum into Thursday’s game after overcoming a 5-0 deficit for the triumph. Merrill swatted a big three-run homer (No. 22 on the season), and the blast allowed him to set a San Diego rookie record with 82 RBIs.

Detroit right-hander Casey Mize once was supposed to be one of the dominant pitchers of his time when he was selected No. 1 overall in 2018. But arm injuries have taken their toll, and he is just 9-19 at age 27. He is 2-6 with a 4.25 ERA this season.

Padres -1.5 run line, +136 (DraftKings)

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES AT MIAMI MARLINS

Philadelphia has won four straight games and nine of its last 11 to move just a half-game behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the battle for the NL’s best record. Drawing a four-game series against a Marlins’ team that has folded shop is superb timing.

The availability of Bryce Harper is something to watch. He was hit by a pitch on his left elbow during the first inning of Thursday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays and exited in the third. That was his good elbow. Harper was already nursing injuries to his right elbow and right wrist.

Harper insisted that he’s fine, but the real test will come after he arrives at the ballpark on Thursday and goes through his routine. He may need a day to rest while his teammates face right-hander Adam Oller, who is making his fourth start for Miami.

The Marlins have won six of their past 10 games. Miami roughed up Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez for six runs in 4 2/3 innings on June 30 but was blanked by him over seven innings on May 10.

Over 8 runs, -110 (DraftKings)

COLORADO ROCKIES AT ATLANTA BRAVES

Atlanta is 12-5 over its last 17 games and is looking to finish off a sweep of the Rockies. The Braves hold the NL’s third wild card by just a half-game over the red-hot New York Mets.

Atlanta allowed just two runs while winning the first two games of the series and will be looking for All-Star right-hander Reynaldo Lopez to deliver another gem. He has thrown just one inning against the Rockies in his nine-year career.

Colorado possesses the second-worst record in the majors, and its lone motivation is avoiding a 100-loss season. The Rockies are just 19-52 on the road.

Rockies left-hander Austin Gomber has served up 27 homers. Good bets to go deep for Atlanta are Jorge Soler (four homers in a three-game series against Colorado in August) and Marcell Ozuna (two in that series). Ozuna is due, having not hit one in his last 13 games.

Either Jorge Soler or Marcell Ozuna to hit a home run, +115 (DraftKings)