KEEPTHEJUICE21: MLB Best Bets Tonight – May 3, 2022

Angels vs. Red Sox Pick

Los Angeles Angels (15-9) @ Boston Red Sox (9-14)

What should we be thinking of Noah Syndergaard with the Angels?

There are positive signs: A low hard-hit percentage, low ERA, two wins and no losses. But these are slightly misleading and there are equal signs showing that he’s slow on the uptick this year. His fastball speed is down almost 3 mph from 2019 and he’s averaging 82 pitches per start.

This could be a function of the shortened spring training, but he doesn’t look like the Norse God he once was. The Red Sox have the advantage in the bullpen and the lineup — that should make up for the gap between Michael Wacha and Syndergaard as he is right now.

Pick: Red Sox +1.5 | -150 at DraftKings

Reds vs. Brewers Pick

Cincinnati Reds (3-19) @ Milwaukee Brewers (15-8)

On the other side of the coin from Syndergaard, we have Brandon Woodruff. Despite the 5.30 ERA and 17 hits over four starts, he’s on the way up. Opening weekend against the Chicago Cubs, Woodruff was rusty and gave up 7 runs over six innings. In the next two starts he improved tremendously, shutting out the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates in 11 innings pitched.

The Brewers are more confident leaving him out into the high 90s pitch count and it seems he’s shaken off the rust. Combine that with the embarrassing streak the Reds are on and the Brewers look ready to take the easy win at home. 

Pick: Brewers -1.5 | -105 at DraftKings