MLB picks: Dodgers vs. Brewers, Rockies vs. Diamondbacks

Let’s preview a pair of series openers as we make our Thursday night baseball selections.

First we’ll take a look at a matchup between two division leaders in the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers. Then it’s an all-NL West showdown between the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Los Angeles Dodgers (16-9) at Milwaukee Brewers (14-10), 7:40 p.m. ET

Bettors should expect a low-scoring series opener at Miller Park as Trevor Bauer and the Dodgers face Eric Lauer and the Brewers on Thursday night.

Bauer has made good on the Dodgers’ faith thus far, recording four straight quality starts. He’s allowed just five earned runs in that span (25 2/3 innings), with four coming on solo home runs and one on a wild pitch. Bauer has struck out 35 batters while walking only four in his last four appearances.

This does not bode well for Milwaukee’s 20th-ranked offense (4.08 runs per game).

Lauer will try to continue the success he had as a San Diego Padre against the Dodgers as he makes his season debut for the Brewers. He’s currently 5-0 with a 2.11 ERA against L.A. all-time (seven starts). The southpaw takes on a Dodgers lineup that’s just 20th in OPS against lefties in 2021 (.683).

Trend bettors should note that the Under is 7-1 in the last eight meetings between these two clubs.

MLB pick: Under

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Colorado Rockies (9-15) at Arizona Diamondbacks (12-12), 9:40 p.m. ET

With two shaky starters and two even shakier bullpens set to tangle, Over bettors should flock to the windows for the series opener between the Rockies and Diamondbacks.

Antonio Senzatela has mixed strong outings – like his eight shutout innings against Arizona on April 7 – with awful ones, leading to a 5.76 ERA through five appearances. It’s hard to imagine him replicating what he did against the D-backs at Chase Field this time around, as he has a 5.08 ERA there over nine games.

Arizona is second in the majors in runs per game at 5.17.

Luke Weaver gets the nod for the D-backs here, looking to shake off his last two starts where he allowed eight earned runs over a nine-inning span. Weaver will have to pitch carefully to Rockies second baseman Ryan McMahon, who took him deep twice at Coors Field earlier this season.

Neither club’s bullpen has been a source of inspiration in 2021. Arizona is 23rd by ERA (4.55) while Colorado is 28th (5.08).

The Over has cashed in five straight games involving the Rockies, while the D-backs have exceeded the total in eight of their last 10 home games.

MLB pick: Over