Best Sports Betting Picks For MLB July 3 2024 & Wednesday WNBA Predictions

Ronel Blanco threw a no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays in his first start of the season. Guess who he faces Wednesday night? T-O-R-O-N-T-O. Get that no-hit advisory ready.

The Philadelphia Phillies are a whopping 27 games over .500 and look to beat the Chicago Cubs for the second straight night. Also, keep an eye on St. Louis right-hander Miles Mikolas. He took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 11 in a game the Cardinals lost.

In the WNBA, the Phoenix Mercury visit the Dallas Wings. Will the Mercury’s rebound total top Arike Ogunbowale’s field-goal attempts?

HOUSTON ASTROS VS. TORONTO BLUE JAYS

Who had Blanco (8-3, 2.49 ERA) as a breakout star pitcher at age 30? Nobody had heard of him at age 28. Now he is on his way to the All-Star Game while allowing just 54 hits in 90 1/3 innings, entering the rematch with the Blue Jays.

It was stunning for him to throw a no-hitter against Toronto. He then didn’t allow a hit over his first 5 2/3 innings in his second start against the Texas Rangers. Of course, he pitched seven no-hit innings against the Detroit Tigers on June 16, when his pitch count suggested he should continue.

Houston had won 10 of 11 games until losing 7-6 to the host Blue Jays on Tuesday. Former Astro George Springer said hello with a three-run blast, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (finger) returned to the lineup. Toronto led 7-0 before almost giving the game away.

The Blue Jays are 31-5 when scoring five or more runs. But they’re facing Blanco. Can they get five hits? Maybe they can borrow secrets from the New York Mets, who slugged three homers while beating Blanco last Friday.

Astros moneyline total, -112 (DraftKings) 

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES AT CHICAGO CUBS

The Phillies beat the Cubs 6-4 on Tuesday by a margin that’s only close due to Seiya Suzuki’s three-run homer in the ninth. Chicago had two hits in eight innings in one game after having two in a nine-inning loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

If you’re swinging the bats that poorly and you see Zack Wheeler on the mound, you’re probably in for a long night. Wheeler (9-4, 2.73 ERA) has won nine of his past 10 decisions and is one of the leading National League Cy Young Award candidates. Beware; Chicago’s Cody Bellinger has taken him deep five times in just 13 at-bats.

Bryce Harper (hamstring) and Kyle Schwarber (groin) both went on the injured list last week, so Trea Turner stepped up Tuesday with two homers traveling a combined 861 feet. So who hits two bombs on Wednesday? Edmundo Sosa? Johan Rojas?

Chicago sends Japanese lefty Shota Imanaga (7-2, 3.07) to the mound, and the rookie has been solid, save for getting torched for 10 hits and 11 hits—including three homers—in three-plus innings in a loss against the New York Mets on June 21.

Phillies moneyline, -130 (DraftKings)

PHOENIX MERCURY AT DALLAS WINGS

Phoenix has dropped three of its last four games, including an 83-72 home loss to the Connecticut Sun on Monday. The Mercury could use a compass to locate the backboard as they were outrebounded 37-18 by the Sun two days after the Indiana Fever had a 42-28 advantage while handling Phoenix a home loss.

Center Brittney Griner seemingly forgot she stands 6-foot-9 and had all of two rebounds in 33 minutes against Connecticut. The Mercury were hurt by the absence of Diana Taurasi (back), while Sophie Cunningham’s shot was missing as she was 1 of 7 for two points.

Dallas (4-15) has dropped 13 of its last 14 games and was just wiped out in a road back-to-back with the Seattle Storm by an average of 22.5 points. The Wings are just 2-5 at home but did stun the Minnesota Lynx last Thursday in their most recent game in Arlington.

Arike Ogunbowale has recorded 16 20-point outings but doesn’t have much help. She will rack up another high-scoring outing, but expect her team to fall short for the second time in three meetings with Phoenix this season.

Mercury -4.5 points spread, -110 (DraftKings)