PHOTO USA Today Sports Images Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong once sang, “Wake me up when September ends,” a veiled nod perhaps to his penchant for postseason baseball.
When he comes around, perhaps Armstrong will see there’s lots to like about the last month of the regular season, too. Division races—four within 3 1/2 games entering today—and statistical pursuits are but a few.
Most clubs have 30 games or fewer remaining. That’s great news for some and not so grand for others. As usual, wagering doesn’t discriminate against such details, so let’s press on to some of the best bets.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS AT HOUSTON ASTROS, 8:10 P.M. ET
Kansas City’s narrow loss at Cleveland on Wednesday afternoon prevented this from being a matchup of American League division leaders.
Alas, the Royals remain hot, with victories in seven of their past eight road games and wins in 23 of 37 contests since the All-Star break.
KC shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., an AL MVP hopeful, continues to rake, leading the majors with a .346 average. On Wednesday, he was 2-for-5 with a solo home run despite suffering a bruised right middle finger when he was hit by a pitch Tuesday.
There seems to be little that’s fazing Witt this season. So far, Astros starter Hunter Brown hasn’t made the list. On April 11, Witt enjoyed a 4-for-5, five-RBI day in a game that saw Brown last just 2/3 of an inning, allowing nine runs and 11 hits. Witt’s pair of first-inning knocks against Brown included a two-run homer.
Brown (11-7, 3.72) has surely settled into the season since then. Witt, though, hasn’t exactly decelerated. Expect no different here.
Best bet: Bobby Witt Jr. over 1.5 (+165 at Bet MGM)
Stake SportsBook Bonus
$100,000 Daily Race
Sign up now to claim
For help with a gambling problem, call or text the NCPG – (1-800-522-4700)
Bet365 SportsBook Bonus
First Bet Safety Net $1000 or Bet $5 & Get $150
Sign up now and get the choice of two incredible offers.
New Customers Only. Deposit required. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.
Bet365 SportsBook Bonus
First Bet Safety Net $1000 or Bet $5 & Get $150
Sign up now and get the choice of two incredible offers.
New Customers Only. Deposit required. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.
Bet365 SportsBook Bonus
First Bet Safety Net $1000 or Bet $5 & Get $150
Sign up now and get the choice of two incredible offers.
New Customers Only. Deposit required. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.
Bet365 SportsBook Bonus
Regular promotional offers on site
Sign up now and claim any of the offers available on site
For help with a gambling problem, call or text the NCPG – (1-800-522-4700)
BetRivers SportsBook Bonus
Second Chance Bonus Bet up to $250
Sign up now to claim the bonus
For help with a gambling problem, call or text the NCPG – (1-800-522-4700)
Draftkings SportsBook Bonus
Bet $5 get $150 of Bonus Bets Instantly
Sign up now to claim
For help with a gambling problem, call or text the NCPG – (1-800-522-4700)
Stake.us SportsBook Bonus
25,000 SC Weekly Raffle
Sign up now to claim
For help with a gambling problem, call or text the NCPG – (1-800-522-4700)
ATLANTA BRAVES AT PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES, 6:40 P.M. ET
Atlanta trails NL East-leading Philadelphia by five games at the start of this four-game series.
Atlanta’s run of nine wins in 11 games includes taking two of three from the visiting Phils from Aug. 20-22. Thursday starter Charlie Morton didn’t pitch in that series but was effective in his two starts around it, scattering three runs in 11 innings.
The Braves reached Phillies lefty Christopher Sanchez for nine runs and three hits in six innings to take the series finale and are eager to capitalize on another look at Sanchez Thursday.
Bet bet: Charlie Morton fewer on base than Christopher Sanchez (+115 with BetMGM)
Stake SportsBook Bonus
$100,000 Daily Race
Sign up now to claim
For help with a gambling problem, call or text the NCPG – (1-800-522-4700)
Bet365 SportsBook Bonus
First Bet Safety Net $1000 or Bet $5 & Get $150
Sign up now and get the choice of two incredible offers.
New Customers Only. Deposit required. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.
Bet365 SportsBook Bonus
First Bet Safety Net $1000 or Bet $5 & Get $150
Sign up now and get the choice of two incredible offers.
New Customers Only. Deposit required. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.
Bet365 SportsBook Bonus
First Bet Safety Net $1000 or Bet $5 & Get $150
Sign up now and get the choice of two incredible offers.
New Customers Only. Deposit required. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.
Bet365 SportsBook Bonus
Regular promotional offers on site
Sign up now and claim any of the offers available on site
For help with a gambling problem, call or text the NCPG – (1-800-522-4700)
BetRivers SportsBook Bonus
Second Chance Bonus Bet up to $250
Sign up now to claim the bonus
For help with a gambling problem, call or text the NCPG – (1-800-522-4700)
Draftkings SportsBook Bonus
Bet $5 get $150 of Bonus Bets Instantly
Sign up now to claim
For help with a gambling problem, call or text the NCPG – (1-800-522-4700)
Stake.us SportsBook Bonus
25,000 SC Weekly Raffle
Sign up now to claim
For help with a gambling problem, call or text the NCPG – (1-800-522-4700)
TEXAS RANGERS AT CHICAGO WHITE SOX, 2:10 P.M. ET
The White Sox are staring dubious baseball history squarely in the eye.
At 31-103, Chicago stands three losses from tying the franchise record of 106 set in 1970 and must go at least 12-16 down the stretch to avoid matching the 1962 New York Mets’ modern record for most single-season losses (120).
To read such statistics is to know the 2024 Sox, who may also establish the lowest winning percentage of all time.
At any rate, look for Chicago to lose Thursday’s matinee against the visiting Texas Rangers not only because of probability but for an unfavorable pitching matchup, too.
The White Sox are expected to recall rookie righty Nick Nastrini from Triple-A to make just his seventh big league start and first since June 8. He’s 0-5 with an 8.39 ERA and 1.99 WHIP. The Rangers go with Nathan Eovaldi (9-7, 3.79) who is coming off a quality start at Cleveland and beat Chicago in July behind seven innings of two-run, four-hit ball with zero walks and 10 strikeouts.
Best bet: Rangers -2.5 (-105 at BetMGM)
Stake SportsBook Bonus
$100,000 Daily Race
Sign up now to claim
For help with a gambling problem, call or text the NCPG – (1-800-522-4700)
Bet365 SportsBook Bonus
First Bet Safety Net $1000 or Bet $5 & Get $150
Sign up now and get the choice of two incredible offers.
New Customers Only. Deposit required. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.
Bet365 SportsBook Bonus
First Bet Safety Net $1000 or Bet $5 & Get $150
Sign up now and get the choice of two incredible offers.
New Customers Only. Deposit required. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.
Bet365 SportsBook Bonus
First Bet Safety Net $1000 or Bet $5 & Get $150
Sign up now and get the choice of two incredible offers.
New Customers Only. Deposit required. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.
Bet365 SportsBook Bonus
Regular promotional offers on site
Sign up now and claim any of the offers available on site
For help with a gambling problem, call or text the NCPG – (1-800-522-4700)
BetRivers SportsBook Bonus
Second Chance Bonus Bet up to $250
Sign up now to claim the bonus
For help with a gambling problem, call or text the NCPG – (1-800-522-4700)
Draftkings SportsBook Bonus
Bet $5 get $150 of Bonus Bets Instantly
Sign up now to claim
For help with a gambling problem, call or text the NCPG – (1-800-522-4700)
Stake.us SportsBook Bonus
25,000 SC Weekly Raffle
Sign up now to claim
For help with a gambling problem, call or text the NCPG – (1-800-522-4700)
