MLB Best Bets: Baseball Picks, Predictions to Consider on DraftKings Sportsbook for April 8

Happy Thursday! After a Wednesday filled with matinee action, we have plenty more day games on a loaded nine-game card on the diamond. Plenty of familiar names will be starting games across the big leagues, and I’ve got my eye on a guy who might get some Cy Young votes this year. With that in mind, here are my favorite MLB bets to consider on DraftKings Sportsbook.


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Under 8.5

I’m going to accomplish so much with one bet. I’m going to buy Jake Arrieta, who looked stellar in his return to the Cubs, I’m going to buy Tyler Anderson, who also has started 2021 strong, and I’m going to sell the Cubs offense, who I absolutely hate. Not only am I offended by how little Chicago cares about making contact, and how it repeatedly tries to sell Jason Heyward as a good hitter, the Cubs are also objectively horrible against lefties. Last year, they ranked second-to-last with a 74 wRC+ against southpaws, and so far this year they’ve seen just a slight increase to 20th in the league in such a small sample. Much of this lineup is similar to last year’s, only Anthony Rizzo has declined and both Jake Marisnick and Matt Duffy are in there now against righties — yuck. I just hate everything about this Cubs lineup, but I do love their long-bearded pitcher on Thursday against one of the worst lineups in baseball that doesn’t even have Todd Frazier yet. I think this should be a no-sweat under.


Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $150K 18th Hole Special [$100K to 1st]


Brewers -136

Look, I’ve been riding the wave with the Cardinals in the early going. I’m a big believer in these bats and think they’re good enough to win the NL Central. That said, I hate them in this spot against Corbin Burnes, who was sixth in Cy Young voting last year and started his 2021 campaign in absolutely spectacular fashion. The right-hander carried a no-hitter into the seventh and allowed just one hit — a solo shot to Byron Buxton — while striking out 11. He allowed just nine batted balls, which traveled at an average of 87.3 miles per hour — an impressive mark.

Now, not only should he be able to navigate a Cardinals offense that, while talented, certainly has some gaps, he’s also the far superior arm when compared to Adam Wainwright, who’s been regressing for a few years now and allowed six runs his last time out. Milwaukee’s bats need to do some waking up, and Wainwright should do the trick.


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Astros Lead After 5 Innings (-122)

It’s not that I’m that bearish on the A’s — this team has looked a lot better since getting Ramon Laureano back from a wrist injury, ranks top 10 in contact rate and is sixth in barrels — I just hate this spot for them. Cristian Javier is an emerging talent for the Astros, posting a ridiculous .157 xBA in just over 54 innings last season, and has shut down the A’s lineup the last four times he’s seen them, including his first start of the season about a week ago. On the other hand, Cole Irvin is addicted to giving up hard contact, and this Astros team, which is scoring 7.5 runs per game, should have no issues touching him up.


Place your MLB bets at DraftKings Sportsbook and bet online by downloading the DraftKings Sportsbook app.


All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.


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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is jetsfan196) and I may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.