Wednesday May 1st MLB Free Pick: Cubs at Mariners
Chicago Wraps Up Road Trip With a Showdown vs. St. Louis Looming
The Cubs scored a 6-5 win over Seattle on Tuesday with 2 runs in the 8th to bring their away record to 8-8 on the year. Chicago looks for their 4th win in a row as they close out a quick 2-game series with Seattle at T-Mobile Park in the May 1st MLB free pick. Yesterday’s loss dropped Seattle out of 1st in the AL West and was their 6th defeat in the last 8 games. Oddsmakers are still calling Wednesday’s contest pretty close with Chicago a slight -117 favorite (SEA -105).
Can Cubs Continue Road Success?
Chicago has won three in a row, all on the road after taking the last 2 of 3 from Arizona. The Cubs now sit 3GB from the Cardinals with a 3 game series at Wrigley Field looming over the weekend. First things first however, Chicago wants to score a win in the May 1st MLB free pick and go into an off day on a high note. Javier Baez is the only Chicago batter to have ever faced Mariners starter Marco Gonzalez. The Cubs are 10-1 in their last 11 IL road games vs. a LH starter however. Chicago has also scored 6+ runs in 5 of the last 7 so they look like a solid wager here.
Jon Lester should be solid in Wednesday afternoon’s affair as he makes his 2nd start since coming off the injured list. Lester threw five innings of 4-hit ball last time out vs. the Dodgers, holding LA to just 1ER. He also tossed only 79 pitches but is ready for a regular workload vs. the Mariners. The left hander hasn’t allowed more than 2ER in any of his four starts this season.
Mariners Look to Snap Skid
Seattle had their chances Tuesday night as +120 home underdogs. The Mariners took a 3-2 lead in the 4th and then went ahead 5-4 in the 7th but they ultimately fell for their third straight loss. Over this skid – all at home – the Mariners have been outscored 7-35. The Mariners are just 2-9 in their last 11 home games and they’ve also dropped 4 of 5 vs. LH starters. Dee Gordon and Dylan Moore are the only Seattle batters hitting above .275 in the past 6 games. Gordon and Edwin Encarnacion are the only Mariners hitters to have seen Lester more than 3AB.
Gonzalez gets the nod on the hill in the May 1st MLB free pick. Dating back to last season, Gonzalez has gone 6-0 with a 2.45 ERA in 11 starts. Gonzalez has allowed 2ER or less in his last 3 home starts and had 9K’s last time out vs. Texas. Between Seattle’s struggling offense and two solid pitchers on the hill, the total of 9 is looking like a solid ‘under’ play.
May 1st MLB Free Pick Betting
The value is on Chicago in this one (-117) with Lester on the hill and an offense that has a better chance of getting to Gonzalez. This contest should be a low scoring one, but ultimately the Cubs have the advantage late.
MLB Free Pick: Chicago Cubs -117
