Nelly’s is on a 23-8 run in the NBA including closing the season on a 5-1 run! Don’t miss our first postseason selection tonight! We also have a 2/3 offer Tuesday in MLB action!
Free Pick Tuesday #977 Seattle Mariners (Flexen) +105 over Chicago Cubs (Wesneski) 6:40 PM CT
The Mariners blew a lead yesterday in Chicago to lose in a Luis Castillo start, something the team can’t afford to do too often if they hope to repeat last season’s success. Chicago won last night with only two extra-base hits as the Mariners wound up just 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and three stolen bases boosted the opportunities for the Cubs. Chicago emptied its bullpen needing five relievers last night and Hayden Wesneski isn’t a great candidate for a long outing. This is the just the sixth MLB start for the 25-year-old who has a career ERA of 2.63 but the bulk of his starts came in meaningless late season games last season vs. teams not in contention. He allowed six hits and three runs including two home runs surrendered in his first start this season while pulled in the fifth inning. Chris Flexen had a bit of a charmed 2021 season and had less fortune last season though he still finished with a 3.73 ERA. Flexen doesn’t generate strikeouts and has consistently had a lower ERA than FIP in his career for some red flags but clearly has some deception to generate soft contact that has led to sustained positive results at the MLB level since returning from a strong 2020 season in the KBO. Seattle has a 2.76 bullpen ERA compared to a 4.54 bullpen ERA for Chicago and the Mariners have been a better hitting team vs. right-handers this season with the opposite true for the Cubs. Seattle is getting a significant discount in price compared to yesterday despite having a clearly more-proven option on the mound tonight.