Free Pick | MLB | Wednesday | April 19

Nelly’s went 2-0 in the NBA yesterday, now 4-1 in the NBA Playoffs. We are also on a 10-5 MLB run the past eight days!

Free Pick Wednesday: #979 Baltimore Orioles (Bradish) -135 over Washington Nationals (Gore) 6:05 PM CT

Baltimore had scored four or more runs in seven consecutive games but won 1-0 last night to open this local interleague rivalry in Washington. While neither team had success at the plate, the Orioles had 10 at-bats with runners in scoring position compared to only four opportunities for Washington. Baltimore is 10-7, looking again like a team that will be in the playoff race all season after falling just short in a competitive 2022 season. Washington at 5-12 has done little to suggest they won’t be one of MLB’s worst teams, particularly with a 2-8 record at home. This is a pairing of the #3 scoring offense in MLB vs. the #26 scoring offense while the pitching staffs have similar numbers. Kyle Bradish appears to be in line to pitch today coming off the IL after lasting only five outs in his season debut in early April. Bradish had adequate numbers in 117 innings last season for Baltimore and projects as a solid rotation piece for the franchise with command of four pitches. MacKenzie Gore landed with Washington after last summer’s Juan Soto trade and Gore has looked good in 2023 so far. He has had some good fortune to strand nearly 83 percent of his baserunners while holding a 6.0 BB/9. A former #3 draft pick, Gore is still only 24 and will likely be an erratic performer lacking consistent control. Baltimore has the third highest walk rate in MLB so far this season as this could be a challenging draw for Gore to limit base runners. Baltimore has so far this season also excelled against left-handers batting .270 with 8.8 runs per nine.