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April 17 MLB Odds and Picks – Mize Looks for Second Win

John Perrotto

by John Perrotto in MLB Baseball

Updated Apr 17, 2021 · 8:18 AM PDT

Casey Mize waiting to catch ball
Detroit Tigers pitcher Casey Mize catches a ball during a baseball practice session at Comerica Park, Wednesday, March 31, 2021, in Detroit. The Tigers home opener is Thursday against the Cleveland Indians. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
  • There are 17 games on the MLB schedule for Saturday, April 17th
  • Season record: 18-25: -$866 (based on $100 wagered per unit)
  • Wagering advice for Saturday’s games can be found below

In large part because of inclement weather Friday, Saturday’s MLB schedule features 17 games, including two makeup doubleheaders.

New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom (0-1, 0.64 ERA) will look for his first win of the season for a third straight day when he pitches against the Colorado Rockies and Chi Chi Gonzalez (1-0, 3.60) in the first game of a doubleheader at 5:10pm ET at Coors Field in Denver.

The Mets were rained out at home Thursday against the Phillies then snowed out Friday in Denver. Thus, the doubleheader Saturday, including New York left-hander Joey Lucchesi (0-0, 0.00) facing German Marquez (0-1, 4.02) in the second game.

There are no huge lines for Saturday’s games as the Oakland Athletics are the biggest favorites at -148 over the visiting Detroit Tigers at 4:07 p.m. at RingCentral Coliseum. Lefty Cole Irvin (0-2, 7.45) pitches for Athletics against  rookie Casey Mize (1-0, 0.82).

April 17 MLB Picks

Matchup Pick and Odds at DraftKings Units Risked
Tigers vs Athletics Tigers (+125) 1 unit
Diamondbacks vs Nationals Diamondbacks (-108) 1 unit
Twins vs Angels Under 9 (+100) 1 unit

Odds as of April 17th.

Pick 1: Tigers (+125)

Casey Mize showed why the Tigers made him the first overall pick in the 2018 amateur draft in his last outing.

The former Auburn star notched his first major league win in his ninth career start in beating the Houston Astros. The 23-year-old righty pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing four hits with five strikeouts and two walks.

Mize struggled in his first taste of the majors last season, going 0-3 with a 6.99 ERA in seven starts. However, he continually befuddled the Astros with his sinker as he got strikeouts and weak contact with the pitch.

Irvin was one of the biggest stories of spring training for the Athletics, allowing two runs in 18 innings in Cactus League play to earn a rotation spot. However, things have not gone well since the games started counting. Irvin has given up eight runs and 12 hits in 9.2 innings in his first two starts.

Oakland fans are already losing patience.

Mize’s talent has never been in question. It now appears Mize’s confidence is starting to catch up to his ability and that makes him a worthy underdog play here.

Pick 2: Diamondbacks (-108)

The Arizona Diamondbacks visit the Washington Nationals at 1:05pm ET with Luke Weaver (1-0, 2.13) pitching against Erick Fedde (0-1, 8.53).

Weaver was outstanding in his last start, taking a perfect game into the sixth inning and a no-hitter into the seventh while beating the Cincinnati Reds. He wound up allowing one hit in seven shutout innings to get his first win of the season.

That win matches Weaver’s total from last season, when he had a 1-9 record and 6.58 ERA in 12 starts.

Weaver, though, has had success in the past, including going 4-3 with a fine 2.94 ERA in 12 starts in 2019. At 27, it is even more likely to see Weaver trending upward.

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Fedde is a placeholder in the Nationals’ rotation until left-hander Jon Lieber completes his rehab from thyroid surgery. Fedde pitched well in his last start, allowing one run and two hits in 4.2 innings against the St. Louis Cardinals.

While Fedde’s career ERA is 5.21, he does have a cool nickname.

Nevertheless, look for Weaver to build off that fine outing against the Reds, who lead the major leagues in run scored with an average of 6.5 a game.

Pick 3: Twins-Angels over 9 (+100)

The Angels’ Justin Upton made sure the total went over Friday night by belting a grand slam – following an intentional walk to Mike Trout — when Los Angeles opened the three-game series with a 10-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins at Angel Stadium in Anaheim.

The pitching matchup suggests lots of runs again Saturday when Matt Shoemaker (1-0, 4.09) goes for the Twins against lefty Jose Quintana (0-1, 16.20) at 9:07 p.m.

Shoemaker has pitched well with 12 strikeouts and one walk in 11 innings in his first two starts. He should also be motivated against the Angels as he set their franchise rookie record with 16 wins in 2014.

Quintana has been awful so far in 2021, pitching a total of five innings in his two starts. The law of averages say things can only get better for the veteran, who is trying to get on track after injuries have set his career back.

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