MLB picks: Nationals vs. Reds, Blue Jays vs. Twins

Let’s discuss our top two plays on the diamond for Thursday night!

Leading off will be our look at the series opener between the Washington Nationals and the Cincinnati Reds. Then we’ll highlight the series opener between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Minnesota Twins.

Washington Nationals (63-89) at Cincinnati Reds (78-74), 6:40 p.m. ET

The Reds should make light work of the last-place Nationals at Great American Ball Park on Thursday night.

Patrick Corbin starts for Washington, and after stringing together a pair of quality starts to begin September, he regressed to form and allowed the dreadful Colorado Rockies road offense to plate six runs on 10 hits and three walks in just four innings of work in D.C. last Saturday. Corbin now takes on a Cincinnati offense that’s fourth in the majors in runs per game at home this season (5.38).

Bettors should expect Eugenio Suarez – who’s swinging a hot bat in September (.343 average, four home runs) – to be a difference-maker in this one. Suarez is 7-for-15 (.467) all-time against Corbin with a homer and four RBI to his credit.

Luis Castillo counters for the Reds, having recorded six quality starts over his last seven outings. He and the Cincinnati bullpen – which owns a 2.09 ERA over the last two weeks (third in the majors) – should keep the Nats offense in check throughout. By contrast, the Reds’ lineup should tee off on a Washington relief corps that’s 28th by ERA in the same span (6.00).

MLB pick: Reds -1.5 runs (-107)

Toronto Blue Jays (85-67) at Minnesota Twins (67-85), 7:40 p.m. ET

Steven Matz should help the Blue Jays stay in the thick of the Wild Card hunt against the Twins on Thursday night.

Matz limited Minnesota’s lineup to two earned runs over 5 2/3 innings when these teams met at Rogers Centre last Saturday. That marked the eighth time in his last nine starts in which he allowed two earned runs or fewer in an outing. Considering the Twins are 22nd in OPS against lefties this season (.720), it would not be surprising if Matz kept them in check once more.

Michael Pineda responds for Minnesota, taking on Toronto lineup that’s he struggled against in the past. Outfielders George Springer and Corey Dickerson are a combined 19-for-44 (.432) all-time against Pineda with five round-trippers and 15 RBI, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has a homer in one of his two prior plate appearances against him. Bettors should be on the Blue Jays at a fair price on the moneyline.

MLB pick: Blue Jays -143