MLB Over/Under Best Bet: Yu better believe there’s a Darvish under today

After two relatively high-scoring affairs, the rubber match pitting Yu Darvish versus Ricky Nolasco could wrap up this AL West series with an under.

A much-needed win last night hopefully snaps the string of bad luck that has befallen on this daily column, after enduring three legitimate bad beats in a stretch of four days. I try to keep it going in returning to the Rangers/Angels series, looking to avenge that tough-luck under loss from Tuesday evening.

Zylbert’s 2017 MLB Over/Under Record: 4-6-2, -250

Yesterday’s Result: Jimenez vs Wright Over 9.5 (WIN)

Texas Rangers @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Yu Darvish vs Ricky Nolasco

UNDER 8 (-110) (via OddsShark)

It’s Darvish Day in the series finale of this three-game set between two AL West rivals, the Rangers and Angels, and with Yu Darvish toeing the rubber against Ricky Nolasco, there could be considerably less offense compared to the first two contests.

While the Texas ace’s strikeouts are down and his walks are up, let’s remember that it’s only been two starts, and other than that, he’s looked sharp. After all, opposing hitters have mustered just a .190 batting average off the right-hander in his first pair of outings. In addition, in his lone meeting with the Angels last season — which also came in Anaheim — Darvish stifled them over 6 2/3 innings, allowing only four baserunners, one run, and picked up nine K’s in the process.

For the Halos, it’ll be Nolasco making his third start, after two perfectly fine ones that we hope he can replicate in today’s assignment. The 34-year-old veteran has a respectable 3.86 ERA thus far, pitching into the sixth in both of his previous outings, while allowing three runs or fewer. Nolasco showed notable progress after being acquired by the Angels last year and it appears he’s managed to pick up where he left off.

With the over/under line residing at 8, we’ll shoot for the typical standout performance from Darvish, while Nolasco hopefully continues along with his steady pitching. Barring another bullpen collapse like we unfortunately witnessed on Tuesday evening, that could be enough for an under win.

Next: MLB: Top 30 leadoff hitters of all-time

Chicago White Sox @ Cleveland Indians

Miguel Gonzalez vs Josh Tomlin

OVER 8 (-110) (via OddsShark)

At first glance, this one seems to be suspiciously low, as Progressive Field usually features a higher line for such an unspectacular pitching matchup, so we’ll try and capitalize on this interesting predicament.

Josh Tomlin especially cannot be trusted to keep it under such a number when working from his home field, as he’s about as hittable as they get. That certainly rung true in his season debut last Friday, when the Diamondbacks torched him for six runs in 4 2/3 innings, though surprisingly, he did not surrender any homers in that contest, something I don’t foresee repeating itself in his second start.

Opposing him is Miguel Gonzalez, who is coming off a much more success first outing, in which he yielded only two runs in six solid innings opposite the Twins. However, that came versus an opponent whom the former Oriole has had success against, whereas tonight, he’s tasked with facing a team that enjoyed success off him last year in his first go-around with the White Sox. In fact, in two starts, Cleveland managed to strike him for eight runs (seven earned) over 11 innings, launching two homers as well.

With all of this gathered on the starting pitchers, look for there to be some offense tonight in Cleveland.