Ben Rice (NYY) Under 1.5 Total Bases (-120)
Odds available at draftkings at time of publishing
As the Yankees host the Pirates, all eyes will be on Ben Rice, but I’m leaning toward the ‘Under 1.5’ total bases for him. While Rice has shown flashes of potential, he’s struggled against right-handed pitching, and Pittsburgh’s Mitch Keller brings a solid arsenal to the mound. Keller's been particularly effective lately, boasting a 3.45 ERA, which has stifled opposing bats.
Moreover, the Pirates' defense has tightened up, limiting opponents to a low batting average, especially in the late innings. With New York's lineup still grappling with inconsistency, Rice might find himself in a tough spot against Keller's deft mix of fastballs and sliders. Given his recent performance and the matchup dynamics, it’s hard to see Rice making substantial noise tonight. Betting the ‘Under’ aligns well with the current trends and pitching form, making this a compelling choice as the game unfolds.