Wake up with VSiN Daily Morning Bets, a quick 15-minute podcast posted at 7 a.m. ET highlighting the top games and biggest line moves of the day. For a full breakdown of Wednesday’s betting action be sure to catch the VSiN Market Insights Podcast at 3 p.m. ET.
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You can also track the latest odds and percentages for every matchup using our VSiN Betting Splits.
In the meantime, let’s examine where smart money is leaning for Wednesday’s MLB action…
12:35 p.m. ET: Chicago Cubs (-115, 8.5) at Pittsburgh Pirates
The Cubs (35-38) have won the first two games of this three-game series, taking Monday’s opener 8-0 as -125 road favorites and then winning again on Tuesday 4-0 as -145 road favorites. In this early afternoon series finale, Chicago starts righty Kyle Hendricks (2-2, 2.86 ERA) and the Pirates (34-38) send out lefty Rich Hill (6-6, 4.31 ERA). This line opened at roughly a pick’em with both sides listed at -105. Sharps have pounced on the Cubs to complete the sweep, steaming Chicago up from -105 to -115. The Cubs are receiving roughly 80% of bets and dollars, signaling a heavy combination of both Pro and Joe support. Chicago has the better bats (hitting .247 vs .244) and superior pitching (team ERA 3.99 vs 4.34). The Cubs are 20-13 as a favorite and 12-9 against lefties (compared to 23-29 against righties). The Pirates are 21-31 as a dog and 23-28 against righties. Hendricks has given up two earned runs or less in three of his last four starts. Hendricks has a 1.93 ERA on the road (versus 3.77 at home). Sharps are also leaning under, as the total is 8.5 with the under juiced to -115. The forecast calls for high 70s with 10 MPH winds blowing in from dead center. Chicago is 14-7 to the under in their last 21 games. The Cubs are 9-2 in their last 11 games. The Pirates have lost eight straight games. Chicago is 5-0 against Pittsburgh this season.
7:40 p.m. ET: Boston Red Sox at Minnesota Twins (-130, 8.5)
The Red Sox (39-35) have taken the first two games of this four-game series, winning the opener 9-3 as +120 road dogs and then winning again 10-4 yesterday at +105 road dogs. In tonight’s rematch, Boston starts righty Garrett Whitlock (4-2, 4.38 ERA) and the Twins (36-38) counter with fellow righty Sonny Gray (4-1, 2.37 ERA). This line opened with Minnesota listed as a -135 home favorite and Boston a +115 road dog. Pros are riding the hot hand and grabbing the Red Sox as a plus money dog, steaming Boston down from +115 to +110. The Red Sox are receiving 58% of bets but 87% of money, signaling modest public support but also heavy sharp action. Road dogs with a line move in their favor are 99-97 (51%) this season, producing a 16% ROI. AL East teams facing AL Central teams are 55-23 (71%) with an 18% ROI. Boston will lean on their bats, hitting .265 versus .231 for Minnesota. The Red Sox are 4-0 in Whitlock’s last four starts. The Twins are 2-6 in Gray’s last eight starts. Boston has the fresher bullpen, tossing 8.2 innings over the last three games compared to 11 innings for Minnesota. The Red Sox have won six straight games. The Twins have lost five of their last six.
