The Belmont Stakes odds are just days away, yes, but don’t forget about MLB odds either! There are some very exciting National League pitching matchups between contending teams on Thursday, so let’s make some winning picks.

Reds vs Cardinals odds: Aaron Harang (5-5, 4.19) vs Chris Carpenter (3-0, 0.62)
Thursday, June 4 at 8:15 p.m. ET

Eat your heat our, Zack Greinke. Chris Carpenter obviously hasn’t pitched as many innings as his cross-state counterpart Greinke has, but the results have been extremely impressive so far. With just two earned runs in 29 innings pitched, he’s been the NL’s most dominant pitcher, albeit in limited action due to injury. Do the young Reds have a chance against him on Thursday? Hardly. He’s given up 0.0 runs in two home starts this MLB betting season and most current Reds hitters (a) have never faced him or (b) have done nothing against him. Aaron Harang seemed to have turned the page on his ugly 2008 when he posted a 3.09 ERA in April, but it’s been downhill since then. He got bombed in May (5.15 ERA), he gets bombed on the road (5.87 ERA) and he gets bombed in night games (5.81). You get the picture.

Best offshore sportsbook pick: Cardinals

Phillies vs Dodgers odds: Cole Hamels (3-2, 5.21) vs Clayton Kershaw (3-3, 4.34)
Thursday, June 4 at 10:10 p.m. ET

Even with young Clayton Kershaw on the mound, the first-overall Dodgers should be slight sportsbook favorites at home to the Phillies, so now’s your chance to win some money by picking the Phillies. Cole Hamels’ season stats still look ugly, but he’s slowly rounding into his All-Star form. In his last six starts, he’s allowed three earned runs or less five times. He also was masterful against the Dodgers his last time out against them, striking out nine and allowing one run over seven innings. He’s still having trouble keeping the ball in the park, so he’s a good bet to serve one up, but he should pitch well enough to win on Thursday. Kershaw’s stuff is nasty and he’s only really getting hurt by walking guys at a ridiculously high rate, but the patient, powerful Phillies lineup did a number on him last time and could repeat its success. The Phillies’ MLB odds look good.

Best offshore sportsbook pick: Phillies