MLB Thursday: If games are played, Eckel picks Pirates vs Cardinals, Rockies vs Diamondbacks, Twins vs Tigers and Muncy, Walker to homer

It figures the first time all season the Phillies bullpen comes through and it comes at my expense.

Wednesday wasn’t a wining day, although Brandon Lowe did homer, as predicted.

Let’s jump right back in with (assuming they play) Thursday’s MLB picks.

Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals, 3:15 p.m. 1st game

Pitchers: Chad Kuhl vs. Kwang Hyu Kim

Odds: Pirates +155; Cardinals -175

Colorado Rockies at Arizona Diamondbacks, 6:10 p.m.

Pitchers: Kyle Friedland vs. Zac Gallen

Odds: Rockies +135; Diamondbacks -155

Minnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers, 7:10 p.m.

Pitchers: Randy Dobiak vs. Matthew Boyd

Odds: Twins -145; Tigers +135

THE CYCLE

Single: Young Randy Dobiak has been really good for the Twins with a 5-1 record and a 1.78 ERA. You can’t say the same about Boyd, the expected Tigers ace who is 0-4 with an 8.48 ERA. Take the Twins.

Double: I’m breaking a vow here. I said I would never pick Arizona again. But Kyle Friedland is 3-4 with a 5.27 ERA in his career vs. the D’Backs and Zac Galen is good at home where Arizona is 7-1 in his last eight starts and good against the Rockies (2.65 career ERA). Take Arizona begrudgingly.

Triple: The Cardinals are too heavy a favorite to bet straight out. So put them in parlays with the Twins and/or Diamondbacks.

Home Run: Let’s go with Max Muncy, of the Dodgers and Norristown, Pa. native and University of South Carolina product Christian Walker of the Diamondbacks to homer on Thursday.