Joe Jensen finished April 26, 2026 with a net result of -1.0 units despite posting an even 4-4 record across his eight graded picks. The split day featured wins on both Toronto plays and a crucial under in Texas, but losses on higher-unit wagers to Cincinnati and the Cubs ultimately tipped the ledger into the red.
Guardians at Jays
Won – Jensen backed the Blue Jays at -136 in the series finale against Cleveland, and Toronto delivered a 4-2 victory. After taking game two of the series 5-3, the Blue Jays secured their second consecutive series win following a six-series skid. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led the charge with three hits including a leadoff double in the decisive sixth inning, and Jesús Sánchez followed with a two-run blast to right field—his fourth homer of the season and second of the series. The Guardians managed just two runs in the fifth inning against an otherwise dominant Toronto pitching effort. The Blue Jays jumped ahead 2-0 in the first and never trailed, making this one-unit winner a comfortable cash.
Tigers at Reds
Lost – This two-unit play on Cincinnati at -112 proved costly as Detroit avoided the sweep with an 8-3 rout. After dropping the previous day’s contest 9-2, Jensen backed the Reds to close the series, but Spencer Torkelson had other plans. Torkelson homered for the fifth consecutive game, tying a Tigers franchise record held by legends including Hank Greenberg and Willie Horton. Detroit seized control early with Kerry Carpenter’s bases-loaded double in the first, then blew the game open with four runs in the seventh and two more in the eighth. Gleyber Torres went 3-for-5 with a homer, two RBI, and three runs scored. The Reds managed three solo homers from Nathaniel Lowe, JJ Bleday, and a two-run shot from Matt McLain, but never seriously threatened after the Tigers’ late surge.
Pirates at Brewers
Lost – Jensen’s one-unit play on Pittsburgh at +109 fell flat as Milwaukee avoided the sweep with a dominant 5-0 shutout. After losing the previous day 6-3, the Brewers turned to Kyle Harrison, who delivered a career-high 12 strikeouts across six scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and one walk. The Pirates, attempting their first sweep in Milwaukee since August 2016, managed only two hits all afternoon—Marcell Ozuna’s single against Harrison and a Nick Gonzales double. Milwaukee broke through with five runs in the fourth inning, led by Brandon Lockridge’s two-RBI performance and Jake Bauers’ two doubles. The Pirates’ bats went silent after winning the first two games of the series.
Nationals at Sox
Lost – The White Sox were favored at -126 in this one-unit wager, but Washington prevailed 2-1 in 10 innings for their second straight extra-inning victory. After nine scoreless frames, automatic runner Daylen Lile scored from third on CJ Abrams’ sacrifice fly when left fielder Tanner Murray injured his shoulder making a diving catch. Pinch-hitter José Tena followed with his first homer of the season to provide insurance. The pitching duel kept both offenses in check through regulation, with Chicago finally pushing across their only run in the bottom of the 10th on Tristan Peters’ RBI. The Nationals had taken the previous day’s contest 6-3, and this tight extra-inning affair continued their momentum.
Athletics at Rangers
Won – Jensen’s two-unit play on the under 8.5 (-108) cashed comfortably as Oakland edged Texas 2-1 in the rubber match. Carlos Cortes’ two-run triple in the first inning—a 106.3 mph liner off Evan Carter’s glove on the warning track—provided all the offense Oakland would need. Athletics starter J.T. Ginn exited due to right arm soreness, but reliever Justin Sterner escaped a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the sixth to preserve the one-run advantage. The Rangers managed just one run in the sixth despite Josh Jung’s two doubles in the game. With a total of just three runs, this under sailed home well beneath the 8.5 number, providing Jensen a crucial two-unit winner.
Marlins at Giants
Won – San Francisco at -136 delivered a 6-3 victory, giving Jensen consecutive wins on one-unit plays. After winning the previous day’s matchup 6-2, the Giants made it three straight series victories and seven wins in their past 10 games. Landen Roupp (5-1) dominated Miami, allowing just two hits over 7 2/3 innings. Graham Pauley’s three-run homer on an 0-2 pitch in the second gave the Marlins a brief 3-0 lead, but Roupp then retired the next 18 batters in succession. Casey Schmitt hit a go-ahead homer for the second consecutive game, and Jung Hoo Lee went 4-for-5 with a triple and two runs scored. The Giants plated single runs in the third and sixth before a three-run seventh sealed the outcome.
Cubs at Dodgers
Lost – This two-unit wager on Chicago at +109 backfired as Los Angeles cruised to a 6-0 shutout victory. Justin Wrobleski became the first Dodgers pitcher since Chad Billingsley in 2009 to win his first four starts, tossing six scoreless innings while allowing four hits and striking out six. Shohei Ohtani went 3-for-3 with a homer, double, RBI, two runs, a walk, and a stolen base, putting on a clinic at the plate. The Dodgers jumped ahead 3-0 in the first inning and added two more in the sixth and one in the seventh. Chicago managed just four hits total, with Michael Busch’s double representing their only extra-base threat. The Cubs had been routed 12-4 the previous day, and this shutout loss made it a miserable series finale.
Angels at Royals
Won – Jensen closed the card with a two-unit winner on Kansas City at -122, as the Royals walked off with an 11-9 victory in 10 innings to complete the series sweep. Lane Thomas delivered a three-run homer in the 10th with runners on second and third—his first home run of the season and first walk-off RBI of his career. The Angels held a 7-4 lead when severe weather delayed the game in the seventh, but Kansas City rallied with two in the seventh and three in the ninth to force extras. Los Angeles plated one in the top of the 10th, but Thomas’ heroics in the bottom half sealed the dramatic comeback. Mike Trout homered with two RBI for the Angels, and Zach Neto went 3-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI, and two runs, but it wasn’t enough. The Royals had dominated 12-1 the previous day, and this wild extra-inning affair completed the sweep.
Beer Money & Parlay Plays
Jensen’s side plays went 3-3 on the day, offering lean recommendations without assigned unit values.
Sox at Orioles
Lost – Baltimore was favored at -143 but fell to Boston 5-3, missing the mark on this lean play.
Phillies at Braves
Won – Atlanta at -175 cruised to a 6-2 victory over Philadelphia, providing a comfortable winner on this side recommendation.
Rockies at Mets
Lost – The Mets were heavily favored at -232 but dropped a 3-1 decision to Colorado in an upset loss.
Twins at Rays
Won – Tampa Bay at -149 held off Minnesota 4-2, delivering another winner among the side plays.
Yankees at Astros
Lost – The Yankees were backed at -143 but fell 7-4 to Houston in a losing effort.
Mariners at Cardinals
Won – Seattle at -143 edged St. Louis 3-2, closing the side plays on a winning note.
Jensen’s April 26 card illustrated the challenge of handicapping variance—an even win-loss record undermined by losses on the two largest wagers. The two-unit defeat on Cincinnati and the Cubs cost him dearly, while wins on Toronto, the Athletics under, San Francisco, and Kansas City couldn’t overcome the deficit. The 4-4 mark with a -1.0 unit result underscores the importance of unit distribution and the fine margins that separate profitable days from losing ones.
