Be sure to check any relevant information close to game time as this article is written the night before and picks may be subject to change.
Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox
The Tampa Bay Rays are now 3-2 in the season and take game 1 of the series against the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox will attempt to end their early-season woes by sending out Eovaldi to the mound. Despite losing his first start of the season, he actually had a great game lasting 5 /13 innings while letting up 4 hits, 1 run, 1 BB, and 4 Ks.
The Rays will counter with Yarbrough who also had a decent start to the season and a great spring training. In his first start which lasted 5 2/3 innings let up 4 hits, 0 runs, and 4 strikeouts. This pitching matchup will certainly set the tone of the game.
The Red Sox are the slight favorite at home. The Red Sox sluggers will need to come up clutch to win this game, which they haven’t been able to do so far. The Rays aren’t power hitters themselves either so I’m willing to bet the Red Sox will pull out enough hits to win this game. The safer play is Rays +1.5 RL.
Kansas City Royals at Cleveland Indians
Although there is plenty of time for the Indians to turn their season around, they certainly are not living up to expectations. They lose their first series 1-2 to the Tigers, and now lose the first game to the red hot Royals. To continue their excellent start to the season that saw them take game 1 against the Indians in shutout fashion, the Royals give the nod to Junis at his first start of the season. Junis has made two appearances in relief this season. He has pitched two innings letting up 2 hits, 0 runs and 3 Ks. Fairly solid in relief.
The Indians will send out 25-year-old slinger Beiber to the mound who had a great start in his opener despite not getting the win. He saw 6.0 innings of action giving up 5 hits, 3 runs, 3 BBs, 1 HR, and a whopping 14 Ks.
The betting line is not yet out for this game. However, I will be taking the Indians in this spot as they will attempt to get their season back on track.
Toronto Blue Jays at Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers steal game 1 of the series by a score of 7-4. The Blue Jays will sense out their ace Ryu to stop the Rangers in their tracks. Ryu has been a top pitcher in the league for several years making it hard to bet against him. Although his opener wasn’t amazing and didn’t get the win, he still kept the Jays in the game that saw them win in extra innings against the Yankees.
The Rangers will send out Gibson, who as it stands, has an ERA of 135. Yes, a 135 ERA. That’s not a typo as he was lit up against the Royals in his first start. Wow, 135 ERA is insane. Alright, I’m done. He managed to get one out before he was destroyed for 4 hits, 5 runs, 3 BBs, and one 1 K. Feel bad for the guy who had to go to bed and wake up with a 135 ERA.
The Blue Jays are obviously the favorite with a line of -185 starting their ace pitcher Ryu on the road. The Blue Jays should win in this spot given two consecutive losses against a vulnerable Rangers team is unlikely.
Honorable Mentions
Braves +1.5/Even ML
Athletics +1.5
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Padres ML
Yankees ML
Diamondbacks ML- if they lose game 1
Twins ML
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