Be sure to check any relevant information before the game starts as this article is written the night before and picks may be subject to change!
Minnesota Twins at Cleveland Indians
The Twins have extended their losing streak to 4 games as they slip to a record of 7-15 and look to avoid the sweep. The Twins are certainly underperforming to start the long season and will have time to turn things around. They will give the nod to Happ, who has a 1-0 record, to take the start. The former Yankee will take the mound for his fourth start and has been great to start the season. Through 16 innings, he has let up 8 hits, 3 runs, 1 HR, 6 BBs, and 10 Ks with an ERA of 1.69. They will need to have the bats to back him up to break this losing streak.
The Indians will look to get the sweep that will give them a winning record overall. The Indians are a still good team despite a .500 record. They will give the start to Allen who owns a record of 1-3. Allen has seen 14.1 innings of play letting up 15 hits, 12 runs, 4 HRs, 6 BBs, and 11 Ks. Pretty terrible numbers. The Twins should be able to take advantage of him.
The Twins have the pitching advantage which is why Vegas has made them the favorite at -120. The Twins should edge out the Indians and avoid the sweep. The Twins lost a close one in the tenth inning suggesting they are trying on the field to get wins. Twins ML is the play.
Kansas City Royals at Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates surprisingly have a winning record as the month of April is coming to a close. Jokes across social media were made before the season start that the “Pirates have been eliminated from the playoffs.” The Pirates have traded away several players over recent years to opt for a rebuild. To continue their impressive start to the season, the Pirates will send out Keller to the mound. Keller has played 16.1 innings while letting up 21 hits, 13 runs, 3 HR, 8 BBs, and 17 Ks. Keller owns a whip 1.78 and an ERA of 7.16.
The Royals are also a surprise team to start the season but in the AL. Their bats have been hot as they are more than making up for their pitching. They have one of the best records in the AL. They will counter with Minor (2-1) on the mound. Minor has 21.1 innings under his belt this season giving up 19 hits, 11 runs, 4 HR, 7 BB, and 21 Ks with an ERA of 4.64, and a whip of 1.22.
The Royals are the favorite on the road with a line of -125. They have been hot but were held to just 1 run in the first matchup. The Royals and Pirates have roughly equal pitchers with the edge going to the Royals. The Pirates are over performing which is why I’m going with the Royals ML.
Boston Red Sox at New York Mets
The Mets are one game above .500 despite being relatively flat in the batters box and the hits usually disappear when the likely Cy Young of this season deGrom (2-1) is pitching. deGrom has easily been the best pitcher in the league this season. Hands down. He has already played 29.0 innings with 13 hits, 4 runs, 2 HR, 3 BB and a whopping 50 Ks to show for it. He has thrown for 14, 14, and 15 Ks in his last three games. He boasts an ERA of 0.31 and a whip of 0.55. The man is on fire and shows no signs of slowing down. The man is on a a mission. Throw in your prop bets for him to win a Cy Young this year.
The Red Sox have one of the best records in the AL and they take game 1 of the series by a score of 2-1. The Red Sox are showing out while given little credit this offseason as being a contender. Even though it’s early, they are showing signs of making a playoff run. They give the start to Pivetta (2-0) in game 2. He has 20.2 innings of play and has let up 14 hits, 8 runs, 1 HR, 14 BB, and 18 Ks. Some pretty solid numbers so far.
The Mets are the heavy favorite to win this game at -230. Not surprising given deGrom as the starter. The Mets ML is the play with the Mets RL likely as well.
Honorable Mentions
Yankees ML/RL
Rays ML
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Cubs ML/RL
Blue Jays ML/Washington RL
Tigers RL
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