Happy Easter! Be sure to check any relevant information before game time as this article is written the night before and picks may be subject to change!
Toronto Blue Jays at New York Yankees
The Blue Jays and Yankees have split the series 1-1 with the Yankees taking game 2. The Blue Jays are hanging tough with the Yankees which is a testament to how much they have improved as a franchise. In an attempt to take game 3 of the series, they will send out 25 year old pitcher Zeuch. The slinger saw only 8 innings of action in Spring and let up 5 runs, all in one game. His strikeout numbers aren’t impressive while only getting 2 Ks. Something that can amount to be a huge problem given the Yankees are on the best slugging teams in the league.
The starting pitching advantage has to go to Yankees this game as they send out German. Through 13 innings in Spring Training, he let up only 2 runs while striking out 17 batters and only walking 1. Pretty stellar Spring Training to say the least.
The Yankees are the favorite at -165. A line they can easily cover. If you are feeling extra frisky, take the Yankees -1.5 at +110 given the pitching advantage.
Saint Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds
The Reds take game 2 by a score of 9-6. A late-game home run in the ninth by Nolan Arenado, his first in Saint Louis Red, made this game a lot closer than it was mainly due to the Reds lighting up Wainright in the third inning for 6 runs. Wainrights age appears to be direr than what management thought.
The starting pitching matchup will be Carlos Martinez vs Jeff Hoffman. It’s easy to see who gets the advantage in this matchup when you look at the stats and it’s Martinez by a mile. Through 19 2/3 innings, Martinez let up 7 runs and struck out 14 batters. On the other side, Hoffman saw 14 2/3 innings and averaged a run an inning but did strike out 16 batters. He strikes them out or gets lit up.
This game is a pick ’em. Both teams are -110 on the Moneyline. Both teams are hitting well and both have terrible pitching to start off the season. This game could go either way, I’ve ridden the Cards in all three games and I will keep that trend going.
Cleveland Indians at Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers have probably taken more money from sports bettors than any other team in the league so far. They lead the Series 2-0 to start the season. The Tigers have outhit the first game but outhit Cleveland in game 2 by a margin of 10-7.
The Indians are the better team on paper by a mile, but in baseball that doesn’t always equal wins. In hopes of taking game 3 of the series, the Indians will send out Civale who saw 18 2/3 innings of action in Spring with mixed results. He let up 12 runs with half of them coming from Arizona while striking out 13 batters.
To take game 3, the Tigers will send out Skubal who had a decent Spring Training. Through 17 innings of play, he let up 11 runs while striking out 18 batters and letting up 9 walks.
The Indians are the -125 favorite even though they haven’t won a game this series. The chances of the Tigers getting the sweep are low given the talent levels so I suggest to keep riding the Indians ML.
Texas Rangers at Kansas City Royals
The Royals have taken both games of the series by bringing out the bats early to start the season. They scored 14 runs in game 1 and 11 runs in game 2. Texas has a serious pitching problem that will most likely plague them all season long.
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The Rangers will give the nod to Lyles who saw 11 innings letting up 11 runs while averaging a strikeout an inning. As far Texas pitching goes, that’s pretty decent.
To complement their excellent hitting to start the game, the Royals will counter Lyles with Singer who saw 17 innings of action in Spring Training. He had a decent Spring Training letting up 5 runs and had 20 Ks and 5 BBs.
The Royals are the -170 favorite and it’s easy to see why. They have been dominate in every facet of the game. The Royals can easily take this game but I am one to bet against sweeps which is why I’m taking the Rangers at +150.
Honorable Mentions
These are picks that I also have money on but can go into due to sake of length but are still worth betting on.
Cubs -175
Dodgers -240
Athletics -110
Braves -120
Red Sox -170
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