Best MLB Picks: 4/02
A lot of action to start the season and we love it! Be sure to check any relevant information close to game time as they picks may be subject to change with new information!
Los Angeles Dodgers at Colorado Rockies
In a surprise game, the defending World Series Champs start the season with a loss. Given the gaffe that occurred on opening day where Justin Turner was called out on a home run play, it’s no shock they go down to open the series against the Rockies. To counter this loss, the Dodgers will bring out the NL Cy Young winner Bauer they recently acquired to the mound.
The Rockies opted for a partial rebuild after dealing Nolan Arenado to the Cardinals but have kept their bats hot. The Rockies are known to put up runs in a hurry and they clearly exercised their greatest strength to get the win. Senzatela will get the nod for the Rockies. Senzatela had a Spring Training to forget allowing 10 hits in a little over 8 innings allowing 4 runs.
The Dodgers are once again the favorite on the road at -260. The Dodgers are clearly the better team but anything is possible if the Rockies get their bats going once again. However, I’m throwing my money on Bauer to bring the Dodgers back to .500 and also allow the Dodgers to cover the runline by keeping the Rockies batters in check.
Houston Astros at Oakland Athletics
The Astros will send Javier to the mound in game 2 vs the Athletics who will counter with Luzardo. Javier got limited time in spring training with his last inning pitched coming on March 14th. He pitched a total of 3 innings letting up 1 hit, 2 walks and striking 2 out.
Luzardo was decent despite one game where he got lit up by Arizona for 6 runs. However, through 10 2/3 innings, he had 12 strikeouts and walking only 4 batters.
Oakland will be a slight -135 favorite at home. At the time I’m writing this, the Astros are up 5-1 in the 8th inning suggesting the Astros will likely the win. However, I have more faith in Luzardo to have the better game and the As to pick up their bats this game. The play here is As ML.
San Francisco Giants at Seattle Mariners
The Giants will give the nod to 35-year-old Cueto. His days of ace pitching appear to be over. Cueto let up a staggering 12 hits and 8 runs through 7 1/3 innings. The positive takeaway was his ability to strike out 9 batters. He appears to be all or nothing at this point in his career.
The Mariners will send out Kikuchi to the mound in game 2 of the series. His three appearences in Spring Training were fairly decent getting 9 strikeouts and only allowing 3 runs.
The Mariners are listed as the favorite with a moneyline of -130. The Giants nearly take game 1 but lose it in extra innings in the first game of the series adding extra motivation for Seattle to come out swinging to take a 2-0 lead. The play here is Mariners ML as Cueto may have lost most of his juice.
Arizona Diamondbacks at San Diego Padres
The Padres take game 1 by a score of 8-7. A close game that saw Arizona flex their best asset, which is slugging the ball. They put up a whopping 6 runs in the 5th inning and outhit the Padres 12-10.
The Diamondbacks will look to avoid getting outhit early in the game. They will start veteran Mike Kelly on the mound who saw 18 2/3 innings in Spring Training striking out 17 batters while also allowing 13 runs.
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Blake Snell will get his first official start with his new team after departing Tampa Bay in the offseason. Blake Snell was an ace during Spring Training allowing zero runs in 5 appearances while also getting 13 Ks.
The Padres are the heavy -230 favorite at home. The Padres are better at nearly every aspect of the game. Blake Snell has been on fire dating back to last season and there is no reason to suggest it will stop now. The Padres are hot with the bats to start out the season which suggests that they will also take game 2 of the series. The Padres ML and RL are worth a look.
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