Best MLB Picks: 4/09
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!
New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays
The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays will face off for the first time this season after the Rays took them down in the ALDS. The Yankees will send out Kluber in an attempt to enact their revenge. Kluber got his first start against the Blue Jays and although he didn’t get credit for the win, the Yankees still won. Through 4 innings, he let up 5 hits, 2 runs, 1 HR, 3 BB, and 5 Ks. Not terrible but not great.
The Rays will counter with 41 year old pitcher Rich Hill. His first appearance was one to forgot as he lasted 4 innings of play giving up 5 hits, 4 runs, 1 HR, 2 BB, and 4 Ks. Age will certainly be a factor but it’s commendable Hill can play this late in his career.
The Yankees are the favorite on the road at -135. They are only 1 game above the Rays in the record. The Yankees have the better bats and will send out a better pitcher. The Yankees ML is the play.
San Diego Padres at Texas Rangers
The Rangers enter this series with a .500 record. Although their offense has been pretty solid to start the season, their pitching has crippled them. They send out Arihara to the mound to stop the heavy hitters of the Padres. The 28 year old slinger had a forgetful night that lasted 5.0 innings, 6 hits, 3 runs, 1 HR, 0 BB, and 1 K.
On the other hand, with his first start on his team, Musgrove had an excellent night that ended with a win. He let up 3 hits, 0 runs, 0 HR, 0 BB, and 8 Ks. I’m sure Musgrove is thrilled to have the Padres batters back him up instead of the Pirates batters.
The Padres are the -190 favorite to win this game. The Rangers can put up runs in a hurry but they will have to outhit the Padres who are equally as good at hitting the ball with a worse pitcher. The Padres win in this spot and the Padres -1.5 is also likely.
Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves
The Braves are vastly underperforming to start the season. However, they did catch some of their breathe by taking down the Nationals in a double header. To continue this win streak, they will send newcomer and former Rays slinger Charlie Morton to the mound. Morton is historically an excellent pitcher but took a loss in his first start with the Braves against the Phillies. He will get another chance to take down the Philly hitters that lit him up for 6 hits, 3 runs, 1 BB, and 5 Ks through 5 innings of action.
The Phillies are having a great start to the season that saw them sweep the Braves in the first series. To help continues their dominance over the Braves, they will give the nod to Zack Wheeler who dominated the Braves in his first start. He went 7 innings, letting up 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 BB, and a whopping 10 Ks. The Braves were helpless.
Despite sweeping the Braves, the Phillies are the underdog in this series. I can see why as winning four games in a row against any team is tough in this league, especially with the likes of Morton gracing the mound. The Braves ML is the play and the Phillies +1.5 is worth a look as well.
Honorable Mentions
Indians ML
Blue Jays ML
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Diamondbacks ML
Athletics ML
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