MLB Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (4/8)
It’s full steam ahead on the Major League Baseball season, as every team now has a couple of series under their belts. We’re in for a stacked slate of baseball today, with all 30 teams taking the field.
Let’s dive into my top three bets across the league.
MLB YTD: 9-3 (+5.0 Units)
Today’s Best MLB Bets
Boston Red Sox (-130) vs. Detroit Tigers (+110) | O/U 8.5 (+100/-120)
The Red Sox and Tigers had a built-in day off Friday after Boston spoiled Detroit’s home opener Thursday afternoon. The Sox will go for their second straight victory today when they turn to Tanner Houck to handle the starting pitching responsibilities. The Tigers counter with Joey Wentz in this American League showdown set for 4:10 p.m. ET from Comerica Park in Detroit.
I’m riding with the Red Sox on the moneyline in this one. For starters, they’ve been excellent offensively this season, ranking fifth in runs scored (41) and 11th in both team batting average (.256) and OPS (.782). Furthermore, they get even better against left-handed pitching, where they’re sixth in average (.319) and eighth in OPS (.841). Boston’s running into the southpaw Wentz, who is 0-1 with a 5.06 ERA and 0.94 WHIP.
Ultimately, these offenses are on completely different tracks, as Detroit is 29th in team batting average (.201) and 30th in OPS (.558). With the Red Sox having an edge both offensively and in pitching, they should be able to take care of business on the road in this one.
Bet: Boston Red Sox Moneyline (-130)
Oakland Athletics (+230) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (-275) | O/U 8.0 (-105/-115)
Tampa Bay comes into today’s action as the only remaining team that’s undefeated across Major League Baseball. They’ll go for their eighth straight win when they take on Shintaro Fujinami and the lowly Oakland Athletics. Jeffrey Springs gets the nod in this A.L. clash slated for 4:10 p.m. ET from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.
Fujinami wasn’t too sharp in his MLB debut Saturday, surrendering eight earned runs on five hits and three walks over just 2.1 innings pitched. The right-hander was saddled with the loss against the Angels. I don’t expect him to take much of a step forward against a Tampa team fourth overall in team batting average (.285) and lead the way in home runs (18) and OPS (.926).
On the flip side, the A’s batters do not have a favorable matchup as they’re tasked with scoring against Jeffrey Springs. The left-hander carved up Detroit in his season debut, holding them hitless over 6.0 innings. He gave up just one walk while striking out 12 batters in the winning effort. Look for the Rays to excel in all aspects of the game against this lousy Oakland team, eventually stretching the lead out by multiple runs. Give me Tampa on the run line.
Bet: Tampa Bay Rays -1.5 (-145)
Washington Nationals (+120) vs. Colorado Rockies (-140) | O/U 11.0 (-110/-110)
The Nationals snapped their four-game losing streak last night, edging out the Rockies 10-5 at Coors Field. The two sides are back at it today with a pitching matchup between Trevor Williams and Austin Gomber. The National League tilt is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET from Denver.
Williams is a newcomer to the Nationals, marking the fourth team in his career. He’s quickly taking the “journeyman route” in the MLB after bouncing from three different teams over the last three years. He’s not off to a fantastic start considering he’s 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA and 1.40 WHIP to begin the new campaign. The right-hander will have a tough challenge this evening against a Rockies side that’s slashing .300/.382/.667 against him over 60 at-bats.
Colorado has launched six home runs over those 60 at-bats, equating to a 10% home run rate in the head-to-head category. The big guns of Charlie Blackmon, Kris Bryant, and C.J. Cron are a combined 10-29 (.345) with a double, a triple, and three long balls. I’m anticipating another high-scoring affair in Denver, but I think the Rockies do enough offensively to come away with the victory.
Bet: Colorado Rockies Moneyline (-140)
