Tag: MLB Predictions

San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers sports betting odds and lines, with MLB betting picks, tips and best bets.

The San Francisco Giants face the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday at Dodger Stadium in Game 2 of their 2020 season. The first pitch is scheduled for 9:40 p.m. ET. We analyze the Giants-Dodgers MLB betting odds and picks, with betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Giants at Dodgers: Projected starting pitchers

RHP Jeff Samardzija vs. RHP Ross Stripling

Samardzija started 32 games for the Giants last season, going 11-12 with a 3.52 ERA.

  • In his career against the Dodgers, Samardzija is 2-5 but owns a 3.83 ERA and averages 7.8 strikeouts per nine innings.

Stripling went 4-4 in 32 appearances (15 starts) last season, striking out 9.2 batters per nine innings.

  • He was 0-1 with a 5.59 ERA in four appearances against the Giants last season, giving up three home runs – the most he surrendered to a single team
  • Stripling has a career ERA of 3.51, which is on par with his 3.55 ERA against the Giants.

Baseball season is finally here! Get some action on the 2020 season with an MLB bet at BetMGM in NJ, IN, CO and WV. Bet now!

Giants at Dodgers: Key injuries

Visit sportsdata.usatoday.com to track all MLB injuries leading up to game time.

Giants

  • C Buster Posey has opted out of the 2020 season
  • 3B Evan Longoria (oblique) out
  • 1B Brandon Belt (heel) out

Giants at Dodgers: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 5 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Dodgers 6, Giants 3

Moneyline (ML)

This is a lopsided matchup, which has the Dodgers -238 and San Francisco +210. It’s hard to imagine the Giants mustering up enough offense with their weak lineup to win this game after losing Thursday’s opener 8-1, but the reward is minimal with a bet on the Dodgers.

Still, the play here is with the DODGERS (-238), even though there’s some added risk by wagering on such a heavily favored team.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Dodgers to win would return a profit of $4.20.

Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

Here’s where the real value lies. The Dodgers are -1.5 in this matchup, which isn’t much to give to a lackluster Giants team. At -120, the reward is much greater than taking the Dodgers’ moneyline.

Take the DODGERS 1.5 (-120) two win by at least two runs behind a potent lineup that already poured eight runs on the Giants in the season opener.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Over/Under is set at 9, or the same number of runs as were scored between these teams on Opening Day. I’m predicting a similar total, but I’d bet the OVER 9 (-110) because the Dodgers can put runs on the board in a hurry against the Giants’ pitching staff.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Athletics odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Athletics sports betting odds and lines, with MLB betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Oakland Athletics visit the Los Angeles Angels Friday at Ring Central Coliseum for a 10:10 p.m. ET first pitch. We analyze the Angels-Athletics MLB betting odds and picks, with betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Angels at Athletics: Projected starting pitchers

LHP Andrew Heaney vs. RHP Frankie Montas

Heaney in 2019: 4-6, 4.91 ERA in 18 starts.

  • 2019 vs. Athletics: 0-1, 4.76 ERA (6 ER, 11 1/3 IP) in two starts.
  • Career vs. Athletics:  2-2, 3.99 ERA (17 ER, 38 1/3 IP) in six starts.

Montas in 2019: 9-2 with a 2.63 ERA over 16 starts.

  • 2019 vs. Angels: 2-0, 3.27 ERA (8 ER, 22 IP) in four starts.
  • Career vs. Angels: 2-0, 2.96 ERA (9 ER, 27 1/3 IP) in four starts and seven appearances.

Baseball season is finally here! Get some action on the 2020 season with an MLB bet at BetMGM in NJ, IN, CO and WV. Bet now!

Angels at Athletics: Key injuries

Visit sportsdata.usatoday.com to track all MLB injuries leading up to game time.

Angels

  • SP Julio Tehran (waiting for COVID-19 test results) out
  • 3B Anthony Rendon (oblique) out
  • RP Justin Anderson (elbow) out

Athletics

  • SP Jesus Luzardo (tested positive for COVID-19) out
  • SP A.J. Puk (shoulder) out

Angels at Athletics: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 3 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Athletics 7, Angels 3

Moneyline (ML)

These two pitchers met in the final regular-season game of 2019 and it was a pitchers’ duel of sorts.

Heany went for 5 1/3 innings with one earned run and Montas threw six innings with one earned run in a 3-2 Angels’ victory; however, Heaney is 2-3 with a 5.12 ERA in his last seven starts versus the Athletics while Montas is 4-0 with a 2.57 ERA in his last seven against the Angels.

Oakland owned Los Angeles last season (13-6) and the A’s are 7-1 in the last eight meetings between the two. The vig on the favorite (-152) is a fair price and I don’t see why the Athletics cannot continue their dominance of the Angels. Oakland is a sharp sleeper pick to go deep in the playoffs.

TAKE the ATHLETICS (-152) to beat the Angels. New to sports betting? A $152 bet on the Athletics earns a profit of $100 if Oakland wins.

Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

It seems like every other year the Athletics are one of the surprise teams in MLB. Sports betting markets didn’t take the Athletics as seriously as they should have, hence Oakland’s third-best run line record in the majors (91-72).

As you read above, Montas has had bankable success against the Angels and when you mix in the Athletics’ above-average bullpen—seventh in ERA, fifth in batting average and fifth in WHIP—we LIKE the ATHLETICS -1.5 (+125) on the run line.

New to sports betting? A $50 bet on the Athletics earns a profit of $62.50 if Oakland wins by two or more runs.

Over/Under (O/U)

Oakland and Los Angeles were ranked similarly in every major hitting category last season. And though there are a lot of big names in both lineups, the Athletics played to the third-most Unders in the majors and the Angels had a 79-76-7 Over/Under record in 2019.

Of course, CF Mike Trout could do damage but the absence of expensive free-agent signee Rendon makes the Angels’ lineup a little easier to handle.

All that being said, the lineups’ firepower in this matchup compels me to AVOID betting the projected total of 8.5.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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St. Louis Cardinals favored over Pittsburgh Pirates in season opener

The Pittsburgh Pirates are an underdog when they travel to the St. Louis Cardinals to open the season.

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The 2020 MLB 60-game season continues to roll Friday and the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener has them as the favorite to win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, per the oddsmakers at BetMGM Sportsbook. The game is slated to begin at 8:15 p.m. ET.

Cardinals vs. Pirates odds and betting lines

Odds via BetMGM, last updated Friday at 12:15 p.m. ET.

The Cardinals are favored at -176 over the Pirates. New to sports betting? You’d have to wager $176 to win $100 if the Cardinals pull off the victory. The -176 represents an implied odds of 63.77% to win, or 25/44.

As for the underdog Pirates, they come in at +155. Should they pull off an upset victory, every $100 wagered returns a profit of $155. They have an implied 39.22% chance of victory in the eyes of the oddsmakers.

Special West Virginia betting line! Bet $1. Win $100! If either the Cardinals or Pirates hit a homer, you win. Sign up in West Virginia at BetMGM to place your legal MLB wagers and cash in on this promotional line. Bet now

  • Moneyline: Cardinals -176, Pirates +155
  • Run Spread: Cardinals -1.5 (-104), Pirates +1.5 (-118)
  • Over/Under: 8.5 runs, -110 over, -110 under
  • BetMGM West Virginia Promo line: BET $1, WIN $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a home run. Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions and to place your wager on this special line.
  • Also see: Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals best bets

Sign up at BetMGM to place your legal bets in NJ, CO, IN and WV.

For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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New York Mets favored over Atlanta Braves in season opener

The New York Mets begin their 2020 MLB season as the favorite to win over the Atlanta Braves.

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The New York Mets begin their 2020 60-game regular season as the favorite to win their opener, playing host to the Atlanta Braves Friday afternoon at 4:10 p.m. ET.

Mets vs. Braves odds and betting lines

Odds via BetMGM, last updated Friday at 11:15 a.m. ET.

The lines are moving a bit Friday morning in the Mets-Braves matchup, as the Mets (-154 – bet $154, win $100) have implied winning odds of 60.63% over Atlanta, or 50/77 fractional odds.

The underdog Braves (+140 – bet $100, win $140) have an implied 41.67% odds of upsetting the Mets in their first matchup of the season.

Special New Jersey betting line! Bet $1. Win $100! If either the Yankees or Nationals hit a homer, you win. Sign up in New Jersey at BetMGM to place your legal MLB wagers and cash in on this promotional line. Bet now

  • Moneyline: Mets -154, Braves +140
  • Run Spread: Mets -1.5 (+135), Braves +1.5 (-162)
  • Over/Under: 7.5 runs, -110 over, -110 under
  • BetMGM New Jersey Promo line: BET $1, WIN $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a home run. Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions and to place your wager on this special line.
  • Also see: Braves at Mets betting guide

Sign up at BetMGM to place your legal bets in NJ, CO, IN and WV.

For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook. Please gamble responsibly.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals matchup, with MLB betting predictions, picks and best bets.

The Pittsburgh Pirates travel to take on the division rival St. Louis Cardinals Friday at Busch Stadium for an 8:15 p.m. ET first pitch. We analyze the Pirates-Cardinals MLB betting odds and lines, with betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Pirates at Cardinals: Projected starting pitchers

RHP Joe Musgrove vs. RHP Jack Flaherty

Musgrove ended up 11-12 with a 4.44 ERA and 157 strikeouts with a 1.22 WHIP across 31 starts and one relief appearance in 2019.

  • Musgrove was bombed against the Cardinals last season, going 0-4 with a 10.00 ERA, 24 hits allowed and 12 walks yielded in 18 innings over four starts, while St. Louis hit a combined .324 against him.
  • The righty was actually better on the road last season, going 6-6 with a 3.73 ERA across 82 innings, while posting a 5-6 mark and a 5.09 ERA in 88 1/3 innings at home.

Flaherty was good for an 11-8 record, a 2.75 ERA, a fantastic 0.98 WHIP and 231 strikeouts in 33 starts in 2019.

  • Flaherty was hard on the Bucs last season, going 1-0 with a 0.60 ERA and .163 opponent batting average (OBA) across 15 innings.
  • The California right-hander was dominant at Busch in ’19, going 7-4 with a sparkling 2.37 ERA and .168 OBA over 98 2/3 innings.

Baseball season is finally here! Get some action on the 2020 season with an MLB bet at BetMGM in NJ, IN, CO and WV. Bet now!

Pirates at Cardinals: Key injuries

(List of injuries around the league)

Pirates

  • OF Gregory Polanco tested positive for COVID-19 and his return date is uncertain at this point.

Cardinals

  • RP Jordan Hicks is on the 45-day injured list and will miss the 2020 season after having a setback in his rehab from reconstructive elbow surgery.

Pirates at Cardinals: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Wednesday at 7:55 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Cardinals 7, Pirates 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Pirates (+170) lost their last six road games in 2019, and things do not appear any brighter to kick off the new season. The Cardinals (-189) are heavy favorites at home, but laying this kind of chalk early is dangerous. AVOID. 

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Cardinals (-189) to win straight up nets a return of just $5.29 if they prevail.

Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

The CARDINALS (-1.5, +110) are a much better value in their home park on the run line, especially against Musgrove, who couldn’t do anything right against the Redbirds in 2019. Overall the Bucs are 7-20 in their past 27 tries against the Cards, and a dismal 20-45 in their past 65 at Busch.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 8 (-110) is a risky play based on Flaherty’s numbers from a year ago, and how tough he was on the Buccos. However, Musgrove was awful against the Cardinals, and the St. Louis batters could be doing an early conga line on the base paths against the shaky righty. It won’t be a beer-league softball score, but the Cards should scratch out enough offensively to make up for the lack of runs by the Pirates batters.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter, and follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Detroit Tigers at Cincinnati Reds odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Detroit Tigers at Cincinnati Reds sports betting odds and lines, with MLB betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Detroit Tigers face the Cincinnati Reds Friday with a 6:10 p.m. ET first pitch at Great American Ball Park. We analyze the Tigers-Reds odds and lines, with MLB betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Tigers at Reds: Projected starting pitchers

LHP Matthew Boyd vs. RHP Sonny Gray

Boyd: 4.56 ERA in 185 1/3 IP, 11.6 strikeouts per nine innings

  • The SO/9 figure – which came on increased velocity a year ago – was accompanied by a lot of fly balls and more than a fair share landing on the unplayable side of outfield fences. Boyd yielded 1.89 home runs per nine in 2019.
  • Boyd owns a 5.60 road ERA over his career. He was rocked in his lone career game at Great American Ball Park in 2018 and hasn’t fared well in parks considered to favor hitters.

Gray: 2.87 ERA in 175 1/3 IP

  • Gray logged his lowest season ERA since 2015, but figure on a bit of regression after benefiting from a .255 opponent batting average on balls in play and a .190 batting average with runners in scoring position.
  • The 30-year-old hurler often struggles the third time through a batting order. Look for the Cincinnati bullpen to be heavily involved in closing this one out.

Baseball season is finally here! Get some action on the 2020 season with an MLB bet at BetMGM in NJ, IN, CO and WV. Bet now!

Tigers at Reds: Key injuries

Visit sportsdata.usatoday.com to track all MLB injuries leading up to game time.

Reds

  • SS Freddy Galvis (shoulder) questionable
  • RP Michael Lorenzen (forearm) questionable

Tigers

  • OF JaCoby Jones (oblique) probable

Tigers at Reds: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 8:45 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML)

The Reds went 75-87 in 2019, but ran into some bad cluster luck and had a runs-versus-runs allowed profile that could’ve well yielded 84 wins or so. Cincinnati improved over the offseason and was a solid preseason win-total play at 31.5 in the 60-game season.

Figure the Reds as perhaps a .540 team with a solid starter (although maybe a bit overvalued) set to take the mound. The Tigers counter with Boyd, who figures to be overlooked, but this still works out to a lean on the home nine and one with a price to leverage. TAKE THE REDS (-167).

New to sports betting? A winning $10 wager on the Reds pays out a profit of $5.99.

Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

A CINCINNATI -1.5 (+120) play is worth tagging to the moneyline bet as a partial-unit undercard. After 2019, the Reds should be on the right side of the ledger with the run-differential gods.

Over/Under (O/U)

Friday evening in the Queen City sets up to be a warm but relatively dry night for midsummer in Cincy. The OVER 8.5 (-110) is the lean but not with much conviction.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Miami Marlins at Philadelphia Phillies odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Miami Marlins at Philadelphia Phillies sports betting odds and lines, with MLB betting picks, tips and best bets.

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The Miami Marlins visit the Philadelphia Phillies Friday at Citizens Bank Park for a 7:05 p.m. ET start. We analyze the Marlins-Phillies MLB betting odds and lines, with betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Marlins at Phillies: Projected starting pitchers

RHP Sandy Alcantara vs. RHP Aaron Nola

Alcantara in 2019: 6-14, 3.88 ERA in 32 starts.

  • 2019 vs Phillies: 2-1, 3.86 ERA in 3 starts.
  • Career vs Phillies: 3-1, 2.81 ERA in 4 starts.

Nola in 2019: 12-7, 3.87 ERA in 34 starts.

  • 2019 vs Marlins: 0-2, 2.08 ERA in 3 starts.
  • Career vs Marlins: 3-6, 3.28 ERA in 13 starts.

Baseball season is finally here! Get some action on the 2020 season with an MLB bet at BetMGM in NJ, IN, CO and WV. Bet now!

Marlins at Phillies: Key injuries

(List of injuries around the league)

The Phillies dealt with their fair share of COVID-19 cases a few weeks ago, including closer Hector Neris and 2B Scott Kingery. They should be ready to roll for Opening Day, though, and both teams will be close to full strength.

Marlins

  • OF Lewis Brinson (illness) doubtful

Phillies

  • RP Seranthony Dominguez (elbow) out
  • OF Mikie Mahtook (positive COVID-19 test) out

Marlins at Phillies: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at Friday at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Phillies 4, Marlins 3

Moneyline (ML)

The MARLINS (+165) come into this game as underdogs, but stand a decent chance of pulling this one out with Alcantara on the mound. He thrived down the stretch in 2019, with a 2.78 ERA across his final 11 starts. A price of -189 on the Phillies is a little steep, even in their home park.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Marlins to win the game will turn a profit of $16.50 if they prevail.

Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

It’s probably best to AVOID this one altogether. The Marlins are a good bet to keep this one close, but taking the Moneyline, rather than +1.5 (-134), is probably the way to go. Meanwhile, the Phillies check in at -1.5 (+110), but look elsewhere for value.

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER 9 (-110) is the side to take here. This is a matchup of two strong pitchers, and one pretty weak offense in Miami. Both starters have fared well in the past against the team they’ll be facing today, and should continue that trend. Look for this game to be a rather low-scoring affair.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox sports betting odds and lines, with MLB betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Minnesota Twins open their 2020 season against the AL Central rival Chicago White Sox Friday at Guaranteed Rate Field for an 8:10 p.m. ET start. We analyze the Twins-White Sox MLB betting odds and lines, with betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Twins at White Sox: Projected starting pitchers

RHP Jose Berrios vs. RHP Lucas Giolito

Berrios made his second straight All-Star team while going 14-8 with a 3.68 ERA and 1.223 WHIP over 32 starts and 200 1/3 innings.

  • Declined over the second half of 2019 with a 4.64 ERA vs. his 3.00 mark from the first half.
  • Was better at home with a 3.51 ERA compared to a 3.84 road split.

Giolito made his first All-Star game in just his second full season. He went 14-9 with a 3.41 ERA and MLB highs of three complete games and two shutouts.

  • Went 2-2 in four starts against the AL Central champion Twins with a 3.24 ERA and 32 strikeouts against five walks and six home runs allowed.
  • Was much better on the road with a 2.83 ERA vs. his 4.06 mark at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Baseball season is finally here! Get some action on the 2020 season with an MLB bet at BetMGM in NJ, IN, CO and WV. Bet now!

Twins at White Sox: Key injuries

Visit sportsdata.usatoday.com to track all MLB injuries leading up to game time.

Twins

  • C Willians Astudillo (COVID-19) out
  • CF Byron Buxton (ankle) questionable
  • 3B Miguel Sano (past positive COVID-19 test) probable

White Sox

  • 2B Nick Madrigal (head) questionable
  • OF Nomar Mazara (illness) out
  • 2B Yoan Moncada (past positive COVID-19 test) probable

Twins at White Sox: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Thursday at 3:10 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Twins 5, White Sox 2

Moneyline (ML)

Back the defending AL Central champion TWINS (-112). The White Sox (+100) are a favorite darkhorse pick around baseball this season, but they’re likely to be without multiple key young players in the early going due to COVID-19. They may challenge Minnesota for the division crown by the end of the season, but let them prove themselves before jumping on the bandwagon, especially at the sportsbook.

This game was priced as a pick ’em Tuesday afternoon with the odds dropping for Minnesota throughout the week.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Twins would return a profit of $8.93 with a victory.

Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

Go ahead and chase the value with MINNESOTA -1.5 (+140) on the run line. Should the Twins win by a margin of at least two runs, the same $10 wager would return a profit of $14.

The Twins went 13-6 straight up against the White Sox last year and 13-6 against the spread. The White Sox should be much improved this season, but the Twins should also be able to pick up where they left off in the regular season with their ace on the hill.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the UNDER 8.5 (-110). As noted above, the White Sox’s offense won’t be at full health for Friday’s season opener and it’ll be noticed in a tough matchup against Berrios.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren on Twitter, and follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Seattle Mariners at Houston Astros odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Seattle Mariners at Houston Astros sports betting odds and lines, with MLB betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Seattle Mariners visit the Houston Astros Friday for their season opener at Minute Maid Park with a 9:10 p.m. ET first pitch. We analyze the Mariners-Astros MLB betting odds and lines, with MLB betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Mariners at Astros: Projected starting pitchers

LHP Marco Gonzales vs. RHP Justin Verlander

Gonzales (2019): 16-13, 3.99 ERA, 147 K, 56 BB

  • Gonzales struggled against Houston in 2019, going 0-2 in four starts with a 5.66 ERA, 10 strikeouts and 12 walks in 20 2/3 innings.
  • Seven Astros expected to be in the lineup have a batting average of at least .333 against Gonzales. Five hit at least .400 against him.

Verlander (2019): 21-6, 2.58 ERA, 300 K, 42 BB

  • Verlander went 3-0 against the Mariners in five starts with an ERA of 2.97, while striking out 40 batters in 30 1/3 innings.

Baseball season is finally here! Get some action on the 2020 season with an MLB bet at BetMGM in NJ, IN, CO and WV. Bet now!

Mariners at Astros: Key injuries

Visit sportsdata.usatoday.com to track all MLB injuries leading up to game time.

Mariners

  • OF Mitch Haniger (groin) out indefinitely
  • RP Yoshihisa Hirano (illness) out indefinitely
  • C Tom Murphy (foot) out indefinitely

Astros

  • 2B Jose Altuve (leg) probable
  • OF Yordan Alvarez (knee) out indefinitely

Mariners at Astros: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Friday at 7:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Astros 7, Mariners 4

Moneyline (ML)

Houston is a heavy favorite at -294, as a 2020 World Series favorite against a Mariners team not expected to compete in 2020. Verlander continues to dominate. There isn’t any value, but this is a SURE PLAY taking the ASTROS (-294).

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Houston will win you $3.40 in profit.

Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

Houston is favored at -2.5 (+105) on the run line. They covered more than 53% of their games in 2019, the fifth-highest rate in the majors. With this lopsided pitching matchup, don’t overthink it. Take the ASTROS -2.5 (+105) to win by at least a three-run margin.

Over/Under (O/U)

The total is set at 8.5 runs. Seattle’s games hit the Over more than 55% of the time last season. Being the first game of the year, batters will be ramped up, and with how the Astros hitters did against Gonzales in 2019, Houston could come close to hitting the Over all by itself. Take the OVER 8.5 (-110).

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @senorjessroot on Twitter, and follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Baltimore Orioles at Boston Red Sox odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Baltimore Orioles at Boston Red Sox matchup, with MLB betting predictions, picks and best bets.

The Baltimore Orioles travel to meet the division rival Boston Red Sox Friday at Fenway Park for a 7:30 p.m. ET first pitch. We analyze the Orioles-Red Sox MLB betting odds and lines, with betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Orioles at Red Sox: Projected starting pitchers

LHP Tommy Milone vs. RHP Nathan Eovaldi

The journeyman southpaw Milone posted a dismal 4-10 record with a 4.76 ERA and 94 strikeouts last season for the Seattle Mariners.

  • Milone hasn’t faced the Red Sox since 2016. That might be a good thing, as he was hammered for eight runs – four earned – on 10 hits in just 4 2/3 innings in a loss at Fenway Park as a member of the Minnesota Twins July 24, 2016.
  • The southpaw was actually better on the road than at home last season. Away from Seattle, he was 3-4 with a respectable 3.91 ERA across 50 2/3 innings over two starts and nine relief appearances. However, he was 1-6 with a 5.56 ERA at home.

Eovaldi struggled with a 2-1 record, 5.99 ERA and 1.58 WHIP with 70 strikeouts and 35 walks across 12 starts and 11 relief appearances in ’19.

  • Eovaldi was tagged for eight earned runs on six hits and seven walks with just four strikeouts in seven innings across two starts vs. Baltimore last year, going 0-1 with a 10.29 ERA.
  • He also didn’t fare well at Fenway Park last season, going 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA, 29 K’s and 22 walks across 30 innings over five starts and seven relief showings.

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Orioles at Red Sox: Key injuries

(List of injuries around the league)

Orioles

  • OF Trey Mancini had a malignant tumor removed from his colon, and is expected to miss the 60-game season. He starts out on the 45-day injured list.
  • OF Dwight Smith Jr. is on the 10-day injured list, as he recovers from COVID-19.

Red Sox

  • 2B Dustin Pedroia is on the 45-day injured list, as he had a setback during his left knee injury rehab.
  • Eovaldi gets the start thanks in large part to LHP Chris Sale (elbow) being out for the season.

Orioles at Red Sox: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Wednesday at 11 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Red Sox 6, Orioles 4

Moneyline (ML)

The Orioles (+180) might be a tempting play on the road, but AVOID. The Red Sox (-209) are heavily favored for a reason, even if they’re expected to be a mediocre team overall. Boston is 14-6 in their past 20 at home vs. Baltimore, and 35-16 in the previous 51 meetings overall.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Red Sox (-209) to win straight up nets a return of just $4.78.

Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

The RED SOX (-1.5, -115) are a better play, albeit make it just a small-unit wager. Boston is not expected to be a championship-caliber team, but Baltimore is likely to be terrible again. The BoSox might get off to a fast start against their overwhelmed rivals.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 9.5 (-110) is worth playing, but don’t get carried away with a big bet. The starting pitchers are pretty horrendous in this one, and we could see both sides go to the bullpen early. As such, the offenses for both sides could get off to a bit of a quick start.

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