BEGINNING MONDAY, APRIL 25
San Francisco at Milwaukee (1) 25th
The Giants are catching a fat underdog price in this stand-alone contest, starting reliever Sammy Long as part of a bullpen game. They have a 2.51 team ERA, 2nd best in MLB, and they are taking on a Brewers? team that is averaging a paltry 3.3 runs per game at the plate. Despite having to contend with Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes (2.37 ERA in three starts) it?s hard to pass up a team that won 107 games in 2021 (11-5, +$495 so far). BEST BET: S. Long.
Colorado at Philadelphia (4) 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th
The Phillies check into this series with a dismal 4-8 record vs. right-handers (-$730, 3.8 runs per game at the plate) and they?ll have to contend with a surging Colorado team (10-5, +$755). Zach Elfin (-$220, 5.27 ERA) and Zack Wheeler (-$445, 8.53) will have their hands full with a hot hitting club (.270 team BA), no doubt at inflated prices. BEST BET: Rockies vs. Elfin & Wheeler.
N.Y. Mets at St. Louis (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Cards took 5 of 7 from the Mets in head to head play last year (+$420) and they come into this series with a 7-3 record vs. right-handers (+$370). Miles Mikolas has been flashing outstanding form through his first three appearances (+$375, 1.76 ERA) and he?s catching a generous underdog price at home tonight vs. the Mets & staff ace Max Scherzer. New York looks very impressive (10-5, +$565 so far), but this is a tough venue. BEST BET: Mikolas.
L.A. Dodgers at Arizona (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Dodgers racked up a 16-3 mark vs. the D?Backs in 2021 (+$870). They have a best record in MLB so far (11-4, +$460), the best pitching (2.22 team ERA) and they are averaging 5.4 runs per game at the plate. Arizona does not have the firepower to score runs off this rotation (1.89 team ERA, 3.0 runs per game), but they have some hot starters (3.36 team ERA), so we?re not inclined to lay inflated prices on the visitor. BEST BET: None.
Boston at Toronto (4) 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th
The Red Sox will be without Tanner Houck (3.22 ERA) and several relievers who are barred from entering Canada. They are only 3-8 vs. right-handers so far (-$545, averaging 3.3 runs per game in those contests), and they?ll be facing Kevin Gausman (2.89 ERA in three starts) and Ross Stripling (3.38) and a team that averaging 5.5 runs per game at home. BEST BET: Gausman/Stripling.
Houston at Texas (4) 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th
The Astros manhandled the Rangers in 2021 (14-5, +$525) and Texas is fading fast in the AL West (5-10, -$425, with a 5.08 team ERA, worst in the American League). But Glen Otto looked strong in his first start (1.80 ERA) and he?s up against a Houston team that
is only 3-6 (-$450) vs. right-handers, averaging a mere 2.7 runs per game in those contests. We?ll try to steal a win with the home team at Arlington when he?s on the hill. BEST BET: Otto.
Cleveland at L.A. Angels (4) 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th
The Tribe took 5 of 6 in LA last season (+$430) and they check in here with a .264 team BA, averaging 5.0 runs per game through their first 15. The Angels are hitting, but the pitching remains sub-par. They have some promising starters but the bullpen is the weakest in the AL (4.37). Take a shot with Shane Bieber (2.81) & Triston McKenzie (+$220, 1.08) at Anaheim. BEST BET: Bieber/McKenzie.
BEGINNING TUESDAY, APRIL 26
Milwaukee at Pittsburgh (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Brewers manhandled the Bucs in a three game sweep at Milwaukee (+$300), after going 14-5 (+$405) in head to head play last season. However, the Pirates are doing well against left-handers in the early weeks of the campaign (5-2, +$535) and they?ll catch a fat underdog price vs. Aaron Ashby, who?s slated to make his 2nd start of 2022. The Brewers come in after a make-up game vs. SF and they are only hitting .201 as a team. BEST BET: Pirates vs. Ashby.
San Diego at Cincinnati (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Reds dropped 5 out of 6 to San Diego in 2021 (-$500) and they are already in a deep hole at 3-13 (-$870), worst record in MLB. They come into this series with a .186 team BA (2.8 runs per game) and a 5.40 ERA, near the bottom of the National League in both departments. The Padres are off to a solid start at 10-7 (+$290) and Joe Musgrove has looked very sharp in his first three outings (+$300, 1.90 ERA). We?ll take a shot with the visiting right-hander in Tuesday?s series opener. BEST BET: Musgrove.
Miami at Washington (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Marlins have won 6 of their last 10 (+$220) and own a huge pitching edge over the last place Nationals, who currently have the worst team ERA in the league (5.41). Sandy Alcantara (1.86 ERA in three starts) and Pablo Lopez +$340, 0.52) are two of the better young right-handers in the NL. Washington is only 3-9 vs. righties to start the year (-$500) so we?ll try our luck with Miami?s hot starters. BEST BET: Alcantara/P. Lopez.
Chicago Cubs at Atlanta (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Cubs are winless on the road vs. right-handers (-$325) and they?ll face a good one in Kyle Wright, who?s off to the best start of anyone in the Atlanta rotation (+$305, 1.06 ERA in three outings). The Braves haven?t looked like defending champs (7-10, -$780) but they have averaged 5.9 runs per game vs. left-handers. Drew Smyly is set to take the mound vs. Wright in Thursday?s finale, which makes the Atlanta righty look even better. BEST BET: K. Wright.
Seattle at Tampa Bay (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Mariners were the AL?s top money-maker in 2021 (+$3550) and they roll into Tropicana Field having taken 8 of their last 10 (+$580, averaging 6.1 runs per game with a 2.54 among starters). They?ll send a trio of strong arms to the mound in Logan Gilbert (+$330, 0.54 ERA), Chris Flexen (3.64) and Marco Gonzales (3.29), all of whom are likely to be attractively priced underdogs. Tampa Bay is off to a competitive start at 9-7, but the road team can do serious damage. BEST BET: L. Gilbert/Flexen/M. Gonzales.
Baltimore at N.Y. Yankees (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Yankees have relied on the best pitching in the American League (2.53 ERA) to compensate for their lackluster attack (only 3.6 runs per game through their first 16). They did break out for 10 runs vs. the Guardians on Sunday, but Baltimore has pitched well (3.17), so we?re reluctant to lay inflated prices on the home team. But with an offense averaging just 2.7 runs per game, we see no upside taking the underdog O?s. BEST BET: None.
Kansas City at Chicago W. Sox (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Royals were a very profitable 10-9 in head to head competition with the White Sox last year (+$710) and they catch the defending AL Central champs in the midst of a seven game losing streak. They are only 4-8 vs. right-handers so far (-$480), averaging just 2.5 runs per game in those contests. Brad Keller (2.55 ERA in three starts) and Zack Greinke (2.25 in three starts) will be hard to pass up as underdogs at Chicago. BEST BET: B. Keller/Greinke.
Detroit at Minnesota (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Twins have climbed to .500 following four straight wins, but they are only 2-4 vs.left-handers (-$220, 3.5 runs per game) and they?ll face a hot one in Tarik Skubal, who comes into Target Field with a 2.30 ERA in his three starts. Neither offense is having much success to start the year (Twins .217 team BA), so take the price with the visiting southpaw. BEST BET: Skubal.
Oakland at San Francisco (2) 26th, 27th
The Giants picked up a bonus win at Milwaukee on Monday en route back home, giving them their 8th win in their last 11 (+$580). But Oakland is rested, they?ve turned a nice profit in April (+$520), and they?ll send a quality pair to the mound in Daulton Jefferies (1.17 ERA in three starts) and Paul Blackburn (+$500, 1.80), no doubt as attractively priced underdogs. A split should yield a nice profit. BEST BET: Jefferies/Blackburn.
San Francisco at Milwaukee (1) 25th
The Giants are catching a fat underdog price in this stand-alone contest, starting reliever Sammy Long as part of a bullpen game. They have a 2.51 team ERA, 2nd best in MLB, and they are taking on a Brewers? team that is averaging a paltry 3.3 runs per game at the plate. Despite having to contend with Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes (2.37 ERA in three starts) it?s hard to pass up a team that won 107 games in 2021 (11-5, +$495 so far). BEST BET: S. Long.
Colorado at Philadelphia (4) 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th
The Phillies check into this series with a dismal 4-8 record vs. right-handers (-$730, 3.8 runs per game at the plate) and they?ll have to contend with a surging Colorado team (10-5, +$755). Zach Elfin (-$220, 5.27 ERA) and Zack Wheeler (-$445, 8.53) will have their hands full with a hot hitting club (.270 team BA), no doubt at inflated prices. BEST BET: Rockies vs. Elfin & Wheeler.
N.Y. Mets at St. Louis (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Cards took 5 of 7 from the Mets in head to head play last year (+$420) and they come into this series with a 7-3 record vs. right-handers (+$370). Miles Mikolas has been flashing outstanding form through his first three appearances (+$375, 1.76 ERA) and he?s catching a generous underdog price at home tonight vs. the Mets & staff ace Max Scherzer. New York looks very impressive (10-5, +$565 so far), but this is a tough venue. BEST BET: Mikolas.
L.A. Dodgers at Arizona (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Dodgers racked up a 16-3 mark vs. the D?Backs in 2021 (+$870). They have a best record in MLB so far (11-4, +$460), the best pitching (2.22 team ERA) and they are averaging 5.4 runs per game at the plate. Arizona does not have the firepower to score runs off this rotation (1.89 team ERA, 3.0 runs per game), but they have some hot starters (3.36 team ERA), so we?re not inclined to lay inflated prices on the visitor. BEST BET: None.
Boston at Toronto (4) 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th
The Red Sox will be without Tanner Houck (3.22 ERA) and several relievers who are barred from entering Canada. They are only 3-8 vs. right-handers so far (-$545, averaging 3.3 runs per game in those contests), and they?ll be facing Kevin Gausman (2.89 ERA in three starts) and Ross Stripling (3.38) and a team that averaging 5.5 runs per game at home. BEST BET: Gausman/Stripling.
Houston at Texas (4) 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th
The Astros manhandled the Rangers in 2021 (14-5, +$525) and Texas is fading fast in the AL West (5-10, -$425, with a 5.08 team ERA, worst in the American League). But Glen Otto looked strong in his first start (1.80 ERA) and he?s up against a Houston team that
is only 3-6 (-$450) vs. right-handers, averaging a mere 2.7 runs per game in those contests. We?ll try to steal a win with the home team at Arlington when he?s on the hill. BEST BET: Otto.
Cleveland at L.A. Angels (4) 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th
The Tribe took 5 of 6 in LA last season (+$430) and they check in here with a .264 team BA, averaging 5.0 runs per game through their first 15. The Angels are hitting, but the pitching remains sub-par. They have some promising starters but the bullpen is the weakest in the AL (4.37). Take a shot with Shane Bieber (2.81) & Triston McKenzie (+$220, 1.08) at Anaheim. BEST BET: Bieber/McKenzie.
BEGINNING TUESDAY, APRIL 26
Milwaukee at Pittsburgh (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Brewers manhandled the Bucs in a three game sweep at Milwaukee (+$300), after going 14-5 (+$405) in head to head play last season. However, the Pirates are doing well against left-handers in the early weeks of the campaign (5-2, +$535) and they?ll catch a fat underdog price vs. Aaron Ashby, who?s slated to make his 2nd start of 2022. The Brewers come in after a make-up game vs. SF and they are only hitting .201 as a team. BEST BET: Pirates vs. Ashby.
San Diego at Cincinnati (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Reds dropped 5 out of 6 to San Diego in 2021 (-$500) and they are already in a deep hole at 3-13 (-$870), worst record in MLB. They come into this series with a .186 team BA (2.8 runs per game) and a 5.40 ERA, near the bottom of the National League in both departments. The Padres are off to a solid start at 10-7 (+$290) and Joe Musgrove has looked very sharp in his first three outings (+$300, 1.90 ERA). We?ll take a shot with the visiting right-hander in Tuesday?s series opener. BEST BET: Musgrove.
Miami at Washington (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Marlins have won 6 of their last 10 (+$220) and own a huge pitching edge over the last place Nationals, who currently have the worst team ERA in the league (5.41). Sandy Alcantara (1.86 ERA in three starts) and Pablo Lopez +$340, 0.52) are two of the better young right-handers in the NL. Washington is only 3-9 vs. righties to start the year (-$500) so we?ll try our luck with Miami?s hot starters. BEST BET: Alcantara/P. Lopez.
Chicago Cubs at Atlanta (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Cubs are winless on the road vs. right-handers (-$325) and they?ll face a good one in Kyle Wright, who?s off to the best start of anyone in the Atlanta rotation (+$305, 1.06 ERA in three outings). The Braves haven?t looked like defending champs (7-10, -$780) but they have averaged 5.9 runs per game vs. left-handers. Drew Smyly is set to take the mound vs. Wright in Thursday?s finale, which makes the Atlanta righty look even better. BEST BET: K. Wright.
Seattle at Tampa Bay (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Mariners were the AL?s top money-maker in 2021 (+$3550) and they roll into Tropicana Field having taken 8 of their last 10 (+$580, averaging 6.1 runs per game with a 2.54 among starters). They?ll send a trio of strong arms to the mound in Logan Gilbert (+$330, 0.54 ERA), Chris Flexen (3.64) and Marco Gonzales (3.29), all of whom are likely to be attractively priced underdogs. Tampa Bay is off to a competitive start at 9-7, but the road team can do serious damage. BEST BET: L. Gilbert/Flexen/M. Gonzales.
Baltimore at N.Y. Yankees (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Yankees have relied on the best pitching in the American League (2.53 ERA) to compensate for their lackluster attack (only 3.6 runs per game through their first 16). They did break out for 10 runs vs. the Guardians on Sunday, but Baltimore has pitched well (3.17), so we?re reluctant to lay inflated prices on the home team. But with an offense averaging just 2.7 runs per game, we see no upside taking the underdog O?s. BEST BET: None.
Kansas City at Chicago W. Sox (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Royals were a very profitable 10-9 in head to head competition with the White Sox last year (+$710) and they catch the defending AL Central champs in the midst of a seven game losing streak. They are only 4-8 vs. right-handers so far (-$480), averaging just 2.5 runs per game in those contests. Brad Keller (2.55 ERA in three starts) and Zack Greinke (2.25 in three starts) will be hard to pass up as underdogs at Chicago. BEST BET: B. Keller/Greinke.
Detroit at Minnesota (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Twins have climbed to .500 following four straight wins, but they are only 2-4 vs.left-handers (-$220, 3.5 runs per game) and they?ll face a hot one in Tarik Skubal, who comes into Target Field with a 2.30 ERA in his three starts. Neither offense is having much success to start the year (Twins .217 team BA), so take the price with the visiting southpaw. BEST BET: Skubal.
Oakland at San Francisco (2) 26th, 27th
The Giants picked up a bonus win at Milwaukee on Monday en route back home, giving them their 8th win in their last 11 (+$580). But Oakland is rested, they?ve turned a nice profit in April (+$520), and they?ll send a quality pair to the mound in Daulton Jefferies (1.17 ERA in three starts) and Paul Blackburn (+$500, 1.80), no doubt as attractively priced underdogs. A split should yield a nice profit. BEST BET: Jefferies/Blackburn.
