We are wrapping up the first full week of the 2023 MLB season this weekend and the MLB Best Bets and Betting Picks are still cruising. We took a tough loss on the Mets/Marlins under after feeling comfortable for the first eight innings, but that’s just the way it goes. We rebounded well with the under on the Astros/Twins game on a cold Minneapolis day and then we successfully backed the Rays once again on the run-line. They remain the only undefeated team and we’ll keep looking at them until they play a tougher opponent or the books remove all value from betting their games. It’s coming soon – just not sure if that day is today. We’ll take a look. Remember, here in the early part of the season, I am looking to build my bankroll up to a comfortable level before I start diving into trying out a same-game parlay or anything. You folks are free to do what you want. I am waiting for more data before I start fishing for bigger odds. That day will come soon enough, but it’s a long season so I’m in no rush.

  • Yesterday’s Record: 2-1
  • Season Record: 20-6
  • Bankroll: +11.19 units

We’ve got a nice full slate of games today so let’s see what’s good.

 

 

MLB Best Bets for April 8

Chicago White Sox at Pittsburgh Pirates

What is going on with the White Sox pitching right now? They’ve given up 29 runs over their last two games and have coughed up an average of 7.6 runs allowed on the season. I’m a big fan of today’s starter Mike Clevinger who tossed five scoreless frames against Houstin in his season-debut, but I can’t say that I’m not a little nervous. And even if Clevinger manages to keep the Pirates in check for five or six innings, what’s up with that bullpen that has a 9.62 ERA over 29 innings this season. Pittsburgh has a .334 wOBA against righties and a .345 mark against lefties, so I’m expecting them to post at lest a few runs today. On the other side is Vince Velasquez who, for lack of a better way to phrase it, is a punching bag. Chicago has a .332 wOBA against righties, has scored 15 runs over their last two games and are averaging just over five runs per game this season. I’m banking on another high-scoring affair.

Pick: White Sox/Pirates over 8.5 runs (-115 on BetMGM)

Boston Red Sox at Detroit Tigers

After getting swept by the Pirates at home, the Red Sox headed to Detroit to spoil the Tigers’ home opener and get back on-track. They had opened the season swinging some big bats against the Orioles and should get back to that level today against a very inexperienced lefty in Joey Wentz. Boston has a .369 wOBA against southpaws this season ad while the power has been middling (.149 ISO), they have been manufacturing runs against lefties, producing a 138 wRC+ which is fifth-best in the league. And once they chase Wentz, they’ll get that struggling Detroit bullpen which has a 5.20 ERA (sixth-worst) over 27.2 innings. If Boston starter Tanner Houck can just keep the Tigers at bay for most of his afternoon – they have a .263 wOBA (third-worst) with just a .109 ISO against righties – then Boston should be able to hold onto this one for the win.

Pick: Boston Red Sox Money Line (-130 on BetMGM)

Toronto Blue Jays at Los Angeles Angels

I had a real tough time buying into Tyler Anderson’s performance last year, but he shut me up by year’s end with 15 wins and a 2.57 ERA. Then he heads to the Angels which had me concerned, but he looked pretty decent this spring with a 1.35 ERA over 13.1 innings. I didn’t love the five walks but I was still intrigued. He dominated in his season debut, but, of course, it was the A’s, so now I’m wondering how he’ll fare against the Blue Jays, a team we know can hit. While the Jays have won four in a row, they still aren’t hitting at a level that scares me. They’re averaging 4.6 runs per game this season, but more importantly, they are struggling against southpaws, posting just a .300 wOBA and a pretty feeble .052 ISO. If Anderson remains sharp, he can limit the damage. Meanwhile, the Jays are throwing Jose Berrios and this guy has seemingly lost it. The Royals jacked him for eight runs on nine hits in his season-debut and the Angels are likely to get the better of him today as well.

Pick: Los Angeles Angels Money Line (-120 on DK Sportsbook)

**all bets are one unit unless specifically mentioned