The 2026 MLB season rolls with another full slate of games. Let’s dive into the MLB Best Bets Today for Saturday, April 4th. We have all-day baseball on tap and plenty of ways to go for our MLB picks. Enjoy these MLB predictions as you lock in your own bets ahead of today’s games. Note that all odds and betting lines are accurate as of this writing, but are always subject to change. 

MLB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 4/4

Our MLB best bets today begin with an interleague matchup between the San Diego Padres and the Boston Red Sox. Plus, our MLB picks focus on today’s AL West battle featuring the Houston Astros and Athletics. Check out even more MLB predictions below, including some player props and other game picks. Good luck! 

 

 

 

Padres vs. Red Sox Prediction: Saturday, April 4th

Red Sox starter Connelly Early began this season as an up-and-coming pitcher to know and a prime breakout candidate. That upside was on full display in his first outing last weekend. The left-hander allowed just one run and struck out six over 5.1 strong innings. Let’s count on him carrying that over into today’s start. 

We got a good look at Early’s talent at the end of last season. He posted a 2.33 ERA and 0.91 FIP across four starts in September after Boston called him up. Before that, the young southpaw had a 2.60 ERA and 2.74 FIP in the minors last year. Early also looked good in Spring Training this past month, with a 1.59 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in his five appearances. 

On Saturday, Early will take on a San Diego offense that’s struggled to begin the year. The Padres have just a .268 wOBA (29th in MLB), 74 wRC+ (29th), and .202 batting average (26th) thus far. Plus, they rank 27th in the league in runs scored. It’s early in the season, but it’s a favorable home matchup for Early.  

Meanwhile, Boston’s offense has also underperformed this season. The Red Sox are 28th in runs scored with a .291 wOBA (19th) and 86 wRC+ (22nd). However, the lineup is bound to wake up soon, and the Sox showed more life on Friday with five runs in a win. Padres starter Randy Vazquez had a strong season debut, with six shutout innings against the Tigers, but we can still fade him today. 

Despite that impressive performance, Vazquez is due to regress to the average pitcher (or worse) we’re used to. Last year, he struggled to a 5.22 FIP and 4.48 ERA on the road. He also had just a 4.91 ERA during Spring Training ahead of this season. Plus, Vazquez likely won’t have nearly as many strikeouts (eight) or swings-and-misses that he did against Detroit last weekend. He’s a contact pitcher and now faces a Boston offense that’s more contact-based. 

Let’s take the Red Sox on the moneyline to get the win. Plus, Early’s strong pitching should limit the Padres’ run-scoring en route to the loss. So, grab the Red Sox on the first five innings and take the under on San Diego’s team total as well. 

 

 

 

Astros vs. Athletics Prediction: Saturday, April 4th

The Athletics’ home park in Sacramento proved to be a hitter-friendly environment throughout last season. That’s bound to be the case again this year. The A’s had their home opener yesterday, and it resulted in an 11-4 victory over the Houston Astros. Let’s count on another higher-scoring contest on Saturday. 

Before playing at home on Friday, the Athletics’ offense struggled mightily over the first week of the season when on the road. Their .238 wOBA, 50 wRC+, .177 batting average, and 35.2% strikeout rate all ranked dead last in the majors. However, this lineup projects to be much better than that. Yesterday’s 11-run explosion was evidence that the A’s can put up runs at home, too. 

Tatsuya Imai will get the start for Houston, which bodes well for the Athletics’ hitters. The Japanese right-hander got roughed up in his season debut, allowing four runs and seven baserunners across just 2.2 innings against the Angels before getting pulled. Imai posted an impressive 1.92 ERA in the NPB last year, but he’s clearly experiencing some growing pains in the MLB. 

Last year, the A’s had a top-10 offense at home vs. right-handed pitching. They had a .330 wOBA (9th in MLB) and .761 OPS (9th) when facing righties at home. That was on full display yesterday, when the lineup plated six runs against Astros right-hander Cristian Javier. The Athletics can get to Imai, and then get into a Houston bullpen that has a rough 5.82 FIP on the season so far. 

On the other side, the Astros will face Luis Morales. The Athletics’ righty was shaky in his first start as well, giving up 5 runs on seven baserunners with three home runs allowed against Toronto. Morales showed some flashes last year, but his 4.65 FIP and 5.05 xFIP at home are concerning. 

Houston, meanwhile, boasts a top-tier offense thus far. The ‘Stros had a .365 wOBA (3rd in MLB), 144 wRC+ (1st), 11.7% walk rate (6th), and .196 ISO (1st) before Friday’s game. The lineup is also averaging a strong 7.8 runs per game over the past six games. Morales had an ugly 7.58 ERA and 1.84 WHIP in Spring Training, and it seems those struggles have carried over into the regular season. 

 

 

 

Best MLB Player Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 4/4