The 2026 MLB season rolls with another full slate of games. Let’s dive into the MLB Best Bets Today for Tuesday, March 31st. We have 14 games 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 the day’s baseball action. 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, 3/31

Our MLB best bets today begin with an NL West matchup as the San Diego Padres host the San Francisco Giants. Plus, let’s stay in the division with other MLB picks, as the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the Cleveland Guardians. Check out even more MLB predictions below, including some player props and other game picks. Good luck! 

 

 

 

Giants vs. Padres Prediction: Monday, March 31st

It was a rough opening series for the Giants, who got swept at home by the Yankees while being out-scored 13-1 across the 3 games. Not an ideal start for first-year manager Tony Vitello. However, San Francisco got into the win column on Monday with a 3-2 victory over the Padres. Let’s back the Giants to keep it going against their divisional rivals. 

San Fran has the starting pitching edge with Logan Webb on the mound. The Giants’ ace should be in bounce-back mode after a forgettable 2026 debut. He was rocked for 7 runs (6 earned) by the Yanks on Opening Night. That’s a very uncharacteristic performance for Webb, though.

The right-hander had a 3.22 ERA with a career-best 2.60 FIP last season. His 20.8 K-BB% was a career-best mark as well. For what it’s worth, there are rumors that Webb may have been tipping his pitches last week, as the Yankees seemed locked in on many first pitches. Or, he could still be getting back into a rhythm after competing in the World Baseball Classic, in which he surrendered 1 run over 8.2 innings in 2 strong outings.  

Either way, look for Webb to be much better tonight. He’ll face a Padres offense that’s struggled out of the gate. They’re averaging just 2.3 runs over the first 4 games, and have yet to score more than 3 in a game. It’s early and a small sample size, but San Diego’s collective .181 batting average and .239 wOBA thus far are pretty ugly. 

On the other side, Webb should get some run support with German Marquez starting for the Padres. The Giants’ offense has been slow to get going, but this is a favorable matchup. Marquez had a 6.70 ERA last season while being a fadeable pitcher for years now. He also has a 7.06 ERA in 20 career starts against San Fran, not to mention a poor 7.16 ERA during Spring Training this past month. 

Guardians vs. Dodgers Prediction: Monday, March 31st

The Dodgers began their season with a statement sweep of the Diamondbacks. The defending champs then took a step back with a 4-2 home loss to Cleveland on Monday. Let’s count on LA to return to its winning ways tonight with the clear starting pitching advantage and the better offense. 

Shohei Ohtani gets the start for the Dodgers. The two-way star looked sharp in his pair of Spring Training outings. He racked up 11 strikeouts over 4.0 innings in the latest start and tossed 4.1 scoreless innings before that. Now Ohtani gets to pitch at home for his 2026 pitching debut, and he should be locked in. 

Ohtani posted a 2.87 ERA and 1.90 FIP last season across 14 starts. He was also lights-out at home, with a 1.71 ERA and 2.09 FIP when pitching in Dodger Stadium. In addition, he had just a 0.71 WHIP with a 38.5% strikeout rate in home starts last year. The right-hander should handle a Cleveland offense that’s batting just .182 against righties this season so far (27th in MLB). 

Meanwhile, the LA lineup should wake back up after being held scoreless through 8 innings yesterday. Despite the runs not being there, the Dodgers still had 9 hits in the game. The offense crushed right-handed pitching last season, and that’s been the case early on this year. It’s a tough spot for Guardians starter Tanner Bibee. 

The righty had a decent first start of the year, allowing 3 runs over 5 innings with 7 strikeouts. However, there are some concerns with Bibee right now. The damage easily could’ve been a lot worse in that outing, as he stranded 7 baserunners and coughed up 3 solo homers. Plus, he left the game with right shoulder discomfort. 

Bibee has been cleared to start tonight, but the shoulder issue is worrisome. It doesn’t help that he got rocked in his final two Spring Training outings. Bibee gave up 8 runs on 10 hits in his final tune-up, after allowing 6 runs on 13 hits before that. Furthermore, he struggled to a 5.17 ERA and 5.02 FIP on the road last season, which doesn’t bode well for tonight’s start. 

Take the Dodgers on the runline to win by 2+ runs here. Ohtani should anchor the early innings with the offense building a lead. Los Angeles also brings in the bullpen edge after Cleveland used up its top relief arms last night. Back the Dodgers to clear 4.5 runs as well. 

 

 

 

Best MLB Player Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 3/31