Between the MLB, NCAA tournament, NHL and NBA, there's no shortage of ways to get some skin in the game today, Saturday, April 6. I'm heading to the diamond for my action, and I'm rolling with three plays in the MLB.
Saturday's Best MLB Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Toronto Blue Jays (+102) @ New York Yankees (-120) | O/U 8.0 (-106/-114)
On Friday, the Blue Jays spoiled the home opener in the Bronx, New York, beating the Yankees 3-0. The two divisional foes are back at it this evening, and we have a pitching matchup between Kevin Gausman and Clarke Schmidt. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET from Yankee Stadium.
Despite the offensive star power in this game, I'm playing the under to cash for a second straight day in this series. For New York, six of their eight games have seen eight runs or fewer. Toronto has played three straight games with eight or fewer runs. Both offenses haven't been sharp out of the gate. Toronto is 13th in home runs (seven), while New York is 20th (7). Regarding OPS, the Yankees are 21st (.666), and the Blue Jays are just 27th (.586).
There's still plenty of time for the offenses to figure it out, but I don't know if it'll be tonight against two quality starters. Gausman was excellent in his season debut, tossing 4.2 innings against the Rays, limiting them to one earned run on two hits. He has solid head-to-head numbers against the Yankees, limiting them to a slash line of .238/.319/.393 over 168 at-bats. As for Schmidt, the current Jays are slashing just .208/.293/.542 against him over 48 at-bats. Give me the under.
Bet: Under 8.0 (-114)
Chicago White Sox (+176) @ Kansas City Royals (-210) | O/U 8.5 (-122/+100)
As expected, it has been an ugly start for the White Sox this season. They're out to a 1-5 start, which is last in the AL Central. The Royals, who are 2-0 in this series (10-1, 2-1), are in fourth at 4-4. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET from Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
The White Sox received some bad news during last night's game: Luis Robert Jr. injured his hip flexor. He's listed as day-to-day and will join Eloy Jimenez (adductor injury) on the shelf. Well, I have to wonder where the runs will come from for Chicago. They're already one of the worst offenses in the league, and now they'll be without their two best hitters. The White Sox enter today's action at 28th in both team batting average (.186) and OPS (.579).
On the other hand, Kansas City’s offense is middle-of-the-pack, ranking 15th in team batting average (.244) and 13th in OPS (.733). The Royals will face Chris Flexen, who has surprisingly carved up the current roster throughout his career. It's a small 21-at-bat sample size, but the right-hander has limited them to a slash line of .190/.227/.476. I think pitching wins the night in Kansas City, so I'll play the under with a +100 payout.
Bet: Under 8.5 (+100)
Arizona Diamondbacks (+176) @ Atlanta Braves (-210) | O/U 9.0 (-105/-115)
The Diamondbacks and Braves are back at it this evening after Atlanta erased a 5-3 lead in the ninth, ultimately winning 6-5 in extra innings. This National League tilt features a pitching matchup between Brandon Pfaadt and Max Fried. First pitch is set for 7:20 p.m. ET From Truist Park in Atlanta.
Fried didn't make it out of the first frame in his season debut against the Phillies. The left-hander lasted just 0.2 innings, conceding three earned runs on two hits and three free passes. This is probably an outlier performance for the 30-year-old, but it's certainly not reassuring if you're looking to back Fried in any capacity tonight. I'm looking to fade him as he takes on a Snakes squad that's slashing .265/.308/.367 against him over 49 at-bats.
As for Pfaadt, we do not have any head-to-head numbers against Atlanta. However, with two top-tier offenses, I will play the over. No surprise here: Atlanta ranked first in both team batting average (.297) and OPS (.881) through the first week of the season. Arizona ranked fourth in average (.282) and fifth in OPS (.821). Let's sit back and enjoy these two dynamic offenses; give me the over.
Bet: Over 9.0 (-105)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Saturday:
- NHL Prop Betting Cheat Sheet
- Top MLB Odds, Picks & Predictions
- UFL Week 2 Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions
- NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions
- Premier League Matchday 32 Odds, Picks & Prediction
- 2024 NCAA Tournament Same Game Parlay Picks: Final Four
- Cook Out 400: NASCAR at Martinsville Odds, Picks & Predictions
