Bryan Reynolds @ Los Angeles Angels 

• Reynolds has been hot with the bat over the last seven days, batting well over .400 with 10 hits and a homer to his name. He’s also taken Tyler Anderson deep in the past.

Adolis Garcia @ Athletics 

• Garcia has only faced A’s starter J.T. Ginn three times, but he did register a hit that came in at 106.1 MPH off the end of the bat.

Bryan Woo (SEA) vs Garrett Crochet (BOS)  

No real shock to find the Red Sox short in the market with current AL Cy Young favourite Garrett Crochet throwing. 

Boston’s big offseason acquisition is sporting a sparkling 1.13 ERA through five starts, lowering that number further last week when he blanked the White Sox through six innings to go with seven K’s.  

As their records suggest, these two sides have been middling clubs to start the year, both struggling to find runs at times. The Mariners rank third in the league in strikeout percentage against lefties though, and only middle of the pack in runs scored, so there’s a definite play to be made on Crochet’s K total. 

German Marquez (COL) vs Michael Lorenzen (KC)  

This is a makeup game following Thursday’s postponement, and it shapes as another rough road start for Rockies starter German Marquez, who has given up a combined 13 earned runs in back-to-back road starts over the last fortnight.

The Royals’ offence still ranks second-last in the league, and Michael Lorenzen is prone to giving up a few runs himself. But with a 6-4 record at home on the year, I still think the Royals are the bet in what could be a high-scoring game. 

Juan Soto vs Philadelphia Phillies 

• Is he out of form? Or is Soto just warming up? Either way, he owns three homers off Phillies starter Zack Wheeler. 

Tommy Edman @ Chicago Cubs  

• Edman owns some nice numbers against Cubs starter Matthew Boyd, including a homer in eight at-bats. He’s also gone deep four times during his career at Wrigley. 

Tomoyuki Sagano (BAL) vs Trevor Williams (WAS) 

Sugano, the O’s rookie right-hander, has put together a tidy resume to kick off his career in the big leagues, compiling a 3.43 ERA across four starts after lasting seven frames last week in a win over the Guardians. 

The 35-year-old has been prone to a home run or two though, which does make this another interesting start going up a slightly dangerous Nats lineup featuring James Wood and CJ Abrams, who have combined for 11 homers on the year. 

It’s only early, but the O’s remain one of the most disappointing teams to start the season as their bullpen holds the eighth-highest ERA in the league. With only four wins from their last 10 games, I could entertain a play on the Nats here as slight outsiders at home.  

German Marquez (COL) vs Michael Lorenzen (KC)  

Another rough road start for Rockies starter German Marquez, who has given up a combined 13 earned runs in back to back road starts over the last fortnight in San Diego and Los Angeles. 

The Royals’ offence still ranks second-last in the league, and Michael Lorenzen is prone to giving up a few runs himself. But with a 6-4 record at home on the year, I still think the Royals are the bet in what could be a high-scoring game. 

Fernando Tatis Jr vs Detroit Tigers  

• Nando has owned Jack Flaherty, sending two balls deep in only 10 at-bats. 

Pete Alonso vs Philadelphia Phillies 

• The Polar Bear is batting .400 against lefties with one home run to his name already this season. He’s also taken Phillies starter Christopher Sanchez deep in the past.  

Dean Kremer (BAL) vs Mitchell Parker (WAS) 

Both the O’s and the Nats have enjoyed a day off, but so far that has caused problems for the Birds with Baltimore posting an 0-2 record.  

Nats lefty Mitchell Parker has been solid through four starts this season, pitching to a 3.61 ERA with only one homer allowed. The Orioles rank bottom of the league in runs scored and Top 10 in strikeout percentage against left-handed pitching, so I think you can build a case here for the Nationals at home. 

Dustin May (LAD) vs Shota Imanaga (CHC) 

Could be another good pitchers’ duel here with May sporting an ERA just over 1.00 and Shota coming off a five-inning shutout against the Padres in San Diego last week. 

Imanaga shut out the Dodgers for four frames when he kicked off the season in Tokyo last month, while May has made only the one start at Wrigley Field, going 5.1 innings two years go where he gave up only two earned runs on as many hits. 

These two high-powered offences could dent the scoreboard, but given the pitching matchup, they might also cancel each other out in a low-scoring Game 1.  

This isn’t a bad spot to bet the A’s with the Rangers sending left-hander Patrick Corbin to the mound.  

The 35-year-old has fared much better in two starts then he did last year, but he did give up three earned runs to a loaded Cubs lineup a few weeks ago, before lasting just over five innings against the Angels.  

This A’s team is still hovering around .500, and although they’ve struggled to score against lefties, they do rank 10th in runs scored over the last seven days. 

Justin Turner @ San Diego Padres 

• Turner owns some nice numbers against Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta, including a pair of doubles and two homers. 

Max Muncy vs Colorado Rockies  

• Muncy has owned German Marquez, sending four balls over the fence in 38 plate appearances. 

Spencer Strider (ATL) vs Chris Bassitt (TOR)  

Bit of a must-watch game with Spencer Strider making his long-awaited return to the mound following a year off due to Tommy John. 

The Braves’ right-hander was the leading NL Cy Young favourite at the start of last season, and although you can expect some rust against a surprisingly good Blue Jays lineup in his first start back, his career 1.35 ERA at the Rogers Centre does make him (and the Braves) a nice bet. 

 Keider Montero (DET) vs Jose Quintana (MIL) 

Not a bad price here for the Brewers with lefty Jose Quintana taking the mound. 

The veteran blanked the Diamondbacks in his first start of the season last week, throwing seven scoreless innings with only four hits allowed. 

Keider Montero, meanwhile, is making his first start of the year in the Tigers’ rotation, and it shapes as a tricky one against a Brewers lineup that ranks second in runs scored over the last seven days. 

Jose Soriano (LAA) vs Patrick Corbin (TEX)  

The Angels haven’t hit lefties very well this year, but I still can’t get on board with Patrick Corbin, who was statistically the worst starting pitcher among qualified starters last season. 

The veteran southpaw gave up three earned runs in a loss to the Cubs at Wrigley last week, where he threw 74 pitches over four innings. 

Whether you think LA’s surprisingly hot start is sustainable is up for debate, but in a homer-friendly park, I still think the likes of Taylor Ward and Mike Trout can get to Corbin and dent the scoreboard. 

Christian Yelich vs Detroit Tigers  

• Yelich holds great career numbers against Tigers starter Jack Flaherty, including a double and a pair of homers in 33 at-bats. 

Randy Arozarena vs Cincinnati Reds  

• Already off to a hot start, Arozarena looks a nice bet with a pair of homers to his name off Reds starter Nick Lodolo.  

 Justin Verlander (SF) vs Jesus Luzardo (PHI) 

There’s just enough value on the Phillies for me to entertain a bet on them here. 

Yesterday’s 10-4 loss wasn’t the start to this series they were hoping for, but Jesus Luzardo does boost their chances significantly on the mound behind a tidy 1.78 ERA through three starts.  

Luzardo has faced some tough lineups already this year in the Dodgers and Braves, compared to future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander, who’s looked a little off giving up five earned to the Reds last week.  

All of that, alongside a 5.74 ERA at Citizens Bank Park, makes the Phillies a good play here. 

Spencer Schwellenbach (ATL) vs Kevin Gausman (TOR) 

This is probably the best pitching matchup on today’s docket with two bonafide strikethrowers on the mound. 

With a sparkling 0.45 ERA and 19 K’s, Schwellenbach is probably the NL Cy Young frontrunner through the first three weeks of the season, while Gausman is enjoying a bounce back year on the rubber after striking out 10 in eight scoreless innings last week at Fenway.  

It’s the young, bright arm versus the wily old veteran, and although these two sides both feature hot hitters in Ozzie Albies and George Springer, I feel confident in backing the Under if both pitchers produce their best stuff.  

 Shota Imanaga (CHC) vs Randy Vasquez (SD) 

The Padres came back from a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Cubs in the first game of this series last night at home, and they should feel good heading into Game 2 with most of the lineup already having had a look at Cubs starter Shota Imanaga. 

The Japanese left-hander threw 7.1 innings of one-run, four-strikeout ball when these two sides met to start the month at Wrigley, but his most recent start against the Rangers last week was concerning, giving up five earned and a couple of homers. 

These two sides rank Top 10 in runs scored, so the Over might be another worthwhile play after yesterday’s scoreboard workout. But with the Padres also sitting fourth in runs scored against southpaws, I think the double market holds some serious value. 

Alex Bregman vs Tampa Bay Rays 

• Bregman is one of two Red Sox hitters to send one deep against Rays starter Shane Baz, a hit that registered a whopping 100.5 MPH off the bat.  

Yordan Alvarez vs St Louis Cardinals 

• Alvarez has punished Cardinals righty Sonny Gray in the past, registering three doubles in eight at-bats.

Brad Lord (WAS) vs Paul Skenes (PIT)  

Skenes takes the mound for his fourth start sporting a 3.44 ERA after being hit hard by the Cardinals last week for five earned runs across six frames. 

On the plus side, last year’s NL Rookie of the Year winner is still racking up K’s, striking out seven last week against St Louis to take his total to 20 on the season. 

Backing the Pirates outright in this spot is risky given their lack of run support, but against a Nats side that ranks 10th in strikeout percentage, you can feel pretty good about backing the over on Skenes’ strikeout total. 

Landen Roupp (SF) vs Taijuan Walker (PHI) 

The Giants have been one of the surprise standouts to start the year, sitting 11-4 and second in the crowded NL West behind the Padres. 

San Francisco’s second-year righty Landed Roupp has contributed enormously to the rotation, allowing only four earned runs across two starts to go with 12 K’s and only four walks.  

Taijuan Walker’s resurgence in Philly has been a story in its own right, but so far, he’s only faced two struggling lineups in Colorado and Atlanta.  

With the Giants also boasting one of the best bullpens in the league, the price here on the Giants is great value. 

Tarik Skubal (DET) vs Tyler Alexander (MIL) 

Not a bad price here for the Brewers, although it had to be expected with Tigers ace Tarik Skubal taking the mound. 

Detroit’s reigning AL Cy Young Award winner blanked the Yankees last week across six innings, but his previous two starts on the road were slightly concerning, allowing a combined seven earned runs in Los Angeles and Seattle. 

This Brewers team looks just as good as it did a year ago, currently ranked third in runs scored and 12th in homers, so their bats might be able to make life difficult for Skubal on the road. 

Bobby Witt Jr @ Cleveland Guardians 

• Witt’s off to a slow start at the plate this year, but he has registered four hits, including a home run, in 15 at-bats against Kris Bubic. 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr @ Baltimore Orioles 

• Vladdy is yet to go deep this year, but he looks a nice bet at Camden Yards, where he’s homered nine times in his career, including twice last season. 

Kris Bubic (KC) vs Tanner Bibee (CLE) 

The Royals are off to a slow start, but this is still a great price for the visitors going up against Tanner Bibee, who was just rocked for seven runs against the Angels last week.  

Kris Bubic, meanwhile, owns a sparkling 0.00 ERA through two starts after blanking the Brewers two weeks ago and allowing only one run against the Orioles last week.   

Bowden Francis (TOR) vs Tomoyuki Sugano (BAL)  

Good little pitching battle here with Bowden Francis taking on promising rookie right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano. 

Sitting 5-8, the O’s have been a tough watch at times to start the year, ranking in the bottom half in runs scored and 27th in on-base percentage over the last seven days.  

The Blue Jays just took three out of four against the Boston at Fenway, so they should head into this game with confidence now that Vladimir Guerrero and George Springer are starting to heat up at the plate. 

Sugano, meanwhile, gave up a couple of runs to this same Toronto lineup during his first start in Toronto two weeks ago, so the Jays should know a thing or two about what he might throw now that they’ve had a chance to properly scout him.  

Jacob deGrom (TEX) vs Bryce Miller (SEA) 

Jacob deGrom is on the mound for his fourth career start in Seattle after giving up four earned runs to the Rays last week. 

This is the future Hall of Famer’s first road start since last September, but there’s a lot to like about his career numbers at T-Mobile Park with a 1.62 ERA next to his name. 

After being swept in San Francisco, the Mariners are enjoying a bounce-back week, winning two of three against the Astros, while they’ve also been disciplined at the plate, ranking towards the bottom of the league in strikeout percentage. 

Bryce Miller has been somewhat of a liability on the mound however, surrendering four earned runs to the Giants last week on seven hits. Given this Rangers lineup is loaded with power hitters and the red-hot Wyatt Langford, I think Texas is the way to play this one. 

Marcell Ozuna vs Philadelphia Phillies  

• Ozuna holds some handy numbers against Phillies right-hander Jesus Luzardo, including three hits and a homer in 11 plate appearances.  

Jose Ramirez vs Chicago White Sox  

• J-Ram has been hot over the last seven days, clubbing three homers against the Angels earlier in the week. He’s faced White Sox starter Jonathan Cannon twice in the past, registering a double that came in at 91.3 MPH off the bat. 

Chris Bassitt (TOR) vs Walker Buehler (BOS)  

Even money on offer for these two AL East foes after the Jays won yesterday’s extra innings battle.  

Walker Buehler is off to a rocky start to his Boston tenure, pitching to a 8.68 ERA with three home runs allowed through only two starts, while Chris Bassitt has pitched 12.2 innings of one run ball, striking out nine last week in a loss to the Mets.  

The Blue Jays’ run support has failed to deliver, but the Red Sox so far are 1-5 on the year following a previous loss. With one of their best arms on the mound and Boston’s also proving hot and cold offensively, the price on Toronto is worth a small play. 

Jesus Luzardo (PHI) vs Spencer Schwellenbach (ATL) 

Kind of surprised to find the Run Total set as high as eight with these two strike throwers on the mound. 

Schwellenbach might be the frontrunner for the NL Cy Young Award right now with 14 scoreless innings and just as many strikeouts to his name, while Jesus Luzardo is also in the running after blanking the Dodgers for seven innings last week in a 3-2 win.  

Obviously the likes of Kyle Schwarber and Marcell Ozuna can dent the scoreboard, but with two quality arms on the mound, I’m leaning toward a similar low-scoring game to yesterday’s Game 2.  

Nick Castellanos vs Philadelphia Flyers 

• Castellanos has recorded a pair of hits in three plate appearances against Phillies starter Taijuan Walker, including a homer that registered 96.9 MPH. 

Rafael Devers vs Toronto Blue Jays  

• Boston’s new DH has gone deep off Kevin Gausman and recorded five doubles in 30 at bats against the veteran.  

Tyler Mahle (TEX) vs Shota Imanaga (CHC)  

Another cold day in Chicago with a strong chance of rain heading into Game 3 between the Rangers and Cubs. 

Lefty Shota Imanaga takes the mound looking to build on a promising start to the season that has seen him allow only two earned runs across 18.1 innings. 

Last year, the Japanese sensation was prone to giving up a home run or two, but so far this year he’s given up only one as he continues to find success with his slider. 

The Rangers rank 22nd in the league in runs scored against lefties, so this could be another slow, cold, low-scoring game. 

Taijuan Walker (PHI) vs Grant Holmes (ATL)  

The Taijuan Walker experience has been a rollercoaster for Phillies fans. 

The veteran right-hander posted one of the worst ERAs in the league last year (7.10) but responded nicely in his first start against the Rockies last week by posting six shutout innings and allowing only three hits.  

Whether you can rely on Walker to post similar numbers against a loaded Braves lineup goes without saying, although runs have proven hard to come by for Atlanta as they still rank dead last in the league over the first two weeks. 

If the Phils can get at least four innings of work out of Walker before turning things over to their relievers, they should be a decent chance here as slight outsiders. 

Bryan Reynolds vs St Louis Cardinals  

• Reynolds is the only member of the current Pirates lineup to go deep twice against veteran right-hander Sonny Gray. 

Ozzie Albies vs Philadelphia Phillies 

• Albies has homered twice off Zac Wheeler, while one of his hardest hits registered a tick over 90 MPH off the end of the bat. 

Tigers ace Tarik Skubal looks a solid bet to continue racking up K’s. 

The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner is already off to a fast start with 10 across two starts against the Dodgers and Mariners, and he’ll likely be confident heading into his first home start against a Yankees side that he largely got the better of last year. 

In two starts, Skubal allowed only three earned runs to go with 17 K’s across 12 innings of work, solid numbers as he now faces a Yankees team that ranks ninth in strikeout rate to start the year. 

Sonny Gray (STL) vs Paul Skenes (PIT) 

Pirates righty Paul Skenes remains must-watch viewing as he prepares for his first NL Central start of the season on Wednesday against the Red Birds.  

Now in his first full year, Skenes is looking to build on two solid starts that have seen him compile 13 K’s and give up only two runs and as many walks against the Marlins and Rays.  

The Cardinals got off to a hot start over the first week, but they’ve cooled off losing their fourth consecutive game to Pittsburgh last night. Their K-rate remains down and they are still scoring runs, but with Skenes on the mound throwing gas, the Buccos are the play here. 

Easton Lucas (TOR) vs Garrett Crochet (BOS) 

Boston’s new million dollar man Garrett Crochet prepares to start his first game at Fenway after tossing eight scoreless innings last week in Baltimore.  

Crochet has been leaning more in his cutter and sinker this season compared to his regular four-seamer, which has paid off in a big way with a combined 12 strikeouts through his first two starts. 

The Blue Jays picked up a win yesterday to kick off this series, but their offense remains stop/start, while this is also a tricky road spot for third-year lefty Easton Lucas in his first start in Boston.