Andrew Wilsher

The first game of Opening Day belongs to the New York Mets and the Pittsburgh Pirates, as we have the most exciting pitcher in baseball pitching in the Big Apple to start the season. Hopes are running high in Pittsburgh this year, and this team expects to compete all summer. On the other side, the Mets took some hits to the roster in the offseason, and probably none bigger than the loss of Pete Alonso to the Orioles in free agency. Then, they received bad injury news in early spring training that Francisco Lindor had a hamate injury. Lindor appears to be on track for the opener, but might be limited for a few weeks. I think we can take plus money on the Pirates to open the season with a win.

I am not yet convinced of the Pirates over the long haul, but they should come out of the gates ready to prove themselves. I like this pitching staff, but the veteran bats they added are mostly old and unexciting. However, on days when Skenes throws, they don’t have to produce many runs to win. Freddy Peralta will be good in New York, but will he be locked in from the first start?

I am also skeptical of the Mets’ lineup for now. Lindor will take some time to regain his power, and after Juan Soto, we have three new faces in Bo Bichette, Jorge Polanco, and Luis Robert, so it might take some time to get them all playing well together. I will take my chances with Skenes in the opener.

Pirates vs Mets prediction: Pittsburgh Pirates ML (+110) available at time of publishing. Playable to +100.

Opening Day is one of the most mispriced spots on the baseball calendar, and this matchup is a perfect example. The market is still anchoring heavily to what we saw last season: the White Sox buried near the bottom of the American League while the Brewers surged through the National League and reached the NLCS. That gap is fully baked into this line and then some, but early-season baseball isn’t about last year’s standings; it’s about identifying where perception hasn’t caught up to reality.

Chicago enters as a classic March/April buy-low candidate. Teams coming off disastrous seasons are routinely undervalued in the first few weeks, especially against opponents with deep playoff runs fresh in bettors’ minds. This is where the edge lies. On the mound, Jacob Misiorowski has electric stuff, but he’s far from a finished product. When his command wavers, he becomes hittable in a hurry. Laying a premium price with an arm that can lose the zone is a dangerous proposition, particularly against a team the market already discounts. Early-season value favors the South Side here.

White Sox vs Brewers prediction: Chicago White Sox ML (+160) available at time of publishing. Playable to the number.

The Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals will kick off their season at Wrigley Field in an intriguing pitching matchup between Matthew Boyd and Cade Cavalli. Boyd recorded a phenomenal season in 2025, leading the Cubs with a 14-8 record and a 3.21 ERA, while Cavalli returned at the end of the season after rehabbing from Tommy John Surgery for all of 2024. Cavalli impressed in limited Spring Training action, owning a 0.43 WHIP in 14 innings, along with 10 strikeouts.

The Cubs could be in for some offensive regression this season with the loss of Kyle Tucker and Owen Caissie. Alex Bregman was a big addition to help some of the offense, and Pete Crow-Armstrong could be in line for another step in his career after the 30-30 season, but Chicago will undoubtedly lean more to pitching and defense to lead them through this season. With limited experience against Cavalli, the Cubs could struggle to get out on the right foot in this matchup.

The Nationals are one of those teams that could break out this season and surprise some people. James Wood, Dylan Crews, Brady House, and Harry Ford are young hitters who could change the future of the organization starting this season, but for this game, Crews and Ford will be starting the year in AAA. In limited matchups with Boyd, the likely starting lineup hasn’t performed well, and they could struggle to string together much offense in the first regular season game of the year.

The Nationals’ bullpen is a bit concerning given it is projected to be among the worst in the majors again this season. Still, the hope is that Cavalli and Boyd can give enough leeway in the first 5-6 innings to get this one over the finish line.

Nationals vs Cubs prediction: Under 8.5 (+100) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number. 

Joe Ryan is quietly one of the more reliable starters in the American League, and backing him as a plus-money underdog is the type of spot bettors should be circling. Ryan’s profile is exactly what you want early in the season: consistent command, low traffic, and the ability to work efficiently. Last year, he posted 13 wins, a mid-3.00 ERA and a sharp 1.04 WHIP. These metrics highlight a pitcher that limits damage and keeps his team in every game. That stability plays well in an Opening Day environment where volatility is already high.

Baltimore, on the other hand, comes in with underlying concerns that the market seems to be overlooking. Their bullpen was among the worst in baseball last season, and that’s not a flaw that gets fixed overnight. Meanwhile, their offense can be feast-or-famine. The O’s are dangerous when the long ball is there, but prone to disappearing when it’s not. Adding Pete Alonso doesn’t change the dynamics, it just makes their long-ball potential greater. With the better starting pitcher, more serviceable bullpen, and plus-money attached to the former, this is a clear value play. It’s Twins or pass.

Twins vs Orioles prediction: Minnesota Twins ML (+125) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

The Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds are set to begin their 2026 campaign Thursday afternoon, and this article’s purpose is to set the stage for that matchup. Boston made the playoffs in 2025 by securing the 2nd AL wild card spot. They did lose in the postseason to their rivals in the New York Yankees, but 2025 was a step in the right direction for Boston as an organization. During the offseason, they spent money on Ranger Suarez as a free agent acquisition to bolster their rotation. They also acquired Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo via trade for that same purpose, and their starting rotation is now one of the deeper units in MLB. Willson Contreras was acquired to play first base for the club and with their young talent gaining more experience, this is becoming a dangerous Red Sox team.

Garrett Crochet had his training wheels taken off in his first season with Boston in 2025, and the results were remarkable. Crochet posted a career-best 205.1 innings of work while earning a 2.59 ERA and similar underlying metrics. His command was elite, as was his strikeout production, and if health remains with the southpaw, he is set for Cy Young votes again in 2026. Crochet will face a Reds lineup that improved during the offseason with the signing of Eugenio Suarez. Sal Stewart will look to make a name for himself in 2026, and Elly De La Cruz is one of the more entertaining players the sport has to offer.

Hunter Greene is beginning the season on the 60-day IL for the Reds, and Nick Lodolo is also beginning his 2026 on the injured list. Andrew Abbott will make the opening day start for Cincinnati as a result. Abbott was once again very solid in 2025, posting a 2.87 ERA across 166.1 innings of work. It will be crucial that he stays healthy and replicates or surpasses those 29 starts again this season, as Cincinnati will need stability in their starting rotation. However, Abbott has some underlying metrics that are more worrisome than his surface level numbers would suggest. While I am higher on Abbott than some, I prefer Boston from both a starting pitching and a lineup perspective. With a rested bullpen and Crochet on the mound, I find pricing on Boston to be fair, and I lean that way on opening day.

Red Sox vs Reds prediction: Boston Red Sox ML (-155) available at time of publishing. Playable to -160 odds.

The Los Angeles Angels open the season against the Houston Astros in Houston on Thursday. The Angels think they have taken a step forward this season, while the Astros seem to have taken a step backwards. This early in the season, of course, this game is priced based on how we expect these teams to fare overall, but this is a great price on a game in which the underdog could very easily win. I am sniffing around for the upset on Opening Day. Give me the Angels to win.

The pitching matchup is Hunter Brown vs Jose Soriano. Brown is the obviously better pitcher and one of the better pitchers in the league right now, but let’s not overlook Soriano. In two games vs the Astros last season, he gave up only 1 run across 13.2 innings of work. This Astros lineup has Yordan Alvarez in it to open the season, but it is not a bopper of a lineup otherwise. The Angels, on the other hand, have a deep lineup, or at least as long as their health holds up for oft-injured guys like Trout, Soler, Moncada, and Adell. The Astros are favored too heavily here; I’ll take the Angels.

Angels vs Astros prediction: Los Angeles Angels ML (+160) available at time of publishing. Playable to +130.

An intriguing Opening Day matchup awaits on Thursday when the Detroit Tigers take on the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. The Tigers own arguably the deepest rotation in the American League with back-to-back Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal leading the way and Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander joining the party. Skubal is set to take the ball on Opening Day, and he should be able to put forth a strong outing. The overpowering left-hander tossed 6.0 shutout innings against the White Sox on Opening Day last year, and has typically been very good out of the gate. He owns a 3.16 ERA and 1.105 WHIP in March/April in his career, and figures to present plenty of matchup nightmares for the Padres.

Nick Pivetta is scheduled to take the mound for the home team. Pivetta shined in his first season with San Diego a year ago, as he posted an impressive 2.87 ERA and 0.99 WHIP through 31 starts and 181.2 innings of work. The Tigers didn’t do much to bolster their lineup over the offseason, and Pivetta is more than capable of giving them some issues. AJ Hinch knows how to utilize his bullpen effectively, and it will be interesting to see how Craig Stammen handles San Diego’s bullpen in his managerial debut. This matchup has the makings of a low-scoring affair. Make it a small play, but look to the under.

Tigers vs Padres prediction: Under 7 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

After a long offseason, the 2026 MLB season has officially begun, and we have your Tampa Bay Rays vs St. Louis Cardinals prediction right here! The Cardinals overhauled their roster during the offseason, acquiring young pieces including Jack Martinez, Hunter Dobbins, Jurrangelo Cijntje, and Richard Fitts, along with outfielder Tai Peete. However, they also traded away many of their top players, a major red flag heading into the season, sending Nolan Arenado to the Diamondbacks, and both Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras to the Red Sox. The Rays made some moves of their own, bringing in Gavin Lux and Ben Williamson to help strengthen their roster. Tampa Bay will rely heavily on its young core, and while there’s upside, we’ll see how good this team does as the season plays out. 

The Rays are expected to send Drew Rasmussen to the mound after going 10-5 with a 2.76 ERA last season. He struggled a bit in Spring Training, posting a 4.91 ERA in 14.2 innings pitched. For the Cardinals, left-hander Matthew Liberatore will get the nod after an impressive spring in which he went 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 15 innings. He finished last season at 8-12 with a 4.21 ERA, showing some inconsistency over a larger sample.

Despite Liberatore’s strong string, I’m siding with the Rays here. Ben Williamson has been outstanding, batting .348 with 10 RBIs and 3 home runs, and he should have a favorable matchup against the lefty. There’s also excitement around JJ Wetherholt, who is expected to make the Cardinals’ Opening Day roster. Taking everything into consideration, I expect Rasmussen to settle in early and shake off any spring training rust, and lead the Rays to a solid Opening Day win on the road.

Rays vs Cardinals prediction: Tampa Bay Rays ML (-125) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

This is a pitching duel if there ever was one. What that makes this contest is essentially a toss-up. My position applies to baseball, as well. When you get offered a 50/50 spot with a tasty plus-money price, you take the dog. That is the Rangers in this scenario.

Cristopher Sanchez for most of the 2025 season looked like a Cy Young candidate and that lasting impression is driving the market perception. Philly also made the playoffs while Texas missed the postseason. However, Texas in 2025 was a team that their win-loss record didn’t reflect their actuals, they were snake-bitten by hard luck and if variance was kinder, they would been a wildcard team.

Now let’s talk Nathan Eovaldi. He had brilliant stuff and was derailed in the summer by a hernia injury that has now since been corrected. Before his campaign was curtailed, he was a monster on the hill. Eovaldi posted an 11-3 record with a 1.73 ERA and microscopic 0.85 WHIP. He was also averaging a strikeout per inning. This is the kind of profile that if he returns to form, should not be priced as a pooch of this size. The oddsmakers are speculating here and if Eovaldi is lights out, the Rangers can easily win this game. At a potential $1.35 return, it’s worth the plunge.

Rangers vs Phillies prediction: Texas Rangers ML (+135) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

The Los Angeles Dodgers haven’t had many holes in their lineup in their back-to-back World Series victories, and just when you thought their depth was too outrageous, they added top free agent Kyle Tucker. The outfielder has been an all-star in 4 consecutive seasons and has also won two Silver Slugger Awards and a Gold Glove. Any offense that has Andy Pages and Will Smith as footnotes when talking about them is probably going to have a good chance of 3-peating, since we haven’t even talked about Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.

The Dodgers won’t send a slouch to the mound, either, as Yoshinobu Yamamoto earned his chance to get the Opening Day start by absolutely dominating the Toronto Blue Jays in a World Series that might’ve gotten a bit too close for comfort for the Dodgers and led them to add some more big-name free agents in the offseason. The Diamondbacks will counter with Zac Gallen, who had a less-than-inspiring 13-15 record with a 4.83 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP last season. He didn’t do anything to make the  Diamondbacks feel more comfortable in spring training, owning a 1.78 WHIP and a 7.59 ERA.

Strong hitters in spring training can sometimes be a bit overblown with the quality of pitchers they are facing, but the opposite is true for pitchers — as Gallen was mostly getting favorable matchups in his 10 innings and still struggled. The Dodgers could have a field day with him on Thursday night. The MLB record for wins in a season is 116, set by the 1906 Chicago Cubs and the 2001 Seattle Mariners. If this Dodgers team doesn’t come close to breaking that record, then no team ever will.

Diamondbacks vs Dodgers prediction: Los Angeles -1.5 (-120) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

Baseball is back and the Cleveland Guardians will travel to face the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night. The Guardians are coming into this one after finishing above .500 in spring training. On the mound, the Guardians will start Tanner Bibee. Last year Bibee regressed and had his worst season with a 4.24 ERA. Bibee gave up 170 hits and 54 walks through 182.1 innings pitched. Those numbers are rough, but what was even worse was the Guardians’ hitting last season. They had the fewest hits in MLB and ranked 28th in runs scored. I have a feeling it could be a tough night for the Guardians.

The Mariners ended spring training with a record of 11-19-1. For opening day, the M’s will start Logan Gilbert. He compiled a record of 6-6 last season with a 3.44 ERA through his 25 starts. Gilbert has remained steady over the past few seasons and should feel good about this season with the batters on the team. Last season Seattle ranked in home runs, and we can expect that those numbers will be similar in 2026. Additionally, the Mariners have the stronger bullpen — including Gabe Speier, Eduard Bazardo and Andres Munoz. Overall, the Mariners have the edge across the board and will look to get a win at home. I am taking the Mariners on the run line.

Guardians vs Mariners prediction: Seattle -1.5 (+135) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

After getting run over by the Charlotte Hornets 134-90 in their last game, the Kings continue their road trip in Orlando on Thursday with a game against the struggling Magic. Once again, the oddsmakers have the Kings as massive underdogs, as that’s the only way they can entice people to bet on them — even when facing a team that’s lost 6 games in a row. If we dig a bit deeper, the Kings haven’t actually been that bad over the past 10 games, winning 5 of them and shooting over 50% 4 times. However, the list of injuries right now includes a total of 10 players, so it’s really hard to say which version of the team we’ll get here.

For Orlando, the month of March has been a disaster, as they’re down to 10th in the East standings due to this 6-game losing streak. The strength of schedule wasn’t kind to them during this stretch, but then again, a team that’s aiming to go into the postseason without competing in the play-in should be doing better. Franz Wagner and Anthony Black remain out, while Jalen Suggs could return following an illness. Is it time they finally win one after scoring 126 and 131 in their last two losses? If the three-ball starts going in early, they should have this game under control, as the Kings are allowing opponents to shoot 37.5% from three this season. Over their last 3 games, that number is up to a staggering 46%.

Orlando thoroughly dominated the first meeting 131-94 a little over a month ago. However, the spirits around the team just aren’t looking good right now. Rumor has it the front office has had it with head coach Jamahl Mosley and that he will be replaced after the season. Can the Magic snap out of it against the tanking Kings? I think they’ll win, but I’m not sure they’ll blow them out. Sacramento is 12-6 SU in the last 18 meetings with the Magic, and they’ve won in 4 of their last 5 visits to Orlando. I’ll give the visitors a shot and back them plus the massive spread.

Kings vs Magic prediction: Sacramento Kings +15.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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The New Orleans Pelicans travel to face the Detroit Pistons in a matchup that looks more competitive than the standings suggest, largely due to a major injury for Detroit. The Pistons enter 52-20, but will be without Cade Cunningham, who is sidelined with a collapsed lung and expected to miss extended time. Cunningham has been the engine of Detroit’s offense, averaging 24.5 points and 9.9 assists, and his absence significantly impacts their ability to generate consistent scoring. This game also marks Detroit’s first no rest situation without him, adding another layer of difficulty as they adjust without their primary playmaker.

The Pelicans enter with a losing record but have shown improved form recently, going 6-4 in their last 10 games while playing more competitive basketball. Led by Zion Williamson (21.4 PPG, 3.3 APG), New Orleans has found more balance offensively and has been better defensively in recent outings. Detroit still has depth and physicality, especially with Jalen Duren anchoring the interior, but their offensive efficiency has taken a hit without Cunningham. With Detroit adjusting on the fly in a back to back spot and missing its most important player, this matchup sets up as a tighter contest than expected, giving this underrated New Orleans squad a strong chance to keep it close throughout.

Pelicans vs Pistons prediction: Pelicans +4.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable to +3.5.

Fresh off their 5-point win over the Pelicans, the New York Knicks are looking to extend their win streak to 8 games in a row as they take on the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday. So far it hasn’t been a competitive series between these two sides, New York dominated the first 2 meetings by 28 and 15 points. However, those games were played back in late November and early December, before the Hornets turned their season around. New York is the better defense in the painted area, but the key here will be how the Knicks defend the three-point line. Over the past 15 games the Hornets are making an NBA high 19.7 threes per game on average and that’s something the Knicks have to pay attention to.

Whoever gets to play the Hornets in the 1st Round of the Playoffs won’t be too happy, we are witnessing one of the biggest turnarounds to a season in history over the past couple of months. The offense has been clicking on all cylinders, and if we look at the last 15 games, no team in the NBA has a better offensive rating than the Hornets. They’re also toying with opponents, blowing them out by 16.2 points per win. Granted, some of those wins came against tanking teams which inflates the numbers a bit, but regardless of that, they still have to be taken seriously. I’m sure the two double-digit losses against the Knicks from earlier this season have been stuck in the heads of the Hornets players ever since they happened, that in itself will be a motivating factor for LaMelo and co. on Thursday night.

These two teams are evenly matched, but with the Hornets playing at home, they’ll be the ones dictating the tempo here. The Knicks have struggled a bit defending the perimeter lately, allowing their last 3 opponents to make 39.5% of their shots from beyond the arc. That’s worrisome considering those 3 opponents were the Pelicans, Wizards and Nets. Charlotte is cooking on offense, they’ve scored 130+ in 3 of 4 games, I’ll side with them since they’ve covered in 9 of 10 home games.

Knicks vs Hornets prediction: Charlotte Hornets -1 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

The Ottawa Senators further gave off “team of destiny” vibes on Tuesday night when they defeated the Detroit Red Wings in a game they weren’t really supposed to win. After Thomas Chabot left Monday night’s game with an arm injury that will keep him out for a while, and Lassi Thompson also got knocked out by an injury, the Senators were left with 4 defensemen for the remainder of the game before playing again 24 hours later. Even with a full complement of defensemen the next night, it was still a far cry from their usual depth, with Jake Sanderson also out of the lineup. If the Senators could win a big game with that lineup, then they may not lose another game for the remainder of the year.

Well, that isn’t realistic, and while they were able to beat a flailing Red Wings team on Tuesday night, they’ll be in for a much tougher test when Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins roll into town. With the Penguins sitting in 3rd place but trying to hold off the New York Islanders, who are 1 point behind them, Pittsburgh will be desperate to end its 2-game losing streak. With how tight the standings are, a Penguins loss and an Islanders win would actually have Pittsburgh go from 3rd in the Atlantic Division to outside the playoffs, as the Senators winning this game would help them pass the Penguins in the wild card standings.

The Penguins are coming off 2 ugly efforts, but it isn’t as if they were losing to non-playoff teams. The 2 blowouts came at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche, who are currently 1st in their respective conferences. Playing against a defensive group led by Tyler Kleven and Artem Zub should be a welcome change of pace for the Penguins after those matchups.

It’s understandable after everything we’ve seen from the Senators over the past couple of weeks that they’d still be favorites. However, after the surprising rookie performances of defensemen Carter Yakemchuk and Jorian Donovan and a massive win on Tuesday, this feels like a great letdown spot for the young defensemen and the rest of the makeshift group, and a perfect opportunity to get the Penguins at plus money.

Penguins vs Senators prediction: Ottawa Senators ML (+125) available at time of publishing. Playable to +100.

The New York Islanders are set for a pivotal matchup against the Dallas Stars on Thursday night. Pretty much every game down the stretch will be a pivotal one for the Isles, as they are directly in the middle of a tightly-contested playoff race in the Eastern Conference. New York and Ottawa are tied with 85 points apiece, with Detroit just a single point behind with 84. The Islanders are in desperate need of a win, as they have dropped 3 of their last 4 games at the most crucial time of the season. The good news is that Patrick Roy’s team has the home ice advantage in this one, and the Islanders are a strong 19-12-2 at UBS Arena this season.

Furthermore, the Dallas Stars also enter this matchup stumbling a bit. Dallas has lost 3 games in a row and 4 of its last 5. The Stars were initially fine without superstar Mikko Rantanen in the lineup following the Olympics, but his absence may now be catching up to them. Dallas has scored 2 goals or fewer in 3 of its last 4 games, and it’s worth mentioning that Roope Hintz continues to be sidelined as well. Both Rantanen and Hintz provide strong 200-foot play for Dallas, and they both possess great size. With Dallas in a dry spell and without a pair of key contributors, I am backing the Islanders to find the win column on home ice.

Stars vs Islanders prediction: Islanders ML (+105) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

The Washington Capitals will take on the Utah Mammoth Thursday night. The Capitals have had a rough season with slim hopes of making the playoffs. The Capitals currently sit 6 points out of the playoffs and have lost 3 of their last 5 games. On the season, they have the worst away form in the Eastern Conference. Through their 34 away games, they have a record of 13-17-4. Through their last 6 away games, they have given up 21 total goals while only scoring 8. This lack of offense and struggles are defense are not great against a tough Mammoth team.

For the Mammoth, they rank 5^th in the Western Conference and have won 3 of their last 5 games, though they have hit a slump recently at home. They have dropped 5 of their last 6 home games, which has put them back in heat of the playoff race. On the season, they average 3.13 goals per game while allowing 2.82 goals per game. The positive thing for the Mammoth is that they are able to limit opposing teams shots, as they give up the 7th-fewest shots to opposing teams. Overall, the Mammoth should be more motivated in this game and should find their form again. I am taking the Mammoth on the money line.

Capitals vs Mammoth prediction: Mammoth ML (-150) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

Joe Ryan is quietly one of the more reliable starters in the American League, and backing him as a plus-money underdog is the type of spot bettors should be circling. Ryan’s profile is exactly what you want early in the season: consistent command, low traffic, and the ability to work efficiently. Last year, he posted 13 wins, a mid-3.00 ERA and a sharp 1.04 WHIP. These metrics highlight a pitcher that limits damage and keeps his team in every game. That stability plays well in an Opening Day environment where volatility is already high.

Baltimore, on the other hand, comes in with underlying concerns that the market seems to be overlooking. Their bullpen was among the worst in baseball last season, and that’s not a flaw that gets fixed overnight. Meanwhile, their offense can be feast-or-famine. The O’s are dangerous when the long ball is there, but prone to disappearing when it’s not. Adding Pete Alonso doesn’t change the dynamics, it just makes their long-ball potential greater. With the better starting pitcher, more serviceable bullpen, and plus-money attached to the former, this is a clear value play. It’s Twins or pass.

Twins vs Orioles prediction: Minnesota Twins ML (+125) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

The Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds are set to begin their 2026 campaign Thursday afternoon, and this article’s purpose is to set the stage for that matchup. Boston made the playoffs in 2025 by securing the 2nd AL wild card spot. They did lose in the postseason to their rivals in the New York Yankees, but 2025 was a step in the right direction for Boston as an organization. During the offseason, they spent money on Ranger Suarez as a free agent acquisition to bolster their rotation. They also acquired Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo via trade for that same purpose, and their starting rotation is now one of the deeper units in MLB. Willson Contreras was acquired to play first base for the club and with their young talent gaining more experience, this is becoming a dangerous Red Sox team.

Garrett Crochet had his training wheels taken off in his first season with Boston in 2025, and the results were remarkable. Crochet posted a career-best 205.1 innings of work while earning a 2.59 ERA and similar underlying metrics. His command was elite, as was his strikeout production, and if health remains with the southpaw, he is set for Cy Young votes again in 2026. Crochet will face a Reds lineup that improved during the offseason with the signing of Eugenio Suarez. Sal Stewart will look to make a name for himself in 2026, and Elly De La Cruz is one of the more entertaining players the sport has to offer.

Hunter Greene is beginning the season on the 60-day IL for the Reds, and Nick Lodolo is also beginning his 2026 on the injured list. Andrew Abbott will make the opening day start for Cincinnati as a result. Abbott was once again very solid in 2025, posting a 2.87 ERA across 166.1 innings of work. It will be crucial that he stays healthy and replicates or surpasses those 29 starts again this season, as Cincinnati will need stability in their starting rotation. However, Abbott has some underlying metrics that are more worrisome than his surface level numbers would suggest. While I am higher on Abbott than some, I prefer Boston from both a starting pitching and a lineup perspective. With a rested bullpen and Crochet on the mound, I find pricing on Boston to be fair, and I lean that way on opening day.

Red Sox vs Reds prediction: Boston Red Sox ML (-155) available at time of publishing. Playable to -160 odds.

The Los Angeles Angels open the season against the Houston Astros in Houston on Thursday. The Angels think they have taken a step forward this season, while the Astros seem to have taken a step backwards. This early in the season, of course, this game is priced based on how we expect these teams to fare overall, but this is a great price on a game in which the underdog could very easily win. I am sniffing around for the upset on Opening Day. Give me the Angels to win.

The pitching matchup is Hunter Brown vs Jose Soriano. Brown is the obviously better pitcher and one of the better pitchers in the league right now, but let’s not overlook Soriano. In two games vs the Astros last season, he gave up only 1 run across 13.2 innings of work. This Astros lineup has Yordan Alvarez in it to open the season, but it is not a bopper of a lineup otherwise. The Angels, on the other hand, have a deep lineup, or at least as long as their health holds up for oft-injured guys like Trout, Soler, Moncada, and Adell. The Astros are favored too heavily here; I’ll take the Angels.

Angels vs Astros prediction: Los Angeles Angels ML (+160) available at time of publishing. Playable to +130.