Opening Day of the 2021 MLB season has come and gone, but the betting doesn’t stop. Baseball provides many months of betting opportunities, with more coming on Friday’s MLB schedule.
Having fans back in the stands was a highlight throughout the league on Thursday. Now that the nostalgia has worn off, it’s time to focus on the pitching matchups.
Top MLB Betting Sites for 2021
This early in the season, starting pitching tends to dominate opposing hitters. That’s not always the case, but the pitching matchup is a great place to start.
There are three games that really stand out on Friday as solid betting opportunities. These games have favorable pitching matchups, but there is more to each game as well.
Without further ado, here are three Friday MLB bets to make.
Baltimore Orioles at Boston Red Sox Picks
Orioles vs. Red Sox Betting Report
Best Bet: Red Sox -160
The Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox will hold Opening Day festivities on Friday afternoon. These teams were scheduled to play on Thursday, but bad weather pushed the game back one day.
It will be John Means for the Baltimore Orioles starting against Nathan Eovaldi for the Red Sox. This pitching matchup heavily favors Boston, but the Red Sox aren’t big favorites in this game.
Baltimore is not expected to contend in 2021, and the franchise is trying to build for the future. The Orioles won’t score a ton of runs, and Means is not exactly a dominant ace.
Eovaldi can be a shut-down pitcher for Boston, and he could have a dominant performance on Friday. The Red Sox are looking for a bounce-back season in 2021 after struggling a year ago.
Boston will win this game in the season opener, and taking it at -160 is a solid bet to start things off.
Los Angeles Dodgers at Colorado Rockies Picks
Dodgers vs. Rockies Betting Report
Best Bet: Dodgers -260
The Dodgers are in Colorado on Friday to take on the Rockies again. Colorado won the series opener, and Los Angeles will be looking for some revenge.
The Rockies scored eight runs on Thursday afternoon, but they did it by playing small ball. Colorado does not have a ton of power, but it’s always good at home.
Los Angeles got a poor outing from Clayton Kershaw on Thursday, and the bullpen wasn’t better. Trevor Bauer makes his first start in Los Angeles on Friday, and he will look to turn things around.
Anything can happen in baseball, but betting against Bauer is not a wise move. Take the Dodgers -260 to beat the Rockies in the second game of the season.
Arizona Diamondbacks at San Diego Padres Picks
Diamondbacks vs. Padres Betting Report
Best Bet: Padres -219
The 1-0 San Diego Padres host the 0-1 Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. San Diego picked up an 8-7 win on Thursday afternoon in a wild game.
Arizona hit four home runs in one inning in the loss, which is nearly impossible to do. The Diamondbacks have a solid offense, but pitching is an issue.
San Diego has a loaded roster, and the talent was on full display on Thursday. The Padres can outscore anyone, and they have a stud pitcher going on Friday.
Blake Snell will make his first start with San Diego, and he should have a great outing. San Diego will ride Snell to a second straight win over the Diamondbacks.
