Expert MLB Picks and Previews

Friday’s matchup at Rate Field is a little unusual because it doubles as Chicago’s home opener and a makeup game after Thursday’s opener was postponed by weather. Toronto comes in 4-2 and still looks like one of the steadier clubs in the AL through the first week, even after dropping a 2-1 extra-innings game to Colorado on Wednesday. The White

The Reds head to Arlington on Friday for the opener of a three-game set, and this feels like a decent early test for both teams. Cincinnati is 3-3 and trying to stop a two-game slide after getting handled by Pittsburgh in back-to-back games, while Texas comes in 4-2 and opens its home schedule after a solid road start. First pitch

Friday’s matchup at Target Field feels bigger than a typical first week game. Both clubs are 2-4, both have played a little below expectation, and both are trying to use this series as a reset spot. The Twins finally got in the win column again with a 5-1 win over Kansas City on Thursday, while the Rays come in after

The Phillies open a three-game set at Coors Field on Friday afternoon, and this is one of those spots where the raw records do not tell the full story. Philadelphia is 3-3 and riding a two-game winning streak after a late comeback win over Washington, while Colorado is 2-4 but just took two of three from Toronto and now gets

Baltimore opens a weekend set in Pittsburgh on Friday afternoon, and this one looks tighter than the early records alone suggest. Both clubs are 3-3, both sit two games back in their divisions, and both come in with at least a little momentum. The Orioles just took the series finale from Texas 8-3, while the Pirates have won two straight

Milwaukee opens a road series in Kansas City on Friday night with the better early-season profile, and the market has noticed. The Brewers are 5-1, first in the NL Central, and riding a two-game winning streak after an 8-2 win over Tampa Bay on April 1. The Royals are 3-3, second in the AL Central, and coming off a 5-1

Friday night in Anaheim feels like a useful early check-in for both clubs. The Mariners and Angels both enter at 3-4, both are trying to stabilize after uneven first weeks, and both have a real shot to gain ground quickly in a division that still looks pretty open behind the top line. First pitch is set for 9:38 p.m. ET

The Astros open a three-game set against the Athletics on Friday night, and this one carries a little more intrigue than a simple 5-2 versus 1-5 matchup might suggest. Houston comes in leading the AL West on a five-game winning streak, while the Athletics return home for their West Sacramento opener trying to stop the bleeding after a 1-5 road

Atlanta and Arizona are back at Chase Field on Friday night for Game 2 of this four-game set, and the feel of the matchup changed a bit after the opener. The Braves come in at 5-2 after hanging 17 runs on the Diamondbacks on Thursday, while Arizona dropped to 3-4 after its three-game win streak got buried under one ugly