Expert MLB Picks and Previews

New York heads into Wrigley Field on Saturday looking for a better response after getting hit 12-4 in Friday’s opener. The market still sees this game as tight, though, with the Mets at -102 and the Cubs at -118. That tells you the opener did not completely reshape the handicap, but it definitely adds pressure to the way bettors read

Cincinnati heads into Target Field on Saturday after stealing Friday’s opener 2-1, and that result matters because it immediately puts pressure on Minnesota to respond at home. The Reds come in as a +116 underdog, while the Twins are sitting at -139, which tells you the market still sees Minnesota as the steadier full-game side despite dropping the first game

Kansas City goes back into Yankee Stadium on Saturday afternoon after dropping Friday’s opener 4-2, and the market still has New York priced as the clear side to beat. The Royals are sitting at +139, the Yankees at -166, with a total of 8.0 that suggests a fairly controlled scoring script unless the game gets loose late. First pitch comes

Now, positivity surrounds Orioles’ Jeremiah Jackson as Guardians await Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jeremiah Jackson hit the foul ball that caused manager Craig Albernaz to suffer a broken jaw and seven facial fractures on Monday. Jackson gave fans something more pleasant to talk about Friday night when he hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the eighth inning off reliever Connor

Chris Sale, Braves eager to add to Phillies’ woes A pair of talented left-handers will take the mound on Saturday night when Chris Sale and the Atlanta Braves visit Cristopher Sanchez and the scuffling Philadelphia Phillies. Both pitchers are off to solid starts this season. Sale (3-1, 3.27 ERA), the 2024 National League Cy Young Award winner, remains a force

‘Patient’ Mariners chase elusive win vs. Rangers Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson is preaching patience. Which is exactly what long-suffering fans of the Seattle Mariners — a franchise celebrating its 50th anniversary season while still seeking its first World Series appearance — don’t want to hear. The host Mariners were shut out this season for the fourth time in 21

After 15-hit game vs. Nationals, Giants aspire to keep offense rolling Heliot Ramos and the San Francisco Giants will try to continue their offensive burst when they visit the Washington Nationals on Saturday afternoon for the middle contest of the teams’ three-game series. Ramos hit a three-run homer as part of a 15-hit attack in a 10-5 San Francisco win

Pirates turn to ace Paul Skenes against Rays A day after he was presented his 2025 National League Cy Young Award, Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes will be on the mound to face the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday afternoon. Skenes (3-1, 4.00 ERA), who will oppose fellow right-hander Drew Rasmussen (1-0, 1.13) on Saturday, was presented the award

Brewers work to overcome injuries in rematch vs. Marlins Injuries have slowed Milwaukee’s offense. The Brewers, who will play the middle contest of this weekend’s three-game series at the Miami Marlins on Saturday afternoon, are without three of their top hitters. On the injured list are first baseman Andrew Vaughn (fractured left hamate), center fielder Jackson Chourio (fractured left hand)