Expert MLB Picks and Previews

The Mets head into Wrigley Field at 7-12 and in a real skid, having dropped eight straight entering Friday’s 2:20 p.m. ET first pitch. Chicago is 9-9, coming off back-to-back wins over Philadelphia, and this matchup sets up with Kodai Senga against Edward Cabrera in a game airing on WPIX and Marquee Sports Network. This is a pretty important spot

Atlanta opens this NL East series at 12-7, first in the division, after taking the rubber game against Miami and heading to Philadelphia with a healthier overall profile than it had a week ago. The Phillies are 8-10, fourth in the East, and they are trying to stop a slide after dropping another ugly one to the Cubs before Thursday’s

Cincinnati opens this interleague series at 11-8, tied for first in the NL Central, but the shape of that record is a little uneven. The Reds are 5-5 over their last 10, they just got shut out 3-0 by San Francisco on Thursday, and they have been much better on the road at 5-2 than at home so far. Minnesota

The Dodgers open this four-game set at Coors Field with the best record in the National League West at 14-4, a three-game winning streak, and an 8-2 mark over their last 10. Colorado is 7-12, fourth in the division, but it did come home off a 3-2 win in Houston on Thursday. First pitch is set for 8:40 p.m. ET

San Diego rolls into Anaheim at 13-6, second in the NL West, and carrying an eight-game winning streak after finishing off a sweep of Seattle on Thursday. The Angels are 10-10, third in the AL West, and just took the finale in New York 11-4 behind another power-heavy night. First pitch at Angel Stadium is set for 9:38 p.m. ET

Toronto opens this series at 7-11 after dropping back-to-back 2-1 games in Milwaukee, while Arizona comes home at 11-8, third in the NL West, after winning two straight and going 7-3 over its last 10. First pitch is set for 9:40 p.m. ET at Chase Field, and the listed broadcast options are Sportsnet, Dbacks.TV, and TVA Sports. The market has

Chicago opens this Friday matchup at 6-13, last in the AL Central, and carrying a three-game losing streak after getting swept by Tampa Bay. The Athletics come in at 10-9, tied for first in the AL West, and they have still gone 7-3 over their last 10 even after a messy 9-6 loss to Texas on Thursday. First pitch is

Texas heads to Seattle for Friday night’s AL West opener at 10-9, tied for first in the division entering play, while Seattle sits 8-12 and 2.5 games back in fourth. First pitch is set for 9:40 p.m. ET at T-Mobile Park, with Jacob deGrom lined up against Logan Gilbert in what looks, at least on paper, like one of the

St. Louis opens this series at Daikin Park on Friday night with a 10-8 record, fourth place in the NL Central, and a little momentum after taking the final two games of its set against Cleveland. Houston is 8-12 and sitting fifth in the AL West, but the Astros are still 7-3 at home and the market has them as