There are only three MLB games today, beginning at 2:10 p.m. ET with the Kansas City Royals hosting the Minnesota Twins. Below, I make a pick for all three games, including an underdog on the Moneyline. I also highlight why the league's worst-scoring offense is likely going to continue to struggle. Here are the best MLB picks & predictions for Thursday, April 2nd.
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Thursday’s Best MLB Picks & Predictions
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook | This Season: 2-1-0 (+1.2 Units)
Minnesota Twins at Kansas City Royals
Royals starter Cole Ragans got shelled in his first start of the season, allowing six hits, four runs and three home runs in just four innings. Unfortunately for Ragans, this type of performance isn't new. In 13 appearances last season, he finished with a 4.67 ERA.
Twins starter Taj Bradley was much more impressive in his season debut, giving up just one run in 4.1 innings. He has fantastic numbers against the Royals' current lineup, allowing just six hits in 55 at-bats.
While Bradley's first start of the year may spark confidence in some, he is still a pitcher with a career ERA of 4.83 and a WHIP of 1.30. And while these are two of the lowest-scoring teams this season, they combined for 22 runs yesterday. The Royals have allowed at least six runs in three of their five games.
Pick: Over 9.5 Runs (-102)
Detroit Tigers at Arizona Diamondbacks
Ryne Nelson didn't have a good first start this season, giving up two home runs in 4.2 innings, as his Diamondbacks fell 5-4 to the Los Angeles Dodgers. But a lot of pitchers and teams are going to struggle against the Dodgers this season, so I won't hold that performance against Nelson entering this game.
Nelson has been excellent against this Braves roster throughout his career. In 55 at-bats, he's allowed just 11 hits, while also striking out 11 batters along the way. Meanwhile, Braves starter Reynaldo Lopez doesn't have much experience against this Diamondbacks roster. While it's hard to say what that means for this particular matchup, I am confident in the Diamondbacks' roster this season.
The Diamondbacks have scored at least seven runs in two of their last three games. And while they got swept by the Dodgers to start the season, they only lost one game by more than a run. With this game being played in Arizona, I'm surprised to see the Braves favored. Oddsmakers seem to be favoring them simply because they've had a better start to the season against a much easier schedule.
Pick: Diamondbacks Moneyline (+100)
San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres
The Giants have faced a brutal schedule to start the season, but even with that in mind, the offense has been a massive disappointment. The Giants have been shut out twice this season, and they scored just one run in two of their other four games. And though they scored nine runs on Tuesday, it was the only time they scored more than three runs this season.
Now, the Giants will be tasked with facing David Peterson, a pitcher who gave up zero runs in 5.1 innings in his first start. While the Giants are hitting .253 off Peterson as a team, they've scored just five earned runs in 75 at-bats.
The price for this team total under is high, but until the Giants can put together a string of meaningful offensive performances, there's no reason to back them.
Pick: Giants Team Total Under 3.5 Runs (-135)
Phil Wood is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Phil, check out his archive and follow him @Phil_Wood_Jr.