Baltimore Orioles @ New York Yankees 6:35pm est
An early storyline for the 2021 MLB season is the Baltimore Orioles sweeping their first series against the Boston Red Sox, and holding first place in the AL East. The bullpen for the O’s has been the backbone. They have pitched 9.2 scoreless innings, and have only given up 4 hits. The New York Yankees lost two of the three game series against the Toronto Blue Jays. Besides a pair of big bombs from Gary Sanchez, the Yankees struggled to hit the ball. Toronto’s pitching really had their number. Jorge Lopez and Jordan Montgomery are listed as the probable starting pitchers.
PREDICTION: The Orioles are headed right to New York with no rest day, and I understand it’s baseball, and they play 162 games, but coming off a three game series, and having to travel to play the next day will alter the outcome of the game. The Yankees bats have been dead, but Jorge Lopez isn’t anything close to a reliable starter. In 2020, he posted a 6.69 ERA, and gave up 7 home runs in just 39 innings of work. Expect the Yankees to find their rhythm here tonight in New York. (New York Yankees -220)
Pittsburgh Pirates @ Cincinnati Reds 6:40pm est
The Pittsburgh Pirates are listed to have one of the lowest win totals in Las Vegas in MLB history. Pittsburgh is traveling from Chicago after suffering two losses in the three game series. The Pirates were able to steal an Opening Day win, but loss the next two. Cincinnati has opened the new year with hot bats. In just three games, the Reds have managed to put up 27 runs and 6 of those coming off of homers. They are 2-1 after winning their series against the Cardinals. JT Brubaker and Jose De Leon are the probable starting pitchers.
PREDICTION: The Reds have the ability to score, and any player in the lineup can put the ball over the fence at any moment. The Pirates are not a good team, and after having to go with back to back road series, they will look sluggish. Look for the Reds to win by a comfortable margin. (Cincinnati Reds -150)
San Francisco Giants @ San Diego Padres 10:10pm est
The 1-2 San Francisco Giants come into San Diego having lost their opening series to the Seattle Mariners. In their last outing the Giants failed to score any runs. Evan Longoria has found his bat early after homering twice in his first series of the year. The Padres offense and pitching have looked great to start the season. After taking the series against the Diamondbacks 3-1, they are back at home again. Machado and Hosmer have taken their offensive strides to a new level to start 2021, and have really helped jumpstart this Padres offense. Anthony DeScalfani and Adrian Morejon are the slated starters.
PREDICTION: With San Francisco having to travel to San Diego after just losing the opening series to Seattle, will leave the team a bit down. The Giants will be slow to start this one, and this Padres offense will jump on that. With Tatis Jr finally getting his bat to heat up, it should be over quick in San Diego. (San Diego Padres -175)
