Miami Marlins @ New York Mets 1:10pm est PICK: (METS -270)
Miami is off to a slow start after only being able to win one game this year. The Marlins are sloping downhill, and are currently on a four game losing streak, and their most recent loss is coming off the controversial pitch in the bottom half of the 9th inning to cost them the game. Michael Conforto extended his elbow to get hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, that brought in the winning run. Don Mattingly did his best to combat this decision, but at the end of the day, the review was inconclusive, and the Mets won. With Jacob DeGrom on the mound at home, all signs are pointing towards another loss for Miami. He has been the Mets ace for years now, and a Marlins team that is averaging a .210 average at the plate will struggle to get runners on. DeGrom and the Mets should have a field day with Miami early Saturday morning.
Seattle Mariners @ Minnesota Twins 2:10pm est PICK: (TWINS -180)
The Minnesota Twins have shown the league early that they can put up runs this year. They have had an average of 4.6 runs a game, but have shown flashes of 8 plus runs, three times this year. With Andrelton Simmons and Byron Buxton starting the season on a tear, it is making it even harder for pitchers to work around Nelson Cruz. Opposing pitchers have to come at the Twins hitters and as right now, for the other teams, it is looking like a pick your poison on who you want to pitch to. The Mariners could have stole some wins in the opening week, but were derailed by their own bullpen. The Mariners hold an average team ERA of 5.71, and their bats are not producing enough runs to keep up with that, as their record shows. The hot hitting Twins should get to an old Kikuchi early.
Chicago Cubs @ Pittsburgh Pirates 6:35pm est PICK: (CUBS -157)
The Cubs cannot hit the ball right now. Besides their top tier 10 homers in 7 games, they are still batting a .157. It is hard to watch as the Cubs do posses the right players in that lineup to produce a ton of runs. The simplest answer is they are just struggling right now. The tides will be turning in Pittsburgh. What better way to wake up the bats, then beating up an a lowly division rival? The Pirates are on a 6 game losing streak, and they have failed to do anything right. Pittsburgh is made up of bad pitching and even worse hitting. The Cubs will begin the steps in the right direction on Saturday, and will even sweep this weekend series.
Boston Red Sox @ Baltimore Orioles 7:05pm est PICK: (RED SOX -130)
The Red Sox have flipped the script, after being swept in the 2021 home opener against Baltimore. They are winners of their last four games, and really have been swinging the hot bat. Manager Alex Cora was able to create some motivation in the clubhouse after getting beat up by the Orioles squad. Yes the downfall to this Saturday matchup is Garrett Richards is pitching. The Orioles absolutely lit him up in his 2021 season debut. But here is the caveat to that. Things are different now. Boston is playing with a chip on their shoulder, and Richards is going to be seeking that sweet sweet revenge. And the O’s have not been good. The lineup as a whole has struck out 13 times each in their last 4 games. Richards should get a quality start for his team on Saturday.
San Diego Padres @ Texas Rangers 7:05pm est PICK: (PADRES -172)
We have to stay with San Diego, and riding this momentum that they have built. No team has been able to go out and beat up this Padres team yet, and until a team does we need to stick with them. Joe Musgrove was able to throw the teams first no hitter in Padres history. Right now the San Diego Padres are playing with swagger and a lot of confidence, and we absolutely cannot hop of this train, especially against a team as bad as Texas. The Rangers are going to continue their struggles until they can figure out their pitching issues. They give up too many runs, and with San Diego starters and bullpen pitching lights out, the Rangers will be playing a lot of catchup. Young arm Chris Paddack still has a lot to prove for his team, and it should be another easy win for San Diego.
