Here are three betting picks to target on Opening Day
The 2021 MLB season is finally here.
Opening Day has arrived, and it brings us a loaded 15-game schedule to kick off the campaign.
I’ll be going over my best bets for today’s matchups and provide reasoning for my picks.
All odds are courtesy of Circa Sports. As always, please play responsibly.
Cleveland Indians (-180) vs. Detroit Tigers (+163)
Best bet: Indians first five innings -0.5 (-125)
First pitch – 10:10 a.m. PST
We have one of the best pitchers on the planet going up against one of the worst lineups in baseball.
Shane Bieber was 2-0 with a 1.84 ERA across 14 2/3 innings against the Detroit Tigers last year. The Indians were also 7-3 against their Motor City counterparts in 2020.
The money line is a little too rich for my blood, but the first five innings run line offers fantastic value.
For those unfamiliar with that type of wager, it means the Indians have to be winning by at least one run after the first five innings.
I would be surprised if the Tigers can muster any sort of offense against Bieber, so, if the Indians can get a couple runs, this should be easy.
Minnesota Twins (-101) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (-109)
Best bet: Twins money line (-101)
First pitch – 11:10 a.m. PST
I think getting the Twins at this short price is a great value.
They have a potent lineup from top to bottom and were 4-2 against the Brewers in 2020.
The Twins are also sending Kenta Maeda to the mound. Their ace finished second in Cy Young Award voting last season after putting together a dominant campaign.
I look for Maeda to keep the Brew Crew bats silent while the Twins’ offense does enough to get the win.
Atlanta Braves (+111) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (-121)
Best bet: under 7.5 runs (-120)
First pitch – 12:05 p.m. PST
This game is a perfect recipe for an under.
We have two bonafide studs on the mound in Max Fried and Aaron Nola, but we also have difficult weather conditions.
The temperature will be in the mid-40s while 20 mph winds will blow in from left field throughout the contest.
On top of that, MLB also announced that there will be new balls for the 2021 season. They are less dynamic in their flight path, as the league wants to reel back the historic amount of homers we saw in 2019.
Expect this one to stay low scoring.