Baseball is back — and Opening Day 2025 brings a full slate of betting opportunities that go far beyond just who wins or loses.
From Cy Young futures to starting pitcher props, the start of the MLB season is the perfect time to get ahead of the market and lock in value before oddsmakers adjust. Whether you're looking for sharp Opening Day MLB picks, long-term predictions, or sneaky underdog plays, Covers has your MLB betting blueprint right here.
🔮 MLB Opening Day Predictions
Brewers vs 
Yankees
Tony Sartori: Brewers SP Freddy Peralta ranked in the 87th percentile in whiff rate and the 81st in strikeout rate in 2024. That success will likely continue against the New York Yankees. Through 71 combined career plate appearances against Peralta, this current New York lineup has a 32.4% strikeout rate and 32.2% whiff rate. Pick: Freddy Peralta Over 5.5 strikeouts (-156 at FanDuel)
Orioles vs 
Blue Jays
Quinn Allen: Blue Jays right-hander Jose Berrios had 72 Ks in 93 1/3 innings at home last season and 54 in 67 day-game innings. The juices will be flowing for Berrios, and although the Orioles are dangerous, he won't have any issues hitting at least five strikeouts. Pick: Jose Berrios Over 4.5 strikeouts (-128 at FanDuel)
Red Sox vs 
Rangers
Neil Parker: Nathan Eovaldi having tossed just 27 pitches since March 9 gives me pause about how deep he’ll pitch into Thursday’s opener. The Red Sox lineup packs punch, and Eovaldi pitched to contact in that final spring start with just a single strikeout across four frames. Pick: Nathan Eovaldi Under 5.5 strikeouts (+112 at Pinnacle)
Mets vs 
Astros
Ed Scimia: I’m looking at the two lineups, which is what is tilting me towards the Mets. The addition of Soto adds length to what was already a solid lineup that averaged 4.74 runs per game last year. And I’m far less impressed by what the Astros have done with their lineup this season. Pick: Mets moneyline (+110 at FanDuel)
Braves vs 
Padres
JD Yonke: Atlanta’s lineup fell apart a year ago with a .308 wOBA and 96 wRC+ against RHP. Sean Murphy and Ronald Acuna Jr. will start the season on the IL, and the bottom third of the lineup will be bereft of impact bats in the meantime. Additionally, both teams project to have quality bullpens and should be well rested, given that it's Opening Day. Under 7 (-120 at BetMGM)
Tigers vs 
Dodgers
Andrew Caley: Betts has never faced Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, but when you’re hitting behind Shohei Ohtani, you’re going to get some pitches to hit and the chance to drive in a bunch of runs. I know this is a touch matchup, I just don’t know how many times this season we’re going to be able to bet Mookie to drive in a run at a price like this. I’m backing Mookie to do just that on Opening Day. Pick: Mookie Betts Over 0.5 RBIs (+240 at bet365)
Cubs vs 
Diamondbacks
Neil Parker: Zac Gallen’s strikeout percentage has dipped to 25.6% in the past two seasons compared to his 27.3% mark through his first four tours through the majors. It also aligned with him posting an 8.7 BB% in 2024, and he walked five batters this spring for a 12.5% mark. If his command is off, his pitch count will climb quickly. Zac Gallen Under 4.5 strikeouts (+130 at bet365)
💰Opening Day Moneyline Picks
| Matchup | Pick | Hook |
|---|---|---|
| Brewers vs Yankees |
(-150) |
New York packs more punch at the dish 💪 |
| Orioles vs Blue Jays |
(+103) |
Toronto was the toast of Grapefruit League 🍞 |
 Philliesvs  Nationals |
(-165) |
The Phillies' star power is too much 🌟 |
| Red Sox vs Rangers |
(-114) |
Texas faces a deep and improved Boston lineup 🔋 |
 Piratesvs  Marlins |
(+137) |
Alcantara a fitting foil for ROY Skenes 🤺 |
 Giantsvs  Reds |
(-107) |
Cincy's Greene a strikeout artist on the rise 🎨 |
 Angelsvs  White Sox |
(-143) |
The Angels aren't good, but they're not CHW bad 👎 |
 Guardiansvs  Royals |
(+111) |
Guardians wrecked KC's Ragans in 2024 👊 |
| Mets vs Astros |
(+114) |
Astros' thin lineup no match for mighty Mets 🏋️ |
| Braves vs Padres |
(-124) |
Cy Young winner Sale gives ATL the slight edge 🏆 |
 Twinsvs  Cardinals |
(-107) |
STL's Gray didn’t have it this spring (12.56 ERA) 🤢 |
 Tigersvs  Dodgers |
(+154) |
Taking the long odds with DET ace Skubal 👑 |
| Cubs vs Diamondbacks |
(+119) |
Expect CHC rebound following Tokyo slump 🇯🇵 |
 Athleticsvs  Mariners |
(-163) |
Mariners a good bet to extend ST success ✅ |
Read Neil Parker's full Opening Day moneyline picks feature for more insight into his plays.
💥 Home Run Prop Picks
- Rhys Hoskins, Brewers (+390 at FanDuel)
Hoskins is 3-for-9 against Yankees starter Carlos Rodón with a .778 slugging percentage and .612 expected slugging percentage; one of those three hits was a homer - Adley Rutschman, Orioles (+600 at FanDuel)
Rutschman boasts a 1.091 slugging percentage and .740 expected slugging in 24 plate appearances vs. Blue Jays SP Jose Berríos, homering three times over that stretch - Matt McLain, Reds (+630 at FanDuel)
McLain, who missed all of 2024, ranked in the top half of the NL in expected slugging, average exit velocity, barrel rate, hard-hit rate, and launch angle sweet-spot rate in 2023.
Check out Tony Sartori's complete Opening Day home run prop picks article.
⚾ MLB Prop Picks
- Juan Soto 2+ bases vs. Astros (+150 at DraftKings)
Coincidentally, Soto opened his Yankees career against the Astros and went 1-for-3 with an RBI. We're expecting slightly more volume Thursday for a nice plus payout. - Paul Skenes to win vs. Marlins (+150 at DraftKings)
I would have loved to jump on the Skenes strikeout prop of 6.5 and bang the Over, but that pays out at -160, and that’s not exactly great value. This one, however, works against a punchless Marlins offense. - Shohei Ohtani 2+ total bases (+125 at DraftKings)
Ohtani hit a solid .288 against lefties last season with 12 home runs, 39 RBIs, and 26 extra-base hits in 226 at-bats. Expect fireworks in his return from Japan.
Catch Eric Rosales's daily MLB prop picks before finalizing your Opening Day bets.
👀 Starting Pitcher Angles and Edges
- Logan Gilbert Under 17.5 outs vs Athletics (+185 at bet365)
Gilbert had control issues in the spring, with seven walks and home runs over 15 innings. Matching last year's efficiency will be a tough task, especially with leashes tighter than normal early in the year. - Tarik Skubal Under 17.5 outs vs Dodgers (+100 at BetMGM)
Skubal went just 83 pitches in his first game last year and didn't hit 100 pitches until July 12, which was start No. 19. - Sean Burke Over 4.5 strikeouts vs Angels (+102 at BetRivers)
Burke threw 87 pitches in his last spring outing and projects for 4.8 strikeouts today vs. one of the worst lineups in baseball.
Catch Josh Inglis' comprehensive Opening Day starting pitcher angles and edges.
🏆 Covers 2025 MLB Awards Picks
We asked four of our top baseball handicappers to offer their thoughts on this year's awards battles. Here's what Josh Inglis, Andrew Caley, Neil Parker, and Jason Wilson have to say about the 2025 MLB World Series, AL and NL pennant runs and individual awards races:
| Category |  Andrew Caley |
 Neil Parker |
 Jason Wilson |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Series Champion | Dodgers |
Dodgers |
Braves |
Red Sox |
| AL/NL Pennant Winners | OriolesDodgers |
RangersDodgers |
Red Sox Braves |
Red SoxDodgers |
| AL Most Valuable Player | Bobby Witt Jr. |
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. |
Julio Rodriguez |
Bobby Witt Jr. |
| NL Most Valuable Player | Mookie Betts |
Shohei Ohtani |
Corbin Carroll |
Fernando Tatis Jr. |
| AL Cy Young Award | Tarik Skubal |
Garrett Crochet |
Garrett Crochet |
Logan Gilbert |
| NL Cy Young Award | Dylan Cease |
Hunter Greene |
Spencer Strider |
Corbin Burnes |
| AL Rookie of the Year | Christian Moore |
Kumar Rocker |
Jasson Dominguez |
Jackson Jobe |
| NL Rookie of the Year | Drake Baldwin |
Matt Shaw |
Roki Sasaki |
Dylan Crews |
| AL Manager of the Year | Dan Wilson |
Bruce Bochy |
Alex Cora |
Alex Cora |
| NL Manager of the Year | Dave Roberts |
Dave Martinez |
Craig Counsell |
Bob Melvin |
Who do you like to win this season's MLB hardware? We break down the main awards markets with our Most Valuable Player, Cy Young Award, and Rookie of the Year features.
MLB Win Totals Insights
Which Major League Baseball teams have seen the most Over action on their 2025 win totals? We asked BetMGM for all of the latest win totals betting trends (splits as of Monday, March 24):
| Team | Open/Current | Handle | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Diamondbacks |
83.5 / 86.5 | 40% 🔴 | 49% 🔴 |
| Atlanta Braves |
93.5 / 93.5 | 32% 🔴 | 27% 🔴 |
| Baltimore Orioles |
89.5 / 86.5 | 45% 🔴 | 33% 🔴 |
| Boston Red Sox |
84.5 / 86.5 | 86% 🟢 | 92% 🟢 |
| Chicago Cubs |
86.5 / 86.5 | 77% 🟢 | 66% 🟡 |
| Chicago White Sox |
49.5 / 54.5 | 74% 🟡 | 89% 🟢 |
| Cincinnati Reds |
78.5 / 79.5 | 95% 🟢 | 95% 🟢 |
| Cleveland Guardians |
83.5 / 82.5 | 27% 🔴 | 28% 🔴 |
 Colorado Rockies |
60.5 / 59.5 | 78% 🟢 | 79% 🟢 |
| Detroit Tigers |
83.5 / 83.5 | 83% 🟢 | 78% 🟢 |
| Houston Astros |
87.5 / 86.5 | 26% 🔴 | 22% 🔴 |
| Kansas City Royals |
82.5 / 82.5 | 77% 🟢 | 74% 🟡 |
| Los Angeles Angels |
71.5 / 72.5 | 51% 🟡 | 82% 🟢 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers |
103.5 / 104.5 | 40% 🔴 | 64% 🟡 |
| Miami Marlins |
63.5 / 62.5 | 30% 🔴 | 22% 🔴 |
| Milwaukee Brewers |
82.5 / 82.5 | 86% 🟢 | 96% 🟢 |
| Minnesota Twins |
83.5 / 83.5 | 69% 🟡 | 88% 🟢 |
| New York Mets |
91.5 / 90.5 | 35% 🔴 | 18% 🔴 |
| New York Yankees |
93.5 / 88.5 | 30% 🔴 | 33% 🔴 |
| Athletics |
70.5 / 71.5 | 94% 🟢 | 97% 🟢 |
| Philadelphia Phillies |
91.5 / 90.5 | 45% 🔴 | 54% 🟡 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates |
76.5 / 76.5 | 56% 🟡 | 49% 🔴 |
| San Diego Padres |
89.5 / 85.5 | 24% 🔴 | 9% 🔴 |
| San Francisco Giants |
79.5 / 79.5 | 88% 🟢 | 98% 🟢 |
| Seattle Mariners |
83.5 / 84.5 | 83% 🟢 | 97% 🟢 |
| St. Louis Cardinals |
76.5 / 76.5 | 52% 🟡 | 65% 🟡 |
 Tampa Bay Rays |
80.5 / 81.5 | 44% 🔴 | 58% 🟡 |
| Texas Rangers |
85.5 / 85.5 | 91% 🟢 | 97% 🟢 |
| Toronto Blue Jays |
76.5 / 79.5 | 85% 🟢 | 91% 🟢 |
| Washington Nationals |
69.5 / 70.5 | 95% 🟢 | 99% 🟢 |
Check out our MLB win totals feature for a detailed look at how to bet this increasingly popular prop market.
🔑 MLB 2025 Betting Strategy
💵 How to Bet on Baseball
Andrew Caley provides a beginner-friendly guide to MLB betting, covering moneylines, run lines, totals, and key strategies.
🗒️ MLB Parlay Betting Tips
Jason Logan teaches you how to craft winning MLB parlays with expert strategies, risk management tips, and key betting insights.
🔢 MLB Over/Under Betting Tips
Master MLB totals betting with expert tips on line movement, scoring trends, and key strategies from Jason Logan.
🌤️ How to Handicap Weather in MLB Betting
Andrew Caley explains how wind, temperature, and humidity impact MLB betting lines and game outcomes.
⚾ What Is a Runline in MLB Betting?
Jason Logan helps you understand MLB runline betting, how it works, and when to bet favorites or underdogs with value.
