MLB Picks

According to the leading projection system (THE BAT X), Juan Soto ranks as the 3rd-best hitter in MLB.. Juan Soto is projected to hit 2nd in the lineup in this matchup.. The wind projects to be blowing out to RF at 16.1-mph in this contest, the strongest of the day for batters.. Hitting from the opposite that Paul Skenes throws from, Juan Soto will have an advantage in today's game.. Juan Soto hits a high percentage of his flyballs to center field (38.5% — 88th percentile) and is fortunate to face baseball's shallowest CF fences in today's matchup.

Yelich had a bounce-back campaign in ‘25, smacking 29 home runs. That was his highest total since 2019 when he went deep 44 times. While Yelich is 0-for-3 lifetime against Smith, 25 of his bombs last year were off right-handed pitchers. He also went yard 14 times at home

Misiorowski had 87 strikeouts in just 66 innings of work last season, and this is his first Opening Day start. The triple-digit stuff will be electric. The White Sox also ranked 15th in the MLB last year in Ks. 

A homer in Wrigley is likely a longshot today, so I’m looking at Chicago designated hitter Moises Ballesteros at long odds to leave the yard. He hit a pair of bombs in spring training, in addition to both his 2025 home runs in the majors coming against righties alongside his solid .182 ISO.

The Windy City is going to live up to its name Thursday, and runs are going to be at a premium with the wind howling in at Wrigley Field. Cubs southpaw Matthew Boyd faces a Washington offense that finished 28th in wOBA against lefties, and Chicago will draw Washington rookie Cade Cavalli following a dominant spring of 14 scoreless innings while allowing just six baserunners.

Tyler O’Neill has become well-known for his ability to go deep on the first day of the season. He holds an MLB record for most Opening Day dingers in a row with six. O’Neill will face Minnesota Twins righty Joe Ryan, who had issues with the long ball last season — allowing 26 in 31 appearances. 

When assessing his home run ability, Colton Cowser ranks in the 91st percentile according to the leading projection system (THE BAT X).. The weather report calls for the 5th-most favorable hitting weather on the schedule today, as it relates to temperature and humidity.. The wind projects to be blowing out to CF at 13.8-mph in this game, the 4th-best of the day for bats.. Considering Joe Ryan's large platoon split, Colton Cowser will have a colossal advantage batting from the opposite side of the dish in today's matchup.. The Minnesota Twins outfield defense profiles as the 12th-worst among every team today.

Projected catcher Yainer Diaz projects as a weak pitch framer, according to the leading projection system (THE BAT).. The Minute Maid Park roof projects to be closed today, making conditions in this contest 33° hotter than the average outdoor game of all games on the slate — favorable for offense.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) expects Jose Soriano to have a pitch count in this matchup, projecting a maximum of 77 pitches.. Projected catcher Logan O'Hoppe profiles as a weak pitch framer, per the leading projection system (THE BAT).. The Minute Maid Park roof projects to be closed today, making conditions in this contest 33° hotter than the average outdoor game of all games on the slate — favorable for offense.. Jose Soriano will be at a disadvantage playing on the visting team in today's game.

When assessing his home run talent, Trevor Story ranks in the 81st percentile according to the leading projection system (THE BAT X).. Trevor Story is projected to bat 2nd in the batting order today.. This game is predicted to have the 12th-best conditions for pitching among all the games scheduled today.. Batting from the opposite that Andrew Abbott throws from, Trevor Story will have an advantage in today's game.. Trevor Story has an 84th percentile opposite-field rate on his flyballs (34.6%) and is a great match for the park considering he'll be hitting them towards baseball's 7th-shallowest RF fences today.

Phillies southpaw Cristopher Sanchez is third in ERA and fourth in xFIP among qualified starters over the past two seasons, and the Rangers enter ranked 24th in wOBA and 20th in ISO against lefties during the same stretch. I’m anticipating Sanchez picking up where he left off and holding the Rangers in check today, while the Philly offense does enough damage to pick up a convincing win.

Bryce Harper projects as the 12th-best hitter in the game, via the leading projection system (THE BAT X).. Bryce Harper is projected to bat 3rd in the lineup in this matchup.. The wind projects to be blowing out to RF at 15-mph in this match-up, the 3rd-most-favorable of the day for bats.. Batting from the opposite that Nathan Eovaldi throws from, Bryce Harper will have the upper hand in today's matchup.. Bryce Harper has an 87th percentile opposite-field rate on his flyballs (35%) and will have a big advantage hitting them out towards MLB's 9th-shallowest LF fences today.

Diaz has belted 61 home runs across the last three seasons. He’s also clubbed 41 career bombs off left-handers and 59 jacks against righties during his nine-year career.

FanGraphs projects the Cardinals to score the 27th most runs this season because they can’t consistently punish big arms like Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen. I’ll back the more reliable starter and bullpen. 

 

Zac Gallen gets the ball, and Freeman is 7-for-27 lifetime against him with a pair of long balls. Sixteen of Freddie Freeman's homers in 2025 were off right-handers, and Gallen gave up 31 bombs last year —12 of them to left-handed batters. 

Yamamoto dominated this D-backs lineup last season. Current Arizona players have combined for a 32.1% K-rate against Yamamoto, with strikeout totals of 4, 9, 10, and 7 in four games.

Cal Raleigh and the Seattle Mariners will face Cleveland Guardians right-hander Tanner Bibee tonight. Bibee is HR prone, giving up 27 last year. Look for Raleigh to make some noise and leave the yard. 

When it comes to his strikeout skill, Logan Gilbert projects as the 17th-best starter in MLB right now, according to the leading projection system (THE BAT).. Cal Raleigh, the Mariners's expected catcher today, projects as an elite pitch framer according to the leading projection system (THE BAT).. As far as temperature and humidity are concerned, the 2nd-best pitching weather on the schedule is expected for this contest.. Logan Gilbert will benefit from the home field advantage today, which should improve all of his stats across the board.