Anticipation abounds heading into the upcoming weekend of MLB betting action, as the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres square off for the first time this season. The Dodgers are favored to repeat as World Series champions, but the Padres are the second favorite to win the NL pennant. The latest MLB futures betting odds have the Dodgers at +350 to win the 2021 World Series, while the Padres are +900.
Both the Dodgers and Padres have started well, and this series will be a chance for the Padres to make an early statement or for the Dodgers to show how wide the gap is between them and the field of NL contenders. Fernando Tatis, Jr. is set to make his return from injury in the series, which is a huge plus from an entertainment and MLB betting standpoint.
What Will Ronald Acuna, Jr. Do Today?
The Braves are stumbling and bumbling and frustrating their way through the first few weeks of the season, but they would be in a much worse position without Ronald Acuna, Jr.’s astounding April.
Yesterday, the Braves found themselves down 3-0 to the Miami Marlins and on the way to being swept. But Acuna cranked a two-run homer in the fifth inning to bring the Braves within one, and they went on to a valuable 7-6 win (no thanks to the bullpen, yet again). Acuna’s already short NL MVP odds have shortened even further, as he is now a +350 favorite. Improved plate discipline has been a major factor in Acuna’s amazing start, as explained in this article.
Fear not, this space is unlikely to turn into the Daily Ronald Acuna, Jr. Odds Watch, but there are far worse things than keeping track of the exploits of arguably the most exciting young star in the game.
Will the Red Sox Start a New Streak?
After winning nine straight games, the Boston Red Sox finally felt the sting of losing yesterday. It took a walk-off for the streak to end, as the Minnesota Twins took the series finale 4-3.
A three-game lead is nothing to write home about at this juncture of the season, but there is reason to believe that the Red Sox will make a proper run at the AL East title. Their AL East title odds have moved to +500, which is great MLB betting value given their talent and the questions surrounding their division rivals. Starting pitching will dictate a lot, however. Today, Nick Pivetta will try to win his third straight start in the opener of the Sox vs Sox series in Boston.
Another packed MLB betting day is ahead. Here are a few of the other matchups and storylines that are of interest:
- After the series finale of the Phillies-Mets series was rained out yesterday, Jacob deGrom now starts tonight against the Colorado Rockies. Did Mother Nature do him a favor?
- The Seattle Mariners will look to continue their positive start and deal the Astros a sixth straight loss.
- The A’s go for their sixth straight win in the second game of their series against the Tigers. Can they continue piling up the runs?
Friday, April 16 MLB Betting Schedule
American League
Tampa Bay Rays vs New York Yankees, 7:05 pm ET: Michael Wacha (0-1, 7.00 ERA) vs Nick Nelson (0-1, 9.00 ERA)
Chicago White Sox vs Boston Red Sox, 7:10 pm ET: Dylan Cease (0-0, 3.86 ERA) vs Nick Pivetta (2-0, 3.27 ERA)
Baltimore Orioles vs Texas Rangers, 8:05 pm ET: Jorge Lopez (0-2, 11.42 ERA) vs Mike Foltynewicz (0-2, 4.09 ERA)
Toronto Blue Jays vs Kansas City Royals, 8:10 pm ET: Steven Matz (2-0, 1.46 ERA) vs Mike Minor (1-0, 4.50 ERA)
Minnesota Twins vs Los Angeles Angels, 9:38 pm ET: Lewis Thorpe (2021 season debut) vs Andrew Heaney (1-1, 7.00 ERA)
Detroit Tigers vs Oakland A’s, 9:40 pm ET: Jose Urena (0-2, 8.22 ERA) vs Frankie Montas (1-1, 8.31 ERA)
Houston Astros vs Seattle Mariners, 10:10 pm ET: Jose Urquidy (0-1, 5.23 ERA) vs Yusei Kikuchi (0-0, 3.75 ERA)
National League
Atlanta Braves vs Chicago Cubs, 2:20 pm ET: Kyle Wright (2021 season debut) vs Zach Davies (1-1, 11.05 ERA)
Arizona Diamondbacks vs Washington Nationals, 7:05 pm ET: Taylor Widener (1-0, 2.45 ERA) vs Max Scherzer (0-1, 3.75 ERA)
St. Louis Cardinals vs Philadelphia Phillies, 7:05 pm ET: Carlos Martinez (0-2, 6.30 ERA) vs Zach Eflin (0-0, 3.46 ERA)
San Francisco Giants vs Miami Marlins, 7:10 pm ET: Anthony DeSclafani (1-0, 0.82 ERA) vs Daniel Castano (2021 season debut)
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Milwaukee Brewers, 8:10 pm ET: JT Brubaker (1-0, 1.93 ERA) vs Adrian Houser (1-1, 1.80 ERA)
New York Mets vs Colorado Rockies, 8:40 pm ET: Jacob deGrom (0-1, 0.64 ERA) vs Chi Chi Gonzalez (1-0, 3.60 ERA)
Los Angeles Dodgers vs San Diego Padres, 10:10 pm ET: Walker Buehler (1-0, 1.50 ERA) vs Ryan Weathers (1-0, 1.50 ERA)
Interleague
Cleveland Indians vs Cincinnati Reds, 7:10 pm ET: Logan Allen (1-1, 2.70 ERA) vs Jeff Hoffman (1-1, 3.86 ERA)
Friday, April 16 Top MLB Betting Matchups
All MLB betting odds are via FanDuel Sportsbook. Updated MLB betting odds can be found on our MLB odds page.
You can also find our aggregated industry MLB betting picks for these matchups and all of the day’s other MLB matchups on our MLB picks page.
And to track the week in MLB betting action, check out our weekly MLB betting preview.
MLB betting odds as of Friday, April 16 at 1:00 pm ET
St. Louis Cardinals (6-6) vs Philadelphia Phillies (6-6)
Pitching Matchup: Carlos Martinez (0-2, 6.30 ERA) vs Zach Eflin (0-0, 3.46 ERA)
Moneyline: Cardinals +130, Phillies -154
Total: OVER 8 (-118), UNDER 8 (-104)
Run Line: Cardinals +1.5 (-166), Phillies -1.5 (+138)
After a tough road trip in which they lost five of six, the Phillies return home to take on the Cardinals. The Cardinals might be glad to be hitting the road themselves, as they face the Phils after home series losses to the Brewers and Nationals.
St. Louis Cardinals vs Philadelphia Phillies Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More
Chicago White Sox (6-7) vs Boston Red Sox (9-4)
Pitching Matchup: Dylan Cease (0-0, 3.86 ERA) vs Nick Pivetta (2-0, 3.27 ERA)
Moneyline: White Sox +106, Red Sox -124
Total: OVER 9 (-110), UNDER 9 (-110)
Run Line: White Sox +1.5 (-184), Red Sox -1.5 (+152)
The White Sox had the highlight of Carlos Rodon’s no-hitter on Wednesday, but a split of their four-game home series against Cleveland was a disappointment. It doesn’t get any easier for them as they travel to Boston. With four against the White Sox followed by two against the Blue Jays, we’ll get to see if the Red Sox can really build off of their hot run.
Chicago White Sox vs Boston Red Sox Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More
New York Mets (5-3) vs Colorado Rockies (3-10)
Pitching Matchup: Jacob deGrom (0-1, 0.64 ERA) vs Chi Chi Gonzalez (1-0, 3.60 ERA)
Moneyline: Mets -275, Rockies +225
Total: OVER 9.5 (+104), UNDER 9.5 (-128)
Run Line: Mets -1.5 (-166), Rockies +1.5 (+138)
Surely the bats will give deGrom some run support at Coors Field of all places, right? Right? In his last visit there, the Mets won 12-2 on June 18, 2018. In his 63 starts since, the Mets have scored 11 runs total. No, that’s not a serious stat, but seriously, can they get this man some run support. There’s more risk than reward here, with many less risky MLB betting lines on the board. But eight of the Rockies’ 10 losses have been by multiple runs, so the Mets -1.5 run line has value.
New York Mets vs Colorado Rockies Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More
Houston Astros (6-6) vs Seattle Mariners (8-5)
Pitching Matchup: Jose Urquidy (0-1, 5.23 ERA) vs Yusei Kikuchi (0-0, 3.75 ERA)
Moneyline: Astros -118, Mariners +100
Total: OVER 8 (-114), UNDER 8 (-106)
Run Line: Astros -1.5 (+134), Mariners +1.5 (-162)
Just a week ago, the Astros looked like world-beaters. Five straight losses later, and they head to Seattle in need of a series win. The Mariners have won five of six and have won three of their four series to open the season, so they are not likely to lie down for the Astros. Kikuchi doesn’t have a win yet, but quality starts in his first two starts is a very encouraging sign that this could be a good year for him.
Houston Astros vs Seattle Mariners Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More
Los Angeles Dodgers (11-2) vs San Diego Padres (9-5)
Pitching Matchup: Walker Buehler (1-0, 1.50 ERA) vs Ryan Weathers (1-0, 1.50 ERA)
Moneyline: Dodgers -148, Padres +126
Total: OVER 8 (-120), UNDER 8 (-102)
Run Line: Dodgers -1.5 (+108), Padres +1.5 (-130)
What an occasion for Weathers to make his first MLB start. The young southpaw has been solid in three relief outings so far, but this is a different challenge altogether. Buehler, who is +1200 to win the NL Cy Young, has opened the season with back-to-back quality starts.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs San Diego Padres Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More
Friday, April 16 Top MLB Betting Lines to Watch
All MLB betting lines are via FanDuel Sportsbook as of Friday, April 16 at 1:00 pm ET.
MLB Betting Sides
- Philadelphia Phillies 1st 5 ML vs St. Louis Cardinals: Martinez’s first two starts have not gone particularly well.
- Texas Rangers ML vs Baltimore Orioles: Foltynewicz was excellent last time out against the Padres, allowing only one run and two hits in seven innings. The Rangers just took three straight in Tampa and will like their chances against Lopez, who hasn’t made it out of the fifth in either of his starts.
MLB Betting Totals
- Atlanta Braves vs Chicago Cubs OVER: Since being shut down by the Phillies in their first series of the season, the Braves have scored 56 runs in their last 10 games. They have also allowed 55 runs in that stretch. Davies didn’t make it out of the second against the Pirates last Saturday, allowing seven runs in 1.2 IP.
- Detroit Tigers vs Oakland A’s OVER: This is a good place to strike while the iron is hot. The A’s downed the Tigers 8-4 last night and have scored 37 runs in their five-game win streak.
MLB Betting Props
- Atlanta Braves vs Chicago Cubs OVER 0.5 1st Inning Runs: First-inning runs have occurred in seven of the Braves’ 13 games, and the Cubs have struck in the first in both of Davies’ starts.
Looking for the best places to do some MLB betting today? Check out our online sportsbooks guide, which gives you a rundown of FanDuel, BetMGM, PointsBet and other top legal online sportsbooks.
