MLB Opening Day Preview: Best Bets and Top Season Win Totals
Happy Opening Day to all of my fellow baseball fans out there! True seam-heads like me think that today should be a holiday. In case you can't tell, I'm fired up about the start of the 2024 season.
Need some help betting on MLB Opening Day on Thursday, March 28? You've come to the right spot! In this MLB preview, we'll give out a best bet for today's action and a couple of season win totals to jump on. Good luck!
Best Opening Day Bet: Rangers (-115)
I found this over at BetMGM and I still can't believe how cheap this price is on the defending world champs. I guess the books are expecting Texas to have some sort of World Series hangover, but I couldn't disagree more.
Sure, the Cubs will be starting Justin Steele on the mound and he can really sling it. That being said, this Rangers lineup had no trouble feasting on lefties last season. Guys like Corey Seager, Adolis Garcia, and Josh Jung all have the ability to do damage, even against an ace like Steele.
The Cubs took a nice step in the right direction in 2023, and I expect them to keep improving this season. However, I just can't pass up this elite Texas lineup at such a cheap price. Lay the small number here!
New York Mets Under 81.5 Wins
I don't mean to be harsh on Opening Day, but this Mets team could be in for another long season. They lost veteran pitchers in Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, and Kodai Senga is starting the season off on IL. The bullpen also has a ton of question marks.
Yes, Fracisco Lindor and Pete Alonso are both bona fide sluggers, but the rest of this Mets lineup is filled with hitters that are average on a good day. Also, the starting pitching rotation of Senga (IL), Quintana, Severino, Houser, and Megill doesn't give Mets fans much hope.
Lastly, the Mets play in the NL East, which is by far the toughest division in the National League. Going up against the Braves, Phillies, and Marlins on a regular basis won't be a walk in the park, to say the least. Give me the Under at BetMGM at the -110 price.
Tampa Bay Rays Over 84 Wins
This one is available at Caesars for -110 juice. We've all seen this movie before. The Rays are doubted by most folks every year and every year they prove people wrong. Tampa Bay is always one of those "feel-good" small market teams, and I expect them to win at least 90 games.
That may sound overly optimistic because the Rays play in the murderous AL East. Sure, dealing with the Yankees, Orioles, and Jays won't be easy, but Tampa Bay's lineup is loaded. Guys like Randy Arozarena, Yandy Diaz, and Brandon Lowe are no joke.
I'm also high on Tampa Bay's starting rotation. Zach Eflin proved last year that he has the stuff to be a true ace, and Aaron Civale has really resurrected his career. Give me the Rays to once again surprise some people and make another playoff appearance.
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