MLB Best Bets Today (Predictions for Shohei Ohtani’s Angels, Defending Champion Braves)
By Peter Dewey
Happy Opening Day to all who celebrate!
This season, the BetSided team will be compiling an article of best bets each done from one of its editors, and today, yours truly is going to get us kicked off with two picks for the later games on Thursday.
Let’s jump right into the picks, with all odds via WynnBET Sportsbook:
MLB Best Bets Today
- Los Angeles Angels Moneyline vs. Houston Astros (-120)
- Atlanta Braves Moneyline vs. Cincinnati Reds (-170)
Houston Astros vs. Los Angeles Angels: Angels Moneyline (-120)
The best matchup of Major League Baseball’s Opening Day is going to be in Los Angeles, as reigning MVP Shohei Ohtani is on the mound for the Los Angeles Angels against the Houston Astros.
MLB’s new rule that allows Ohtani to stay in the game as a hitter even if he is not pitching makes this an intriguing game to bet on.
Last season, Ohtani was extremely solid on the mound, going 9-2 with a 3.18 earned run average and striking out 10.8 batters per nine innings. That was overshadowed by his insane season at the plate, but the reigning MVP truly is a dual-threat.
I like Ohtani in this matchup on the mound a bit more than Houston ace Framber Valdez, who was solid in his own right in the 2021 season.
I think there is some value on the under in this game if both pitchers live up to their potential, but I’m going to side with the Angels as my best bet. L.A. should have a bit more offensive firepower with Trout now healthy, and I’m all about Ohtani on the bump, as I picked him to win AL Cy Young this season.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Atlanta Braves: Braves Moneyline (-170)
The defending World Series champion Atlanta Braves will take on the Cincinnati Reds on Opening Day, as Max Fried will take the hill for the Braves against Cincy’s Tyler Mahle.
The Reds blew things up this offseason, trading away Sonny Gray, Eugenio Suarez and Jesse Winker, and there’s no way I’m backing them to win this Opening Day matchup after the Braves ring ceremony.
Fried is one of the better young pitchers in baseball, as he went 14-7 with a 3.04 earned run average last season, and Atlanta’s offense is still lethal even though it replaced Freddie Freeman with Matt Olson.
I think the Braves win this game, but I also like the value on their run line at +110 odds. The Reds were ninth in runs scored last season, but they were 20th in team ERA.
After trading away so many key players, I’m not sold on the Reds to start 2022.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.