Picks Summary
- Giants vs. Royals: Over 8 (-112) at SugarHouse
- Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks: Dodgers RL -1.5 (+110) at BetMGM
- Blue Jays vs. Angels: Under 9 (+100) at Bet365
Top sportsbooks have released their MLB odds for today’s baseball action.
Three games, in particular, interest us because of the computer projections: Giants vs. Royals, Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks, and Blue Jays vs. Angels.
For reasons that we will explain, you should play the total for the first game, the run line for the second, and the total for the third.
San Francisco Giants vs. Kansas City Royals
Saturday, April 08, 2023 – 04:05 PM EDT at Oracle Park
Computer Projection
OddsTrader’s computers project the Giants to beat the Royals 4.3-4.0. Of course, one can’t score 4.3 runs in a baseball game, but what this projection indicates is the likelihood that the Giants win and that both teams combine for more than eight runs.
Thus, according to our AI device, we should bet on the Giants ML and on the Over.
Brady Singer’s Outlook
Royals’ starter Brady Singer might look like a good pitcher to back today if you consider his last start. But his last start was misleadingly good. While he yielded a 1.80 ERA, his FIP (like ERA but factors out fielding) was 3.83.
Statistically speaking, he should have done worse than he did. Also, in terms of his pitching repertoire, he looks unimpressive.
Singer’s main problem is that he pretty much only throws two pitches. His sinker and slider combine for over 97 percent of his arsenal. This lack of variety in his pitching repertoire should entail that he is easy for batters to figure out.
Giants’ Batters vs. Singer
Giants’ batters have a positive outlook today because they match up well against Singer’s favorite pitches. They rank seventh in slugging against his two favorite pitches from righties.
Who Starts for San Francisco?
San Francisco starts lefty Sean Manaea today. Looking at his career as it currently stands, Manaea is a mess.
He used to be an ok pitcher, but his ERA declined to nearly five last year when he was booted from the starting rotation.
As a Giant, he came out of the bullpen this season where he was shelled for three runs in two innings.
Royals’ Batters Today
The Royals have looked bad in many games, but don’t be fooled by them. Their struggles are what they are primarily because of all the times they faced right-handed pitching. But they’re slugging nearly .500 against left-handed pitchers.
So, know for your MLB picks that today is the day for them to score runs, just as our computers project them to.
MLB Pick: Over 8 (-112) at SugarHouse
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Saturday, April 08, 2023 – 08:10 PM EDT at Chase Field
Computer Projection
Our main AI tool predicts the Dodgers to beat Arizona 6.4-4.3.
This is a decisive projected margin, one that indicates we should bet the Dodgers on the run line in addition to the Over.
Noah Syndergaard’s Outlook
Noah Syndergaard starts for the Dodgers. We like the Dodgers because Syndergaard’s outlook looks very positive today.
In his career, he has owned the Diamondbacks. He boasts a 2.27 ERA against them in five career starts. Plus, he matches up well against active Diamondback batters, suggesting that his strong history against their team is primed to continue.
Arizona ranks 29th in slugging against his four pitches (his sinker, slider, changeup, and fastball) from righties.
Arizona Starter’s Outlook
Zach Davies starts for the Diamondbacks tonight. The Dodgers match up well against him, ranking seventh in slugging against his favorite pitches from righties.
Freddie Freeman is one Dodger batter who looks good tonight; he is 5-for-14 (.357) with a double in his career against Davies.
MLB Pick: Dodgers RL -1.5 (+110) at BetMGM
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Los Angeles Angels
Saturday, April 08, 2023 – 09:07 PM EDT at Angel Stadium
Computer Projection
Our computers project a low-scoring game in which the Angels triumph 3.3-4.4.
Don’t Worry About Jose Berrios
Toronto starts Jose Berrios tonight, whom you might worry about given how many runs he allowed in his last start. But you shouldn’t worry about him because his 1.82 FIP at that start indicates how well he performed individually, which is in alignment with what he did over much of Spring Training.
Plus, the Angels rank 28th in slugging against his pitches from righties.
Low-Scoring Game
We like a low-scoring game to take place here because not only will the Angels have trouble hitting but so will the Blue Jays.
Los Angeles starts lefty Tyler Anderson, and the Blue Jays have been struggling to hit lefties, ranking 25th in slugging against them.
MLB Pick: Under 9 (+100) at Bet365
