Braves vs. Padres Predictions, Picks, Odds & Starting Pitchers: Today, 3/28

The mainstream MLB Opening Day yesterday lived up to the hype and given the nature of the 162-game season, the action never stops. Following a featured MLB on ESPN doubleheader yesterday is something new for some fans - a game on FanDuel Sports Network! For the first one of the season, we’ve got our Braves vs. Padres predictions for you.
You’ll even be able to perfectly pair with FanDuel Sportsbook’s $200 sign up bonus using the best bet from our Braves vs. Padres picks!
Braves vs. Padres Predictions For MLB on FanDuel Sportsbook Network, 3/28
With the Padres being without Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish to start the season and facing Atlanta ace Chris Sale yesterday, we saw the Braves slightly favored yesterday for the season opener. However, that script has flipped, but this is still expected to be one of the closest games of the day.
Perhaps what was even more interesting about the Opening Day game was that we saw the total tick down from seven (already low) to 6.5 shortly before first pitch. Well, that over hit in the top of the fourth inning courtesy of an Austin Riley solo home run for the Braves. Despite that, it wasn’t enough for the victory thanks to the Padres’ big seventh inning.
With such a back-and-forth game to open the season, the best bet from our Braves vs. Padres predictions is going to focus on a player prop instead.
Atlanta Braves: Starting Without Strider
It may seem odd to focus on something that’s NOT happening today for the Braves, but it’s important considering it’s what was supposed to be happening. That would be the iconic mustache of Spencer Strider taking the mound after seeing Chris Sale as the ace of the rotation yesterday.
However, Strider is starting the season on the injured list due to right elbow surgery this offseason. We’ve seen him advance from the Grapefruit League to another outing against the Baltimore Orioles, but we won’t be seeing the strikeout machine for at least a couple of times through the starting rotation.
San Diego Padres: Can Cease Return To Form?
Speaking of iconic mustaches, we nearly had a battle of the two most recognizable ones in the entire MLB tonight. That’s because the Padres have Dylan Cease toeing the rubber. However, he’s still looking to get back to the form of the season that saw his mustache become a household icon.
That was in 2022 with the Chicago White Sox when he was making baseball history with consecutive quality starts, but since then, he’s had a 7-9 season and then a 14-11 season with the Padres last year. However, one of those wins came against the Braves in a game in which he recorded an impressive 11 strikeouts!
How To Watch MLB Opening Week Today
After having MLB Opening Day featuring an ESPN doubleheader yesterday, as mentioned, we now get a featured FanDuel Sports Network game! You can easily find it by clicking the very first option under “Popular” labeled as “Live now.” Here’s more info on how to watch the Braves vs. Padres game:
- Where: Petco Park in San Diego, California
- When: 9:40 PM ET on 3/28
- Watch on TV: Your regional sports network
- Where to stream: FanDuel Sports Network
Braves vs. Padres Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines
After seeing Atlanta slightly favored in yesterday’s series opener, we’ve got San Diego slightly favored in the Braves vs. Padres odds at FanDuel Sportsbook tonight:
- Run Line: Atlanta Braves +1.5 (-205) vs. San Diego Padres -1.5 (+170)
- Money Line: Atlanta Braves (+105) vs. San Diego Padres (-125)
- Game Total (Over/Under): Over 7 (-122) vs. Under 7 (+102)
Braves vs. Padres Best Bet: Luis Arraez Over 1.5 Total Bases (+145 at FanDuel Sportsbook)
Interestingly enough, that matchup between these teams that we referenced when discussing Dylan Cease was the exact pitching matchup we have today. While Cease was busy recording 11 strikeouts, Atlanta starter Reynaldo Lopez was getting lit up for 11 hits.
Even still, it was a low-scoring game that saw just four total runs scored, so if you want to fade yesterday’s results for your Braves vs. Padres picks today, that could be an approach. However, we’re going to get a bit more specific with it and target a hitter in today’s game given the advantageous matchup.
Well, just about any matchup is an advantageous one when it comes to a hits and average monster like Luis Arraez. His props were already valuable yesterday, and they continue to be today after not recording a hit on Opening Day. However, we aren’t worried about that, and he still recorded an RBI with a sacrifice fly.
Since his breakout season in 2022 with the Minnesota Twins, Arraez has been one of the most sought-after infielders, and with a remarkable .354 season in 2023 (led the MLB by a mile) with the Miami Marlins, the Padres knew that they had to have him. After hitting 3.14 last year (fourth best), he now gets to hit behind Fernando Tatis
As if his overall hitting prowess wasn’t enough, he has dominated Braves starter Reynaldo Lopez. He’s had six plate appearances against him with four hits and five total bases. That’s good for a .667 average and .833 slugging, so we expect a solid bounce back game from him today.
Therefore, the best bet from our Braves vs. Padres predictions is on Luis Arraez over 1.5 total bases (+145 at FanDuel Sportsbook).
Braves vs. Padres Injury Report & Starting Pitchers
We already noted the biggest injury news for this matchup, which is Spencer Strider starting the season on the 15-day injured list. Of course, we’d be remiss to omit Ronald Acuna and Sean Murphy being on the 10-day injured list.
Similarly, San Diego has a prominent starting pitcher on the 15-day injured list with Yu Darvish also recovering from an elbow injury (we also won’t see Joe Musgrove until midseason). Speaking of starters, here’s today’s Braves vs. Padres starting pitchers:
- Atlanta Braves starting pitcher today: Reynaldo Lopez (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
- San Diego Padres starting pitcher today: Dylan Cease (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
How To Bet On Braves vs. Padres at FanDuel Sportsbook & Claim Your $200 Bonus
We promised a $200 FanDuel sign up bonus to enjoy while watching our Braves vs. Padres predictions play out on the FanDuel Sports Network, and here’s how it works:
- Register here for a new FanDuel account
- Make an initial deposit of at least $10
- Place your first bet for $5+ on anything
Even if you don’t wager on our best bet, as long as it wins, you’ll receive $200 in bonus bets! So, if you just want to pick a big favorite like the Dodgers over the Tigers, you’ll still be getting them at 40/1 odds as long as it wins! There isn’t even a special FanDuel promo code required when you open a new account through us.
Player News
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.
José Soriano allowed three runs over five innings while not factoring in the decision Thursday against the Blue Jays.
Soriano left with a 4-3 lead, but it was erased quickly after his departure. The 26-year-old was not exactly dominant in his outing with eight hits allowed and four free passes, but he did strike out six to help balance things out a smidgen. Soriano takes an even ERA of 4.00 into a scheduled start against the Padres in San Diego on Tuesday. There should be better options for that one.