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:

 

 

 

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:

 

 

 

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:

  1. Register here for a new FanDuel account
  2. Make an initial deposit of at least $10
  3. 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.