MLB Best Bets and Betting Picks for April 6
Another day into the 2023 MLB season and another day of profit for the MLB Best Bets and Betting Picks column. There’s nothing like starting a season this hot, building up your bankroll and feeling good. Now, we’re not going to suddenly go out and start throwing our money at same-game parlays or anything like that. It’s still too early to start getting reckless. We’re going to stay the course here in April and then, if we are still profitable, then we might start looking at some better odds; take a few extra chances. But today is definitely not that day as Mother Nature has reared her ugly head and, as of writing this, we’ve got four postponements out of 10 potential games. While it doesn’t sound like we have too many concerns moving forward, it is always best to check the MLB Weather Report before laying down any action.
- Yesterday’s Record: 2-1
- Season Record: 16-5
- Bankroll: +8.74 units
With just six games on the slate, let’s see what looks good.
MLB Best Bets for April 6
Toronto Blue Jays at Kansas City Royals
If you were listening to Wednesday’s Fantasy Alarm Show on SiriusXM, I added a couple of late bets for the Blue Jays/Royals game, taking both the Jays on the money line and for Alek Manoah to record the win. Both hit, though Royals starter Zack Greinke did a tremendous job limiting the Toronto bats to just three runs. I don’t think Jordan Lyles has the stuff to do the same. Lyles had a moderate debut, limiting the Twins to just one run over 5.1 innings, but he also finished with a 1.31 WHIP and was forced to pitch out of a number of jams. The Jays are not likely to let him get away with it as their offensive numbers are steadily improving. They’ve posted a .343 wOBA and are showing improvements in their early plate discipline numbers as well. If Lyles gets into a jam, they’re going to punish him. Meanwhile, I’m also siding with Kevin Gausman who should have little to no trouble with a Royals squad that has a .241 wOBA against righties, is mashing the ball in the dirt more and more (41.6 GB%) and have a slowly diminishing hard-contact rate. We’ll ride a Toronto team that’s won two in a row.
Pick: Toronto Blue Jays -1.5 Run Line (-120 at BetMGM)
Boston Red Sox at Detroit Tigers
The Boston offense started off white-hit against the Orioles but went dormant shortly thereafter, getting swept by the Pirates at home and scoring just one run in each of their last two games. Fortunately, they don’t get thrown into the fire too badly as they head to Detroit to take on a Tigers team that celebrated a pair of wins against Houston, but quickly got shut down yesterday. Neither team is feeling great right now, but with Chris Sale and Spencer Turnbull on the mound, we’re expecting some runs to be scored today here in the Tigers home opener. Sale got beaten up pretty badly by the Orioles in his debut while Turnbull got shellacked in his first start by the Rays. While I expect Sale to show some improvement here, I’m not exactly brimming with much confidence in Turnbull. There’s a little too much early juice on the money line, but with Vegas implied totals leaning towards the over, I am as well.
Pick: Red Sox/Tigers over 7.5 runs (-115 on DK Sportsbook)
**all bets are one unit unless specifically mentioned
Player News
Austin Hays is absent from Wednesday’s lineup with a hamstring injury.
Reds manager Terry Francona told reporters they’re awaiting MRI results after Hays suffered a hamstring injury during Monday’s series opener against the Cardinals. It’s possible he’ll require a trip to the injured list, but he’s day-to-day for now. There should be an update regarding his status following Tuesday’s game.
Yordan Alvarez is in the lineup at DH for Wednesday’s showdown against the Tigers.
Alvarez is on Houston’s lineup card after being lifted for a pinch-runner during the seventh inning of Monday’s series opener. The Athletic’s Chandler Rome noted that Alvarez didn’t look comfortable on a slide into second base earlier in the contest, so it’s an encouraging sign for fantasy managers that he’s ready for Wednesday’s matchup at Daikin Park.
Brandon Waddell will be called up to make a spot start on Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.
Waddell hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since the 2021 season when he made nine relief appearances between three different organizations. The 30-year-old righty has been outstanding through five starts this season at Triple-A Syracuse, but he’s not a recommended streaming option for fantasy managers at this juncture.
Kevin Gausman’s next start has been pushed back an extra day to Saturday against the Guardians.
Gausman was lit up for six runs over 2 2/3 innings, including a 53-pitch third inning, prior to being ejected from Sunday’s meltdown against the Yankees. The Blue Jays are going to give the ball to fellow veteran Chris Bassitt for Friday’s series opener against the Guardians with Gausman getting an extra day of rest.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday that A.J. Minter is dealing with a “significant” left lat injury.
Mendoza added that season-ending surgery is one of the options on the table. Minter hit the injured list over the weekend with a left lat strain and is facing an extended absence, even if he manages to avoid surgery. It’s a significant loss for New York’s high-leverage mix bridging the gap to closer Edwin Díaz.
Pirates placed RHP Dennis Santana on the Bereavement/Family Medical Emergency List.
The move is retroactive to Monday, so Santana can be activated in as few as two or as many as six days. The right-hander has been the Pirates’ most important reliever to date, amassing a 1.46 ERA and three saves, but he’s droppable in fantasy leagues now that David Bednar is back and getting another shot in the closer’s role.