MLB Best Bets Today, 3/28: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Friday
Now that the pomp and circumstance of MLB Opening Day is out of the way, our work with the MLB Best Bets can continue and, hopefully carry over the momentum from yesterday’s MLB predictions.
There is one game that will have the festivities of an Opening Day as the Tampa Bay Rays and Colorado Rockies square off in their first game of the season. We’re not exactly sure why these two teams were left out from yesterday’s excitement, but it probably has to do with how bad the Rockies are and the league getting Steinbrenner Field ready for regular season action.
We’ll dive into it and also study the other eight games for potential MLB Best Bets today.
MLB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 3/28
Whether you were listening to the Fantasy Alarm Show on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio or read yesterday’s MLB best bets column from Josh Wagner, he offered some pretty sound advice regarding your MLB picks.
Baseball is a game of matchups and is obviously data-driven. The early season can be difficult to make MLB predictions, from players still finding their ways after spring training to colder weather affecting the games – it’s smart to start out betting small.
Build your bankroll first, minimize risk and then start building from there. Avoid crazy parlays and be smart. It’s a long season, so there will be plenty of time to increase risk down the road. Now let’s get to our MLB Best Bets today.
Braves vs. Padres Prediction: Friday, March 28th
While the hitting took center stage yesterday between these two teams, I think we get a softer start in today’s game. Dylan Cease is coming off a rock-solid spring that saw strong command and lofty strikeout potential. This is coming off another good year where he limited the number of home runs and posted an impressive 3.10 FIP with a 10.65 K/9. The Padres racked up 10 strikeouts in total against the Braves yesterday and Cease’s stuff should play even better.
On the other side is Reynaldo Lopez who is not only coming off a strong spring performance but has steadily blossomed into a strong option on the mound. He threw more innings last year than he has since 2019 and looks to have everything back on-track, including a K/9 that shows more than a strikeout per inning. Coming out of the gate hot should help him get through the Padres lineup unscathed, at least the first two or three times.
- Expert Braves vs. Padres Picks:
- Atlanta vs. San Diego Under 4 1st 5 Innings (-118 on BetMGM)
Cubs vs. Diamondbacks Prediction: Friday, March 28th
To cap off our MLB best bets today, there is definitely an advantage for the Cubs having now played three regular-season games to just the one for Arizona. Chicago has been playing well, and the hitters seem to have their timing down pretty well.
I’m not the biggest Jameson Taillon fan, probably more because he doesn’t get the strikeouts people want for fantasy baseball or DFS, but he’s actually got a decent track record against this current Diamondbacks lineup. We’re talking about a combined .195/.251/.351 slash line with a 23.2-percent strikeout rate over 82 total at-bats.
Arizona is throwing Merrill Kelly who is coming off one of his worst seasons. He also only threw 73.2 innings due to injuries. His command has slipped dramatically and with the way this Cubs team is swinging the sticks, they should be able to put some runs on him. I like taking the Cubs at plus-money here as they should end up with the win.
- Expert Cubs vs. Diamondbacks Picks:
- Chicago ML (+124 on DraftKings)
Best MLB Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 3/28
- Yandy Diaz Over 1.5 Total Bases (-125 on BetMGM)
- Baltimore Orioles vs. Toronto Blue Jays Over 8.5 runs (-110 on BetMGM)
Player News
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde told reporters that Zach Eflin (lat) is likely to return and start Sunday against the Angels
It was assumed that Eflin would be back this weekend, but now we have a concrete date. The 31-year-old may not be at full strength after throwing fewer than 60 pitches in his rehab start, but the Orioles feel confident enough to have the right-hander back on the bump for the series finale against the Angels.
Riley Greene is not in the lineup for the first game of a doubleheader against the Rockies on Thursday.
Greene will get a break and likely return to the lineup for the second game of the twin-billing. Zach McKinstry will get the start in left field while Greene rests.
Yu Darvish (elbow) is facing live hitters on Thursday.
Darvish has been throwing bullpen sessions and traveled to the team’s complex in Arizona to face live hitters on Thursday. It will be his first time facing live batters since a spring training appearance on March 13th. He will likely need a few sessions like this before the Padres can map out a rehab appearance timeline for him.
Adael Amador is starting at second base and batting ninth for the Rockies on Thursday.
Amador has now started three of the last four games at second base for the Rockies. He’s gone just 7-for-43 this season with 15 strikeouts in 16 games. He’s just 22 years old, so there is plenty of time for him to adjust to the MLB level, but he doesn’t need to be on redraft radars right now.
Jackson Holliday is playing second base and batting second for the Orioles on Thursday against the Twins.
With Cedric Mullins sitting out on Thursday, Gunnar Henderson will bat lead off, and Holliday will jump up from sixth in the order to second. Holliday is riding a hot streak right now, and the Orioles are taking advantage. This is likely just a one-game sample with no Mullins or Adley Rutschman in the lineup, but Rutschman has been struggling, so perhaps it could become a more permanent spot in the lineup for Holliday moving forward.
Endy Rodriguez (finger) had his splint removed this week.
Rodriguez suffered a lacerated right index finger on April 14th. Now that he is out of his splint, he “is playing catch and doing a slightly modified swing.” Once he can progress to taking full swings, we’ll have a better sense of the timeline for his return.