MLB Best Bets Today, 3/31: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Monday
Welcome into the first Monday of MLB best bets here at Fantasy Alarm on this Monday, March 31st! It’s been a good early return on our MLB predictions, and we will look to continue that trend as we have a full slate to start the week with 28 teams set to play!
In addition to starting this season, like seasons past I am advocating that you start the season with half unit wagers as well. Every season of MLB best bets is unique and until we get our footing into who these teams and players are this season let’s gamble smart and learn as we go!
MLB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 3/31
In this MLB Best Bets Today article you will find a wide array of choices from some Money Lines and to game totals and on occasion some player props! Check out the rationale and if you agree with me make sure to tail and good luck!
Now, let's dive into my expert MLB Best Bets today!
- Season Record: 6-3-0
- Bankroll: +1.8 units
*Follow me on twitter @jwaggs10
Rockies vs. Phillies Predictions: Monday, March 31st
With baseball it doesn’t matter what time of year it is I am always going to be excited for good teams and bats to attack the Colorado Rockies. The Phillies are at home for the next 3 days and they should put up huge numbers starting today against Colorado starter German Marquez. The righty hasn’t played much over the last couple of seasons but over his career he’s never been all that good and I don’t see that changing this season with a career ERA of 4.43.
The Phillies offense is already off to a hot start this season with 19 runs over 3 games against the Nationals and its thanks to the usual names of Kyle Schwarber, Byrce Harper and Brandon Marsh who have combined for 4 home runs and are all hitting over .300 thus far. As if that wasn’t enough though the Phillies have Cristopher Sanchez on the bump today and he is looking to continue his momentum of the last 2 seasons where his WHIP was 1.05 and 1.24 and his ERA was under 3.5 comfortably too.
I don’t see a way the Phillies offense doesn’t explode tonight so I will be loading up on them to score over 4.5 runs even with the juice. On top of that give me Bryce Harper to go over 1.5 hits/runs/RBIs tonight as he hit .277 and had an .894 OPS against right-handed pitching last season and will make Marquez pay today.
- Expert Rockies vs. Phillies Picks:
- Philadelphia Team Total Over 4.5 Runs (-150 on DraftKings)
- Bryce Harper (PHI) Over 1.5 Hits/Runs/RBIs (-145 on DraftKings)
Mets vs. Marlins Predictions: Monday, March 31st
My apologies to the Miami fans that read this article I am not trying to rain on your parade of starting 3-1 but this team is not good and a series against the Pirates doesn’t change that. They are going to be humbled by this Mets team tonight and likely for the 3-game series that is coming up to start this week.
The Mets are due for some positive regression this series as well after they lost 2 of 3 to the Astros and only managed to score 5 runs in the process. Luckily for them the Marlins pitching is not nearly as good, and Cal Quantrill is on the mound today for the fish. The starter has fallen off a cliff the last 2 seasons allowing a combined ERA over 5 and has seen his strikeout to walk ratio fall to 1.6! Against bats like the Mets, he’s going to be in big trouble, and I expect New York to roll in this one and cover the Run Line with little issue!
- Expert Mets vs. Marlins Picks:
- New York Run Line -1.5 (-115 on DraftKings)
Best MLB Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 3/31
- Cincinnati Reds vs. Texas Rangers Over 8.5 Runs (-125 on ESPN Bet)
- Detroit Tigers vs. Seattle Mariners Under 4.5 Runs 1st 5 Innings (-145 on DraftKings)
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.