A good start to the season last night with two wins and no sweating as the Rays and Royals won easily. Many teams are throwing their fifth starter tonight, so expect a lot of runs.
Los Angeles Dodgers at Houston Astros, 9:10 p.m. ET
This is the first time the teams have met since the Astros cheating scandal was made public and it's a rematch of the 2017 World Series. The Dodgers didn't react kindly and they will be fired up for this one. It helps that they have a big pitching advantage with Walker Buehler on the mound. The Dodgers held him back to the fifth game since he didn't pitch much in summer camp. The Dodgers were off yesterday and will have a rested bullpen. The Astros took three of four from the Mariners, but starter Josh James only went three innings. Ryan Pressly and Chris Devenski are both dealing with sore elbows, making it more difficult for the Astros bullpen. Framber Valdez gets the start for the Astros. He has a 4.60 ERA in two seasons. Valdez had a 13.4 percent walk rate last season in 70.2 innings and the Dodgers should tee off on him. Following a loss, the Dodgers are 36-16 in their last 52 games.
Pick: Dodgers -135
Atlanta Braves at Tampa Bay Rays, 6:40 p.m. ET
After struggling offensively the first two games of the season, the Braves scored 14 and and five runs the last two games. They only got one run off a dominant Tyler Glasnow in four innings yesterday, which wasn't surprising. They will face Yonny Chirinos today and he doesn't miss as many bats. He had a 21.5 percent strikeout rate last season. Kyle Wright is a good young arm and struggled in his brief time last season with an 8.69 ERA in seven games, including four starts. The Rays are a patient team and extend at-bats. The Rays homered five times yesterday and both teams could call on the bullpens early leaning to the over.
Pick: Over 9 runs
Record
Yesterday: 2-0
Season: 2-0