Ricky Dimon
It’s probably going to be a fun Major League Baseball season for Los Angeles Dodgers fans and perhaps for a team or 2 in the National League East. Beyond them, though, it could be a long, 162-game slog of pain. But there’s no need to worry about potential doom and gloom down the road. For now, hope springs eternal for every club as springtime hope and optimism abound for every club heading into Opening Day. Thursday may mark the beginning of the end for more than a few moribund franchises, but – at least at the moment – everyone (other than the Chicago Cubs) is undefeated. Let’s get into my MLB Opening Day parlay picks at +1019 odds, while you can also find out our MLB picks for EVERY game.
Phillies -1.5 (+105)
Padres ML (+110)
Diamondbacks -1.5 (+160)
MLB parlay odds: +1019
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Philadelphia Phillies -1.5 over Washington Nationals (+105)
The Nationals are playing at home on Opening Day, but that may not make much difference. They were a horrendous 33-48 at Nationals Park last season. Washington also has to go up against a familiar NL East foe in Zack Wheeler, which is obviously more bad news. Wheeler went 16-7 with a 2.57 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 2024. Unsurprisingly, the right-hander completely befuddled a weak Washington lineup last season to the tune of a 2-0 record, 2.29 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 19.2 innings of work across 3 appearances.
The Nats are countering with MacKenzie Gore, who is a solid pitcher but on almost any other club would not be an Opening Day starter. It goes without saying that Philadelphia also boasts a much more potent lineup, led by Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber. I am more than happy to back the visitors to win by multiple runs.
Read our full Philadelphia Phillies vs Washington Nationals prediction
San Diego Padres ML over Atlanta Braves (+110)
It is true that Atlanta has Chris Sale on the mound, but I was still surprised to see San Diego as an underdog. The Padres have Michael King on the mound, just as they did for Game 1 of the wild-card round against none other than the Braves in 2024. King turned in a dominant performance, firing 7.0 innings of shutout baseball while striking out 12 batters that set the stage for a San Diego sweep. A late bloomer at 29 years old, the right-hander was effective from start to finish last season – winning 12 games and compiling a 2.95 ERA with 201 Ks in 173.2 innings.
King will face an Atlanta lineup that does not yet have Ronald Acuna Jr. at its disposal on the heels of last year’s torn ACL. Sean Murphy is also sidelined for a couple of weeks. Sale should be good once again, but it’s a big ask for him to duplicate his 2024 Cy Young success. Give me the Padres as small home underdogs.
Check out ThatGuyBets’ MLB YRFI/NRFI best bet for Opening Day, targeting a NRSI!
Arizona Diamondbacks -1.5 over Chicago Cubs (+160)
The Cubs are in sole possession of last place in the MLB standings after losing both games of the Tokyo Series against the Dodgers. That certainly isn’t worth overreacting to given how good the Dodgers are, but it’s still not a great start. Chicago will look to right the ship with Justin Steele toeing the rubber on Thursday in Arizona. Steele predictably took a step back last season, when his strikeouts-to-walks ratio dipped from 4.9 to 3.6. The southpaw got pummeled by L.A. in Tokyo, giving up 5 earned runs on 2 homers in just 4.0 innings.
Zac Gallen gets the ball for the Diamondbacks after averaging more than 14 victories over the past 3 years. Arizona has the better pitcher, the better lineup and is playing at home for its season opener. I’ll take the Snakes by multiple runs.
