Ricky Dimon
The second week of the 2025 Major League Baseball season continues on Friday with a full 15-game schedule. I’m 6-2 through 4 days of this piece and the Pickswise MLB handicapping team as a whole is 12-2. Let’s keep it going as we get into my MLB best bets of the day!
Also don’t forget to check out our MLB picks for Friday’s slate. Additionally, don’t miss our 2025 MLB futures guide, which features win total futures, best bets on the MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year, division winner selections and World Series predictions from our team of experts.
MLB best bet: Arizona Diamondbacks ML over Washington Nationals (-136)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing
Washington is not quite an automatic fade…but it’s close. The Nationals are 1-5, having dropped a 3-game series against the Phillies before getting swept by the Blue Jays. Jake Irvin will try to stop the bleeding on Friday. The right-hander was bad in his first 2 MLB seasons (3-7, 4.61 ERA followed by 10-14, 4.41 ERA) and struggled in his 2025 opener (2 runs on 7 hits in 5.0 innings during an 11-6 setback against Philadelphia).
Arizona is countering with Brandon Pfaadt, who delivered a quality start against the Cubs last Saturday (3 runs in 6.0 innings to go along with 5 strikeouts and only 1 walk). The 4-3 Diamondbacks are currently getting left in the dust by undefeated National League West rivals in Los Angeles and San Diego, but they are touted as a playoff team in 2025 and early returns are encouraging enough. I feel good about backing a superior side that also boasts a clear pitching advantage.
MLB best bet: Atlanta Braves F5 -0.5 over Miami Marlins (-130)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing
Make no mistake about it – the Braves are the worst team in baseball, at least according to the standings. They are 0-7 and the only winless club in the entire league. Of course, they aren’t actually the worst. This roster has a ton of talent, even with Ronald Acuna Jr., Spencer Strider and Reynaldo Lopez on the shelf – which remains the case for now. Although the rotation is depleted, the Braves have a good starter going for their home opener on Friday. Spencer Schwellenbach is a legit #2 starter behind Chris Sale (#3 when Strider returns) and he should have his way with Miami.
The Marlins are 4-3 but have lost 2 of their last 3 and don’t inspire much confidence with Max Meyer on the mound. As a rookie in 2024, the righty compiled a 3-5 record with a 5.68 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 11 starts. Look for the Braves to finally find the win column, but their money line has no value as heavy favorites and backing them in the first 5 innings eliminates their horrendous bullpen from the equation.
