LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 27: Tyler Glasnow #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers admires his ring during the 2025 Back-to-Back World Champions Ring Ceremony prior to the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Friday, March 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jessie Alcheh/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Searching the whole of the National League, one will not find a team utilizing a starting pitcher at or near the caliber of Tyler Glasnow this Saturday. Scheduling and other outside factors led to some rotations—including the Dodgers—not necessarily starting the season in descending order of skill set, but the point is valid all the same. It won’t get much easier for opposing offenses against the Dodgers, at least not while this rotation can stay—knock on wood—moderately healthy.
As much as we could focus on Glasnow and his outlook heading into a third season with the Dodgers, for a third game of the season, this will be as big an endurance test to the bullpen early on as one could ask for. For starters, Glasnow isn’t the type of pitcher to go that deep into a game, even when he’s rolling, a byproduct of all those strikeouts. Secondly and most importantly, the Dodgers’ bullpen has excelled in a sizeable share of work these past two days. Dodger relievers have covered nearly a full game’s worth of baseball, responsible for 8.2 scoreless frames in a pair of two wins against the Diamondbacks.
It speaks to the depth of this unit that the Dodgers were able to cover all of these innings with Tanner Scott being the only pitcher who appeared in both games. And even Scott had a minimal workload in both games, not even cracking double-digit pitches.
Kyle Tucker’s go-ahead RBI takes the headlines, but the Dodgers don’t win that game if Jack Dreyer and Ben Casparius falter early on, both asked to throw 20+ pitches in a game the Dodgers only got 10 outs from their starter.
Saturday’s game info
Teams: Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks
Ballpark: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
Start time: 6:10 p.m. PT
TV: SportsNet LA
Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish), 98.7 FM’s Arizona Sports Station, KNAI 101.9 FM / 860 AM
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Reynaldo López #40 of the Atlanta Braves delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Truist Park on September 28, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Casey Sykes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Given that Reynaldo Lopez missed nearly all of the 2025 season, I’m sure no one was really looking forward to a reality where he was the Braves’ de facto number two starter. Nonetheless, that reality is here: Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep went down with substantial injuries earlier, and then Spencer Strider hit the shelf with an oblique issue. So, here we are: behind Chris Sale, it’s Lopez today, and then Grant Holmes in the series finale.
Lopez’ health and effectiveness is a pretty swing-y part of the Braves’ eventual 2026 success, or lack thereof. He dazzled in his return to starting in 2024, with a collective 48/74/85 line (ERA-/FIP-/xFIP-) where he at least hinted at the ability to outperform his peripherals by amping up his pitches in key situations. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a chance to see whether he could repeat the misaligned pitching line, because he made all of one start in 2025 and then went down with shoulder woes for the rest of the year.
Coming into this season, Lopez’ production is a wild card. On the one hand, he avoided explicit injury in Spring Training. On the other hand, when getting his tune-ups in, he exhibited diminished velocity, and set off the unpleasant clanging of alarm bells when, in his most recent outing, he not only looked disastrous mechanically, but was lobbing in sub-90 mph fastballs for the whole outing. That resulted in an uncanny (and not in a good way) bit of damage control by the Braves — who first answered that the lower velocity (and presumably other issues) were the result of a mechanical misadjustment, and then had Alex Anthopoulos confirm such (and indicate that he now felt much better about the situation) on an Opening Day radio appearance.
How much you believe all of that is entirely up to you. Maybe it’ll be fine, maybe Lopez’ shoulder has just congealed into one of those weird reheatable ham blocks I heard advertised on the radio this morning and is no longer suitable for big league pitching. The proof is going to be in the pudding… or… ham… block… thing. (Seriously, I wish I didn’t know how ham was made. Don’t look it up.) If Lopez falters, the Braves do have a bunch of bullpen arms capable of throwing a bunch of innings to salvage this game, so hopefully, if there are issues, we see something fairly proactive in terms of pitching management.
The Royals, meanwhile, will be looking for their first W of 2026 behind Michael Wacha. The now-34-year-old signed a chunky deal with Kansas City ahead of the 2024 season ($51 million, three years), and delivered with a career-high 3.6 fWAR across 31 starts (also a career high) and 172 2/3 innings. That performance topped the first year of his deal, where he had 3.3 fWAR and an 81/89/101 line. Basically, the Royals feel really good about this deal, in all likelihood. His 2025 performance benefited from some stuff beyond his pitching, as his line was 91/88/109. A lot of his success was driven by a very low HR/FB rate, and the Braves will have to hope and/or force the issue, as their path to success still probably runs through hitting a bunch of homers, as they showed yesterday. (For his career, Wacha is at 96/97/100, so this gap-against-xFIP is pretty recent development and likely related to whatever adjustments he’s made to keep pitching into his mid-30s.)
Kind of amazingly given his career, Wacha hasn’t faced the Braves since 2023, where he had a dominant outing against them. Before then, the Braves had knocked him around in four straight prior starts going back to 2017. He’s been around for over a decade now, and has evolved a fair bit, so history is probably just a curiosity here. The same goes for Lopez, who has 27 career appearances against the Royals and terrible numbers against them, but most of those issues came during his uneven White Sox tenure. He dominated them in a start in late 2024, but again, that’s probably not too relevant for these proceedings.
Anyway, the Braves are on a quest to go 2-0 and keep exorcising last year’s demons. We’ll see if they can manage it.
Game Info
Kansas City Royals at Atlanta Braves
Saturday, March 28, 7:15 pm EDT
Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
TV/Video: Fox (national, should not be blacked out on MLB.tv)
Carlos Mendoza provided some updates prior to the Mets' second game of the season, Saturday afternoon against the Pittsburgh Pirates on SNY...
When may we see Mark Vientos…
The Mets’ lineup has looked the same in the first two games of the season, and likely will again for the most part Sunday with another righty on the mound.
Mendoza would like to give everyone a start soon, but with how the roster is built, this is how things are playing out.
As things stand, the skipper is targeting Wednesday's finale against the Cardinals for Vientos’ first start of the season.
Mendoza has spoken with the young slugger as he’s adjusted to this new role.
“I told him, look man, two years ago you had your best year and the first six weeks you were in Triple-A. You came here, hit a walk-off and then the next day we were sending you back to the minors, and you had the best year -- he understands and he’ll be ready whenever his name is called," he said.
Vientos had about as bad a spring as one could ask for coming off a down year at the plate, reaching safely just three times across 35 Grapefruit League at-bats.
He also went just 2-for-15 with Team Nicaragua in the WBC.
What about Baty in the field…
Brett Baty has DH’d for the first two games, but with the Mets’ heavy schedule over the next week, the skipper expects that won’t stay the case for long.
“We’ll start seeing him moving around the infield, outfield, especially with us starting today nine in a row -- it just was Opening Day, then the off day, but there’s a good chance that we’ll start putting him in the field.”
Baty, of course, saw time at first and third, in addition to right during spring training.
He’s gotten some reps in the outfield down in the minor leagues, but if he does appear in a game out there, it’ll be the first time he does so in the majors.
His first base appearance will be his first since high school.
Looking ahead to McLean’s season debut…
While we don’t want to overlook Saturday’s game just yet, it is exciting to look ahead to Sunday’s series finale, which will feature young Nolan McLean on the bump.
The right-hander is facing some lofty expectations after taking the league by storm last season, but Mendoza is confident he’ll be up to the task.
“If anyone is built for this, it’s Nolan -- with how much and how quickly everything has been thrown at him,” he said.
“Last year when he came up and how he handled it and then recently with the WBC playing in one of the biggest games besides the playoffs or World Series, how he handled it -- he’s equipped, he’s built for it, we just have to enjoy it now and watch him go do his thing.”
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 26: Nasim Nuñez #26 reacts after the final out in the ninth inning of a game between the Washington Nationals and the Chicago Cubs on Opening Day at Wrigley Field on March 26, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Griffin Quinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a great win on Opening Day, Blake Butera and the Nats will look to clinch a series win against the Cubs. It will be tough though, as the Cubs have had a lot of success against today’s starter Miles Mikolas. The Nats will also be without the services of one of their best players.
CJ Abrams will be out of the lineup today, due to a death in his family. We are praying for CJ and the Abrams family. For the lineup itself, James Wood will remain the leadoff hitter, but there will be a lot of changes as expected. Drew Millas is surprisingly hitting second today and will be behind the plate. Luis Garcia Jr. will get the start at first base. Jorbit Vivas will make his Nats debut at second base. With Abrams out, Nasim Nunez will slide over to shortstop. Miles Mikolas will make his Nats debut against a team he is very familiar with from his Cardinals days..
The only real change in the Cubs lineup is behind the plate. Miguel Amaya will be in there instead of Carson Kelly. The Cubs will be excited to see Miles Mikolas, who they have handled the last couple years. Pete Crow-Armstrong has owned Mikolas, going 7/9 with 5 homers against the righty. The Cubs may see a slightly different version of Mikolas, with the righty potentially throwing fewer fastballs. Cade Horton will be on the mound for the Cubs.
After a great start to the season, the Nats will look to seal the series win against a tough Cubs team. Miles Mikolas is going to have to be careful against this lineup, but hopefully the old dog has some new tricks. It would also be great to see James Wood get going and start to make consistent contact. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!
ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 26: Michael McGreevy #36 of the St. Louis Cardinals takes the field during player introductions prior to the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Thursday, March 26, 2026 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
After a rousing come from behind Opening Day victory, the St. Louis Cardinals will attempt to maintain their perfect 2026 record with a Saturday afternoon game versus the Tampa Bay Rays. According to MLB.com, Michael McGreevy will make the start for the Cardinals while Joe Boyle will take the mound for the Rays.
Here’s the starting lineup for the Cardinals today
One of the most intriguing baseball betting options is the “run first inning” market, where you can wager on whether there will run scored in the opening frame.
The Detroit Tigers are set to wrap up a three-game set against the San Diego Padres tonight, and my MLB picks expect one of their pitchers to get rocked.
Check out the rest of my free NRFI and YRFI bets for Saturday, March 28.
Best NRFI/YRFI bets today
Pick
Odds
/ - YRFI
+104
/ - NRFI
-142
/ - YRFI
-113
Twins at Orioles: YRFI/ (+104)
Minnesota Twins starter Taj Bradley pitched to a 5.05 ERA over 142 2/3 innings last year. He struggled early in games, posting a 5.94 ERA with a .271 OBA through the first two innings.
Bradley could be in trouble against a Baltimore Orioles offense that should improve after adding Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward.
Meanwhile, Baltimore right-hander Kyle Bradish is coming off a strong season, but doesn’t have a large enough sample size for me to trust him. Minnesota also has a decent offense, provided Byron Buxton and Royce Lewis stay healthy.
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FS1
Rockies at Marlins: NRFI (-142)
We got a winner by betting the NRFI prop in this matchup yesterday when these inept offenses combined for just three runs.
The Colorado Rockies were a disaster on the road last year, posting a .589 OPS with just 2.81 runs per game. Meanwhile, the Miami Marlins had a .693 OPS with 3.91 runs per game at home.
Both offenses should struggle again, and Miami’s Eury Perez looks ready to break out. The 22-year-old ranked in the 80th percentile in xERA (3.23), xBA (.203), and strikeout rate (27.3%) across 20 starts in 2025.
Perez should mow down a Rockies lineup that strikes out frequently.
Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Marlins.TV | Rockies.TV
Tigers at Padres: YRFI (-113)
The Detroit Tigers are handing the ball to Jack Flaherty, who posted a 4.64 ERA in 31 starts last year.
Although Flaherty possesses good swing-and-miss ability, he struggles when batters make contact. He sat in the bottom 20th percentile in barrel rate and hard-hit rate in 2025, and the San Diego Padres have a strong lineup that rarely strikes out.
Meanwhile, Friars starter Randy Vasquez is due for major regression after posting a 5.37 xERA last season. He’ll face a tough task navigating a Tigers lineup with dangerous hitters at the top.
Time: 8:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Padres.TV | Tigers.TV
2026 Transparency record
NRFI/YRFI picks: 2-1,+0.88 units
What is a NRFI bet?
NRFI (No Run First Inning) and YRFI (Yes Run First Inning) bets add a thrilling twist to the start of an MLB game. A NRFI bet is a wager that no runs will be scored in the first inning. You're betting that the starting pitchers for both teams will get through the first inning without allowing any runs, whether by striking out batters, inducing ground balls, or through solid defensive play.
A YRFI bet is the exact opposite. You're betting that at least one run will be scored in the first inning. In this case, you’re hoping for an early offensive burst such as a leadoff walk, a timely hit, or even a home run.
NRFI and YRFI bets add excitement to the early part of a game and offer immediate gratification for bettors looking for a quick resolution.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Mar 26, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Brandon Marsh (16) hits a double during the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 28: Sonny Gray #54 and Carlos Narváez #75 of the Boston Red Sox walk to the dugout during the first inning of a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 28, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
What to Watch for Today
Red Sox Nation got a little taste of baseball on Opening Day, immediately followed by an oddly scheduled off-day. Due to the severe weather in Cincinnati, the game likely would have been postponed anyway so the Red Sox come out ahead with no disruptions to the schedule. Things are going their way so far in this young season.
Sonny Gray takes the mound for the first time as a Red Sox. He’s also returning to Cincinnati where he played from 2019-21 but don’t expect any drama on that front; he saves his trash talk for the Yankees.
Watch Eugenio Suárez, WBC hero, who generated some interest when the Sox suddenly needed a third baseman and a power bat two months ago. Will Red Sox Nation have any regrets about not signing him?
Most importantly, let’s focus on our own guys: our new-look rotation and infield, up-and-comers Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer, and what power-bat alternatives will emerge from the lineup.
The Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds face off at Great American Ball Park this afternoon.
Boston took the season opener behind a strong start from Chris Sale, and my Red Sox vs. Reds predictions are betting on the visitors to prevail once more.
Here are my best free MLB picks for Saturday, March 28.
Red Sox vs Reds predictions
Red Sox vs Reds best bet: Red Sox moneyline (-144)
There isn’t much separating these lineups, both of which need young offensive talent to step up. The Cincinnati Reds have a few more holes, while the Boston Red Sox lack some firepower down the middle.
This game will come down to pitching, and Boston holds the edge. While both starters posted similar numbers last year —Sonny Gray posted a 4.28 ERA, and Brady Singer finished with a 4.27 xERA — Gray’s underlying metrics were extremely impressive, boasting a 3.39 FIP and a .332 BABIP that suggested he was unlucky.
With the Red Sox also boasting the better bullpen, back them on the moneyline.
COVERS INTEL: Among all qualifying starters last year, Sonny Gray ranked sixth in SIERA (3.29), 12th in strikeout rate (26.7%), and fifth in walk rate (5%).
Red Sox vs Reds same-game parlay (SGP)
The Reds mustered just four hits on Thursday, but three of them came from NL ROTY candidate Sal Stewart. The Red Sox also got a big game from their highly-regarded young slugger Roman Anthony, who also went 3-for-4.
Let's back both future stars to produce again, with Anthony leading his team to victory with 2+ total bases.
Red Sox vs Reds SGP
Sal Stewart Over 0.5 hits
Roman Anthony Over 1.5 total bases
Red Sox moneyline
Red Sox vs Reds home run pick: Wilyer Abreu (+420)
Wilyer Abreu mashed 22 homers in just 115 games last year, with 21 of those dingers against righties like Singer.
Singer's best pitches are breaking balls (slider and sweeper), which he threw 39.5% of the time last season. His sinker made up 40.6% of his arsenal, but he got knocked around on that pitch, with opponents slugging .469.
Abreu sported an impressive .310 batting average against sinkers while slugging .556 against breaking balls in 2025. With his ability to crush Singer’s offerings at a home-run-friendly park, getting Abreu’s HR prop at +420 is a bargain.
2026 MLB Transparency record
Best bets: 2-0, +2 units
SGPs: 1-1, +2.72 units
HR picks: 1-1, +1.4 units
Red Sox vs Reds odds
Moneyline: Red Sox -144 | Reds +122
Run line: Red Sox -1.5 (+110) | Reds +1.5 (-132)
Over/Under: Over 7.5 (-115) | Under 7.5 (-105)
Red Sox vs Reds trend
Boston has covered the run line in 42 of its last 73 road games (+10.55 Units / 11% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Red Sox vs. Reds.
How to watch Red Sox vs Reds and game info
Location
Stadium, City, State/Province
Date
Saturday, March 28, 2026
First pitch
4:10 p.m. ET
TV
NESN
Red Sox starting pitcher
Sonny Gray (2025: 14-8, 4.28 ERA)
Reds starting pitcher
Brady Singer (2025: 14-12, 4.03 ERA)
Red Sox vs Reds latest injuries
Red Sox vs Reds weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Jacob deGrom’s 2026 season won’t start as scheduled.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner was scratched from his outing Saturday against the Phillies due to neck stiffness, The Dallas Morning News reported.
The outlet said the Rangers aren’t too concerned and that the right-hander could make a start on the team’s opening road trip.
Pitcher Jacob deGrom of the Texas Rangers throws against Team Brazil during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic exhibition game at Surprise Stadium on March 4, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. Getty Images
Jacob Latz will start in deGrom’s stead in the second matchup of a three-game set.
Health, particularly his elbow, had been an issue for deGrom this decade after a run of dominance.
From 2021-24, he averaged just a touch over 49 innings per season, and in 2023, his first after leaving the Mets for the Rangers on a five-year, $185 million deal, he underwent Tommy John surgery.
The surgery limited him to just 41 innings in the first two seasons of his Rangers contract.
Starting pitcher Jacob Degrom #48 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the second inning of the spring training game at Surprise Stadium on March 10, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. Getty Images
But finally, last season, deGrom was healthy again and an All-Star again.
He threw 172 2/3 innings — his most since 2019 — and held a 2.97 ERA to finish eighth in American League Cy Young voting.
After his first start of spring training this year, deGrom set some benchmarks he’d like to hit this year, if health allowed.
“I’d like to throw 200 innings again,” deGrom told reporters in early March. “So, we’ll just see. Last year, I was able to make 30 starts, and I felt like I could have kept going. If we would have made the playoffs, I felt like I was ready to go. So, we’ll build off that and just see how this year is going to go. Hopefully I run out there as many times as I can.”
The Rangers, after their weekend series in Philadelphia, go to Baltimore for a three-game set with the Orioles, which would give deGrom another chance to make his debut on the road.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 01: Sonny Gray #54 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches in the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during game two of a doubleheader at Great American Ball Park on September 01, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was January of 2019 when the Cincinnati Reds sent prospect Shed Long and a Competitive Balance pick to the New York Yankees to acquire right-hander Sonny Gray, the former Oakland A’s ace and 2015 All Star. He had struggled mightily since landing in the Bronx, yet Cincinnati pitching guru Derek Johnson – who had coached Gray in college at Vanderbilt – thought there was still a whole lot more left in Gray’s tank.
The move turned out to be prescient, and Gray immediately regained his form with the Reds. He put together 175.1 IP of 6.2 bWAR ball in 2019, earned another All Star appearance, and finished 7th in NL Cy Young Award voting, and he was a key cog in the rotation of the abbreviated 2020 club that actually made their own brief apperance in the playoffs.
Cincinnati, ever cost-conscious and always eyeing their next rebuilding opportunity, shipped Gray off to Minnesota after the 2021 season, landing prospect Chase Petty in the process. Since then, Gray has plied his trade with both the Twins and St. Louis Cardinals, who this past winter shipped Gray over to Boston. On Saturday afternoon, Gray will toe the rubber for the Red Sox in Great American Ball Park, and he’ll face off against the Reds for just the sixth time in his 14-year career.
The Reds who have actually seen Gray before have actually handled him quite well. Elly De La Cruz (5 for 11, HR, BB), Eugenio Suarez (7 for 13, 2 HR), and Spencer Steer (4 for 9, 2 HR) each figure to feature prominently today, especially as Johnson’s scouting report will hopefully tip them off to a bit more detail than other dugouts would have on Sonny.
The Reds, meanwhile, will counter with Brady Singer, a guy they went out and acquired shortly after dealing away Gray to effectively backfill the veteran innings-eater portion of their roster that had been vacated. Singer is working on getting over his own blister issues that dogged him at the end of spring, but seems set to face the Sox at full capacity after working through an exhibition against the Brewers earlier in the week.
First pitch is set for 4:10 PM ET on Saturday. Here’s how the Reds will line up for the day:
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - MARCH 6: Jacob Latz #67 of the Texas Rangers participates in a fielding drill prior to a Spring Training game against the Seattle Mariners at Surprise Stadium on March 6, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Texas Rangers lineup for March 28, 2026 against the Philadelphia Phillies: starting pitchers are Jacob Latz for the Rangers and Aaron Nola for the Phillies.
The Rangers look to win their first game of the year and get to a .500 record on a chilly day in Philadelphia this afternoon. Jacob Latz is filling in for Jacob deGrom, who is dealing with neck stiffness.
The lineup:
Nimmo — RF
Langford — LF
Seager — SS
Burger — 1B
Pederson — DH
Smith — 2B
Jung — 3B
Carter — CF
Jansen — C
3:05 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are +125 underdogs.
There’s an “anything is possible” vibe to MLB’s Opening Weekend, and Saturday’s slate features several teams looking to derail the Los Angeles Dodgers’ bid for a three-peat.
That group includes the Toronto Blue Jays, and my MLB player props target a strong outing from Dylan Cease, as well as a wager on Fernando Tatis Jr. to kickstart his season.
Dylan Cease takes the ball for the Toronto Blue Jays this afternoon, and he’s facing an Athletics' offense that managed just three hits last night against Kevin Gausman and the Blue Jays bullpen.
I expect Cease to settle in quickly after pitching five scoreless innings to wrap up his Spring Training prep, and he has strong numbers against the A's top hitters. Shea Langeliers, Brent Rooker, and Tyler Soderstrom are a combined 3-for-20 against the right-hander.
Cease will get some leeway to pitch through jams, and John Schneider would surely like to get six innings out of his newest weapon.
Tatis Jr. has an eye-catching 7-for-13 career record against Flaherty, including four doubles and two homers, and the Tigers starter could be vulnerable after posting a 4.64 ERA in 2025.
The Padres need a spark from their talisman, and Tatis's speed on the basepaths is a recipe for extra-base hits. I’ll take the even odds for him to deliver.
Time: 8:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Detroit SportsNet, Padres TV
Matt Olson Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBI [-125]
The Atlanta Braves are off to a winning start after a thumping 6-0 victory last night, and Matt Olson wasted no time padding his stat line. The lefty slugger had two hits and a run in the opener, and he’s poised for a similar impact today.
Olson has a .600 batting average in five at-bats against Kansas City Royals righty Michael Wacha, and he’s in a favorable spot in the Atlanta lineup, with Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies hitting ahead of him and Austin Riley looming behind.
I like this price for Olson to help the Braves keep the scoreboard ticking tonight.
Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FOX
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
LOSING ISN’T EVERYTHING: Last season, in games following a loss, the Cubs were 46-24, a winning percentage of .657. Following a win, they were 46-45, .505. (There was no game following their season-ending win.) As the home team last year, following a loss, the Cubs were 19-12, .613, with one of the losses coming in Tokyo. On the road, following a loss, they were 27-12, .692. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
AGAINST THE NATS: The Cubs are 317-336 all-time vs. Washington (since 1969, including the franchise’s time in Montreal). That includes going 173-157 at Wrigley Field, including Thursday’s game. The Cubs are 11-5 vs. the Nationals since July 18, 2023, including a seven-game winning streak from July 18, 2023-Sept. 20, 2024.
ABS: There were two challenges in Thursday’s game, both by the Nats. They won one and lost one.
ALL-TIME CUBS: 2,281 men have played for the Cubs since 1876. That includes the four new Cubs who played for the first time in the uniform on Opening Day: Alex Bregman, Michael Conforto, Hoby Milner and Jacob Webb.
Cade Horton had a magnificent rookie season, especially his last 12 starts, in which he posted a 1.03 ERA and 0.783 WHIP. His only start vs. the Nats last year came before that 12-start run, June 3 in Washington. He still had a good outing, three runs (one earned) in 5.1 innings.
I daresay Horton is better than that now.
Hello, old friend Miles Mikolas!
I was almost certain Mikolas was going to retire after 2025, which would have meant his start Sept. 26 against the Cubs at Wrigley Field would have been it. Three Cubs (Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, Michael Busch) homered off him that day.
But here he is, back for another go-around in MLB, this year with the Nats. Mikolas was also the guy who allowed six of the Cubs’ team-record eight home runs last July 4 at Wrigley, so of the 14 hits the Cubs got off him last year, nine were home runs. The 29 home runs he allowed last year were the fourth-most in the NL (two fewer than Shōta Imanaga).
Perhaps today is the day the Cubs can go deep at Wrigley Field. Plus, y’know… Mikolas makes such a good baseball villain.
The pitch selection charts below are from last year.
Please visit our SB Nation Nationals site Federal Baseball. If you do go there to interact with Nationals fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - MARCH 10: Starting pitcher Jacob Degrom #48 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the second inning of the spring training game at Surprise Stadium on March 10, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jacob deGrom, scheduled to start in this afternoon’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies, has been scratched due to neck stiffness, it has been announced. Jacob Latz will start in his place.
Whoever used a monkey paw wish on Latz being in the rotation needs to have their ass beat right now.
deGrom, who turns 38 in June, has had injury issues in the past, but this would at first glance to be the sort of one-off thing that happens occasionally. The beats are saying that this is not thought to be anything serious, and he could potentially start at some point in the six game road trip the team is currently on.
The good news is that Jacob Latz was stretched out this spring as part of his competing for a spot in the starting rotation, and with only three relievers pitching on Thursday and an off day yesterday, the bullpen should be fully rested with everyone available.
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COVERS INTEL: Among all qualifying starters last year, Sonny Gray ranked sixth in SIERA (3.29), 12th in strikeout rate (26.7%), and fifth in walk rate (5%).
Dylan Cease
Matt Olson
