Weekend 1 Picks
- Yankees/Giants – After a close rubber match on Friday, I think the Yankees take the Series. The Giants lineup is not great and facing a strong Yankees rotation and a deep bullpen. I expect Caballero to actually give them a more complete lineup with Volpe out. With Stanton and Ben Rice receiving more playing time as well, I feel the Yankees are poised for a more consistent offense. 3-0 Yankees
- Pirates/Mets – I expect the Pirates give the Mets a hard time. Skenes on the mound on Friday always gives the Pirates a chance and Keller owns the Mets in the past (12.1 innings, 14 K, 10 H, and 3 ER in 2025). I expect the pitching to be way ahead of the hitting, and the Pirates pitching is strong with Skenes, Keller, and Mlodinski, who I think could be a strong inning eater. Ultimately, the Mets have a stronger lineup and bullpen. 2-1 Mets
- Brewers/White Sox – I think the Brewers take the series from the Whtie Sox. I am a white sox believer, but the belief comes from their young hitting. The Brewers arms over match the White Sox this early. Grant Taylor and Seranthony Dominguez have had shaky spring trainings to start the season, and I expect them to be key to the team winning games in the future. 2-1 Brewers
- Nats/Cubs – Nats are a mess but the Cubs are not sharp leading into opening day. Cubs will also be missing Seiya. I could see the Nats stealing one on opening day with Cade Cavalli, another sleeper, on the mound. 2-1 Nats
- Orioles/Twins – The Twins have a lot to figure out and the Orioles will be riding the high they have from adding key players over the offseason. Look for Gunnar Henderson to get smoking hot with Pete Alonso behind him for protection. 3-0 Orioles
- Red Sox/Cincy – The Red Sox had the best WBC ever for a team. They are the hottest team coming into game 1 and expect them to stay that way. Abbott had a rough Spring Training, expect a Red Sox explosion in game 1. Red Sox 3-0
- Angels/Astros – You never are sure what the Angels are going to do. They have some pop and they have a couple decent arms. That being said the Astros are starting the season off at home. Expect the Astros to be young and hungry all season after missing on the playoffs last year. Astros 3-1
- Rays/Cardinals – The Rays are full of young, fun talent. Caminero proved the power is here to stay in the WBC and you can always expect the Rays to roll out some great talent from their pitching lab. The Cardinals are in a weird place right now. I believe the Rays can steal the series from the Cards in St. Louis. Rays 2-1
- Seattle/Cleveland – The Mariners lineup did not impress in the WBC. I certainly believe Julio and Cal are in for big years, but it will be on them to win games for Seattle. In a pitchers ballpark, I think that favors the Guardians to be in position to steal the series while away. The Guardians are the kings of low scoring games and Delauter has been tearing up spring training (not that it matters). Bibee had a really rough spring, where he gave up 17 runs in 23 innings… The Guardians will just need a few timely offensive innings to backup their strong rotation and bullpen in the remaining 3 games of the series. Seattle and Cleveland split 2-2
- Texas/Philly – The Rangers loaded up in the offseason with the addition of Gore to their already strong rotation. Brandon Nimmo was also added, and he is a known Philly killer (.304 BA with 2 HR – both in Philly in 2025). Chirstopher Sanchez has not looked midseason form yet and I expect the solid Rangers team to steal the series while Philidelphia is not yet at full strength. Look for a Wyatt Langford breakout series and season. Rangers 2-1
- Dodgers/Dbacks – The Dodgers and Dbacks always seem to have banger games. While I think the Dbacks can keep the series close, I just dont see them beating an Ohtani Yamamoto combo fresh off a good WBC. If Corbin were even to play, I would believe he is not at full form after missing a large amount of Spring Training. Dodgers 3-0
- Detroit/San Diego – This series is shaping up to be one of the best series of the weekend. The Padres boast a hot lineup from the WBC, while the Tigers boast Cy young winner Skubal and newly acquired Framber Valdez. I just can not see the Padres taking 2 games in this series from the Tigers, but expect the games to go down to the wire. Detroit 2-1
- Miami/Colorado – I am excited for the Marlins, I think they have some fun players and some good prospects on the farm. They are missing Stowers which is a huge gap in their lineup, but Colorado has no idea what it is doing currently. I expect the Marlins to take the series in an even matchup this early in the season. Miami 2-1
- Braves/Royals – I expect the Braves to be hungry after last season. Game 1 is two exciting arms but then I believe it will come down to the bats the next two series. Atlanta also has two horses in their bullpen to shut down a game that their two reliable pitchers will be throwing. I believe Acuna will stay hot from the WBC and catapult his name into MVP talks for the remainder of the season. Atlanta 2-1
- Blue Jays/Athletics – I expect the Blue Jays to play with some electricity at home coming off a world series appearance, but the A’s are my fun team of the year. I expect both teams to absolutely mash the ball and put up some barn burners. Expect the A’s to hit but Blue Jays to hit more. Blue Jays 2-1
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