Opening Day is taking place across the MLB and will be the first major sport that returns during the pandemic. Yesterday we had two matchups that we were unable to preview due to some technical issues. In this article we will talk about the matchups today and our prediction on who will win their first game in this shortened season.
Atlanta Braves vs New York Mets, 4 PM (All times ET)
Jacob deGrom will take the mound for the Mets and on the other side Mike Soroka will be pitching for the Braves. Both sides had a successful 2019 campaign with the Mets ending their season 40-21. Although New York didn’t make the playoffs last year there is a good chance they will make a strong run this year. Both these teams are going to look to win the NL East Nd will be competitive this year. I think in this game, it comes down to the pitching matchup where Soroka is 4-0 against the Mets.
Prediction: Braves 5 Mets 2
Detroit Tigers vs Cincinnati Reds 6:10 PM
With the Tigers rebuilding this year, it isn’t to hard to predict this matchup. The Reds open the season with hopes to make the playoffs for the first time in 7 years. They do have a chance to make a run with a solid lineup and stellar pitching. They just have to put it together, which isn’t easy in a short season. Sonny Gray will pitch for the Reds and on the other side Matthew Boyd will be on the mound for the Tigers.
Prediction: Reds 7 Tigers 1
Toronto Blue Jays vs Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays have heard all the offseason hype are one of the top favorites to make a deep run in the playoffs. On the other side, the Blue Jays will be on the road all year after not being able to stay in their home stadium in Toronto. There are reports that say the Orioles will share their stadium with Toronto but it is all a mystery. Hyun-Jin Ryu will be pitching for the Jays and on the other side, Charlie Morton will start for the Rays. I see as the Rays as the more focused team here and that leads to them getting the win.
Prediction: Rays 6 Blue Jays 4
Milwaukee Brewers vs Chicago Cubs 7 PM
Kyle Hendricks will take the mound for the Cubs and on the other side Brandon Woodruff will be pitching. Woodruff will be watched closely this year after a breakout season last year which was messed up by an injury. The biggest question mark in this series is Christian Yelich who struggles in spring training this year and will have the eyes of the MLB on him. The Cubs are trying to prove they can keep up with the Brewers who beat them in the division race back to back years. I think that Yelich gets going again and it’s hard to see Hendricks being able to stop him today.
Prediction: Brewers 7 Cubs 4
Miami Marlines vs Philadelphia Phillies 7:05 PM
Aaron Nola will start for the Phillies, his third consecutive Opening Day start. Although he 3-6 against the Marlins, the Nationals have stepped up big time this year with Andrew McCutchen healthy and the addition of Didi Gregorius. The Marlins also have hopes with a young. core and a shortened season. Both teams look good and with the right meshing Philly could be back in the playoffs soon. With that being said the loss of most spring training could led to a slower start for these guys.
Prediction: Marlins 8 Phillies 6
Kansas City Royals vs Cleveland Indians 6:10 PM
The Indians are hoping for a hot start to take back the division with the shortened season. The Royals finished fourth in the division this year and don’t look ready for a playoff appearance yet. On the mound for the Indians is Shane Bieber and on the other side is Danny Duffy. The Royals need a very bad outing from Bieber to lose this game.
Prediction: Indians 9 Royal 2
Boston Red Sox vs Baltimore Orioles 7:30 PM
Another matchup with a rebuilding team taking on a strong playoff contender. This time the Red Sox look to make a run for the division and Baltimore is just trying to see what happens with a shortened season. Tommy Milone will start for the Orioles and he will face Nathan Eovaldi. Red Sox have better offense in this one and get the win.
Prediction: Red Sox 7 Orioles 5
Texas Rangers vs Colorado Rockies 8:05
The official opening of the Rangers new stadium will be empty with no fans at all. Both teams are hopeful to get. off to hot starts but the Rockies already look like they are in trouble. Lack of experienced pitchers could lead to trouble for them. German Marquez will make his first regular season appearance against the Rangers and on the other side Lance Lynn will start for the Rangers. This game comes down to pitching and Lynn led the Rangers in wins last year.
Prediction: Rangers 6 Rockies 2
Minnesota Twins vs Chicago White Sox 8:10 PM
Pitching for the Twins is Jose Berrios and on the other side is Lucas Giolito. The offense helped the Twins reach the AL Central title last year and had 8 players who had 20 homers last year. Both teams have high hopes for the upcoming year, but you just can’t ignore the Twins offensive power. This could get ugly, but I think the White Sox stick around for a few innings.
Prediction: Twins 10 White Sox 4
Pittsburgh Pirates vs St. Louis Cardinals 8:15 PM
Both of these pitchers ended the year strong and will try to continue that into the shortened season. Jack Flaherty will start for the Cards and on the other side, Joe Musgrove will go for the Pirates. Musgrove is 0-4 against the Cardinals and will look to improve that in the game tonight. This game to me looks like a pitching matchup and I give the nod to Jack.
Prediction: Cardinals 4 Pirates 2
Houston Astros vs Seattle Mariners 9:10 PM
While we can’t boo the Astros maybe the other teams will boo them with their artificial fan noise. With that being said I just don’t see the Mariners winning this game at all. Seattle is just too young and are rumored to be shipping most go their more experienced players. Houston has Justin Verlander starting and on the other side is Marco Gonzales. Seattle might be able to squeak out a win in this series, just not on opening day.
Prediction: Astros 8 Mariners 1
Arizona Diamondbacks vs San Diego Padres 9:10 PM
Both teams are hoping to make a run at the division title, but will most likely be a wild card with the Dodgers in town. Madison Bumgarner will be starting on the Diamondbacks and we will see if he is still in full form with his new team. On the other side the Padres bring Chris Paddack a young 24 year old. Both teams believe they can make a run and it will start with the two pitchers on the mound today. Tonight the youngster proves himself and will outlast Bumgarner.
Prediction: Padres 4 Diamondbacks 3
San Fransisco Giants vs Los Angles Dodgers, 8:40 PM
Yesterday we saw game one of this series and it wasn’t a good loss for the Giants either. They stayed in the game all the way till the 7th were they gave up 5 runs and ultimately lost the game. They look for a better showing tonight but I think the Dodgers will get another point in the win column. Pitching for the Giants is Jeff Samardzija and the Dodgers have Ross Stripling.
Prediction: Dodgers 6 Giants 2
Los Angles Angels vs Oakland Athletics 10:00 PM
The Angels will play their first game of the season without Anthony Rendon who was considered a big signing in the offseason. With new manager Joe Maddon, a healthy Shohei Ohtani the hype looks believe able for the Angels. Once again I think the downfall of this team is injuries and with Anthony already out it doesn’t look very optimistic. Andrew Heaney will start for the Angels and on the other side, Frankie Montas will start. The A’s also have an experienced team coming into this season and I think Montas will surprise the doubters this year.
Prediction: Athletics 7 Angels 5
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