After a slow day across baseball, we’ve got a full schedule. Our MLB predictions isolate some matchups that carry a very reasonable price tag given how the metrics line up.
Top MLB Predictions and Picks for Friday, April 3
Mariners vs. Angels Predictions: Mariners -1.5
Bryan Woo is an ace, and he isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
The 26-year-old righty is coming off consecutive seasons with a sub-3.00 ERA. Given the rate at which opponents are extending the zone against him, the league doesn’t have an answer at the ready as to how to solve him.
The chase rate is tied to Woo’s increased ability to get ahead with his first pitch, and the Halos have allowed opposing arms to go up 0-1 in counts at an above-average rate since the beginning of last season. He’s posted strong numbers over his recent regular-season starts, elevating his status in my eyes to an ace that we should be comfortable backing in most matchups.
Mike Trout has shown well for himself in the early going, but we thought Los Angeles would lack offensive depth this season, and that’s very much been proven accurate. The Cubs held them to six runs in three games to open this week, struggles that don’t figure to solve themselves against a pitcher on this sort of trajectory.
The Seattle offense might be the primary concern, but getting them on the road at least gives them a chance to find the form that has been absent up to this point. Reid Detmers has strikeout upside, but he also can be vulnerable to right-handed power at times, a flaw that could be exposed with Randy Arozarena, Cal Raleigh, and Julio Rodriguez stepping into that left portion of the batter’s box.
Dodgers vs. Nationals Picks: Dodgers -1.5 and Over ____
Miles Mikolas gave up six runs (four earned) on six hits (one home run) with four strikeouts and three walks over five innings in a 10-2 road loss against the Cubs on Saturday. Mikolas has struggled historically against the Dodgers.
The right-hander has posted an ERA of 4.78 or higher in each of his last three seasons while pitching for the Cardinals, and that is not likely to change with the Nationals.
This play is more about fading Mikolas, given his struggles both recently and historically in this matchup, than about backing the Dodgers with Emmet Sheehan taking the hill. The “over” also stands out here, as the Nationals are swinging the bat well, and Sheehan wasn’t sharp in the spring and in the season opener against the Diamondbacks on March 27, which creates scoring potential on both sides.
Dylan Cease Strikeouts Prop: Over 8.5
Cease looked absolutely dominant in his first start of the season, racking up 12 Ks across 5.1 innings of one-run ball against the Athletics. Although one start isn’t enough to convince anyone after signing a massive seven-year, $210 million deal in the offseason, he couldn’t have asked for a better start to life in Toronto.
But don’t be surprised if Cease delivers another dominant performance in his second start of the campaign, as he’ll be taking on a White Sox lineup that hasn’t shown much life so far this season.
The start of the 2026 MLB season has seen several teams struggle offensively, but even in that context, it’s not a big shock to see Chicago averaging just 3.5 runs per game in its first six games of the season, which sits in the bottom half of the league. The biggest tidbit here is that the White Sox also rank third in the majors in strikeouts with 73, averaging 12.1 per game.
A flamethrower like Cease should feast against this kind of lineup. The strikeout line for Cease should be pretty high, but he shouldn’t have issues recording double-digit punchouts for a second consecutive start.
Konnor Griffin Hits Prop: Over 0.5
Griffin is one of the most electrifying prospects in all of baseball, and the Pirates are making the right move in calling him up to the majors after the first week of the regular season. Pittsburgh’s offense hasn’t looked as good as expected on paper, and Griffin should provide a huge punch while also being a solid defender up the middle.
We’ve already seen several rookies make an impact in the first week of the season, and Griffin should follow that trend in his first taste of regular-season action against the Orioles.
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