After a slow day across baseball, a full slate of action returns as the league enters the weekend. Today’s MLB predictions feature an AL East vibe, with angles that include creativity and a variety of markets to consider.
MLB Predictions for Friday, April 10
Giants vs. Orioles: No Run First Inning
Shane Baz and Landen Roupp both have one win and one loss on their 2026 resumes. Both pitchers have a career ERA hovering around 3.75 and have struggled with consistency during the early portion of their careers.
One pitcher will likely shine while the other falters tonight, but forecasting which righty falls on the right side of that coin is difficult. Instead, placing a wager that settles quickly allows for flexibility with the rest of the night’s betting card.
Baz experimented with a knuckle curve last season and has leaned into the new weapon even more in 2026. It was a positive pitch a season ago and provides versatility that has kept the top of opposing orders off balance.
The 1-2-3 hitters have just two knocks in 15 at-bats against him this season. They are actually more successful against him than Roupp, who has allowed only two hits in 17 at-bats to top-of-the-order hitters.
While those are small sample sizes, both pitchers had an opponent OPS more than 100 points lower during first trips through the order than in all other at-bats. Neither pitcher is necessarily a staff ace, but the profile is interesting for fast-start bets like the No Run First Inning (NRFI).
Gunnar Henderson is the most concerning player on either roster regarding this bet, but he is currently out of sorts. His whiff rate is elevated due to a lack of plate discipline, and his launch angle is high.
While his ability to elevate is typically a threat, his exit velocity is down in the early going this season. This gives him less upside at this moment than typically assigned. Pitching has been ahead of hitting across the big leagues, and for at least the first six outs, that should continue tonight in Baltimore.
Yankees vs. Rays: New York -1.5 And Giancarlo Stanton to Record a Hit
Max Fried has dominated the Tampa Bay Rays throughout his career, posting a 5-0 record with a 0.77 ERA and 31 strikeouts in five appearances. Although Fried ran into trouble in his last start against the Miami Marlins on Sunday, he is 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, and a 14:5 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 20.0 innings across three starts this season.
Steven Matz, on the other hand, is 3-3 with a 5.14 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 42.0 innings in 11 career appearances against the New York Yankees. While he is 2-0 in two starts this season, he has a 4.09 ERA with a 10:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 20.0 innings.
Giancarlo Stanton is a career .263 hitter against Matz, while Cody Bellinger is 4-for-12 with one home run and two RBIs against the left-hander.
Backing the Yankees is the clear direction, as Fried’s dominance against Tampa Bay stands out while Matz’s track record against New York suggests a struggle. The matchup leans heavily toward the road team on the mound. Stanton is also a strong candidate to record a hit given his success against Matz.
Astros vs. Mariners: Seattle Moneyline
The Seattle Mariners are among the worst offenses in the majors after the first two weeks of the regular season. This was unexpected, considering the team’s World Series aspirations and the talent in a lineup anchored by Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez. The Mariners are too talented to continue struggling at this rate, and they have a favorable matchup to bounce back against a Houston Astros team starting Tatsuya Imai.
The right-hander has been less than impressive in his first two starts despite his 2-0 record. His 4.32 ERA and 1.56 WHIP are better indicators of his performance. Considering Imai has not pitched six complete innings in either of his first two starts, the Mariners are in an ideal scenario for a bounce-back performance.
T-Mobile Park is one of the most pitching-friendly environments in the majors, and the Mariners should use that to their advantage. Expect Seattle to show signs of a turnaround by winning the series opener.
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