Patriot’s Day gives us a solo early game as part of a slate that features 20 teams and some vulnerable pitchers. Our MLB predictions evaluate this unique day of action to give you the best values on the board as you look to get your week off to a good start.
MLB Predictions for Monday, April 20
Tigers vs. Red Sox Predictions: Betting the Over 7.5
These are two names you know on the bump, but neither is really in the form that you assume when seeing their names on the lineup card.
It wasn’t pretty to open this season with Jack Flaherty giving up 7 earned runs in his first 8.1 innings, but he’s allowed just 2 in 11.2 innings since and has coughed up just 1 homer. In theory, you could argue that he’s rounding into form, but with at least 3 walks in every start and a flyball pitcher entering a hitter’s park, this is far from an advantageous spot.
It gets worse on the other side.
Sonny Gray spun a gem against the Brewers two weeks ago, but outside of that, he’s been on the wrong side of ordinary with just 6 K’s in 16.1 innings of work this month. Righties have had no trouble teeing off against him (.333/.366/.590), and his xERA is higher than his K/9.
I’m looking for both sets of outfielders to be productive in this early game, applying pressure to both starting pitchers in the process. Neither team is as consistent as I’d like on the offensive end, but these teams have played their fair share of games with 10+ runs scored, a total I think they add to in this spot.
Athletics vs. Mariners Predictions: Emerson Hancock Over 17.5 Outs
In fantasy, if you roster Hancock, you’re probably playing him whenever he’s at home. He’s a flyball pitcher in a spacious park, something that gives him the ability to get away with mistakes and pitch deep into this one against a very sporadic Athletics offense.
For the season, he’s allowed just 14 hits in 23.2 innings and has at least a handful of punchouts in every outing; this is a nice form-plus-location spot in the final game of the day.
Dodgers vs. Rockies Predictions: Dodgers -1.5
The Dodgers currently lead the majors in collective OPS ahead of Monday’s 10-game slate with an impressive .857 mark. To put that into context, no other team in the majors has a collective OPS of at least .800, and only three teams have an OPS of .750 or higher. This Monday, they’re playing the Rockies, who will have Jose Quintana (2-2, 5.63 ERA, 1.88 WHIP) on the mound, at Coors Field.
If that doesn’t sound like an ideal game for the Dodgers to cover the -1.5 run line, no game does. Los Angeles should take full advantage of a favorable matchup for their offense. Quintana has never been an ace, but at 37, he’s clearly on the downside of his career. Facing a lineup of Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Tucker, Andy Pages, Teoscar Hernandez, Freddie Freeman and others will be just too much for him. Look for the Dodgers to win this game with ease.
As is always the case, our Pitcher Projections are updated for today’s slate and should be considered a great asset for fantasy baseball managers looking to make the most of the innings they rack up.
If you’re itching for more betting action, our FREE newsletter is running every day during the NBA playoffs with custom score projections and comparisons of our player expectations to what the sportsbooks have posted (hits your inbox every morning).
And if the NFL Draft is your cup of tea? Worry not; our world-class Mock Draft Simulator is free and provides instant grades for how your picks satisfied the needs of your favorite team.
It’s a great time to be a sports fan, and we have you covered, no matter your primary interest!
Leave a Reply