The MLB Opening Day odds are here, so we’re going to have pro baseball in full swing very soon! The best MLB baseball bookies are busy, with all 30 clubs in action on Thursday, March 28. We already have the lines, so it’s time to get to work!
After thoroughly assessing the MLB Odds for the Opening Day schedule, I have selected the three best bets for next Thursday. Additionally, I share my 2024 MLB Opening Day predictions for every game on the board.
MLB Opening Day 2024 Betting Odds and Schedule
The following 2024 Opening Day MLB odds are courtesy of BetUS:
| away team (moneyline odds) | home team (moneyline odds) | starting time (Et) |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Brewers (+100) | New York Mets (-120) | 1:10 PM |
| Atlanta Braves (-115) | Philadelphia Phillies (-105) | 3:05 PM |
| Los Angeles Angels (+170) | Baltimore Orioles (-210) | 3:05 PM |
| Washington Nationals (+155) | Cincinnati Reds (-190) | 4:10 PM |
| St. Louis Cardinals (+170) | Los Angeles Dodgers (-200) | 4:10 PM |
| Minnesota Twins (-125) | Kansas City Royals (+105) | 4:10 PM |
| New York Yankees (OFF) | Houston Astros (OFF) | 4:10 PM |
| Pittsburgh Pirates (+120) | Miami Marlins (-140) | 4:10 PM |
| Detroit Tigers (-125) | Chicago White Sox (+105) | 4:10 PM |
| Toronto Blue Jays (-115) | Tampa Bay Rays (-105) | 4:10 PM |
| San Francisco Giants (+100) | San Diego Padres (-120) | 4:10 PM |
| Chicago Cubs (+100) | Texas Rangers (-120) | 7:35 PM |
| Cleveland Guardians (-180) | Oakland Athletics (+150) | 10:07 PM |
| Colorado Rockies (+180) | Arizona Diamondbacks (-220) | 10:10 PM |
| Boston Red Sox (+155) | Seattle Mariners (-190) | 10:10 PM |
A total of 15 games are scheduled for MLB Opening Day 2024. Note that due to Gerrit Cole’s right elbow injury, the New York Yankees vs. Houston Astros odds are currently off the board at most online sportsbooks.
According to the latest 2024 MLB Opening Day betting odds, the Arizona Diamondbacks are the largest favorites. Currently, the Diamondbacks are a -220 favorite to beat the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field.
The other games are expected to be close, so we’re in for a treat!
MLB Opening Day 2024 Best Bets
I share my predictions for all games, but before we get there, I want to highlight my best MLB Opening Day bets for the card on Thursday, March 28.
The Rangers To Beat The Cubs
The Texas Rangers open their World Series title defense with a three-game series at Globe Life Field in an interleague clash against the Chicago Cubs.
After clinching the World Series in five games over the Diamondbacks, the Rangers will play this season with a target on their backs.
Despite no expectations for the Cubs last season, they had a solid campaign with a record of 83-79 in the NL Central. Chicago’s starter Justin Steele will have a big assignment against a vaunted Texas offense.
Last season, the Rangers were third with 5.46 runs scored per game1. With the arrival of MLB Rookie of the Year candidates Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford, the offense should continue to tick in 2024.
Rangers’ starter Nathan Eovaldi won’t be perfect, but he’ll receive plenty of run support from his offense. Look for the Rangers to chase Steele out of the game after inflicting damage on the scoreboard. Back the Rangers on the moneyline market in the season opener at Globe Life Field.
The Orioles To Beat The Angels
The Baltimore Orioles host the Los Angeles Angels to kickstart a season with high expectations. A year after breaking out for over 100 wins and winning the AL East, the Orioles are a marked team in 2024.
Meanwhile, the Angels are picking up the pieces following another frustratingly poor campaign and losing Shohei Ohtani to the Dodgers. Mike Trout may not be the top MLB MVP prediction this season, but he’s determined to win his fourth MVP award and first World Series in Anaheim.
Barring injuries, Trout will be in the lineup with lefty Patrick Sandoval as the probable starter. Without a legitimate ace in the rotation, the Angels will find it tough to win games consistently in 2024.
Last season, Sandoval posted an ERA of 4.11 with a 1.51 WHIP. The Angels have struggled with pitching for over a decade, and it should get worse before it gets better.
In 47 at-bats, the current Orioles’ roster is hitting a solid .277 with a .393 OBP and four RBIs2. Sandoval has been shaky in Spring Training, posting a 10.29 ERA and 2.14 WHIP through seven innings.
Note that Angels’ Ron Washington has not officially announced his Opening Day starter, though I am not high on Tyler Anderson or Griffin Canning if they start rather than Sandoval.
Conversely, the Orioles have been red-hot through Spring Training with the best record in the Grapefruit League. The Orioles’ odds for MLB Opening Day 2024 are expensive at -210; however, they should probably be closer to -260 or -270 over a depth-less Angels’ club. Corbin Burnes should impress in his maiden start as an Oriole.
The Blue Jays To Beat The Rays
With Shane McClanahan recovering from an elbow injury and Tyler Glasnow traded, the Tampa Bay Rays will likely turn to Zach Eflin as their Opening Day starter. He’s hardly an ideal starting option, but he is coming off a career-high season in 2023.
The former Philadelphia Phillie registered an ERA of 3.50 and a 1.02 WHIP through 31 starts in his first year in Tampa. However, Eflin was lit up against the Rangers in his lone postseason appearance. They tagged him for a 9.00 ERA and 2.20 WHIP in five innings3.
Eflin will need to navigate through a potent Blue Jays’ offense at the Tropicana. Admittedly, the team struggled last year and fell below expectations with 4.55 runs a game and finishing 89-73 in the AL East.
Nevertheless, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. appears to be in great shape entering 2024, and Bo Bichette is one of the most underrated hitters in baseball. George Springer is coming off a mediocre season, but he has been in solid form in Spring Training.
2023 AL Cy Young finalist Kevin Gausman is expected to receive Opening Day honors for the Blue Jays, if he is cleared from a shoulder injury. The 33-year-old Colorado native notched an ERA of 3.16 and a 1.18 WHIP in 31 starts. He’s held up well against the current Rays’ roster in past appearances.
In 191 at-bats, Tampa is hitting .220 with a .290 OBP versus Gausman4. Also, Gausman should benefit from the absence of the Rays’ Wander Franco.
If Gausman can’t start, Jose Berrios is a terrific alternate option. In four Spring Training starts, Berrios has an ERA of 1.38 with a 1.15 WHIP through 13 innings. He would be the ace of many MLB pitching staffs. Last season, Berrios recorded an ERA of 3.65 with a 1.19 WHIP.
Toronto likely has the upper hand over Eflin at the Trop. Consider adding the Blue Jays to your 2024 MLB Opening Day best bets card.
Predictions For The 2024 MLB Opening Day
Check out the rest of my 2024 MLB Opening Day picks below. I have a small moneyline bet for every matchup on the Opening Day card:
New York Mets (-120) to Beat Milwaukee Brewers (+100)
This would have been Corbin Burnes’ start, but he was included in a blockbuster trade with the Orioles last month. Instead, Freddy Peralta, who has regressed since recording a career-high ERA in 2021, will likely run into issues at Citi Field.
Philadelphia Phillies (-105) to Beat Atlanta Braves (-115)
The Braves might be a top World Series pick, but the Phillies are coming out on Opening Day to make a statement. Reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. is expected to be in the lineup, though he is dealing with a tweaked knee.
In this spot, consider siding with the better value here on the MLB Opening Day odds. The Phillies as a slight underdog at home are a solid bet to open the season.
Cincinnati Reds (-190) to Beat Washington Nationals (+155)
Washington’s likely starter, Josiah Gray, was the only National to make the 2023 All-Star Game. However, his numbers tanked badly following the break. I expect the Reds’ Frankie Montas to return to form after leaving the high-pressure environment in the Bronx.
St. Louis Cardinals (+170) to Beat Los Angeles Dodgers (-200)
The Cardinals’ Sonny Gray could pull off the biggest upset of Opening Day with a strong performance at Dodger Stadium. At +170, Gray is getting top value against a Dodgers’ team that might overlook the Cards following their trip to South Korea.
Minnesota Twins (-125) to Beat Kansas City Royals (+105)
Led by newcomer Pablo Lopez, the Twins remain the class of the AL Central. The Royals make small strides forward, but the Twins are too much on Opening Day at Kauffman Stadium.
Miami Marlins (-140) to Beat Pittsburgh Pirates (+120)
The Marlins won’t be -140 favorites over too many opponents this season. However, the Pirates are in such dire straits that it makes sense in this spot. I expect the Marlins to squeeze out a low-scoring win to open the 2024 campaign.
Detroit Tigers (-125) to Beat Chicago White Sox (+105)
With the White Sox already waving the white flag after sending Dylan Cease to San Diego, A.J. Hinch’s squad should start strong on the road. One of MLB’s best strikeout specialists, Tarik Skubal, mows down the White Sox for an Opening Day win.
San Diego Padres (-120) to Beat San Francisco Giants (+100)
The Padres enter this season as an underdog rather than a favorite to win the World Series like last season. However, with Yu Darvish versus a mediocre Giants’ offense at -120, the Padres are worth a play in San Diego.
Oakland Athletics (+150) to Beat Cleveland Guardians (-180)
I am aware of the state of the Oakland Athletics’ franchise. That said, laying -180 on a below-average AL Central squad on the road should not be part of any MLB betting guide.
In what could be one of the last Opening Day games in Oakland, the A’s show up for an inspired performance at home.
Arizona Diamondbacks (-220) to Beat Colorado Rockies (+180)
Following an unlikely appearance in the World Series, the Diamondbacks begin their journey against an inferior Rockies’ squad at Chase Field.
Zac Gallen shouldn’t have any issues in this one, while Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte power the D-Backs over Kyle Freeland and the Rockies.
Seattle Mariners (-190) to Beat Boston Red Sox (+155)
The Red Sox front office has high expectations for Bryan Bello, but I believe the 24-year-old is a year or two away from reaching his potential. After the fourth inning, Bello’s command should regress at Seattle.
Meanwhile, expect Luis Castillo’s Cy Young campaign to get off to a fast start on Opening Day. Despite not making it on our MLB Opening Day best bets list, the Mariners are a strong play at home.
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