MLB picks: Braves vs. Rays, Cubs vs. Reds

Some intriguing matchups are taking place on the first Monday of the 2020 MLB season. Here are our best bets for the evening.

Atlanta Braves (2-1) at Tampa Bay Rays (2-1)

Tyler Glasnow will make his season debut for the Rays, following a very promising 2019 campaign. He’ll face a Braves lineup that put up 14 runs Sunday night, but bettors should not be deterred from wagering on Tampa.

Glasnow did not face this Atlanta lineup last season, but his 6-1 record, 1.78 ERA, and 0.890 WHIP suggest he could go toe-to-toe with any offense in the league.

The Braves’ 14-run output Sunday night should be taken with a grain of salt. They beat up on Rick Porcello and the back half of the Mets’ bullpen. Atlanta’s offense looked feeble against Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz earlier in the series.

The Rays’ opponent will be Mike Foltynewicz, who produced a 4.54 ERA in 2019. Their lineup has minimal experience against “Folty,” but Tampa saw the ball well in their series against the Blue Jays over the weekend. Second baseman Brandon Lowe, who went 5-for-11 with three RBI, is one to watch.

MLB free play: Rays moneyline

Chicago Cubs (2-1) at Cincinnati Reds (1-2)

After they suffered an embarrassing series loss to the Tigers, the Reds will look to bounce back at Great American Ball Park.

Wade Miley, fresh off a career year in Houston (14-6, 3.98 ERA), will toe the rubber for Cincinnati. Chicago third baseman Kris Bryant is 6-for-14 (.429) against the southpaw from Louisiana, but Miley has stymied shortstop Javier Baez (1-for-11) and first baseman Anthony Rizzo (3-for-23) in the past.

Countering for the Cubs is Jon Lester, who has struggled against some of the Reds’ best hitters. Third baseman Eugenio Suarez and outfielder Nicholas Castellanos are 23-for-54 (.426) against Lester, with nine home runs. Joey Votto is just 11-for-47 (.234) against Lester, but he had a strong opening series for Cincinnati.

MLB free play: Reds moneyline