MLB Opening Day picks: Yankees vs. Nationals, Giants vs. Dodgers

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole during a spring training workout. (Photo by /Icon Sportswire)

July 23rd, 2020

A long-awaited MLB Opening Day has finally arrived. A pair of primetime games will kick off the abbreviated 2020 season as the Yankees face the Nationals before the Dodgers host the Giants. Here are our betting previews for each contest.

New York Yankees at Washington Nationals, 7:08 p.m. ET, ESPN

A marquee matchup rings in Opening Day of the 2020 MLB season as three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer and the Nationals take on $324 million man Gerrit Cole and the Yankees at Nationals Park. The 2019 World Series champions appear to have a leg-up in this one.

The Yankees’ lineup is mostly unfamiliar with Scherzer, and those who have faced him in the past have not fared well. Aaron Hicks, Brett Gardner and Giancarlo Stanton are a combined 7-for-44 (.159) all-time against "Mad Max." Scherzer has been dominant in previous Opening Day outings.

Pitchers to face each other in game 1 of World Series and then Opening Day next season:

Matt Harvey & Edinson Volquez (2015 WS, 2016 OD)
Gerrit Cole & Max Scherzer (2019 WS, 2020 OD)
— New York Yankees Stats (@nyyankeesstats) July 23, 2020

It must be remembered that Cole was 4-5 with a 4.11 ERA through his first 11 starts of 2019. It would not be shocking if he needs a start or two in order to round into form. Look for the Nats’ batters to jump out to a quick lead, but don’t count on their leaky bullpen (29th in ERA in 2019) to hold the fort late.

MLB free play: Nationals moneyline (+115)

San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers, 10:08 p.m. ET, ESPN

The Dodgers are colossal favorites over the Giants on Thursday night, and it’s easy to see why.

Clayton Kershaw, who has been practically untouchable in previous Opening Day starts, will be on the mound. "The Claw" has had his way with San Francisco over the years, producing a 1.74 ERA over 342 1/3 innings over his career. The statistics for long-time Giants Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford are particularly damning, as they’ve combined to go 10-for-108 (.093) all-time against Kershaw with 43 strikeouts.

Johnny Cueto, who’s struggled to stay healthy for the Giants over the last two seasons, counters on Thursday night. Since 2017, his ERA is an inflated 4.24. Cody Bellinger (6-for-17), Corey Seager (12-for-54) and Justin Turner (11-for-31) have all hit Cueto well in the past, and there’s no reason that trend should not continue.

MLB Free Play: Dodgers -1.5 runs (-150)

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