MLB Picks

Two first-place teams meet in San Diego as the Padres host the Cubs. San Diego starts righty Nick Pivetta and Chicago counters with lefty Matthew Boyd. Both pitchers have identical 1.59 ERAs. Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr. are leading the way offensively for the Padres. Kyle Tucker is an early-season MVP candidate for the Cubs.

The Houston Astros, trying to climb back to .500, visit the St. Louis Cardinals. Houston sends righty Ronel Blanco to the mound. He will be opposed by St. Louis' veteran lefty Steven Matz, making his first start of the 2025 season.

The Arizona Diamondbacks (9-7, 4th in the NL West) visit the Miami Marlins (8-7, 3rd in the NL East). Arizona has played reasonably well, but is trapped in the roughest division in baseball. Miami is a surprising 9-7 in year 2 of its full rebuild. Merrill Kelly starts for Arizona against Miami's Connor Gillispie.

The Cleveland Guardians visit the Baltimore Orioles to start a 3-game set. The Orioles send struggling veteran Charlie Morton to the mound. He is opposed by Logan Allen. Baltimore is struggling at 6-9. Cleveland has won 5 of 6.

The Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds, both holding 8–8 records, are set to clash at Great American Ball Park.

The Kansas City Royals (8-8, 3rd in the AL Central) visit the New York Yankees (8-7, 2nd in the AL East). The two teams meet for the first time since their ALDS matchup in 2024, won by the Yankees. KC sends ace Seth Lugo to the mound. New York starts Carlos Carrasco.

The Toronto Blue Jays (9-7, 1st place in the AL East) host the Atlanta Braves (4-11, last place in the NL East). Toronto sends 2025 surprise Easton Lucas to the mound against staggering Atlanta. The Braves counter with swingman Grant Holmes.

The Toronto Blue Jays wrap up their series against the Baltimore Orioles in Camden Yards. Toronto is 8-7 and in 2nd place in the AL East. Division rival Baltimore is 6-8 and tied for last place. Jose Berrios starts for Toronto. He is opposed by Cade Povich.

The Philadelphia Phillies send ace Zack Wheeler to the mound against the St. Louis Cardinals and Matthew Liberatore at Busch Stadium. Philly has lost 4 of 7 since starting the season 6-1. St. Louis is 6-8, in 4th place in the NL Central.

The Chicago Cubs head to the West Coast to play the Los Angeles Dodgers. Unlike the first series of the 2025 MLB season between these two clubs in Tokyo, this one takes place in LA. The Cubs start righty Ben Brown. The Dodgers counter with struggling Japanese import Roki Sasaki.

The Texas Rangers send righty Kumar Rocker to the mound against the Seattle Mariners' and righty Bryan Woo. Rocker rebounded from a woeful first start of 2025 against the Reds by pitching 5 innings of 1 run ball against the Rays. Woo was knocked around in his last start, a loss to the Giants.

The New York Yankees (7-5, 1st place in the AL East) host the San Francisco Giants (9-3, 2nd place in the NL West). New York has stumbled after a scorching start, having lost 3 of 4. San Francisco is one of the surprise teams in MLB. Robbie Ray opposes Marcus Stroman.