Day: March 30, 2023

Los Angeles Dodgers VS Arizona Diamondbacks will be happening live on Major League Baseball’s opening matchday for the regular season. 

The Diamondbacks (0-0) will want to kick off their 2023 campaign with a victory when they face the Dodgers (0-0) in what is the first game of their four-game series. They finished last season with a 74-88 record, which is not bad for fourth in the NHL West. The Dodgers, on the other hand, ended the season with a 111-51 record, leading the league, but lost to the San Diego Padres in the NLCS.

Zac Gallen will start for Arizona. Gallen was 12-4 with a 2.54 ERA last season. Julio Urias will start for Los Angeles Dodgers. Urias was 17-7 with a 2.16 ERA last season.

The Dodgers are 7-3 in their last 10 games against Arizona.

As always, MatchPlug is ready with MLB Predictions Today for the Dodgers and Diamond Backs game.

Predictions and Betting Preview For Los Angeles Dodgers VS Arizona Diamondbacks Regular Season

• Venue: Dodgers Stadium, Los Angeles, California
• When: Thursday, March 30th, 2023
• Time: 19:10 GMT
• Teams to play: Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks.
• MLB Expert Picks: SPREAD -1.5

Odds as seen on 1XBet.

Betting On The Los Angeles Dodgers 

• 1XBet Spread: +1.5
• 1XBet Moneyline: 2.085
• 1XBet Over/Under: Over 7.5

The Los Angeles Dodgers finished last season with the best record, but they were eliminated from the playoffs in four games by the Padres in the NLCS. Although they lost Trea Turner, Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger, Joey Gallo and Edwin Rios, they got veteran players like JD Martinez, David Peralta, Miguel Rojas, and Jason Heyward, so a huge drop in their offensive production shouldn’t be expected.

Los Angeles averaged 5.17 runs per game last season. Their .257 batting average was fourth in the league. Their .333 on-base percentage was first, while their .442 slugging percentage was second. Freddie Freeman led them with a .325 batting average, 21 home runs, and 100 RBI.

The Dodgers’ pitching was one of the best in MLB last season, they gave up 3.18 runs per game. Opponents had a .209 batting average against the Dodgers, which was the first in the league. Their 2.80 ERA led the league, and so did their 1.05 WHIP.

During his last start against the Diamondbacks, Urias forfeited three hits and one run in 5.1 innings, leading to a 3-2 win for the Dodgers. They’ll need another start from him if they intend to win.

Injuries: Daniel Hudson (Knee) and Tony Gonsolin (Ankle) are out indefinitely, and Galvin Lux (ACL) is out for the season.

Betting On The Arizona Diamondbacks 

• 1XBet Spread: -1.5
• 1XBet Moneyline: 1.868
• 1XBet Over/Under: Under 7.5

Last season, the Arizona Diamondbacks finished fourth position in the NL West, but were 11 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies, who got the final Wildcard spot. This team has lots of talented young players who are expected to boost their performances last season and added veterans like Lourders Gurriel Jr., Kyle Lewis, and Evan Longoria. They hope these players will help them achieve their playoff dream. 

They averaged 4.33 goals per game last season. Their .230 batting average was 26th in the league. Their .304 on-base percentage was 24th, while their .385 slugging percentage was 20th.

Josh Rojas led the Diamondbacks with a .269 batting average, while Christian Walker led the team with 36 home runs and 94 RBI.

Arizona’s pitching wasn’t very well last season, with the team conceding 4.57 runs per game. Opponents had a .247 batting average against the Diamondbacks, which was 20th in the league. Their 4.25 ERA was 23rd, while their 1.29 WHIP was 20th.

The last time the Diamondbacks started against the Dodgers, Gallen forfeited two hits and one run in eight innings, while striking out 13 batters. They’ll need him to give the same performance for them to win this game.

Injury: Joe Mantiply (Shoulder) is on the 10-day IL. Carson Kelly (Forearm) is out indefinitely.

MatchPlug Prediction

In the 2022 season, the Diamondbacks were average in offense, averaging 4.33 runs per game. They didn’t make a splash during the offseason but added a few veterans that might boost their offense.

Even with the new additions, they may struggle offensively in this game, as they did not hit the ball well against left-handers and Urias has had lots of success against them, going 7-1 in eight games against them. He conceded three runs in his last four starts against the Diamondbacks and will regulate their offense again.

The Dodgers were MLB’s best offensive team last season, but they lost key offensive players like Turner and Bellinger. Despite these losses, Los Angeles still has lots of depth including players like Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, so they won’t be a huge drop in offense.

Gallen was one of the best pitchers in MLB last season, but he has not had much luck against the Dodgers, going 1-2 in nine starts against them. He gave up five runs in his last two starts in Los Angeles and will find it challenging to slow them down in today’s matchup. So, bettors are advised to go with Los Angeles to cover the line.

For more accurate MLB Expert Picks for Dodgers VS Diamondbacks, check the sportsbook odds we listed.

Prediction: Arizona Diamondbacks Spread.

In Oakland Athletics VS Los Angeles Angles, two AL West rivals open the 2023 MLB season on the diamond as they play in the city of the bay. The Angels are on the road as they commence a three-game series with the Athletics tonight.

Los Angeles completed the 2022 season 78-89, earning them 3rd position in the AL West, 33 games behind the Astros for the top spot in the division. Oakland was the worst team in the American League last season, posting a 60-102 record, leaving them 46 games off the pace in the division. 

Last season, the Angels has a 12-7 advantage in the season series through the A’s swept a three-game set at home in the October 3-5, 2022 series.

In this preview, MatchPlug analyzes the MLB Predictions Today, picks, and odds for the Athletics VS Angels. 

Predictions and Betting Preview for Oakland Athletics VS Los Angeles Angels MLB Regular Season

• Venue: RingCentral Coliseum, Oakland, California
• When: Wednesday, March 30th, 2023
• Time: 19:07 GMT
• Teams to play: Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Angels
• MLB Expert Picks: SPREAD -1.5

Odds as seen on 1XBet.

Betting On The Oakland Athletics

• 1XBet Spread: +1.5
• 1XBet Moneyline: 2.072
• 1XBet Over/Under: Over 7.5

The Oakland Athletics were the worst team in the American League last season and there isn’t much hope for them entering the 2023 season either. They traded their best player, catcher Sean Murphy and one of the top pitchers in their squad, Cole Irvin. 

These trades left them with more confusion than clarity as this unending rebuild sputters along.  During the offseason, the Athletics added a few veterans like Aledyms Diaz and Jesus Aguilar to add some boost to their performances. 

Shinto Fujinami and Drew Rucinski were brought in from overseas to bolster the rotation, although Rucinski will begin the year on the IL. Fujinami will pitch every sixth or seventh day to improve his performance after pitching at the WBC in Japan. Oakland added Trevor May to the bullpen but there are more questions than answers for the team.

Kyle Muller was bought by the Athletics in the same deal that sent Murphy to the Atlanta Braves, which also involved Milwaukee Brewers.  He will start tonight’s game for Oakland. Muller made only three starts for the Braves last season, going 1-1 with an 8.03 ERA, a 1.703 WHIP, eight walks and 12 strikeouts over 12.1 innings of work. 

Most of Kyle’s 2022 season was spent with Triple-A Gwinnett of the International League, posting a 6-8 mark with a 3.41 ERA, a 1.81 WHIP, 40 walks and 159 strikeouts over 134.2 innings over 23 starts. In his 13th major league appearance and 12th start, he will be pitching against the Angels for the first time. As the early part of this career was spent in the National League, this marks Muller’s first career outing at the RingCentral Coliseum.

Betting On The Los Angeles Angels

• 1XBet Spread: -1.5
• 1XBet Moneyline: 1.875
• 1XBet Over/Under: Under 7.5

The Los Angeles Angels struggled in the 2022 season as they ended 16 games below .500, which was an unimpressive finish after sitting 27-17 on May 24. They went 46-72 the rest of the year, which was started by a 14-game losing streak, to turn into another dud campaign.

During the offseason, the Angeles made some moves, adding Tyler Anderson (Dodgers) to their rotation while Carlos Estevez and Matt Moore should help the bullpen too. Brandon Drury, Brett Phillips, Hunter Renfroe and Gio Urshela were included in the position player group to give Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani some support.

Fans will soon find out if this addition will work, although it was good seeing owner Arte Moreno spend some money with Ohtani’s free agency happening at the end of the season. As for Ohtani, he’ll be the opening pitcher for the Angels again. He made 28 on-the-hill starts for them, posting a 15-9 mark with a 2.33 ERA, a 1.012 WHIP, 44 walks and 219 strikeouts over 166 innings of work.

For Shohei’s effort, he was 4th in the AL Cy Young voting and finished 2nd behind the Yankees’ Aaron Judge for AL MVP honours. Ohtani will make his 11th career start against the Athletics in this game, having posted good numbers against them. He is 4-4 with a 2.50 ERA, a 0.884 WHIP, 19 walks, and 69 strikeouts over 57.2 innings of action against Oakland. Ohtani is 2-3 with a 3.72 ERA, a 1.035 WHIP, 13 walks, and 30 strikeouts over 29 innings of work in six career starts at the RingCentral Coliseum.

MatchPlug Prediction

While the Athletics and Angels were sub-.500 again last season, the truth remains that the Angels are attempting to make their team competitive. Oakland sold who was arguably their top two players in the offseason, leaving them with many question marks and youths that need to prove themselves. 

Mullers of the Athletics don’t have much of a track record to fall back on at this point at the major league level. Ohtani on the other hand gave an outstanding performance in 2022, on the mound and at the plate. The Angels have a better lineup to work with in terms of offense. 

Ohtani should breeze through the Oakland lineup, a thought which may be pushing it if you call it a Triple-A level squad. The Angels bat should encounter more than enough runs on the board against Muller and his squad to put tonight’s Athletics VS Angels game in a win column.

Prediction: Los Angeles Angels Spread.

Major League Baseball season kicks off today, with many of the teams playing their first game of the regular season. San Diego Padres VS Colorado Rockies is one of the matches happening on the first day of the regular season.

The Colorado Rockies will play in an away game happening at the home field of the San Diego Padres in an NL West opening-day matchup. Colorado would want to rebound from finishing last place in the NL West in 2022. While San Diego hopes to move on after losing in the NCLS last season to Philadelphia. 

Pitching for this matchup will be done by Rockies right-hander German Marquez who had 9-13 with a 5.00 ERA last season, and Padres lefty pitcher Blake Snell, 8-10 with a 3.38 ERA in 2022. The opening pitch will happen at 4:10 PM EST.

MatchPlug has laid out the MLB best bets today for the San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies game.

Predictions and Betting Preview For San Diego Padres VS Colorado Rockies MLB Regular Season

• Venue: Petco Park, Downtown San Diego, California
• When: Thursday, March 30th, 2023
• Time: 18:40 GMT
• Teams to play: Padres and Rockies.
• MLB Expert Picks: SPREAD -1.5

Odds as seen on 1XBet.

Betting On The San Diego Padres

• 1XBet Spread: -1.5
• 1XBet Moneyline: 1.59
• 1XBet Over/Under: Over 8.5

The San Diego Padres made some season-altering trades that almost led to them appearing in the World Series, before losing to the Phillies in the NLCS in 2022. Refusing to take their loss lying down, San Diego signed former Red Sox SS Xander Bogaerts to a multi-year deal this offseason. 

Adding Bogaerts to the team will give the Padres an all-star lineup that will get better with former SS Fernando Tatis Jr’s return, now a right fielder after he was suspended in the first half. 

They added DH/1B types like Nelson Cruz and Matt Carpenter to give the lineup a fantastic right/left combo at the plate. San Diego still has a solid rotation and two superstars in third baseman Manny Machado and outfielder Juan Soto. With their strong bullpen too, the Padres are one of the teams to beat in the National League.

San Diego will look to Blake Snell to take the ball on Opening Day. Last season, Snell began the season on the IL recovering from injury and didn’t exactly make his stride until after the all-star break. He had eight wins in 24 starts. Snell has an 11.21 K/9 rate in the month too. He finished 1-1 with a 5.31 ERA in four starts against the Rockies last season. He has been great at home during his career with a 2.70 ERA and a record of 31-23. Snell also has an 11.43 K/9 rate at home in his career.

Key Injuries: SP Joe Musgrove (toe) is still recovering from the injury, and Soto is put as day-to-day with an oblique Injury. Tatis Jr. will come back from suspension on April 20th.

Betting On The Colorado Rockies

• 1XBet Spread: +1.5
• 1XBet Moneyline: 2.584
• 1XBet Over/Under: Under 8.5

The Colorado Rockies are faced with the challenge of advancing in one of the toughest divisions in baseball, after finishing last place in 2022. They didn’t make any major acquisitions, one season after a huge deal signing ex-Giant and Cub Kris Byrant to a multi-year deal. Byrant played only 42 games in his first season in Colorado due to injury.

Bryant will have to give the Rockies a big season if they hope to keep up with the competition. Colorado also hopes for solid years from C.J. Cron and third baseman Ryan McMahon, veteran DH Charlie Blackmon is expected to push through with the rule changes for infield shifts.

Colorado’s pitching staff has any major arms and will depend on the batters to stay in the games. The team’s farm system is improving but the help they need may be one more year away.

Marquez will be sent to the mound for the opening-day assignment against the Padres. Last season, he was tied for the team lead in wins with nine on the season. In 24 career April starts, Marquez has gone 4-9 with an ERA of 4.69. He has played better on the road in his career with an ERA of 3.77 and a 34-30 record.  Marquez went 1-0 with an ERA of 4.50 against the Padres last season. He allowed 14 hits in 12 innings and had a K/9 average of 9.75.

Key Injuries: Starting 2B Brandon Rogers may miss all of 2023 as he waits for news on if he needs surgery or not on his dislocated shoulder.

MatchPlug Prediction

The run line for San Diego Padres VS Colorado Rockies has more value than the money line. The Padres have a good home performance, especially Snell. They went only 9-10 against the Rockies last season, they went 6-3 with them in San Diego.

Additionally, San Diego outscored the Rockies 47-27 in San Diego last season. The Rockies did not make much effort to boost their roster during the offseason and is missing second baseman Rogers. 

Fans can expect the strong lineup of the San Diego Padres to rack up good numbers against the Colorado Rockies’ suspect pitching staff. Furthermore, the Padres won 5 of their last 6 Opening Day games.

For MLB Expert Picks you can trust regarding Padres and Rockies, you can refer to the sportsbooks odds we listed in this preview.

Prediction: Padres Spread.