Our free MLB picks are out for Sunday, April 17th, 2022! Make sure you check our MLB picks before the action kicks off.
Look below to find our free MLB picks for the five best games on today’s schedule!
Washington Nationals @ Pittsburgh Pirates – 1:35pm ET
The Washington Nationals and the Pittsburgh Pirates will be playing the finale of their four-game weekend set in this game. The Pirates hold a 2-1 series lead and will be looking to close it out while the Nationals will be looking to secure at least a split to end the series.
Tony Battalio
The Washington Nationals come into this game looking to get a series split with the Pittsburgh Pirates in this game. The Nationals pitching has been less than impressive throughout the first three games as they’ve given up a total of 17 runs to the Pirates. Teams have been putting up crooked numbers on them all season long thus far. This is mostly the reason why they come into this game with a record of 4-6 through their first ten games of the regular season. Now they will hand the ball to Patrick Corbin in this one as he is already 0-2 on the year, so their pitching woes may likely continue in this series finale.
The Pittsburgh Pirates enter this game sitting at the .500 mark with a record of 4-4 through their first eight games on the season. This is a lot better than most people would’ve expected from them up until this point in the season as they are constantly one of the worst teams in Major League Baseball. They have a chance to take three out of the four games in this series with a win in this one on Easter Sunday. Taking the mound for them is going to be Jose Quintana who is 0-1 on the year with a 1.69 Earned Run Average. As for the result of this game, I am taking the Pirates to get the win and clinch the series.
Tony’s MLB Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates (-104)
Marko Nadin
The Pittsburgh Pirates are second in the NL Central with a 4-4 record. They defeated the Nationals 6-4 in the previous games with Michael Chavis hitting 3 of the teams’ 10 hits. The Pirates are ranked third in the league with .269 AVG and 11th with 4.5 runs per game. Pittsburgh will start Jose Quintana who is 0-1 for the season with a 1.69 ERA. The Pirates have won 5 of the last 7 fourth games of a series and 10 of the last 13 games with a total set at 6.5 or less.
The Washington Nationals have started the season with a 4-6 record which puts them fourth in the NL East. They are going into the last game of the series against the Pirates losing two of the previous 3 games. The Nats are ranked third-worst in the league allowing 5.69 runs per game and are ranked 18th scoring 4.24 runs per game. Washington will start Patrick Corbin who is 0-2 for the season with a 10.80 ERA. The Nationals have 6 of the last 10 games against Pittsburgh.
Marko’s MLB Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates (-104)
Minnesota Twins @ Boston Red Sox – 1:35pm ET
The Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox will be playing the third game of their four-game weekend set in this game. The series is split 1-1 and both teams will be looking to secure at least a split of the series and try to clinch it on Monday.
Tony Battalio
The Minnesota Twins are coming into this one off of a loss on Saturday that saw them get shut out on the scoresheet. Now they will be looking to bounce back from their 4-0 defeat and take a 2-1 lead heading into the series finale on Monday. The Twins are coming into this game with a record of 3-5 through their first eight games of the season. They will be looking to get it together before getting into the dog days of summer as they were expected to be somewhat competitive in a pretty weak American League Central division. Taking the ball for the Twins in this one will be Bailey Ober who is 1-0 on the year with a 7.20 Earned Run Average.
The Boston Red Sox come into this game looking to win their second straight and clinch at least a split in this four-game series with the Minnesota Twins. Michael Wacha will take the ball in this one for the Red Sox following a no-decision in his first start of the 2022 Major League Baseball season. Wacha comes into this one sporting a 2.08 Earned Run Average. He will look to follow up that first start with a win over the Minnesota Twins and lower his Earned Run Average in the process. As for the result of this game, I’m taking the Boston Red Sox to get the win over the Minnesota Twins.
Tony’s MLB Pick: Boston Red Sox (-120)
Marko Nadin
The Boston Red Sox are third in the AL East with a 4-4 record. After losing 8-4 in the first game of the series against Minnesota, the Red Sox won 4-0 in the least one with Xander Bogaerts and Alex Verdugo hitting home runs. Boston is ranked 17th in the league with 4.31 runs per game and 11th with 1.14 home runs per game. They will start Michael Wacha who is at a 2.08 ERA this season. The Red Sox have won 6 of the last 10 games against the Twins and 9 of the last 13 games as favorites.
The Minnesota Twins have started the season with a 3-5 record that puts them fourth in the AL Central. Minnesota is fifth hitting 1.27 home runs per game and seventh in the league with a .211 AVG. The Twins will start Bailey Ober who is 1-0 for the season with a 7.20 ERA. Minnesota has won 4 of their last 5 games against a right-handed pitcher, and 5 of the last 7 road games but has lost the last 4 games after their opponent has allowed two or fewer runs in the previous game.
Marko’s MLB Pick: Boston Red Sox (-120)
Oakland Athletics @ Toronto Blue Jays – 1:37pm ET
The Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays will be playing the finale of their three-game weekend set in this game. The series is split 1-1 and both teams will be looking to clinch the series in the finale on Sunday.
Tony Battalio
The Oakland Athletics had a fire sale before the 2022 Major League Baseball season began. They aren’t expected to be very competitive this season and that has been the story of the Athletics for as far back as most fans can remember. They come into this game with a record of 5-4 through their first nine games of the season. They will be looking to make it two wins in a row in this one to snag their second straight series win after beating the Toronto Blue Jays in three of the four games in their series with them. Despite the success at the moment that is not something that I think will be sustainable as the year progresses.
The Toronto Blue Jays are expected to be one of the best teams in Major League Baseball this season. As they come into this game with a record of 5-4 through their first nine games of the season. Toronto is looking to rebound from their loss on Saturday to clinch the series in this game. Taking the ball for the Oakland Athletics in this one will be Alex Manoah who is 1-0 on the season as he pitched six scoreless innings in his first start of the season. As for the result of this one I’m taking the Toronto Blue Jays to get the win.
Tony’s MLB Pick: Toronto Blue Jays (-275)
Marko Nadin
The Toronto Blue Jays are second in the AL East with a 5-4 record. They lost last night 7-5 to the Athletic which put an end to their six-game winning streak against them. The Blue Jays are ranked third in the league hitting 1.6 home runs per game and seventh with a .765 OVS. They will start Alek Manoah who is 1-0 for the season. Toronto has won 6 of the last 7 Sunday games, 4 of the last 5 games after allowing 5 or more runs in the previous game, and 6 of the last 8 home games.
The Oakland Athletic are second in the AL West with a 5-4 record. Cristian Pache was the key man in the last 7-5 Oakland win over the Blue Jays hitting a go-ahead home run in the ninth inning. The Athletic is ranked third in the league scoring 5.72 runs per game and sixth with 1.26 home runs per game. They will start rookie Adam Oller tonight who is with a 33.75 ERA. Oakland has 5 of the last 7 games but has lost 19 of the last 26 games after allowing 5 or more runs in the previous one.
Marko’s MLB Pick: Toronto Blue Jays (-275)
Philadelphia Phillies @ Miami Marlins – 1:40pm ET
The Philadelphia Phillies and Miami Marlins will be playing the finale of their four-game weekend set in this game. The series is favoring Miami 2-1 at the moment as they will try to clinch it in this one.
Tony Battalio
The Miami Marlins are coming into this game with a record of 3-5 through their first eight games of the season. They aren’t expected to be very competitive this season as they are likely going to be stuck in their current rebuild for another few seasons. However, they do currently lead this series 2-1 and will be looking to clinch it on Sunday in the series finale. Taking the ball for Miami in this one will be Elieser Hernandez who is 0-1 on the year with a 7.71 Earned Run Average.
The Philadelphia Phillies come into this one looking to pick up a split in this series against the Miami Marlins. It’s been a rough start for the Philadelphia Phillies this season as they come into this game with a record of 4-5 through their first nine games of the season. Getting the ball for the Phillies in this one will be Zack Wheeler as he looks to secure the Phillies a split and get them back to .500 to finish the second week of the year. As for the result of this game, I am taking the Phillies to get the win.
Tony’s MLB Pick: Philadelphia Phillies (-148)
Marko Nadin
The Miami Marlins are at the bottom of the NL East with a 3-5 record but are 2-1 at home. After winning the first two games against Philadelphia, they lost 10-3 in the last one. Miami is ranked 23rd in the league scoring 3.60 runs per game and is 16th allowing 4.37 per game. Miami will start Elieser Hernandez who is 0-1 for the season with a 7.71 ERA. The Marlins have won 4 of the last 5 games against Philadelphia, and 4 of the last 5 home games but have lost 14 of the last 20 overall.
The Philadelphia Phillies are third in the NL East with a 4-5 record. After losing 4 straight games, they won 10-3 in the last one against Miami. Bryce Harper doubled in two runs, walked twice, and stole the home base to win the game last night. The Phillies are ranked 13th in the league scoring 4.44 runs per game and ninth with 2.53 AVG. They will start Zach Wheeler tonight who is 0-1 for the season with a 1.93 ERS. Philadelphia has won 19 of the last 26 fourth games of a series
Marko’s MLB Pick: Philadelphia Phillies (-148)
Tampa Bay Rays @ Chicago White Sox – 2:10pm ET
The Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago White Sox will be playing the finale of their three-game weekend set in this game. The series is favoring Chicago 2-0 at the moment as they will try to clinch it and sweep the Rays in this one.
Tony Battalio
The Chicago White Sox are already looking like they will run away with the AL Central as they have gotten off to a fast start this season. As they come into this game with a record of 6-2 through their first eight games of the season. Chicago is currently on a two-game winning streak at the moment. They will be looking to sweep the Tampa Bay Rays in this one as they won the first two games by a combined score of 6-4 over the Rays.
The Tampa Bay Rays have gotten off to a slow start this season. As they come into this game with a record of 4-5 through their first nine games of the season. Tampa Bay is projected to be one of the best teams in Major League Baseball this season and they still have plenty of time to get rolling. As for the result of this one I am taking the Rays to get the win over the White Sox to get at least one win in this three-game series.
Tony’s MLB Pick: Tampa Bay Rays (-106)
Marko Nadin
The Chicago White Sox are on top of the AL Central and are one of three teams in the league with so far the best record of 6 wins and 2 losses. The White Sox won the previous two games against the Rays, both with a 3-2 score. They are the best team in the league being struck out only 6.28 times per game and are ranked 14th with 4.4 runs per game. The White Sox will start Vince Velasquez who is at a 2.25 ERA this season. Chicago has won the last 7 games with their opponents coming off a game in which they scored no more than two runs.
The Tampa Bay Rays are fourth in the AL East with a 4-5 record. They are ranked third in the league with 10.24 strikeouts per game but score only 3.94 runs per game which puts them in 21st place. Tampa Bay will start JP Feyereisen who was 4-4 last season with a 2.73 ERA. The Rays have won 7 of the last 9 games coming after scoring 2 or fewer runs in the previous one but have lost the last 5 road games and the last 5 against a team with a winning record
Marko’s MLB Pick: Chicago White Sox (-110)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
