Free MLB Picks Today for Thursday, March 30th, 2023

Our free MLB picks are out for Thursday, March 30th, 2023! 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!

New York Mets @ Miami Marlins – 4:10PM ET

The New York Mets open up the 2023 Major League Baseball season against the Miami Marlins here on Thursday. After a long offseason, as well as Spring Training and the World Baseball Classic, these players should be well rested and ready to go. This game could arguably go either way, as there is no more unpredictable day than the first day of the Major League Baseball regular season. 

Tony Battalio

The New York Mets open up this 2023 season after a disastrous finish in the 2022 season. They started out last season as one of the best teams in the league, but ended up collapsing at the midway point and will end up failing to win the National League East division after having a 10 game lead for the majority of the year. This season they have a lot of promise, as they return the majority of their core and look to be one of the front runners to make a run all the way to the World Series. Max Scherzer will take the mound for them and this opening day contest.

The Miami Marlins are still a long way away from being a competitive baseball club in my opinion. They got some rising young stars like Jazz Chisholm, who happens to be on the cover of the brand new MLB the show video game. They also have solid pitching like Sandy Alcantara, but they did trade away Pablo Lopez to the Minnesota Twins. They have a shot at being somewhat competitive this season, at least in the beginning months of the year because they have the advantage of playing in a warm weather climate. However, they look to be a middle of the pack team in a very competitive National League east division. I have to go with Max Scherzer in the match to get the victory here in game number one.

Chicago White Sox @ Houston Astros – 7:08PM ET

The Chicago White Sox open up the 2023 Major League Baseball season against the Houston Astros here on Thursday. After a long offseason, as well as Spring Training and the World Baseball Classic, these players should be well rested and ready to go. This game could arguably go either way, as there is no more unpredictable day than the first day of the Major League Baseball regular season.

Tony Battalio

The Chicago White Sox were a bit of a disappointment last season. After a 2021 campaign that saw them return to the playoffs and win the American League Central division, they regressed in 2022 under the leadership of Tony La Russa. He would end up stepping down halfway through the season due to health issues but things never really got better for the White Sox but they have a bright look towards the future this season. They made some solid signings over the off-season and bolstered the starting rotation with the addition of Mike Clevinger, and their lineup with the addition of Andrew Benintendi. It’ll be interesting to see how they look against the defending world champions to open up the season.

The Houston Astros reached the top of the mountain once again last season and this World Series rank is a little less questionable than the one that they captured a few years back. However, they do lose Justin Verlander from their absolutely stacked starting rotation and they will have to replace him heading into the season. Framber Valdez will get the nod in this one against Dylan Cease as these two teams open up the year. The Astros are the favorites in this one and I’m taking them to pick up the victory to start the season off on a good note.

Colorado Rockies @ San Diego Padres – 9:40PM ET

The Colorado Rockies open up the 2023 Major League Baseball season against the San Diego Padres here on Thursday. After a long offseason, as well as Spring Training and the World Baseball Classic, these players should be well rested and ready to go. This game could arguably going either way, as there is no more unpredictable day than the first day of the Major League Baseball regular season.

Tony Battalio

The Colorado Rockies certainly have a team that’s built to compete, but they just happen to play in what is arguably the best division in all of Major League Baseball. They have superstars like Kris Bryant and Charlie Blackmon on the roster that can excel in the low altitude air of Denver. However, their main concern is their starting rotation and their ability to stay healthy heading into the 2023 season. German Marquez takes the mound for the Rockies in this one.

The San Diego Padres absolutely loaded up at last year’s trade deadline to go all in and make a run at the World Series in the near future. They didn’t quite get the job done last season but now they all return looking to accomplish the goal this season. The San Diego Padres or arguably one of the top favorites in all of baseball to dethrone the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West, and win the National League pennant this season. I look for the Padres to open up the 2023 season with a decisive victory over the Colorado Rockies.

Los Angeles Angels @ Oakland Athletics – 10:07PM ET

The Los Angeles Angels open up the 2023 Major League Baseball season against the Oakland Athletics here on Thursday. After a long offseason, as well as Spring Training and the World Baseball Classic, these players should be well rested and ready to go. This game could arguably going either way, as there is no more unpredictable day than the first day of the Major League Baseball regular season.

Tony Battalio

Yet another year where there will be tons of questions to answer for the Los Angeles Angels after another terrible performance last season. They actually start it off last year, incredibly hot as they looked to finally break the curse and they were headed for the MLB playoffs at the end of the season. However, midway through the year that collapsed and they would end up finishing third with a losing record in the American League west. Now with Ohtani and Trout, coming off of solid world baseball classic performances, they are running out of time to make an impact in Los Angeles.

The Oakland Athletics are in the middle of a full on rebuild heading into this season. Prior to last year they had a fire sale and that fire sale continued into this season as well. With rumours of the team potentially moving to Las Vegas and leaving the bay area, it doesn’t look like it’s gonna be a much better performance from the Athletics this season either. I looked for the Angels to jump all over the opportunity of starting their season with one of the worst teams in baseball and getting themselves a victory on opening day.

Arizona Diamondbacks @ Los Angeles Dodgers – 10:10PM ET

The Arizona Diamondbacks open up the 2023 Major League Baseball season against the Los Angeles Dodgers here on Thursday. After a long offseason, as well as Spring Training and the World Baseball Classic, these players should be well rested and ready to go. This game could arguably going either way, as there is no more unpredictable day than the first day of the Major League Baseball regular season.

Tony Battalio

The Arizona Diamondbacks for a decent team last season, but they sat in the basement of the National League west, mostly due to the nature of how competitive it is with three World Series contenders. Now they will come into this season, looking to make a statement as they open up the season against the Los Angeles Dodgers who are one of the top two favorites to win the division. Zac Gallen will take the opening day start for the Arizona Diamondbacks this season. He had a solid year last season as he picked up 12 victories in 33 appearances with only four losses. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers are once again expected to be one of the top favorites to bring home the World Series this season. They have been one of the most consistent teams in all of baseball in the last five years. Julio Urias will take them on for the Los Angeles Dodgers in this one in their lineup is just as solid as they’re starting rotation. Even though they lost Trea Turner, they still have Mookie Betts and multiple other consistent bats around him. I looked for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks. They have a close competitive game in this one. But in the end, I’m going with the Los Angeles Dodgers to open the season with a victory.

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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.