Major League Baseball throws first pitch on their 2022 season on Thursday, April 7. Only 9 games happen on Thursday. Of the 9 games, favorites in 5 look like solid plays. Check out the 5 games where favorites should rule. If you don’t like the moneyline on the chalk plays, consider backing the 5 teams on the run lines.

Top Favorite Picks for 2022 MLB Opening Day

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— MLB (@MLB) April 5, 2022

READ MORE: 2022 MLB Opening Day Underdog Betting Picks

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs

• Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL. 2:20pm ET
• MLB Odds: Brewers (-147) / Cubs (+125)

The Cubs have a chance to be one of the worst teams in the National League. David Ross is a good manager and the team has some talent, but Chicago doesn’t match up well with many of the teams in the National League. They don’t matchup well at all against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Milwaukee sends 2021 Cy Young winner and one of the favorites to win the award this year to the mound. Corbin Burnes posted a strong 11-5 record and 2.34 ERA last season. Kyle Hendricks, the Cubs’ starter on Thursday, had a 4.77 ERA. Milwaukee should win this by 2. So consider the run line if the ML odds aren’t to your liking.

MLB Betting Pick: Milwaukee Brewers

New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals

• Where: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C. 4:05pm ET
• MLB Odds: Mets (-175) / Nationals (TBA)

The Mets haven’t decided who they will send to the mound. Either one of the Mets’ top two choices should have no trouble handling the Nationals. Who are the Mets debating on starting on opening day? Either Max Scherzer or Jacob deGrom will climb the hill for NYM.

Washington will start Patrick Corbin. Scherzer’s former teammate posted a 5.82 ERA and 9-16 record last season. The Mets should roll to an easy win.

MLB Betting Pick: New York Mets

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals

• Where: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO. 4:15pm ET
• MLB Odds: Cardinals (-213) / Pirates (-176)

Pirates starter JT Brubaker went 5-13 with a 5.36 ERA in 2021. The Cardinals bat .337 against Brubaker.

St. Louis sends Adam Wainwright to the mound. Although Wainwright is no longer the Cy Young threat like he was in the past, he can still dominate a lackluster Pirates’ lineup. The odds aren’t great. So consider the Cardinals’ run line if you want to back St. Louis to win their opening day game.

MLB Betting Pick: St. Louis Cardinals

Cincinnati Reds vs. Atlanta Braves

• Where: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA. 8:08pm ET
• MLB Odds: Reds (+184) / Braves (-222)

Reds’ opening day starter Tyler Mahle threw well last season. Mahle ended 2021 with a 13-6 record and a decent 3.75 ERA. But although Mahle threw great last year, he faces the defending World Series champs. Not only that, but the ATL starts their top pitcher. Max Fried posted a 3.04 ERA in 2021. He is a legit Cy Young contender and should own Cincinnati’s less than stellar lineup. Here’s another where backing the fave on the run line makes sense.

MLB Betting Pick: Atlanta Braves

San Diego Padres vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

• Where: Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ. 9:40pm ET
• MLB Odds: Padres (-175) / Diamondbacks (+148)

The D’Backs send Madison Bumgarner to the hill. In the past, MadBum would dominate a team like the San Diego Padres. But this isn’t 2012. It’s a decade after 2012. So Bumgarner, who might call it quits after this season, should be in for a shellacking.

In addition, the Friars start Yu Darvish. When Yu’s got the fastball working, he can shut down any lineup. Darvish wasn’t great last season. The high expectations are gone this season, though. So Yu could bounce back.

MLB Betting Pick: San Diego Padres

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*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.

READ MORE: 2022 World Series Odds Update (April)