It’s never a bad thing to look for value. However, sometimes, we should go for the chalk. When it comes to making winning baseball bets, a mix of value betting and backing favorites makes sense because there are so many games during the regular season. See below for six favorites that should handle their underdog opponents on 2023 MLB Opening Day.

Top Favorite Picks for the 2023 MLB Opening Day

Yankees' Rodon won't be ready for Opening Day due to forearm strain https://t.co/Mbs0yZtAas pic.twitter.com/yioovkGc6F

— theScore MLB (@theScoreMLB) March 9, 2023

READ MORE: 2023 MLB Opening Day Underdog Picks

Tampa Bay Rays blast the Detroit Tigers

Shane McClanahan struck out 194 batters last season. So even if Tyler Glasnow fails to step onto the mound for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2023, McClanahan will carry the load.

Detroit is likely to send out Eduardo Rodriguez. The veteran had a 1.33 WHIP last season. The Rays should roll.

Cincinnati handles the rival Pirates

Neither Cincinnati nor Pittsburgh is going to scare anybody this season. Of the two NL Central teams, though, the Pirates project as the lousier bunch.

Pittsburgh starter Roansy Contreras posted a decent 3.79 ERA and 1.27 WHIP last season. Contreras, though, has faced Reds batters just 20 times.

Cincinnati figures to go with Hunter Greene. The Reds listed top starter didn’t have an unbelievable 2022, but he gets home diamond advantage and the Reds bats should be livelier than Pittsburgh’s.

St. Louis falls to Alek Manoah and the Blue Jays

This happens in St. Louis. But even though the Blue Jays are the road squad, Toronto should be a slight favorite. St. Louis is likely to go with Jack Flaherty. The Cardinals ace is a decent starter. He’s not a Cy Young contender like Blue Jays’ ace Alek Manoah, though.

The Jays are a World Series contender, while most expect the Cards to win a lackluster NL Central Division. Manoah and Toronto make a statement in their first game.

Padres handle the Rockies

German Marquez remains Colorado’s top starter. That’s a problem because Marquez posted a 5.00 ERA in 2022. German’s WHIP was a terrible 1.37.

Marquez is going to struggle against Manny Machado, Juan Soto, and the rest of the Padres’ lineup. Also, Padres’ starter Yu Darvish or Joe Musgrove should dominate the Rockies’ bats.

Stros begin the repeat quest with a win over the White Sox

The White Sox are a solid club and Dylan Cease is a terrific starting pitcher. However, the defending World Series Champs want to prove that they’re more than just Justin Verlander and some decent hitters.

Wether it’s Framber Valdez or Cristian Javier who gets the start for the Stros, Houston locks down the White Sox batters.

Dodgers beat the D’Backs

If Arizona starts Zac Gallen, things could be difficult for the Dodgers. Los Angeles bats .198 against Gallen.

Ah, but a closer reveals that Mookie Betts is 5-of-13 versus Zac and Austin Barnes is 2-of-6. Also, among the 96 at-bats against the Dodgers, Gallen faced pitchers 8 times.

Also, Zac has never faced David Peralta or J.D. Martinez. LAD should have no trouble winning this.

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