MLB Picks Today:
Expert baseball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top MLB picks today for Wednesday, April 2.
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12:40 PM Eastern
Texas Rangers vs. Cincinnati Reds
Hunter Greene posted a 2.75 ERA with 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings in 2024 and faces a Texas Rangers lineup that ranked just 18th in runs per game last season. The Rangers are also without Josh Jung, who has been a key offensive catalyst since the start of the 2023 season. Jack Leiter started the 2025 season strong, allowing just one run over five innings in a win against the Boston Red Sox. However, he now has to pitch in one of the most hitter-friendly parks in baseball and carries a lifetime 7.11 ERA in his five career road appearances.
Pick: Reds Moneyline -122 (Greg’s Handicap: Reds -146)
1:10 PM Eastern
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Kansas City Royals
The Brewers have had to patch together starts with fringe Major League talent due to injuries but finally get their top guy, Freddy Peralta, back on the mound. He had a solid Opening Day, allowing two runs over five innings on the road against the Yankees. Peralta has never posted fewer than 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings in a season. He faces another power pitcher in Cole Ragans, who was at his best on the road last season, posting a 2.87 ERA while allowing just 0.7 home runs per nine innings.
Pick: Under 8 Runs (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 7.2)
1:15 PM Eastern
Los Angeles Angels vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Sonny Gray was dominant at home last season, recording a 2.79 ERA while allowing fewer than 0.5 home runs per nine innings in St. Louis. That’s a stark contrast to his road numbers, where he posted a 5.20 ERA and allowed 1.9 home runs per nine innings. Yusei Kikuchi finished the 2024 season strong, posting a 2.70 ERA with 11.4 strikeouts and just 2.1 walks per nine innings over his final 10 starts. He began this season by allowing three runs over six innings and is backed by an Angels lineup that ranked 28th in the league in runs per game in 2024.
Picks: Cardinals -135 and Under 8 Runs (Greg’s Handicap: Cardinals -166, Total 7.3)
2:10 PM Eastern
Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox
Since being traded to Minnesota before the 2023 season, Pablo López has been one of the most reliable pitchers in baseball, posting a 3.86 ERA with a 3.50 FIP, 10.2 strikeouts, and 2.1 walks per nine innings. White Sox starter Sean Burke has impressed in a small sample, with a 1.08 ERA over five MLB appearances, but that level of success appears unsustainable. Even if he continues to perform well, he’s backed by a lineup that scored half a run less per game than the next-worst offense in the league last season. Additionally, the White Sox bullpen ranked in the bottom three in ERA.
Pick: Twins Run Line -1.5 (-102) (Greg’s Handicap: Twins -1.5, -123)
4:40 PM Eastern
New York Mets vs. Miami Marlins
Marlins starter Connor Gillispie gave up three runs over five innings in his MLB debut but should settle in for his second start after being a top prospect in the Guardians and Orioles farm systems. Meanwhile, Clay Holmes is adjusting to a starting role and has done well so far. He posted an ERA under 1.00 in spring training and allowed two earned runs on Opening Day against the Astros. Holmes is backed by a bullpen that has posted a 1.15 ERA through five games, while the Marlins’ bullpen has also been solid to start the season, with a 2.22 ERA through six games.
Picks: Marlins +168 and Under 8.5 Runs (Greg’s Handicap: Marlins +131, Total 7.4)
6:45 PM Eastern
Colorado Rockies vs. Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies are rightfully heavy favorites against the Rockies, but the line is inflated given Zack Wheeler’s early-season struggles. Wheeler has a lifetime 3.87 ERA in March and April, the highest of any month in his career. Rockies starter Kyle Freeland is coming off six scoreless innings against the Rays to open the season. Since returning from the injured list in mid-2024, he has posted a 3.73 ERA while issuing fewer than 1.6 walks per nine innings.
Pick: Rockies +260 Moneyline (Greg’s Handicap: Rockies +214)
