MLB Picks Today:
Expert baseball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top MLB picks today for Tuesday, April 8.
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1:10 PM Eastern
New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers
The Yankees’ offense is off to a historic start this season, averaging 7.8 runs per game with 2.5 home runs per game. They’ll face a struggling Tarik Skubal, who hasn’t looked like the same pitcher that won the 2024 Cy Young Award. Skubal has surrendered seven runs and three home runs through 10 2/3 innings over his first two starts this season. Yankees starter Carlos Carrasco has been one of the worst pitchers in baseball since leaving the Cleveland Guardians, posting a 5.34 ERA since the start of the 2021 season, with 1.5 home runs and 2.9 walks per nine innings allowed.
Play: Yankees vs. Tigers Over 7.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 7.8)
4:10 PM Eastern
Chicago White Sox vs. Cleveland Guardians
While Shane Smith allowed just two hits and two runs in 5 2/3 innings in his MLB debut for the White Sox, he issued four walks and now heads out for his first road start. After finishing last in the league in runs per game by a full half-run last season, the White Sox offense has looked more respectable to begin 2025, tied for 17th in runs per game at 3.9. They face Guardians starter Ben Lively, who posted a 4.66 FIP with 1.4 home runs per nine innings in 2024. Through two starts this season, Lively has allowed seven runs and two home runs in 9 1/3 innings.
Plays: Guardians Run Line -1.5 +110 and Over 7.5 Runs (Greg’s Handicap: Guardians Run Line -117 and Total 8.1)
6:40 PM Eastern
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
There’s no question Paul Skenes is already one of the best pitchers in baseball, allowing more than three earned runs in just one career start. He owns a career 1.92 ERA and 2.36 FIP. However, he’s backed by a shaky Pirates bullpen that entered Monday with a 4.42 ERA and just demoted closer David Bednar due to poor performance. Cardinals starter Sonny Gray has struggled on the road since joining St. Louis, posting a 5.20 ERA with over 1.8 home runs per nine innings away from home.
Play: Cardinals vs. Pirates Over 6.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 7.2)
7:10 PM Eastern
Miami Marlins vs. New York Mets
Marlins starter Connor Gillispie is a well-regarded prospect, but his results at both the minor and major league levels have been inconsistent. He has a career 4.5 walks per nine innings at the MLB level. Mets starter Clay Holmes is transitioning from a reliever role and has only logged 9 1/3 innings over two starts. The Mets offense ranked eighth in runs per game last season, and hitters like Mark Vientos and Francisco Lindor are due for a breakout after slow starts.
Play: Marlins vs. Mets Over 7 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 8.1)
7:15 PM Eastern
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves
Braves starter Chris Sale had a stellar 2024, posting a 2.09 FIP with 11.4 strikeouts and just 0.5 home runs per nine innings. But in 2025, he’s looked more human, giving up six runs in 10 innings across two starts. The Braves’ offense has also stumbled, averaging just three runs per game. On the other side, Zack Wheeler has been dominant, allowing only five hits and two runs through 13 innings with 18 strikeouts. Historically, he’s had Atlanta’s number, posting a 2.95 ERA and 0.9 home runs per nine innings across 30 career starts against the Braves.
Play: Phillies Moneyline +106 (Greg’s Handicap: Phillies -106)
7:40 PM Eastern
Minnesota Twins vs. Kansas City Royals
Since joining the Royals late in 2023, Cole Ragans has emerged as one of the league’s best, with a 3.02 ERA, 2.86 FIP, 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings, and just 0.6 home runs allowed per nine. He’ll face a depleted Twins lineup missing Brooks Lee and Royce Lewis, averaging only 3.1 runs per game entering Monday. Twins starter Pablo López has strong underlying metrics (3.51 FIP, 10.1 K/9) but hasn’t seen those translate fully into results, holding just a 3.82 ERA.
Plays: Royals -123 and Over 7.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Royals -143 and Total 8.2)
9:40 PM Eastern
Baltimore Orioles vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Merrill Kelly was shelled for nine runs in his last start against the Yankees. Orioles starter Charlie Morton has also struggled, allowing nine runs in 8 1/3 innings this season. The Diamondbacks have the edge offensively—they led the league in runs per game in 2024—and Morton has had significant home/road splits, with a 3.99 ERA or worse away from home each of the past three seasons.
Play: Diamondbacks Moneyline -110 (Greg’s Handicap: Diamondbacks -138)
