MLB Picks Today:
Expert baseball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top MLB picks today for Thursday, April 9.
Check out Greg’s Daily MLB Lines and his Baseball Betting Show Podcast. Also, check out our MLB Betting Splits and tools from our friends at Ballpark Pal, including Strikeout Prop Projections and the MLB YRFI Report.
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12:10 PM Eastern
Cincinnati Reds vs. Miami Marlins
Reds starting pitcher Rhett Lowder has returned after missing the entire 2025 season and has allowed just two runs in 11 innings to begin the year, but his 3.79 fielding independent with 7.4 strikeouts and 3.3 walks per nine innings suggests regression could be coming.
Marlins starting pitcher Max Meyer had a rough 2025 season with a 4.73 ERA while allowing 1.7 home runs per nine innings. The Marlins entered Wednesday night tied for 10th in the league in scoring with over 4.7 runs per game.
Pick: Reds vs. Marlins Over 8 Runs
Greg’s Handicap: Total 8.1
1:35 PM Eastern
Athletics vs. New York Yankees
Athletics starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs is coming off a 2025 season in which he posted a 4.11 ERA with 1.5 home runs per nine innings allowed and a 4.65 fielding independent. He is supported by a bullpen that ranked 24th in ERA at 4.53.
They face a Yankees lineup that led the league in scoring last season with 5.2 runs per game. Yankees starting pitcher Ryan Weathers posted a 3.99 ERA last season with 1.6 home runs per nine innings in a season filled with injuries.
Pick: Athletics vs. Yankees Over 8 Runs
Greg’s Handicap: Total 8.8
1:40 PM Eastern
Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins
Twins starting pitcher Mick Abel has struggled since being called up to the big leagues last season, posting a 6.99 ERA with 1.6 home runs and 4.5 walks per nine innings since the start of the 2025 season.
Tigers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty had a 4.64 ERA last season with 1.3 home runs per nine innings allowed, but his 3.85 fielding independent with 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings points toward positive regression. The Tigers offense should find success against a Twins bullpen that ranked 26th in ERA last season at 4.60.
Pick: Twins Moneyline -125
Greg’s Handicap: Twins -159
7:10 PM Eastern
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. New York Mets
Diamondbacks starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez is coming off a rough 2025 season that saw him post a 5.02 ERA with 1.5 home runs and 3.5 walks per nine innings allowed.
Mets starting pitcher Nolan McLean has dazzled since making his MLB debut late in 2025, posting a 2.16 ERA with 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings, but his 3.07 fielding independent indicates he may be due for some regression. He faces a Diamondbacks lineup that ranked fourth in scoring last season with 4.9 runs per game, though Arizona’s bullpen ranked 27th in ERA at 4.82.
Pick: Mets Run Line -1.5 +135 and Over 7 Runs
Greg’s Handicap: Mets -1.5 +121 and Total 7.9
7:40 PM Eastern
Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals
Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo had some struggles in 2025, posting a 4.15 ERA with 1.7 home runs and 3.4 walks per nine innings, but he was more effective at home with a 3.61 ERA compared to 4.71 on the road.
White Sox starting pitcher Anthony Kay has allowed four runs in nine innings this season after spending the last two years in Japan, but with two home runs allowed, six walks, and just five strikeouts in that span, his 6.93 fielding independent points toward regression.
Pick: Royals Run Line -1.5 +115
Greg’s Handicap: Royals -1.5 +101
9:40 PM Eastern
San Diego Padres vs. Colorado Rockies
Padres starting pitcher Randy Vásquez has looked like a different pitcher to begin the 2026 season, allowing just one run across 12 innings while recording 11 strikeouts after posting a 3.86 ERA with a 4.85 fielding independent and just 5.3 strikeouts per nine innings last season.
The Rockies are expected to use Chase Dollander in some capacity, either as a starter or out of the bullpen. While he owns a lifetime 6.44 ERA with 1.8 home runs and 4.4 walks per nine innings, he has been significantly better on the road with a 3.86 ERA and just over 1.4 home runs per nine innings allowed. The Rockies bullpen entered Wednesday ranked ninth in the league in ERA at 3.08.
Pick: Padres Run Line -1.5 +122 and Under 8 Runs
Greg’s Handicap: Padres -1.5 -119 and Total 7.8
