MLB Picks Today:
Expert baseball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top MLB picks today for Tuesday, March 31.
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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6:40 PM Eastern
Washington Nationals vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Phillies starting pitcher Andrew Painter makes his MLB debut after struggling to a 5.65 ERA with 1.5 home runs per nine innings at the Triple-A level last season, but he looked much better in Spring Training with a 2.31 ERA while competing for a spot in the rotation.
The Nationals were initially expected to start Zack Littell, who posted a 3.81 ERA last season with the Cincinnati Reds and Tampa Bay Rays, but had a 4.88 fielding independent with 1.7 home runs and 6.3 strikeouts per nine innings. If Littell does not make this start, the Nationals will lean heavily on a bullpen that ranked last in ERA last season at 5.59.
Pick: Phillies Run Line -1.5 +132 and Over 9 Runs
Greg’s Handicap: Phillies -1.5 +110 and Total 9.7
Chicago White Sox vs. Miami Marlins
White Sox starting pitcher Erick Fedde is looking to recapture the form he had with the team in 2024 when he posted a 3.11 ERA in 21 starts before being moved at the trade deadline. He then posted a dismal 5.49 ERA with 5.3 strikeouts and 4.3 walks per nine innings across three different teams last season.
Marlins starting pitcher Janson Junk posted a 4.17 ERA last season, but a 3.14 fielding independent, as he did a great job of not hurting himself, allowing just 0.7 home runs and 1.1 walks per nine innings. He faces a White Sox lineup that ranked 27th in scoring with fewer than four runs per game.
Pick: White Sox vs. Marlins Under 8.5 Runs
Greg’s Handicap: Total 8.1
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds
Pirates starting pitcher Bubba Chandler posted a 4.02 ERA in seven appearances last season with a 2.65 fielding independent, allowing just 0.6 home runs and 1.1 walks per nine innings.
Reds starting pitcher Brandon Williamson makes his first MLB start since 2024, carrying a lifetime 4.39 ERA with a 4.84 fielding independent, 7.5 strikeouts, and 1.5 home runs per nine innings allowed. He gets a favorable matchup against a Pirates lineup that ranked last in scoring last season with 3.6 runs per game.
Pick: Reds Moneyline -110
Greg’s Handicap: Reds -142
7:40 PM Eastern
Los Angeles Angels vs. Chicago Cubs
Angels starting pitcher Jose Soriano has been at his best on the road, posting a 2.91 ERA with 0.4 home runs per nine innings allowed compared to a 5.90 ERA with one home run allowed per nine innings at home last season.
Cubs starting pitcher Jameson Taillon had a 3.68 ERA overall last season with 1.7 home runs per nine innings allowed, but really excelled late in the year, posting a 1.57 ERA in his six starts after the All-Star break with just two home runs and seven walks allowed across 34 1/3 innings. He will also be aided by the wind blowing inward, potentially over 10 miles per hour during portions of the game. The Angels ranked 28th in on-base percentage last season and 28th in bullpen ERA at 4.86.
Pick: Cubs Moneyline -138
Greg’s Handicap: Cubs -164
9:40 PM Eastern
Detroit Tigers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Diamondbacks starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt is coming off a rough 2025 season despite a 13-9 record, posting a 5.23 ERA with a career-low 7.5 strikeouts per nine innings and 1.3 home runs per nine innings allowed.
Tigers starting pitcher Casey Mize had a 3.87 ERA last season with 8.8 strikeouts and 2.2 walks per nine innings, and the Tigers offense should have success both against Pfaadt and a Diamondbacks bullpen that ranked 27th in ERA last season at 4.82.
Pick: Tigers Moneyline -104
Greg’s Handicap: Tigers -114
