MLB Opening Day Betting Odds Preview

The boys of summer are back Thursday, as all 30 MLB teams take the field on Opening Day.

In the American League, the league favorite New York Yankees open at home against the improved Toronto Blue Jays. Both sides could be short a big bat as Yankees first baseman Luke Voit is out with a knee injury, while new Blue Jays outfielder George Springer is questionable with an oblique injury. At Bovada Sportsbook, the Yankees are -175 favorites.

Cole takes hill for Yankees in season opener vs Blue Jays

The pitching matchup is Gerrit Cole for New York and Hyun Jin Ryu for Toronto.

Last season, his first as a Yankee, Cole was 7-3 with a 2.84 ERA. In two games against the Blue Jays, he posted a pair of wins and a 1.29 ERA.

Ryu was 5-2 with a 2.69 ERA for Toronto last season. In two starts against the Yankees, he was 1-0 with a 3.75 ERA.

The Yankees and Blue Jays split the season series a year ago 5-5. However, at home, the Yankees were 3-0 against the Blue Jays and have won five straight and 10 of their last 12 against Toronto overall.

Dodgers begin defense of World Series title vs Rockies

In the National League, the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers begin the season as World Series favorites in Bovada futures odds at +300. In their season opener, they visit the Colorado Rockies as a -220 favorite.

Getting the start for the Dodgers will be veteran Clayton Kershaw, and he’ll be opposed by the Rockies’ German Marquez.

Kershaw was 6-2 last season with a 2.16 ERA. He posted a win in his lone start against Colorado and in 43 career starts against the Rockies, he is 24-8 with a 3.22 ERA. In Colorado, he’s posted an 11-5 record and 4.44 ERA over 23 starts.

Marquez was a lackluster 4-6 last season with a 3.75 ERA and posted a no decision in his only start against the Dodgers. He’s faced Los Angeles nine times in his career, posting a 2-1 record and 2.54 ERA.

The Dodgers were 7-3 against the Rockies last season and they’re 5-1 in their last six in Colorado.

Former Cy Young winners duel in Nats-Mets matchup

Sticking in the NL, East Division contenders face off on Opening Day when the Washington Nationals host the New York Mets as a +125 underdog. The pitching matchup is a battle of former Cy Young Award winners Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom.

Scherzer was 5-4 with a 3.74 ERA last season. He was 2-0 with a 3.46 ERA in two starts against the Mets, and in his career he owns a 12-5 record and a 2.70 ERA in 24 starts against New York.

DeGrom went 4-2 with a 2.38 ERA last season. He posted a no decision in his lone outing against Washington and in 20 career starts against the Nationals, he’s 8-4 with a 2.61 ERA.

The Nats were 6-4 against the Mets last season. At home, Washington has won three straight against the Mets.