MLB Picks

The Minnesota Twins visit the Kansas City Royals with Zebby Matthews starting against veteran Michael Wacha. The Twins were a mess several weeks ago with the possibility of major changes in the front office and with the field staff. Suddenly, after a 13-game winning streak, they're fighting for 2nd place in the AL Central with the Royals and Guardians.

The San Diego Padres visit the Atlanta Braves. The Padres have lost 6 in a row and 8 of 10. The Braves have climbed back to contention after a 3-10 start. San Diego starts Nick Pivetta. Atlanta sends defending NL Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale to the hill. Ronald Acuña Jr. is expected back for the Braves.

The Chicago Cubs (30-20, 1st place, NL Central) visit their division rivals, the Cincinnati Reds (25-26, 3rd place). Hunter Greene starts for Cincinnati. He is returning from the IL after suffering a groin strain. Matthew Boyd, an unsung key to the Cubs' success, starts for Chicago.

The Seattle Mariners (28-20, 1st place in the AL West) visit the Houston Astros (25-24, 2nd place in the AL West). Both teams' starters are returning from injury. Houston's Lance McCullers is making his 4th start of 2025 after missing the entire 2023-24 seasons an elbow problem. He has struggled so far. Seattle's George Kirby is making his 1st start of 2025 after shoulder inflammation sidelined him.

The Arizona Diamondbacks visit the Los Angeles Dodgers trying to make up ground in the tough NL West. The D-Backs are in 4th place behind the Dodgers, Padres, and Giants, but are well within striking distance of the top of the division. The D-Backs start Corbin Burnes, pitching like an ace; the Dodgers respond with Dustin May.

The Philadelphia Phillies visit the Colorado Rockies hoping to continue their rise toward 1st place in the NL East. The Rockies recently fired manager Bud Black, but they have not played any better under interim manager Warren Schaeffer. Jesus Luzardo starts for Philly. He has been one of MLB's best starters. Colorado responds with Antonio Senzatela.

The Texas Rangers (25-23, 3rd in the AL West) visit the New York Yankees (27-19, 1st in the AL East). Texas sends veteran Patrick Corbin to the hill. Corbin is having something of a renaissance. The Bombers respond with young Will Warren. New York hopes to build on its series win over the Mets. Texas has played well since shaking up its coaching staff.

The Minnesota Twins (26-21, 2nd place in the AL Central) just had their 13-game winning streak snapped. They host the Cleveland Guardians (25-21, 3rd in the AL Central). Cleveland has been leading Minnesota all season, but they have now fallen behind the Twins. Logan Allen starts for the Guardians. He is opposed by the Twins' Bailey Ober.

The New York Mets (29-17, 1st place in the NL East) complete their 3-game series in the Bronx against the New York Yankees (26-19, 1st place in the AL East). The Yankees won the first game easily; the Mets won a tightly-contested second game. Now the Bombers send ace Max Fried to the hill against Mets lefty David Peterson. Apart from the ear-splitting booing, Juan Soto has had a quiet series with 4 walks and a single.

The Los Angeles Angels visit the Los Angeles Dodgers in the battle for LA supremacy. The Angels are in last place in the AL West while the Dodgers are in 1st place in the NL West. The Dodgers welcome back future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw, making his first start of 2025. The Angels send their best starter (and former Dodger) Ty Anderson to the hill.

The Chicago Cubs (26-19, 1st place in the NL Central) host the Chicago White Sox (14-31, 5th place in the AL Central). The two Windy City denizens are in radically different positions. The Cubs have an eye on a potential World Series run. The White Sox had the worst record in MLB history in 2024 and are in the middle of a full-blown, expansion-type rebuild.

The New York Mets and New York Yankees face off for the first time in 2025. The Mets are 28-16 and in 1st place in the NL East. The Yankees are 25-18 and are in 1st place in the AL East. Tylor Megill starts for the Mets; the Yankees respond with Carlos Rodon. This is Juan Soto's first visit to the Bronx since leaving the pinstripes to sign with the Mets. He will be booed.