MLB Spring Training - Sunday 3/8/20 - Best Bets, Odds, Picks, & Predictions

There are 18 games on the slate for Sunday, with 7 games being split squad.  Let's take a look and see which 3 games you should keep and eye on for Spring Training.

Chicago White Sox (8-5) Split Squad @ San Diego Padres (11-2)

The White Sox have a lot of young talent that will for sure see time at the big league level at some point throughout the regular season.  However, this is a split squad game and the talent will be spread out.  The Padres are 11-2 and have not had many teams threaten San Diego for a loss.  The White Sox have a team batting avg of .252 thus far, with a team era of 4.24.  The Padres have a team batting avg of .248, but an era of 2.87.  San Diego has a nice mixture of younger players along with veterans on this pitching staff.  I'll side with the Padres pitching staff, as San Diego has looked filthy on the mound to this point.  The Padres have 132 strikeouts in 116 innings pitched. 

San Diego Padres ML

Atlanta Braves (5-8) @ New York Yankees (8-5) Split Squad

The Yankees more than likely have a better record than the Braves once the regular season comes and goes.  However, the Yankees have a split squad game and will facing the Braves and Orioles on Sunday.  The Braves will be competing for that top spot in NL East and the 1 year deal with Marcell Ozuna will help.  Ozuna has struggled in Spring Training, but expect for him to turn it around once regular season gets here, as this is a contract year for him.  The Braves are allowing less than 4 runs per game to this point and with the Yankees having a split squad game, I'm siding with Atlanta, as the Braves will have their full squad.  

Atlanta Braves ML

Philadelphia Phillies (10-4) @ Toronto Blue Jays (6-5)

The Phillies have won 4 of their last 5 games, including a win over Toronto during that stretch.  Philadelphia has scored 31 runs in their last 5 games.  The Blue Jays have dropped 4 of their last 5, which includes a game where Toronto gave up 19 runs to Pittsburgh.  Overall the Blue Jays have given up 46 runs in their last 5 games.  What is more concerning is the fact that the Blue Jays have lost 2 games in their last 5 to the Pirates.  The Pirates only have 3 wins in Spring Training and 2 are against Toronto.  Pittsburgh hasn't shown much at the plate this season, but have scored 32 runs in 2 games against Toronto.  If Pittsburgh can score like that against Toronto, I expect for the Phillies to put up runs in bunches.  I'll side with the Phillies. 

Philadelphia Phillies ML