MLB Spring Training - Thursday 3/12/20 - Best Bets, Odds, Picks & Predictions

Spring Training for Major League Baseball continues Thursday with a full, 13 game slate.  Let’s take a closer look at 3 games that could be interesting. 

Cincinnati Reds (7-8) @ Seattle Mariners (5-12)

The Reds have gone 7-8 during Spring Training and are 1-1-3 in their last 5 games, while the Mariners are 5-12 and have gone 2-3 in their last 5.  The Reds enter this season with high expectations after making a few moves to bring in some key free agents.  Through 15 games so far in Spring Training, the Reds have a team batting average of .254 and an on base percentage of .354.  The Red pitching staff has been shaky at times and currently has a team ERA of 4.84 which isn’t too thrilling with the fact that they play their home games at Great American Ballpark which has been one of the most friendly hitters ballparks since it opened.  The Seattle Mariners enter Thursday’s game with a team batting average of .246 with an on base percentage of .321.  The Mariners pitching has been awful so far this year and they will look to improve on their game before opening day, as they have a team ERA of 5.13.  I will be going with the Red in this one. 

Pick: Cincinnati Reds -120

Philadelphia Phillies (13-5) @ Tampa Bay Rays (9-6)

The Philadelphia Phillies have a record of 13-5 so far this Spring Training and are 4-1 in their last 5 games, while the Rays are 9-6 and 1-2-2 in their last 5 games.  The Phillies are looking to improve on their record last season in year two of Bryce Harper in Philadelphia and so far, are looking decent.  The Phillies currently have a team batting average of .266 and an on base percentage of .357.  Meanwhile, the Phillies pitching staff holds a team ERA of 4.34.  The Tampa Bay Rays are hoping to reach the playoffs once against this season and are currently hitting .229 as a team, with an on base percentage of .386.  The Rays pitching staff has been decent so far this spring as they have a team ERA of 3.86.  With the Phillies playing as well as they have as of late, I have to go with Philadelphia in this one.

Pick: Philadelphia Phillies +130

Toronto Blue Jays (11-6) @ Pittsburgh Pirates (3-14)

The Toronto Blue Jays have gone 11-6 so far this spring and are 4-1 in their last 5 games and winners of 4 games in a row, while the Pirates are 3-14 and have gone 1-3-1 in their last 5 games.  The Blue Jays have not done well at the plate so far this spring as they are hitting just .233 with an on base percentage of .321 but have homered 27 times.  The Blue Jays pitching staff currently holds an ERA of 4.56 and will be looking to improve as the season gets closer to starting.  The Pittsburgh Pirates slashed their roster this offseason and not a lot in expected of them this season.  The Pirates are currently hitting .238 with an on base percentage of .325.  What really sticks out is just how bad the Pirates pitching staff has been, as they currently have a team ERA of 6.04 and have walked 85 hitters so far this spring.  This could be a game that gets ugly fast, I’m going with Toronto.

Pick: Toronto Blue Jays -115