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A new week of baseball is upon is now that the first weekend of the 2021 MLB season is through. There will be no shortage of action on Monday, as the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers will kick off a 14-game slate at 1:10 p.m. ET. The last two games on tap ae set to start at 10:10 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at some of the best games, fantasy storylines, and rookies to watch.
Best Games To Watch
The Baltimore Orioles wrapped up their three-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox with an 11-3 victory on Sunday and racked up 17 hits. The O’s entered the year considered one of the worst ball clubs in MLB and will get to test themselves against the New York Yankees on Monday. New York could use some momentum after losing last week’s series to the Blue Jays 1-2.
The Philadelphia Phillies swept an Atlanta Braves team that was supposed to be one of the best squads in baseball last week and will move on to face the New York Mets on Monday. The Mets haven’t played yet this season and have a ton of hype to live up to and haven’t played yet this year. There will be a ton of pressure for them to perform at a high level with Cy Young frontrunner Jacob deGrom taking the mound for the first time this season.
Fantasy Spotlight
The Oakland Athletics haven’t given up less than eight runs in a game this season, and their pitching staff is about to be pitted up against the Los Angeles Dodgers’ dynamic batting lineup. The Dodgers are third in total runs and tied for first in hits will likely have several of Monday’s most productive batters.
The Toronto Blue Jays are also a team worth keeping an eye on. They won their series against the New York Yankees and will face a Texas Rangers team that gave up more than 10 runs twice in three games against the Kansas City Royals last week. Toronto is considered one of the most talented hitting teams in baseball, so going up a club that’s had its fair share of early struggles could be optimal.
Rookie to Watch
American League ROY frontrunner Randy Arozarena (+350) has two hits in eight at-bats and has a chance to pad his stats against the Red Sox. Arozarena was dominant at the plate for the Rays during last year’s playoffs and is expected to be one of the most consistent rookies in baseball this season. He hit a home run in 30% of his regular-season games last year and could experience a surge in production against a Boston pitching staff that was just torched by the Orioles.
MLB Betting Splits, April 5
| Teams | Run Line | % Handle | % Bets | Total Runs | % Handle | % Bets | Moneyline | % Handle | % Bets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teams | Run Line | % Handle | % Bets | Total Runs | % Handle | % Bets | Moneyline | % Handle | % Bets |
| MIN Twins | -1.5 | 94% | 70% | Over 9.0 | 58% | 47% | -162 | 84% | 67% |
| DET Tigers | +1.5 | 6% | 30% | Under 9.0 | 42% | 53% | +138 | 16% | 33% |
| TOR Blue Jays | -1.5 | 66% | 69% | Over 9.5 | 86% | 67% | -150 | 65% | 66% |
| TEX Rangers | +1.5 | 34% | 31% | Under 9.5 | 14% | 33% | +128 | 35% | 34% |
| KC Royals | +1.5 | 16% | 57% | Over 9.0 | 45% | 51% | +114 | 41% | 47% |
| CLE Indians | -1.5 | 84% | 43% | Under 9.0 | 55% | 49% | -134 | 59% | 53% |
| BAL Orioles | +1.5 | 8% | 18% | Over 9.5 | 85% | 53% | +200 | 41% | 26% |
| NY Yankees | -1.5 | 92% | 82% | Under 9.5 | 15% | 47% | -240 | 59% | 74% |
| PIT Pirates | +1.5 | 2% | 13% | Over 9.0 | 96% | 46% | +128 | 62% | 17% |
| CIN Reds | -1.5 | 98% | 87% | Under 9.0 | 4% | 54% | -150 | 38% | 83% |
| STL Cardinals | +1.5 | 95% | 72% | Over 8.0 | 70% | 64% | +100 | 76% | 74% |
| MIA Marlins | -1.5 | 5% | 28% | Under 8.0 | 30% | 36% | -115 | 24% | 26% |
| NY Mets | -1.5 | 86% | 76% | Over 7.5 | 62% | 58% | -200 | 69% | 68% |
| PHI Phillies | +1.5 | 14% | 24% | Under 7.5 | 38% | 42% | +165 | 31% | 32% |
| TB Rays | -1.5 | 51% | 71% | Over 9.5 | 20% | 43% | -113 | 58% | 69% |
| BOS Red Sox | +1.5 | 49% | 29% | Under 9.5 | 80% | 57% | -105 | 42% | 31% |
| MIL Brewers | +1.5 | 29% | 31% | Over 9.5 | 14% | 36% | -105 | 59% | 41% |
| CHI Cubs | -1.5 | 71% | 69% | Under 9.5 | 86% | 64% | -112 | 41% | 59% |
| HOU Astros | +1.5 | 46% | 67% | Over 10.0 | 86% | 54% | -103 | 76% | 64% |
| LA Angels | -1.5 | 54% | 33% | Under 10.0 | 14% | 46% | -115 | 24% | 36% |
| LA Dodgers | -1.5 | 92% | 90% | Over 8.5 | 23% | 51% | -155 | 74% | 82% |
| OAK Athletics | +1.5 | 8% | 10% | Under 8.5 | 77% | 49% | +130 | 26% | 18% |
| CHI White Sox | -1.5 | 44% | 76% | Over 8.5 | 38% | 62% | -118 | 83% | 68% |
| SEA Mariners | +1.5 | 56% | 24% | Under 8.5 | 62% | 38% | +102 | 17% | 32% |
| SF Giants | +1.5 | 0% | 13% | Over 8.5 | 75% | 62% | +135 | 75% | 19% |
| SD Padres | -1.5 | 100% | 87% | Under 8.5 | 25% | 38% | -157 | 25% | 81% |
MLB regular season schedule for Monday, April 5
If no streaming option is listed, game is available on MLB.tv pending blackout restrictions.
Twins @ Tigers, 1:10 p.m. — ESPN, WatchESPN
Braves @ Nationals, 4:05 p.m.
Blue Jays @ Rangers, 4:05 p.m.
Royals @ Indians, 4:10 p.m. — ESPN, WatchESPN
Orioles @ Yankees , 6:35 p.m.
Pirates @ Reds, 6:40 p.m.
Cardinals @ Marlins, 6:40 p.m.
Mets @ Phillies, 7:05 p.m.
Rays @ Red Sox, 7:10 p.m. — ESPN, WatchESPN
Brewers @ Cubs, 7:40 p.m. — WatchESPN
Astros @ Angels, 9:38 p.m.
Dodgers @ Athletics, 9:40 p.m.
White Sox @ Mariners, 10:10 p.m. — ESPN, WatchESPN
Giants @ Padres, 10:10 p.m.
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