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We head into the weekend with another nine games on the schedule in MLB. Through the first week of the season, no teams are left undefeated. At the top of their respective standings, we find a few surprise teams. The Philadelphia Phillies have an early lead in the NL East at 5-1. The Cincinnati Reds, led by Jonathan India, are in first in the NL Central at 5-1 and everyone’s beloved Houston Astros are 6-1 atop the AL West.
Best Game To Watch
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals begin a three-game weekend series. We’ve seen these two teams face each other in the postseason recently, back in 2019, so there’s a bit of bad blood. We also have a pretty solid pitching matchup of Walker Buehler vs. Joe Ross. Plus, a few NL MVP contenders in Juan Soto, Mookie Betts, Corey Seager and Cody Bellinger, who are all in the top 5 in odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Fantasy Spotlight
Jonathan India ($3,500) is still dirt cheap and is in the lead for the batting crown in the NL. Sure, it’s been what? Six games? Still, India has a hit in each of those games and is batting .476 with 10 RBI for the first-place Reds. Arizona Diamondbacks SP Taylor Widener was good in his first start, but last season allowed 5 HRs and 14 hits in 20 IP. India will continue to be a safe, chalky cash-game play so long as his price stays this low.
Rookies to Watch
Tampa Bay Rays rookie Randy Arozarena has a five-game hitting streak to start the season, similar to his fellow rookie above, India. Arozarena got a ton of hype from his performance last year in the postseason. He killed the New York Yankees in a few games in the ALDS and we could see him stay hot going up against Corey Kluber this afternoon.
MLB Betting Splits, April 9
| Teams | Run Line | % Handle | % Bets | Total Runs | % Handle | % Bets | Moneyline | % Handle | % Bets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teams | Run Line | % Handle | % Bets | Total Runs | % Handle | % Bets | Moneyline | % Handle | % Bets |
| NY Yankees | -1.5 | 91% | 79% | Over 8.5 | 56% | 57% | -137 | 77% | 75% |
| TB Rays | +1.5 | 9% | 21% | Under 8.5 | 44% | 43% | +118 | 23% | 25% |
| WAS Nationals | +1.5 | 5% | 9% | Over 8.5 | 45% | 51% | +245 | 35% | 16% |
| LA Dodgers | -1.5 | 95% | 91% | Under 8.5 | 55% | 49% | -295 | 65% | 84% |
| COL Rockies | +1.5 | 8% | 42% | Over 8.0 | 85% | 66% | +143 | 45% | 45% |
| SF Giants | -1.5 | 92% | 58% | Under 8.0 | 15% | 34% | -167 | 55% | 55% |
| LA Angels | -1.5 | 57% | 58% | Over 10.5 | 41% | 28% | -117 | 52% | 55% |
| TOR Blue Jays | +1.5 | 43% | 42% | Under 10.5 | 59% | 72% | +102 | 48% | 45% |
| DET Tigers | +1.5 | 15% | 36% | Over 9.0 | 54% | 26% | +170 | 46% | 34% |
| CLE Indians | -1.5 | 85% | 64% | Under 9.0 | 46% | 74% | -200 | 54% | 66% |
| PHI Phillies | +1.5 | 26% | 44% | Over 7.5 | 49% | 54% | +108 | 50% | 53% |
| ATL Braves | -1.5 | 74% | 56% | Under 7.5 | 51% | 46% | -127 | 50% | 47% |
| SD Padres | -1.5 | 49% | 76% | Over 9.5 | 70% | 58% | -195 | 73% | 83% |
| TEX Rangers | +1.5 | 51% | 24% | Under 9.5 | 30% | 42% | +163 | 27% | 17% |
| OAK Athletics | +1.5 | 2% | 11% | Over 8.5 | 69% | 48% | +148 | 16% | 16% |
| HOU Astros | -1.5 | 98% | 89% | Under 8.5 | 31% | 52% | -180 | 84% | 84% |
MLB regular season schedule for Friday, April 9th
If no streaming option is listed, game is available on MLB.tv pending blackout restrictions.
Yankees vs. Rays, 3:10 p.m. ET
Nationals vs. Dodgers, 4:10 p.m. ET
Rockies vs. Giants, 4:25 p.m. ET
Angels vs. Blue Jays, 6:37 p.m. ET
Tigers vs. Indians, 7:10 p.m. ET
Phillies vs. Braves, 7:20 p.m. ET
Padres vs. Rangers, 8:05 p.m. ET
Athletics vs. Astros, 8:10 p.m. ET, ESPN+
Reds vs. Diamondbacks, 9:40 p.m. ET
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