MLB Spring Training Picks

Despite a perfect 0.00 ERA in three spring training appearances, Houston ace Justin Verlander will not be the opening day starter according to manager Dusty Baker.

The Astros want to take it slow with the 39-year-old veteran, who is returning from Tommy John surgery. Still, Houston fans have to be encouraged by Verlander’s 8 2/3 scoreless innings with 10 Ks and only three walks.

His return should help bolster a team that won 95 games last year and made it all the way to the World Series before losing to the Atlanta Braves. The Astros will continue to tune up for the regular season with a Grapefruit League game against the New York Mets.

Thus far in spring training, Houston has gone 6-4 following yesterday’s 3-1 win over the Nationals, while New York improved to 6-3 with a 10-0 win over Miami.

Dunkel has the Astros favored in this one with a rating of 17.401 compared to the New York’s rating of 16.507. Dunkel projects the run total to be at 7.

Dunkel’s Pick:  Houston (+120); Under

To get all of our spring training picks, scroll under the date below.

MARCH 30

St. Louis at Washington
Time: 1:05 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 13.758; Washington 14.407
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1; 7
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-120); 9 ½
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-120); Under

Tampa Bay at Baltimore
Time: 1:05 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay 15.272; Baltimore 14.848
Dunkel Line & Total: Tampa Bay by ½; 11
Vegas Line & Total: Tampa Bay (-160); 9 ½
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-160); Over

Pittsburgh at Minnesota
Time: 1:05 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 15.231; Minnesota 14.951
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by ½; 8
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota (-165); 9 ½
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+145); Under

Detroit at Philadelphia
Time: 1:05 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 15.046; Philadelphia 15.670
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by ½; 13
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia (-145); 9 ½
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-145); Over

Atlanta at Boston
Time: 1:05 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 14.952; Boston 13.634
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 1 ½; 7
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-125); 9 ½
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+105); Under

Cincinnati at Oakland
Time: 4:05 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati 14.767; Oakland 15.954
Dunkel Line & Total: Oakland by 1; 11
Vegas Line & Total: Oakland (-125); 10 ½
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (-125); Over

Seattle at Chicago Cubs
Time: 4:05 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle 14.814; Chicago Cubs 14.301
Dunkel Line & Total: Seattle by ½; 9
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago Cubs (-130); 10 ½
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+110); Under

San Francisco at Kansas City
Time: 4:05 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco 16.967; Kansas City 15.765
Dunkel Line & Total: San Francisco by 1; 15
Vegas Line & Total: Kansas City (-120); 10 ½
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+100); Over

Texas at Chicago White Sox
Time: 4:05 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Texas 15.476; Chicago White Sox 16.510
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago White Sox by 1; 13
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago White Sox (-165); 10 ½
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (-165); Over

Milwaukee at San Diego
Time: 4:10 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee 14.854; San Diego 14.083
Dunkel Line & Total: Milwaukee by 1; 9
Vegas Line & Total: San Diego (-120); 10 ½
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (+100); Under

Arizona at Colorado
Time: 4:10 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona 15.102; Colorado 16.314
Dunkel Line & Total: Colorado by 1; 13
Vegas Line & Total: Colorado (-135); 10 ½
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-135); Over

Houston at NY Mets
Time: 6:10 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 17.401; NY Mets 16.507
Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 1; 7
Vegas Line & Total: NY Mets (-140); 9 ½
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+120); Under

Toronto at NY Yankees
Time: 6:35 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 16.681; NY Yankees 15.401
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 1; 13
Vegas Line & Total: NY Yankees (-120); 9 ½
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+100); Over

LA Dodgers at Cleveland
Time: 9:05 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers 14.006; Cleveland 14.911
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 1; 9
Vegas Line & Total: LA Dodgers (-145); 10 ½
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+125); Under