Matt Snyder
CINCINNATI @ L.A. DODGERS | 04/14 | 10:10 PM EDT
L.A. DODGERS -1.5
ANALYSIS: The Reds' pitching staff is banged up to the point that they are starting reliever Luis Cessa, possibly as an opener. Cessa hasn't started a game since 2018. He will likely be followed by Reiver Sanmartin, who allowed five runs in 2 1/3 innings last time out. The Reds' bullpen as a whole isn't very good and they've lost four of five since taking Opening Day.
On the other end, the Dodgers are playing their first home game of the year and have won their last two games by a combined count of 14-2 after a modest 1-2 start. Max Muncy just hit his first homer, it's possible there are signs of life from Cody Bellinger and Gavin Lux has been killing the ball while it's only a matter of time until Mookie Betts and Trea Turner get going. Oh, and Cy Young candidate Walker Buehler gets the start after the bullpen nearly got a day of rest in Clayton Kershaw's perfect-through-seven Wednesday outing. This will be a bloodbath. The -1.5 run line looks fun.
TORONTO @ N.Y. YANKEES | 04/14 | 7:05 PM EDT
TORONTO 115
ANALYSIS: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was "only" hitting .263/.300/.421 before Wednesday night, but he's all of a sudden up to .391/.417/.957 (love those small samples!). Vlad Jr. feeling good is really bad news for the opponent. Yankees starter Luis Severino isn't all the way back yet. He only lasted three innings on 65 pitches last time out. The Yankees bullpen has been great, but it has worked 30 2/3 innings in a week and the Yankees haven't had a day off. And this Jays offense can go off without any notice. Just look at Vlad's before and after above.
On the other side, the Yankees' offense has been pretty reliant on home runs and that figures to continue to be the case all season, given the makeup of the lineup. Jays' starter Kevin Gausman is the most splitter-heavy pitcher in baseball and is excellent at keeping the ball on the ground.