After a wild offseason that saw Shohei Ohtani sign the largest contract in professional sports history (10 years, $700 million) and Juan Soto get traded to the New York Yankees, it’s finally time for the most exciting day of the baseball season: MLB Opening Day.
The 2024 MLB season officially opened with two games between Ohtani’s Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants in South Korea on March 20 and 21. Opening Day isn’t until March 28, however, when all 30 MLB teams will take the field.
With 15 games slated for March 28, there will be no shortage of baseball betting opportunities for sports bettors. After months of having only MLB futures or spring training games to wager on, getting the chance to bet on meaningful games again will be a breath of fresh air.
Let’s take a look at the Opening Day odds and lines available at baseball betting sites. Make sure to keep an eye on the weather, as several games have already been postponed.
Note: Odds from BetMGM Sportsbook. Subject to change.
Milwaukee Brewers at New York Mets (Postponed)
The day’s first game is a National League showdown between two recent playoff teams.
The New York Mets are coming off a disastrous 2023 that saw them finish 12 games below .500 and fourth in the NL East, costing manager Buck Showalter his job in the offseason. Rookie skipper Carlos Mendoza will try to get the star-studded Mets back on track, but it won’t be easy in a tough division.
The Milwaukee Brewers also have a new manager after losing Craig Counsell to the Chicago Cubs over the winter. He was replaced by bench coach Pat Murphy, who briefly managed the San Diego Padres in 2015.
The Brewers will also try to adjust to life without former ace Corbin Burnes, who was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in the offseason. Former All-Star Freddy Peralta (12-10, 3.86 ERA last year) will start in his stead and face 35-year-old lefty José Quintana (3-6, 3.57 ERA).
- Start Time: 1:10 p.m. ET
- Location: Citi Field (Queens, NY)
Betting Odds Summary
- Moneyline: Brewers -105, Mets -115
- Runline: Brewers +1.5 (-225), Mets -1.5 (+180)
- Total: Over/Under 7.5 Runs (-115/-105)
Los Angeles Angels at Baltimore Orioles
One of the day’s more lopsided matchups pits the lowly Los Angeles Angels against the Baltimore Orioles.
The Angels haven’t had a winning season since 2015 – a trend that’s likely to continue in 2024. Los Angeles lost Ohtani in free agency last winter and has a severe lack of talent around three-time AL MVP Mike Trout, who hasn’t played a full season since 2016.
The Orioles, on the other hand, are absolutely loaded. They had the best record in the American League last year (101-61) and only got better in the offseason, adding Burnes (their Opening Day starter) and Craig Kimbrel. If young stars like Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson continue to improve, Baltimore has the firepower to win its first World Series since 1983.
After a dominant Spring Training, look for the Orioles to keep rolling against Patrick Sandoval (17-37 career record) and open the season with a W.
- Start Time: 3:05 p.m. ET
- Location: Orioles Park at Camden Yards (Baltimore, MD)
Betting Odds Summary
- Moneyline: Angels +145, Orioles -175
- Runline: Angels +1.5 (-145), Orioles -1.5 (+120)
- Total: Over/Under 7.5 Runs (-115/-105)
Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies (Postponed)
The Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies will resume their rivalry after meeting in each of the last two postseasons. The Phillies got the best of the Braves both times despite Atlanta having the better regular-season record.
Both teams have World Series aspirations after winning two of the last three National League pennants. Both clubs have deep, potent lineups and strong starting pitching, setting them up for deep October runs.
The Braves led the majors in scoring last year and Philadelphia ranked eighth, so this could be a good spot to target the Over with so much offensive talent on both sides. That said, don’t be surprised if we get a pitching duel between Cy Young candidates Spencer Strider and Zack Wheeler either.
- Start Time: 3:05 p.m. ET
- Location: Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia, PA)
Betting Odds Summary
- Moneyline: Braves -125, Phillies +105
- Runline: Braves -1.5 (+140), Phillies +1.5 (-165)
- Total: Over/Under 7.5 Runs (-120/+100)
Washington Nationals at Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds will try to start 2024 on the right foot after ending 2023 on a down note.
The Reds were in contention for a Wild Card spot for much of the season before fading down the stretch, losing seven of their final 10 games and missing out on the playoffs for the ninth time in 10 years. Elly De La Cruz flashed enormous potential as a rookie, but he needs to be more consistent if Cincinnati wants to contend this year.
The Washington Nationals, on the other hand, are mired in a lengthy rebuild and appear headed for a fifth straight losing season. Young pitchers like Josiah Gray (their Opening Day starter) and MacKenzie Gore are starting to emerge, but scoring will likely be an issue for a lineup that ranked last in the National League in walks and home runs last year.
Gray, an All-Star last year, will face Frankie Montas in the latter’s Reds debut.
- Start Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
- Location: Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati, OH)
Betting Odds Summary
- Moneyline: Nationals +130, Reds -155
- Runline: Nationals +1.5 (-155), Reds -1.5 (+125)
- Total: Over/Under 9.5 Runs (+100/-120)
San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres
This NL West matchup features two teams that fell short of expectations last year.
The San Francisco Giants finished four games below .500 and landed fourth in the division – their worst finish since 2018. That spurred a fairly productive offseason highlighted by the acquisitions of Blake Snell, Robbie Ray, Jordan Hicks and Matt Chapman. Snell should pair nicely with Logan Webb, last year’s NL Cy Young runner-up and this year’s Opening Day starter.
The San Diego Padres were massive disappointments last year given their abundance of star talent, finishing only two games over .500. They lost Juan Soto and Snell over the winter and appear to be scaling back after years of aggressively adding talent.
The Padres still have several big names like Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts and Fernando Tatis Jr., so don’t be surprised if they’re in the Wild Card mix this season. Yu Darvish will get the ball for them after tossing 3 2/3 scoreless innings against the Dodgers in his season debut.
- Start Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
- Location: Petco Park (San Diego, CA)
Betting Odds Summary
- Moneyline: Giants -105, Padres -115
- Runline: Giants +1.5 (-210), Padres -1.5 (+170)
- Total: Over/Under 7.5 Runs (-110/-110)
St. Louis Cardinals at Los Angeles Dodgers
This won’t be Opening Day for the Dodgers, but they’ll still get to celebrate their home opener with a game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Tyler Glasnow will pitch again for LA after tossing five innings of two-run ball during his season debut in South Korea.
The Cardinals were a trainwreck last year, going 71-91 and finishing last in the NL Central. It was St. Louis’ first losing season since 2007 and their first last-place finish since 1990.
With franchise legends Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright all retired, the pressure is on current stars Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado and Willson Contreras to turn things around. Without Wainwright on Opening Day, the Cards will turn to 35-year-old Miles Mikolas (9-13, 4.78 ERA last year).
They might have to wait a bit, however, as Los Angeles is stacked. The Dodgers have stars all over the diamond, including three former MVPs in their lineup. Los Angeles is favored to win it all this year, so it’s championship or bust in Hollywood.
- Start Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
- Location: Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles, CA)
Betting Odds Summary
- Moneyline: Cardinals +185, Dodgers -225
- Runline: Cardinals +1.5 (-105), Dodgers -1.5 (-115)
- Total: Over/Under 9 Runs (+100/-120)
Toronto Blue Jays at Tampa Bay Rays
After getting passed by the Baltimore Orioles last year, the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays will try to dethrone them in the AL East this year.
The Blue Jays have made three playoff appearances in the last four years but haven’t won a postseason game since 2016. They’re still super talented, but time is running out for their current core to make a World Series push. With ace Kevin Gausman pushed back a few days due to shoulder fatigue, José Berríos will get the call on Opening Day.
The Rays started last season on fire but cooled off, finishing second in the division before getting swept in the Wild Card Round. They lost Glasnow in the offseason, so more regression could be coming in 2024.
Tampa Bay will ride Zach Eflin (16-8, 3.50 ERA last year) on Opening Day.
- Start Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
- Location: Tropicana Field (St. Petersburg, FL)
Betting Odds Summary
- Moneyline: Blue Jays +115, Rays -135
- Runline: Blue Jays +1.5 (-175), Rays -1.5 (+145)
- Total: Over/Under 7.5 Runs (-115/-105)
Minnesota Twins at Kansas City Royals
Two teams that finished at opposite ends of the AL Central standings last year will square off on Opening Day.
The Minnesota Twins redeemed themselves after collapsing down the stretch in 2022, rebounding to win their third division title in five years. The Twins lost Sonny Gray in free agency but still have a bevy of arms to replace him at the top of the rotation, including Opening Day starter Pablo López.
The Kansas City Royals lost 106 games last year – their most since 2005. However, Bobby Witt Jr. is quickly becoming one of the most exciting players in baseball. The Royals also made a slew of solid additions this winter, acquiring Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha and Will Smith.
Minnesota is still the better team, but Kansas City should at least be more respectable this year. Cole Ragans will start for the Royals after going 5-2 with a 2.64 ERA for them last year.
- Start Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
- Location: Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City, MO)
Betting Odds Summary
- Moneyline: Twins -125, Royals +105
- Runline: Twins -1.5 (+135), Royals +1.5 (-165)
- Total: Over/Under 8 Runs (-120/+100)
Detroit Tigers at Chicago White Sox
For the first time since 2007, the Detroit Tigers won’t be able to pencil Miguel Cabrera’s name into their lineup. The future Hall of Famer retired last offseason, ending a stellar 21-year career.
The Tigers have endured seven straight losing seasons, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. They posted their best record (78-84) since 2016 last year and finished second in the AL Central, giving fans in Motown hope. They’ll turn to Tarik Skubal (7-3, 2.80 ERA last year) to start them off on the right foot.
There isn’t nearly as much hope on the South Side of Chicago, however, where the White Sox have tumbled from a 93-win team in 2021 to a 101-loss team in 2023. Chicago recently traded away ace Dylan Cease, so the club is under no illusions about contending in 2024. Without Cease, Garrett Crochet will make his first career start for the White Sox on Opening Day.
- Start Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
- Location: Guaranteed Rate Field (Chicago, IL)
Betting Odds Summary
- Moneyline: Tigers -165, White Sox +140
- Runline: Tigers -1.5 (+100), White Sox +1.5 (-120)
- Total: Over/Under 7.5 Runs (-115/-105)
Pittsburgh Pirates at Miami Marlins
Both of these teams exceeded expectations last year. The Miami Marlins snuck into the playoffs with 84 wins while the Pittsburgh Pirates posted their best winning percentage (.469) since 2018.
That said, this National League meeting will be a bit light on star power, especially on the home side.
The Marlins will be without former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcántara, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery and will likely miss the entire 2024 season. Miami has other young pitchers it can turn to like Opening Day starter Jesús Luzardo and Braxton Garrett, but none of them are on Alcántara’s level.
The Marlins finished last in the NL in scoring last year before losing top slugger Jorge Soler to free agency. They also had a minus-57 run differential last season, making them a likely regression candidate for 2024.
Miami could have a tough time against the Pirates’ Mitch Keller, who went 13-9 with a 4.21 ERA and made the All-Star team last year.
- Start Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
- Location: LoanDepot Park (Miami, FL)
Betting Odds Summary
- Moneyline: Pirates +115, Marlins -135
- Runline: Pirates +1.5 (-190), Marlins -1.5 (+155)
- Total: Over/Under 7.5 Runs (-110/-110)
New York Yankees at Houston Astros
The two teams with the best World Series odds in the American League will face off on Opening Day.
Both teams had eventful offseasons. After missing the playoffs and barely finishing above .500, the New York Yankees made a major splash by trading for Juan Soto.
Meanwhile, the Houston Astros hired a new manager, signed All-Star closer Josh Hader and extended Jose Altuve after falling one win short of a third straight World Series appearance last year.
Both teams will be shorthanded on the pitching side, however, as former Cy Young winners Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander are unavailable. Instead, Nestor Cortes will go for the Yankees and Framber Valdez will pitch for the Astros.
- Start Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
- Location: Minute Maid Park (Houston, TX)
Betting Odds Summary
- Moneyline: Yankees +125, Astros -150
- Runline: Yankees +1.5 (-160), Astros -1.5 (+135)
- Total: Over/Under 8.5 Runs (-120/+100)
Chicago Cubs at Texas Rangers
As the defending World Series champs for the first time in franchise history, the Texas Rangers will get their rings on Opening Day when they host the Chicago Cubs.
The Cubs had a busy offseason, hiring Craig Counsell away from the division rival Brewers. They also signed Shōta Imanaga to bolster the rotation and re-signed Cody Bellinger. After missing the playoffs by one game last year, Chicago looks dangerous.
The Rangers are also in good shape despite not doing much in the offseason. Their offense led the American League in scoring last year, and a full season of Max Scherzer should help offset the loss of Jordan Montgomery for Texas.
Justin Steele and Nate Eovaldi — both All-Stars last year — will square off on Opening Day.
- Start Time: 7:35 p.m. ET
- Location: Globe Life Field (Arlington, TX)
Betting Odds Summary
- Moneyline: Cubs -105, Rangers -115
- Runline: Cubs +1.5 (-210), Rangers -1.5 (+170)
- Total: Over/Under 8 Runs (-120/+100)
Cleveland Guardians at Oakland Athletics
Unfortunately for A’s fans, this will likely be the team’s last Opening Day in Oakland, as the franchise is expected to relocate to Las Vegas after the 2024 season.
Can the A’s give their fans something to cheer about? It seems unlikely. Oakland is coming off back-to-back seasons with over 100 losses, including an MLB-worst 112 last year – the club’s most since 1916. The A’s have little MLB-quality talent to speak of and once again project to finish near the bottom of the league.
The Cleveland Guardians have higher hopes under new manager Stephen Vogt, who has the unenviable task of replacing Terry Francona. The Guardians suffered a 16-win dropoff last year and fell apart in the second half, but they’re still well-stocked with young pitching and should be able to make some noise in a winnable AL Central.
Look for Cleveland to start strong here behind former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber, who’s going up against veteran lefty Alex Wood in his Oakland debut.
- Start Time: 10:07 p.m. ET
- Location: Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum (Oakland, CA)
Betting Odds Summary
- Moneyline: Guardians -155, A’s +130
- Runline: Guardians -1.5 (+110), A’s +1.5 (-135)
- Total: Over/Under 7.5 Runs (-105/-115)
Colorado Rockies at Arizona Diamondbacks
The reigning NL champion Arizona Diamondbacks will host the Colorado Rockies in their season opener.
This NL West matchup in the desert features one of the worst teams in baseball. The Rockies have strung together five straight losing seasons and are coming off a franchise-worst 103 losses. They’ve been directionless for years and aren’t expected to be much better in 2024.
Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks are trending up after making a surprise run to the World Series last year – their first Fall Classic since 2001. While they fell short against the Texas Rangers, they assembled a talented nucleus around reigning NL Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll and ace Zac Gallen.
Gallen will start for Arizona against Kyle Freeland, who went 6-14 with a 5.03 ERA last year.
- Start Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
- Location: Chase Field (Phoenix, AZ)
Betting Odds Summary
- Moneyline: Rockies +185, Diamondbacks -225
- Runline: Rockies +1.5 (-105), Diamondbacks -1.5 (-115)
- Total: Over/Under 8.5 Runs (-115/-105)
Boston Red Sox at Seattle Mariners
The Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners are going in different directions heading into 2024.
The Red Sox are coming off back-to-back last-place finishes in the AL East and appear headed for the same result this year after a surprisingly quiet offseason. Boston boasts a quality lineup anchored by Rafael Devers, but the starting rotation is woefully thin beyond Opening Day starter Brayan Bello.
The Mariners are coming off three straight seasons with 89-plus wins and are expected to contend for a playoff spot again in 2024. Julio Rodríguez is one of the best young players in baseball, and Seattle’s starting rotation (led by Opening Day starter Luis Castillo) is impressive.
- Start Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
- Location: T-Mobile Park (Seattle, WA)
Betting Odds Summary
- Moneyline: Red Sox +140, Mariners -165
- Runline: Red Sox +1.5 (-150), Mariners -1.5 (+125)
- Total: Over/Under 7.5 Runs (-105/-115)
