MLB Spring Training Picks and Predictions for March 20: Braves Bully Pirates

Robert Criscola - Betting Analyst at Covers.com
Robert Criscola • Betting Analyst 11+ years betting experience
Updated: Mar 20, 2026 , 01:33 PM ET • 4 min read

Our MLB betting picks for today's Spring Training games will gladly back the Atlanta Braves, who have been the class of the Grapefruit League, and much more.

Atlanta Braves Kyle Farmer MLB
Photo By - Reuters Connect. Atlanta Braves designated hitter Kyle Farmer (15) hits an RBI single.

Spring Training is winding down, with the final slate of Friday games taking place today.

My MLB picks assess three of these March 20 tune-up affairs, looking for the best value on the board.

See why I'm taking the Braves to pick up yet another exhibition win tonight.

Spring Training predictions for March 20

Pick Odds
Guardians CLE moneyline +100
Braves ATL moneyline -140
Diamondbacks ARI moneyline -110
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Pick #1: Guardians moneyline

The Seattle Mariners are a putrid 9-17 in Cactus League play, with an MLB-worst -47 run differential in Spring Training, so I'm more than willing top back the Cleveland Guardians at a coin-flip price today.

Gabe Mosser gets the pill for Seattle, and he's sandwiched a rough five-run outing with two scoreless ones of two innings each. 

Cleveland has put up some crooked numbers of late, so I don't think Mosser will escape unscathed. 

Pick #2: Braves moneyline

Pittsburgh Pirates SP Yohan Ramirez has been just fine in Spring Training, allowing only two earned runs over 5 1/3 innings. However, Ramirez has yet to see the third inning through seven exhibition appearances.

This increases the chances of the Pirates deploying some depth arms that will get rocked by the Atlanta Braves' potent lineup.

The Braves have plated a Grapefruit League-best 138 runs. Bryce Elder does not need to bring his best to the mound for Atlanta to prevail today.

Pick #3: Diamondbacks moneyline

I like being able to back Arizona Diamondbacks SP Zac Gallen at coin-flip odds. He's been solid in Spring Training since last year, allowing one earned run or fewer in seven straight outings prior to Saturday's effort vs. San Francisco.

Gallen coughed up three earned runs in the Giants' stadium, but I think he can right the ship at home vs. the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night.

Countering Gallen is Jacob Misiorowski. He's been solid but unspectacular this spring, allowing three ER over 7 1/3 frames. He had an 8.10 ERA in exhibition play last season.

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Robert Criscola - Covers.com
Betting Analyst

Robert M. Criscola’s road to becoming a Covers publishing editor began with an internship at Metro New York, which eventually turned into a freelance job at MetroBet covering many sports from a wagering angle, including horse racing. He continued to focus on “The Sport of Kings” by writing for shapperdacapper.com, danonymousracing.com, and informer.fanxt.com before joining the team at the TwinSpires Edge in 2019 as a regular contributor and weekend editor. “Crisco” began writing game previews for Covers in 2022 and joined the editing team in 2023.

His best advice for sports bettors? Bet with your head, not over it.

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