With the World Baseball Classic on the near horizon, teams are plugging lineup holes left and right.
These factors directly influence my MLB picks for Tuesday, March 3, which include the Cleveland Guardians among a trio of moneyline selections.
Spring Training predictions for March 3
| Pick | Odds |
|---|---|
 SD moneyline |
-105 |
 CLE moneyline |
-115 |
 LAA moneyline |
+115 |
Pick #1: Padres moneyline
Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. are off for the World Baseball Classic, but the San Diego Padres are still the superior team compared to the Chicago White Sox.
Nick Pivetta clears Sean Newcomb between the starters, and Jackson Merrill is still a better hitter than anyone in Chicago's lineup.
San Diego has the better bullpen, too, so I'll take the Friars as slight underdogs on a line that feels like an overcorrection.
Pick #2: Guardians moneyline
In the reverse sense, I actually buy into the Dodgers' absences being more of a problem. For one, Shohei Ohtani is with Team Japan, prepping for the World Baseball Classic. And while they aren't at the WBC, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Kyle Tucker are not scheduled to start this afternoon.
None of Los Angeles' top hitting prospects — namely Dalton Rushing, Mike Sirota, Zyhir Hope, or Josue De Paula — are in the lineup, either.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Guardians are trotting out a lineup that could mirror a regular-season batting order, complete with Jose Ramirez in the three-hole. This line should move toward Cleveland.
Pick #3: Angels moneyline
Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo could be a legitimate ace, and he gives his team the eye-test edge vs. the Los Angeles Angels and starter George Klassen (his upside is intriguing, though).
But Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh are in the WBC, taking away Seattle's two biggest weapons. While the Angels are far from fearsome, especially sans Mike Trout, +115 offers enough cushion to elevate them above a shorthanded Mariners squad.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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