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April 9th MLB Odds and Picks – Rockies’ Gomber Looks to Spoil Giants’ Home Opener

John Perrotto

by John Perrotto in MLB Baseball

Updated Apr 9, 2021 · 11:35 AM PDT

Austin Gomber talking to the Rockies' pitching coach on the mound
Colorado Rockies pitching coach Steve Foster, left, confers with starting pitcher Austin Gomber after he walked Los Angeles Dodgers' Justin Turner in the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
  • There are nine games on the MLB schedule for Friday, April 9th
  • Season record: 9-12: -$336 loss (based on $100 wagered per unit)
  • Predictions and best bets for Friday’s games can be found below

The nine-game Major League Baseball schedule for Friday April 9th is highlighted by one last look at 2020’s truncated season.

The Los Angeles Dodgers will raise their title banner and receive their World Series rings Friday before playing the Washington Nationals at 4:05 p.m. ET in their home opener. The Dodgers won their first title since 1988 last fall, beating the Tampa Bay Rays in six games to end the coronavirus-delayed season.

Walker Buehler (0-0, 3.00) will start for the Dodgers against Joe Ross, who will be making his first appearance since the 2019 World Series. Ross opted out of last season because of COVID-19 concerns.

The Dodgers are also the day’s biggest favorites at -335.

April 9 MLB Picks

Matchup Pick and Odds at DraftKings Units Risked
Rockies vs Giants Rockies +132 1 unit
Tigers vs Indians Indians -195 1 unit
Tigers vs Indians Under 8.5 (+102) 1 unit

Odds as of April 9th.

Pick 1: Rockies +132

The San Francisco Giants will send out Johnny Cueto (0-0, 4.76) in their home opener at Oracle Park against Colorado Rockies left-hander Austin Gomber (0-1, 3.00) at 4:35 p.m. ET

Gomber was the most recognizable name in the five-player package the Rockies received from the St. Louis Cardinals in the Nolan Arenado trade Feb. 1 and pitched the spring training lidlifter.

In his Rockies’ debut against the Dodgers on Sunday, Gomber walked seven in three innings while allowing three runs, one of which was earned, as he took the loss.

Walks were not a problem during spring training, though. Gomber issued just two bases on balls in 19 2/3 Cactus League innings with 19 strikeouts.

Cueto was OK in his initial start of 2021, giving up three runs in 5.2 innings of a no-decision against the Seattle Mariners last Friday. He had seven strikeouts.

However, the 35-year-old’s career is clearly in decline. Since returning from Tommy John surgery in 2019, Cueto’s ERA is 5.29 in 17 starts.

He is no longer this guy.

While there is no excusing the walks, Gomber was also hurt by two poor defensive plays in last weekend’s loss. His spring performance makes him a bounce back candidate and intriguing underdog.

Pick 2: Indians -195

Zach Plesac (0-1, 3.00) starts for Cleveland against the visiting Detroit Tigers and Julio Teheran (1-0, 1.80) at 7:10 p.m. ET in the opener of a three-game home series at Progressive Field.

Plesac made his first start of the season last Sunday against the Tigers in Detroit and said he was nervous early. He settled down, though, and allowed just two runs in six innings despite taking the loss.

In four career starts against the Tigers, Plesac’s ERA is a sparkling 1.14.

Though Cleveland dropped two of three at home to Detroit last season, it won all 10 meetings in 2019 at Progressive.

While facing Plesac, Teheran surrendered only one run in five innings to win his Tigers’ debut. He made the club in spring training as a non-roster invitee following a dreadful 2020 in which he had a 10.05 ERA in 10 games with the Los Angeles Angels.

It is hard to ignore Plesac’s history against the Tigers, though.

Pick 3: Tigers-Indians Under 8.5 (+102)

Plesac never gives up many runs to the Tigers, which is the half of the equation in going with the under here.

The other part is Teheran did pitch well against Cleveland last weekend. Furthermore, he had a fine 3.81 ERA in 33 starts in 2020 with the Atlanta Braves prior to his debacle with the Angels.

Cleveland is also 23rd in the major leagues with an average of 3.40 runs scored a game. The Tigers are not much better as their 3.83 average ranks 19th

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