MLB Opening Week Series Prices: Red Sox Ready to Rock Mariners

• The Red Sox begin their World Series title defense in Seattle against the revamped Mariners
• Bryce Harper and the new-look Phillies will try to make a statement against the Braves
• The Rockies should have little trouble dispatching the Marlins after another depressing offseason in Miami

Baseball is back, and so are the popular series price wagers. We’ve dug into the latest odds available and have identified the three series poised to fatten your bankroll during Major League Baseball’s opening week.

Atlanta Braves vs Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies owner John Middleton promised fans he would spend an irresponsible amount of money in the offseason and he didn’t disappoint, shelling out close to $500 million. His eye-popping shopping spree netted Philadelphia a pair of former MVPs in Bryce Harper and Andrew McCutchen, as well as proven All-Stars in David Robertson and JT Realmuto. Middleton also signed ace Aaron Nola to a hefty $45 million extension after the righty finished third in Cy Young voting.

Phillies owner John Middleton to @BNightengale (USA Today)

“We’re going into [the winter meetings] expecting to spend money and maybe even be a little bit stupid about it.’’#HighHopes! #IwantMyFingTrophyBack

— Marc Farzetta (@MarcFarzetta) November 16, 2018

All five players will be available this weekend as the Phillies try to improve upon a disappointing 2-9 finish that saw them fail to qualify for the playoffs for the seventh straight season. Big spending doesn’t always result in big wins, but in this case Philadelphia did an outstanding job of addressing the weaknesses that plagued them a year ago.

Braves vs Phillies Pitching Matchups

The Braves are no pushovers, but lack the pitching and experience to compete with an upper echelon club like the new-look Phillies. Expect Philadelphia to take two of three and for Harper to earn the key to the city by Sunday evening.

Pick: Philadelphia Phillies (-195)

Colorado Rockies vs Miami Marlins

Few teams benefit more from home cooking than the Rockies, who were 47-34 at Coors Field last season. However, that should hardly matter this week as they take on the lowly Marlins, who still appear to be rudderless during year two of the Derek Jeter Era.

.@JimBowdenGM really likes the trade between the #Phillies and #Marlins for @JTRealmuto.

“This guy is going to be like Yelich.” pic.twitter.com/SHm2LPnYTy

— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) February 8, 2019

The Yankees legend traded JT Realmuto for three prospects and a bag of magic beans this winter, one year after bidding adieu to Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich,  Marcell Ozuna, and Dee Gordon.  Jeter insists there’s a method to his madness, but it may takes years – and hundreds of losses – before his master plan comes to fruition.

Rockies vs Marlins Pitching Matchups

The Marlins are likely to waste little time in being miserable this season. Take the Rockies and tune into a far more palatable series while your money grows.

Pick: Colorado Rockies (-170)

Boston Red Sox vs Seattle Mariners

With all due apologies to the Marlins, no team did more to alienate its fanbase this winter than the Mariners, who sold everything that wasn’t bolted down. Gone are All-Stars Robinson Cano, Edwin Diaz, Jean Segura, and Nelson Cruz, as well as ace James Paxton.

No team did more to alienate its fanbase this winter than the Mariners, who sold everything that wasn’t bolted down.

Seattle still has enough “talent” remaining to compete with the likes of the Rangers, Blue Jays, and Royals, but not an elite club like the Red Sox, who won a franchise-best 108 games in 2018 en route to their fourth World Series title since 2004.

Red Sox vs Mariners Pitching Matchups

Boston returns the same nucleus that dusted a pair of 100-win teams in the playoffs, and will be eager to send a message to naysayers who are forecasting a drop off from their historic performance a year ago.

The Mariners are pegged to lose 90.5 games in 2019. They managed to win two against the A’s in Japan, but we expect them to lose three of their next four in lopsided fashion against the Sox.

Pick: Boston Red Sox (-170)