Series Bets 3/31/25
“Baseball is a marathon”
- Alexander Cartwright (probably)
We always hear that baseball can’t be defined or known in an inning or a single game. Older fans will speak of games that went on all day, in stark contrast with today’s very nice and clean 2.5-3hr affairs. However, one place where baseball fans and bettors seem to forget this age old proverb is when it comes to how we try to make money on the game. Ball players do a really nice job compartmentalizing the season into more digestible chunks, and my favorite chunk is the series.
Teams come into a series against each other from different start points. They may be at different spots in the rotation, the bullpens may be at different levels of health, bats may be coming off an easy game or having just faced an early Cy Young candidate. Series are not equal, and this provides not only a venue for unexpected entertainment, but also potential edges for betting.
Series beginning MONDAY 3/31/25 that caught my eye
Royals (+105) @ Brewers
Mets @ Marlins (+205)
Rangers (-115) @ Reds
Nats (+140) @ Jays
Angels @ Cardinals (-200)
Giants (+135) @ Astros
Tigers @ Mariners (-130)
Let’s bring this in scope and look at the teams we are most familiar with from their time in Arizona.
Royals (+105) @ Brewers
The Brewers were just completely dismantled by the Yankees, but be careful reading too much into those results. The Yankees (despite some publications trying to bait you into clicks) are an AL front runner and very capable of putting on the type of display we saw over the weekend. Elvin, and Peralta in his second start on Wednesday should play better, but the Royals are betting top to bottom in the lineup and should do their damage against a spot 5th starter and the bullpens. Look to bet the unders when lines release (U 8.5 -112 for Monday) and lock in the Royals.
Rangers (-115) @ Reds
Kumar Rocker gets things started off for the Rangers, who are the better team on paper early in the season. I think the version of the Reds we saw against the Giants (14 runs, 21 hits) is the real version and the Rangers should be able to exploit against Singer/Spiers/Greene. Look for Burger vs Spiers on Tuesday.
Tigers @ Mariners (-130)
Jackson Jobe gets the start for the first game of the series for the Tigers. I really like Jobe’s potential this year, and the Mariners are only averaging 5 hits a game early on, but this spot feels like it comes down to the bullpens. Mariners to win game 1 and then Gilbert on the mound in game 2 makes me confident in the Mariners taking 2 of 3.
Series Bets for 3/31/25
Royals +105 (1u)
Rangers -115 (1u)
Mariners -130 (1u)