MLB’s Opening Day for the 2026 season will feature 11 games on Wednesday, starting with a showdown between the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets at 1:15 p.m. ET on Peacock.
Peacock will also broadcast an evening tilt between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Before diving into a full day of baseball, here are my predictions and best bets based on the latest MLB odds for Wednesday’s slate:
Best Bets for MLB Opening Day 2026
| Game | Best Bet |
|---|---|
| Pirates vs. Mets | Over 6.5 (-120) |
| White Sox vs. Brewers | Under 8.5 (-115) |
| Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers | Shohei Ohtani Over 0.5 RBIs (+100) |
Pirates vs. Mets Prediction for Opening Day
In the first game of the day, my Pirates vs. Mets prediction suggests taking the over on the full-game total (6.5) ahead of their opening day matchup on Wednesday.
It would be tempting to take the under in a pitching battle between Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes and Mets right-hander Freddy Peralta. But it’s important to remember that starters won’t be ramped up in their first start.
In addition, the Pirates made some notable offensive additions this offseason, bringing in Brandon Lowe, Marcell Ozuna, and Ryan O’Hearn. All of a sudden, this is a team that has legitimate playoff aspirations.
The Mets overhauled their roster, too, landing Bo Bichette, Jorge Polanco, Luis Robert Jr., and Marcus Semien.
I think this total shows a tad too much respect to both starters while also underrating the offensive improvements. I like this over at seven or better.
White Sox vs. Brewers Prediction for Opening Day
As for the second matchup of the slate, I like the under on the full-game total (8.5) for my White Sox vs. Brewers prediction ahead of first pitch at 2:10 p.m. ET.
In this case, both starting pitchers are being undervalued. Jacob Misiorowski will get the nod for the Brewers after flashing incredible stuff as a rookie. The hard-throwing righty whiffed 87 batters in 66 innings of work and should reach another level in his first full campaign with one of the best organizations in the sport.
Shane Smith also demonstrated his potential as a rookie for the White Sox. He posted a 3.81 ERA in 29 starts last year, whiffing 145 batters in 146 1/3 innings. It wouldn’t surprise me if he also has another gear.
Ballpark Pal’s model shows plenty of respect to both hurlers, with neither team allowing more than four runs. This under is worth a look at eight runs or better.
Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers Prediction for Opening Day
I’m expecting plenty of offense in this game, which is why I’m taking the over on Shohei Ohtani’s RBI prop (0.5) for my Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers prediction.
The total has already climbed from 8.5 as of this writing, with the Dodgers’ team total set at 5.5. They are expected to flex their muscles in the opener as the back-to-back World Series champions.
Ohtani can set the tone as the best player in the sport, especially since he comes into the season in game shape following the World Baseball Classic. The last time Ohtani had a WBC in the build-up instead of spring training, he opened the year with a four-game hit streak and delivered five RBIs over that span.
While most markets for Ohtani are inflated, I’ll take the +100 price tag for him to drive in a run. Ballpark Pal gives him a 55% chance of doing so on Wednesday.
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