All but two teams are active in MLB today, with 14 matchups on the schedule. Today’s action begins with the Texas Rangers (3-1) vs. the Baltimore Orioles (2-2) at 6:35 p.m. ET, capped by the Cleveland Guardians (3-2) vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers (3-1) at 10:10 p.m. ET.
Which contests could bring the best value for projections on PrizePicks Team Picks and PrizePicks? Below, we’ll highlight two games for MLB predictions and expert picks, including two game picks and one player projection.
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Best MLB Predictions and Expert Picks: 3/31/26
Two games will be in the primetime spotlight today, as the Nationals vs. the Phillies at 6:40 p.m. ET is televised by MLB Network. Later, the Yankees collide with the Mariners at 9:40 p.m. ET on TBS.
However, our attention for today’s MLB predictions shifts to an American League matchup between the Texas Rangers (3-1) and the Baltimore Orioles (2-2). Plus, the Athletics (0-4) are the final winless team and will visit the Atlanta Braves — one of four 3-1 teams in the NL East.
Keep tabs on the Playbook’s MLB coverage for predictions on baseball all season leading up to the World Series. Let’s dive into our favorite MLB predictions and expert picks for Tuesday, March 31, on PrizePicks Team Picks.
Payouts are live as of publishing. All are subject to change.
Texas Rangers vs. Baltimore Orioles Prediction to Win – 3/31/26
Game Winner Pick: Texas Rangers (1.75x) | Baltimore Orioles (2.08x)
Time: 6:35 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN Unlimited, MLB.tv
- After a stiff neck led to a late scratch on Saturday, Rangers SP Jacob deGrom is expected to make his season debut on Tuesday.
- He pitched for only a combined nine starts over the 2023 and 2024 seasons, but the veteran ace returned to a full workload with a 2.97 ERA and 3.37 xFIP over 30 starts last season, per FanGraphs.
- According to Baseball Savant, he was in the 37th percentile of hard-hit rate allowed (41.9%) while posting a concerning 1.36 HR/9.
- However, the Orioles have only two home runs through four games and tout a 31.8% hard-hit rate (15th).
- For Baltimore, Orioles SP Zach Eflin will be on the bump, and he stumbled with a 5.93 ERA and 4.37 xFIP over 14 starts in 2025.
- Following a back injury last season, Eflin is healthy, and his fastball velocity was maxing out at about 94.0 mph in spring training — up from 91.8 last season.
- However, Eflin’s alarming 2.27 HR/9 from 2025 cannot be overlooked.
- Texas has five long balls over four games (tied for eighth).
- Eflin’s cutter was his most-used pitch last season (21.7% usage rate), and the Rangers currently sit 11th in runs above average against this pitch.
Athletics vs. Atlanta Braves Prediction on Over/Under – 3/31/26
Over/Under Pick: Over 9.5 (2x) | Under 9.5 (1.81x)
Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
TV: MLB.tv
- Through four games, the Braves posted 4.3 runs per game, compared to the Athletics’ 2.8 mark.
- Following a goose egg from the A’s offense on Monday, today’s 9.5 over/under is likely on the back of Atlanta’s offense.
- Athletics SP Aaron Civale will make his first start of 2026, and he recorded a 4.85 ERA and 4.73 xFIP last season.
- Following his 1.62 HR/9 in 2024, big flies were still a problem for Civale, proven by 1.41 HR/9 in 2025.
- Atlanta’s five home runs are currently tied for eighth in baseball.
- Furthermore, Civale finished in the 23rd percentile of barrel rate allowed and 16th percentile for ground-ball rate a season ago.
- That could be trouble against the Braves, who sported a 32.8% hard-hit percentage in 2025 (12th). However, this has dropped to 27.5% in the 2026 campaign (26th).
- Braves SP Jose Suarez (4.39 xFIP in 2025) could excel against an A’s lineup that features seven right-handed hitters.
- A four-seam fastball (41.4%) and changeup (28.5%) led Suarez’s pitches last season, and the Athletics rank 29th and 18th in runs above average against these pitches.
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Braves 2B Ozzie Albies vs. Athletics Projection: 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs
- Ozzie Albies has enjoyed a strong start with 5 hits in 15 at-bats (.333 batting average).
- He’s also logged 2 runs scored over four games, partially thanks to hot streaks from Braves DH Dominic Smith (.333 batting average) and SS Mauricio Dubon (.400 batting average) behind Albies in the batting order.
- Civale leaned on his cutter (35.0% usage rate) and sinker (16.8% usage rate) in 2025, and Albies bats .290 and .292 vs. the pitches across his career.
- Ozzie has hit a blazing .429 against right-handed hurlers to begin 2026.
- Assuming the switch hitter bats lefty today, Civale allowed a .323 wOBA vs. lefties compared to .304 vs. right-handed hitters last season.
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The Rangers-Orioles and Athletics-Braves are the tip of the iceberg for today’s busy MLB schedule. Check out the Playbook for nonstop MLB coverage.
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Stick around with the Playbook for continued MLB predictions, picks, and news throughout the 2026 season.
