A week in, and the 2026 MLB season is already heating up. After yesterday’s slew of home openers, Saturday promises to look more like your typical slate of baseball. 15 games between 30 teams are on tap today, with first pitches scheduled from 1:10 PM to 9:40 PM ET.
With so many matchups on deck, there’s plenty of opportunity to put down a few wagers. Before the start of Saturday’s contests, here are three MLB bets worth placing on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Royals Game 2 ML (-110)
Following a rainout on Friday, the Brewers and Royals are set to play a doubleheader on Saturday. Predicting the second of a two-game set can be tricky; there’s no telling how this afternoon’s events will impact the nightcap. With that being said, uncertainty also provides opportunity. Kansas City’s offense has been lackluster to start the season, averaging just 3.83 runs per game. That’s the tenth-worst mark in baseball so far. Still, it’s early; a lineup equipped with Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino should snap out of it eventually. The new hitter-friendly dimensions at Kaufman Stadium are promising, as well.
It’s not as if the Royals are facing one of the sport’s best arms tonight. Former Mets prospect Brandon Sproat was unimpressive to say the least last week. He surrendered seven runs over three innings against the White Sox, a worse hitting squad than Kansas City. Through five major league starts, the right-hander owns a ghastly 6.85 ERA. In comparison, KC will be sending out proven arm Seth Lugo. The former All-Star started off strong last week, keeping a decent Braves lineup scoreless over 6.1 innings. He owns a stellar 3.14 ERA over his last five meetings with the Brewers. With such a notable edge on the mound, I’ll back the home team in what is essentially a pick ’em.
Yankees Race to 3 Runs (-135)
It’s been a scorching-hot start for the Yankees, winners in six of their first seven games. However, given how popular they are, finding good value on the Pinstripes is a perpetual challenge. They are currently favored at -199 on the moneyline tonight vs. Miami. After a slow start, New York’s offense is beginning to look like its old self. The Bronx Bombers rocked Marlins ace Eury Perez yesterday en route to a commanding 8-2 victory. As always, this group generates much of its offense via the long ball. The Yankees led all of baseball with 274 home runs in 2025.
New York is a bad matchup for most opposing arms, let alone someone with a propensity for allowing fly balls. That’s the reality for Max Meyer, a talented but inconsistent hurler. Over 26 career starts, the 27-year-old is allowing a lackluster 1.9 HR/9 ratio. He also allowed an average exit velocity of 91.9 MPH last season, among the worst for all qualified starters. In comparison, former Marlins pitcher Ryan Weathers should come out motivated against his former club. There’s no guarantee the visitors even reach three runs tonight against an elite pitching staff. On the flip side, finding any reasonable price on the Yankees feels like a bargain right now.
Mariners -1.5 (-102)
Unlike in years past, this Mariners lineup is stocked with elite MLB talent. Granted, that hasn’t been on display so far this season, but it’s early. A road trip to Anaheim feels like an ideal get-right spot for the defending AL West champions. A ten-inning victory for the visitors on Friday should leave both of these bullpens at less than 100% tonight. That gives a decisive edge to Seattle, a club equipped with far more quality relievers. To boot, it’ll be Emerson Hancock toeing the slab on Saturday. During his season debut last week, the righty tossed six scoreless, no-hit frames against the Guardians.
A former top-ten pick, Hancock has struggled throughout his four-year professional career. However, some offseason tinkering has me believing that the 26-year-old can, at the very least, develop into a respectable middle of the rotation option. Los Angeles has a far less talented hurler taking the hill in Jack Kochanowicz. It was a disastrous 2025 campaign for the right-hander, owner of a nightmarish 6.81 ERA and 1.75(!!!) WHIP. In three career outings vs. Seattle, Kochanowicz owns a 8.03 ERA. Hancock doesn’t even need to be at his best tonight for the Mariners to earn a comfortable victory.
