Atlanta Braves (McCarthy) @ Colorado Rockies (Marquez) 4:10 ET

Game# 901-902

The current MLB odds at Bookmaker indicates that Colorado is a money line favorite of -148 in the opener of this 3-game series.

Colorado is coming off a 3-1 win at San Diego on Thursday. Today will be the Rockies home opener and it comes on the heels of a respectable 4-3 road trip. On a negative note, the Rockies bullpen has posted a lackluster 5.33 ERA through their first 8 games.

Atlanta has plenty of momentum following 13-6 and 7-1 wins in their last 2 games over the NL East defending champion Washington Nationals. The Braves are off to a solid 4-2 start and they’re averaging a robust 8.0 runs scored per game while doing so. The Braves bullpen has been terrific thus far and that’s proven by its stellar 1.61 ERA as a staff.

Any road team (Atlanta) that’s scored 7 or more runs in each of their previous 2 games and is facing an opponent (Colorado) that allowed 2 runs or less during its last outing, resulted in those road teams going 31-15 (67.4%) during the past 5 seasons. The average money line for those 46 road teams was +122.7.

Pick: Atlanta Braves +134

Chicago Cubs (Hendricks) @ Milwaukee Brewers (Woodruff) 8:10 ET

Game# 905-906

The Chicago Cubs are coming off back to back shutout wins over Milwaukee and Cincinnati. It’s worth noting, the Cubs have scored 1 run or less during 3 of their 6 games played in 2018.

Milwaukee has failed to score a run in their previous 2 games. Despite those listless offensive efforts, this is an improved Brewers batting order on paper, and I look for them to bounce back with a productive game today.

Any home team (Milwaukee) which has been held scoreless in each of their previous 2 games and is facing an opponent (Cubs) that’s allowed 2 runs or less in 2 straight outings, resulted in those home teams going 45-19 (70.3) since 1997. The average money line for those 64 home teams was +108.7.

Pick: Milwaukee Brewers +125

Oakland A’s (Gossett) @ Los Angles Angels (Bridwell) 10:07 PM ET

Game# 915-916

The Angles right-hander Parker Bridwell is slated to make his first start of 2018 on Friday night. Bridwell was horrible in 2 starts against Oakland a season ago while posting a massive 19.50 ERA during those outings. The Angles head into this weekend series with their AL West Division rival with a shiny record of 5-2.

Oakland is coming off yesterday 6-3 loss to Texas as a money line home favorite of -155. That defeat dropped the A’s season record to 3-5 (.375).

Any team (Oakland) off a division loss as a home favorite in their previous game, and they have a current win percentage of .380 or less, versus an opponent (Angels) with a winning record, resulted in those teams going 33-11 (75%) during the past 5 seasons. The average money line for those 44 teams was +113.8. This money line betting angle certainly produces a plethora of betting value and is vital in making one of my MLB picks on Friday.

Pick: Oakland A’s +120

Ross Benjamin is a top sports analyst and one of the sports industry's most respected handicappers. Follow him on Twitter: @RossBenjamin1 or visit his website at RBWins.com