The Minnesota Twins open up the 2022 season by hosting the Seattle Mariners! It's time to continue our MLB odds series with a Mariners-Twins prediction and pick.

 

The Seattle Mariners ended last season on a hot run that had them just short of the playoffs. The Mariners struggled early on last year but found a spark and ran with it. The Mariners finished two games shy of the AL Wild Card as their record was (90-72). Seattle had a busy offseason as they improved their team with some quality left-handed hitting. Expect the Mariners to make some noise again this season.

The Minnesota Twins had a confusing offseason. They lost a bunch of stars as they tarded them last season at the trade deadline. Now this offseason, they bring in SS Carlos Correa who was arguably the top SS last season outside of the likes of Fernando Tatis Jr. and Trea Turner. Minnesota has a bunch of top-ranked prospects so it seems like this team is set up for the future. As for competing in 2022, it will be tough to see them excel with the current roster they have. But anything is possible in the sport of baseball.

Here are the Mariners-Twins MLB odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

MLB Odds: Mariners-Twins Odds

Seattle Mariners: +1.5 (-205)

Minnesota Twins: -1.5 (+168)

Over: 8 (-114)

Under: 8 (-106)

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Why The Mariners Could Cover The Spread

Seattle signed 2021 Cy Young winner Robbie Ray to a 5-year contract during the offseason. The lefty should boost their rotation that struggled last season. Their offense was the high point, and now it can even out as they have threats in all facets of the game. Ray will start today after going (13-7) with a 2.84 ERA last season. He finished with 248 strikeouts in 32 starts last season.

Offensively, Jessie Winker and Adam Frazier arrived to boost their lineup during the offseason. The Mariners traded for both players to give them extra lefties in the lineup. Did the Mariners trade for a righty? They did. Eugenio Suarez has been the Cincinnati Reds' starting third baseman for the past few seasons. He has serious pop and can benefit the lineup as well. Julio Rodriquez is set to make his MLB debut as one of the top prospects in all of baseball. Seattle with be a force to reckon with.

Seattle can cover this spread by masking pitcher Joe Ryan for the Twins. The youngster pitched just five games last year for the Twins so Seattle has a chance to get hot early. The Mariners' lineup is stacked 1-8 as catcher Cal Raleigh needs more experience before I can boast about him. Seattle could be one of the more exciting teams in baseball this season.

Why The Twins Could Cover The Spread

Joe Ryan is on the bump for the Twins. The right-hander finished (2-1) with a 4.05 ERA in five starts last year. It's a big-time decision to have him out there on Opening Day. That means Ryan pitched well during the Spring and earned the nod for today.

The Twins lineup features two of the best right-handed hitters in baseball. Byron Buxton and Correa go 1-2 in the lineup to help get them going early. Gary Sanchez was traded over from the New York Yankees and he could benefit from a new scenery. Miguel Sano and Jorge Polanco return to the club to help them get back on track. Polanco is now at second base and could be one of the more underrated players at that position this season.

The Twins are the favorites here today. They can cover this spread if Ryan keeps this game close and doesn't give up runs early. I expect the Twins to score some runs but I also expect the Mariners to as well. I think both lineups are good so it will be on whoever is pitching to get the job done today.

Final Mariners-Twins Prediction & Pick

I like the Mariners today. Anything can happen on Opening Day but the Mariners improved in the offseason after an already solid year last year. The Mariners should cover this spread as they are the underdogs here today.

Final Mariners-Twins Prediction & Pick: Mariners +1.5 (-205)