Greg Peterson’s Top MLB Picks for Thursday, April 9

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Published: April 9, 2026 2:05 PM ET

Greg Peterson’s Top MLB Picks for Thursday, April 9

As we look ahead to Thursday, April 9, baseball enthusiasts can benefit from expert insights into Major League Baseball (MLB) matchups. Greg Peterson, a seasoned MLB handicapper, shares his top picks for the day’s games, providing valuable information for bettors.

Top MLB Picks for April 9

Cincinnati Reds vs. Miami Marlins

The Cincinnati Reds face off against the Miami Marlins at 12:10 PM Eastern. Reds pitcher Rhett Lowder returns after missing the prior season. He has given up only two runs over 11 innings but has a fielding independent pitching (FIP) of 3.79. The Marlins’ Max Meyer struggled last season with a 4.73 ERA. Currently, the Marlins rank 10th in scoring with over 4.7 runs per game.

Pick: Over 8 Runs
Greg’s Handicap: Total at 8.1

Athletics vs. New York Yankees

Scheduled for 1:35 PM Eastern, the Athletics take on the Yankees. Jeffrey Springs starts for the Athletics, coming off a 4.11 ERA season. He faces a Yankees lineup that led the league last year, scoring an average of 5.2 runs per game. Yankees pitcher Ryan Weathers had a 3.99 ERA last year, despite injuries.

Pick: Over 8 Runs
Greg’s Handicap: Total at 8.8

Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins

This matchup starts at 1:40 PM Eastern, featuring the Tigers against the Twins. Twins pitcher Mick Abel has struggled with a 6.99 ERA. Conversely, Tigers pitcher Jack Flaherty had a 4.64 ERA but possesses a FIP of 3.85, hinting at possible improvement. The Tigers offense could succeed against a Twins bullpen that was among the weakest last season.

Pick: Tigers Moneyline -125
Greg’s Handicap: Tigers at -159

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. New York Mets

The Diamondbacks visit the Mets at 7:10 PM Eastern. Eduardo Rodriguez starts for Arizona with a challenging season behind him. In contrast, Mets pitcher Nolan McLean has impressed early with a 2.16 ERA. Despite Arizona’s strong offense, their bullpen struggled last season.

Pick: Mets Run Line -1.5 +135 and Over 7 Runs
Greg’s Handicap: Mets -1.5 at +121 and Total at 7.9

Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals

This game kicks off at 7:40 PM Eastern. The Royals’ Seth Lugo showed inconsistencies last season, while White Sox pitcher Anthony Kay is still finding his footing after two seasons in Japan. His current performance suggests he may face challenges against the Royals.

Pick: Royals Run Line -1.5 +115
Greg’s Handicap: Royals -1.5 at +101

San Diego Padres vs. Colorado Rockies

Finally, at 9:40 PM Eastern, the Padres meet the Rockies. Padres pitcher Randy Vásquez has shown significant improvement this season. The Rockies plan to use Chase Dollander, who has been better on the road. The Rockies’ bullpen is currently in top form.