Get ready for the 2026 MLB season with Opening Night between the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants. We’ve got a projected pitcher’s duel with Max Fried and Logan Webb on the mound.
On this page, we’re going to dive into my MLB best bets for Opening Night. It’s an interesting game, especially since it’s the first time we get to watch baseball on Netflix.
So, without further ado, find out where I’m laying my money in these Yankees vs. Giants predictions.
Yankees vs Giants Odds for MLB Opening Night
All MLB odds used for these Yankees vs Giants best bets are current as of Tuesday, Mar. 24, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Yankees vs Giants Prediction for MLB Opening Night
Yankees vs Giants Score Prediction: Giants 5, Yankees 3
I give the edge to the Giants at home. First-year manager Tony Vitello is making his MLB debut. I’m bullish on Vitello as a manager. Bringing over a young manager from college baseball could provide a refreshing perspective.
The Giants ranked 29th in stolen bases last season. I believe they can tap into more offense by being more aggressive on the basepaths. They have the players to get this done, including Jung Hoo Lee, Willy Adames, and Heliot Ramos.
The Yankees are obviously the better team on paper, but in Vitello’s debut, it feels like there’s more at stake for the Giants.
Yankees vs Giants Best Bets for MLB Opening Night
Giants ML (+102)
The Giants are sending out Logan Webb, who is coming off one of the best years of his career, putting up a 3.22 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with a 26.2% strikeout rate. These numbers were backed by the advanced metrics, as highlighted by a 3.14 SIERA. Webb is much better at home as well, putting up 2.69 xFIP last season.
The Yankees are countering with Max Fried, who has historically gotten off to slow starts, which we’ll get into in our next best bet below.
Aside from fading Fried and riding with Webb, I like getting plus money on the home team here. Go with the Giants in our MLB bet of the day.
Max Fried: Under 16.5 Outs (-127) vs Giants
Fried has been one of the best innings-eaters in baseball throughout his career, putting up 195.1 innings last year. The Yankees’ lefty is consistently able to pitch six or more innings. That’s why seeing the line at 16.5 outs is telling. All Fried needs is 5.2 innings to win this one.
So, why am I on the Under? It’s simply because of how much Fried has struggled in his season debut throughout the years. Check out his game log:
- 2025: 4.2 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
- 2024: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
- 2023: 3.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
- 2022: 5.2 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
- 2021: 5 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
- 2020: 5 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
I’m betting that Fried will be limited to five innings or fewer. This prop also correlates with my Giants ML wager, making it worth a look here.
