MLB Futures Picks & Predictions: May (2026)
Now that we've had a full month to digest the 2026 MLB season, the futures market is starting to take shape. This is where value still exists-before books fully adjust and narratives become priced in.
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Monday’s Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
(All bets are one unit unless otherwise stated)
Chris Sale to Win Cy Young Award (+450 at Caesars)
You could make a very real case that Chris Sale has been the best pitcher in baseball through the first month-and he's doing it on one of the top teams in the league.
Yes, the Los Angeles Dodgers are loaded, but recent play has shown they're not invincible. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves have been an offensive juggernaut, ranking:
- 1st in Runs, RBIs, AVG, SLG%, wOBA, wRC+
- 2nd in HRs and ISO
While that level of run support matters in Cy Young voting, wins still carry weight.
And Sale is delivering across the board:
- 6 Wins (1st in MLB)
- 49 Ks (Top 10)
- 2.14 ERA (Top 10)
- 3.03 xERA / 3.07 SIERA (Top 12)
Even more impressive, he's allowed more than one earned run just once in seven starts, has gone 6+ innings in 6-of-7, and continues to show elite command.
He has been as dominant as ever and if he can stay healthy, he could have a career year.
Seattle Mariners To Win A.L. West (+115 at DraftKings)
The Seattle Mariners haven't gotten off to a hot start record-wise, but this is exactly where futures value is created.
Despite sitting in third place, they are the only team with a positive run differential. That's a major signal that positive regression is coming.
On paper, this is still the most complete roster in the division. Early-season variance has masked their true performance level, but over a 162-game sample, that tends to correct itself.
Once that happens, this plus-money price likely disappears. Grab it while you can.
New York Yankees To Win American League (+250 at DraftKings)
Over the last couple of years when you talk about the Yankees you talk about their lineup, and it’s hard not to because they have one of the greatest hitters the game has ever seen in Aaron Judge.
This Yankees team is being carried by elite pitching, and the numbers back it up:
Team Pitching (AL Ranks)
- 1st in ERA
- 1st in xERA
- 1st in FIP / xFIP
- 1st in SIERA
- 1st in Runs Allowed
Staff Production
- Starters: 15 Wins, 2.74 ERA (best in AL)
- Bullpen: 3.51 ERA (3rd), 3rd fewest runs allowed, 2nd fewest HRs allowed
They're not just winning, they're suppressing runs at an elite level, which is exactly what translates in October.
At +250, you're getting a team with top-tier pitching metrics and a lineup capable of carrying any given series.