All 30 teams are set to hit the diamond this Memorial Day Saturday. Below, I've narrowed in on three of my favorite bets for today's action in the MLB.
Saturday's Best MLB Bets
(Odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook)
Los Angeles Dodgers (-160) vs. Cincinnati Reds (+135) | 9.0 (-115/-105)
The Reds took care of business in last night's series opener, beating the visiting Dodgers in a 9-6 affair. The two sides are back at it this evening, and we have a pitching matchup between Walker Buehler and Hunter Greene. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET from the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, OH.
This total of 9.0 runs feels incredibly inflated for tonight's pitching matchup. Both Buehler and Greene pitched in last weekend's series, and both of the games finished way under this number of 9.0 runs. Greene has been Los Angeles' kryptonite throughout his young career, holding the current roster to a slash line of .120/.185/.240 over 50 at-bats. The right-hander tossed 6.1 innings against the Dodgers last week, allowing only two earned runs in a 3-2 extra-innings loss.
As for Buehler, he carved up the Reds last weekend, earning a win in a 4-0 victory. The right-hander blanked Cincinnati over 6.0 innings, allowing only three hits while striking out a season-high seven batters. It's not like this Reds' offense is very threatening either, as they're ranked dead last in team batting average (.215), 28th in OPS (.656), and 20th in home runs (48). Let's play the under at this massive number of 9.0 runs.
Bet: Under 9.0 (-105)
New York Yankees (+100) vs. San Diego Padres (-120) | 7.5 (-110/-105)
The Yankees cruised to an 8-0 win last night courtesy of four home runs and a Carlos Rodon gem (6.0 IP, 0 ER). Tonight's contest features a pitching matchup between Marcus Stroman and Dylan Cease. First pitch is set for 9:40 p.m. ET from Petco Park in San Diego, CA.
Aside from probably the Phillies, the Yankees have been playing the best baseball in the league over the last month. Specifically, over the last 10 games, New York's 8-2, and they've stretched their divisional lead out to 3.0 games over Baltimore. Getting an even-money payout against a Padres squad that's just 5-5 in its last 10 games feels like a gift to me. Let's ride with the Pinstripes out west tonight.
Cease is coming off of his worst start of the year, where he allowed five earned runs on nine hits over 4.0 innings against the Braves. The right-hander still has great overall numbers, sitting at 5-3 with a 3.05 ERA (25th) and 0.93 WHIP (6th). However, with the way the Yankees are playing right now, there's a chance Cease gets demolished if he doesn't bring his best stuff. New York, over the last 15 days, is first in both home runs (28) and OPS (.856), while ranking second in team batting average (.279). Furthermore, they've seen Cease relatively well throughout his career, slashing .261/.358/.543 against him over 46 at-bats. I'll take the +100 payout to say the Yankees win their fourth straight game.
Bet: New York Yankees Moneyline (+100)
Miami Marlins (+150) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (-185) | 9.0 (-115/-105)
Tonight's MLB nightcap comes in the Valley of the Sun as the Diamondbacks look to bounce back after getting shut out 3-0 by Braxton Garrett (9.0 IP, 0 ER) and the Marlins. The National League foes are back at it tonight, and we have a pitching matchup between Sixto Sanchez and Jordan Montgomery. First pitch is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET from Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ.
Runs were tough to come by last night, but I don't think that'll be the case tonight. Montgomery hasn't been sharp this month, posing a 6.33 ERA and 1.64 WHIP over four starts (21.1 IP). Miami's current roster has hit the left-hander well, slashing .318/.362/.523 against him over 44 at-bats. Over the last 15 days, the Fish have climbed to ninth in team batting average (.255) and 15th in OPS (.696). Miami should manage to contribute a few runs to the final score, helping to push us over this total of 9.0 runs.
Make no mistake, I like this over because Arizona's offense will get the chance to face Sixto Sanchez. The 25-year-old has been horrendous this season, coming in with a 6.41 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over 26.2 innings pitched. Opponents are hitting .306 against him this year! So, while the Snakes haven't performed like we expected this season, this is a great breakout spot for their offense.
Finally, both of these bullpens are bottom-tier units, ranking 22nd or worse in both ERA and WHIP. There should be opportunities for these offenses to score all throughout this game. Let's take the over.
Bet: Over 9.0 (-115)
