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MLB Best Bets, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (5/2)

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The weather is getting warmer, and we’re fully into the MLB season. Let’s look at interesting matchups for tonight.

Today’s Best MLB Bets

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

Cleveland Guardians (+142) at New York Yankees (-168) | O/U 7.5 (+104/-128)

The Yankees need some wins as they come into this game dropping four straight and seven of their last nine. Without Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton in the lineup, you’re seeing a significant drop in offensive production by scoring two or fewer runs in nine of their last 11. Their previous win was with Cole on the mound, and he looks unhittable to start the season with a 1.11 ERA and opponents batting .169.

The Guardians posted three in the ninth for the comeback win in the first game of this series. This is supposed to be a contact-based lineup, but they haven’t been successful to start the year, as their BABIP is just .278, which is 26th. Tanner Bibee will get his second-career start after a successful debut against Colorado, allowing just an earned run in 5.2 innings.

The Yankees should be able to pull off the win going against a rookie pitcher with Cole. The value of the Yanks on the money line is not good enough, so I also like the under with two struggling offenses.

Pick: Under 7.5 (-128)

Baltimore Orioles (-142) at Kansas City Royals (+120) | O/U 9 (-102/-120)

The Orioles will be a fun team to watch this season. The offense has a lot of young talent, like Adley Rutschman and Jorge Mateo, and they’re fifth in wRC+ and tenth in slugging. Tyler Wells only has two decisions this season, but the Orioles are 4-1 in his starts.

It will certainly be another losing season in Kansas City, with the team having the second-lowest win percentage. The lineup so far has been atrocious as they are 29th in batting average and last in wOBA. Ryan Yarbrough switched between starter and reliever in his time in Tampa Bay, and that continued as he’ll make his second start and ninth appearance.

Yarbrough is familiar with this lineup, and they’re batting .198 in 121 at-bats. I like him to keep the O’s bats quiet, but he won’t get enough support to get them the win.

Pick: Under 9 (-120)

Arizona Diamondbacks (-142) at Texas Rangers (+120) | O/U 8 (-102/-120)

Texas’ improvements in the offseason are working well as they hold onto first place. They are a balanced team with a wOBA that, along with their ERA, are both fourth in the league. Jon Gray is having a good season and hasn’t allowed more than three earned in any start, but the bullpen and lack of run support have hurt him in some spots.

The Diamondbacks are another surprising team, sharing the lead in NL West. The lineup is collectively hitting well as they come in fourth in batting average. They don’t have a ton of power, but they can score runs with efficient hitting. Zac Gallen has been lights out and is in the 90th percentile or better in walk and strikeout percentage, whiff rate, and chase percentage.

The Diamondbacks are familiar with Gray from his days in Colorado, and collectively they’re batting .274 and a .435 slugging. I’m taking the road team to get it done.

Pick: Diamondbacks ML (-142)

Also, take a look at our other best bets for Tuesday:


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