Top MLB Picks and Predictions Today (Trust Yankees, Astros as Favorites, Fade Cubs vs. Zac Gallen)
There are only eight Major League Baseball games on Thursday, May 19, but there is still plenty of betting value to find in these matchups.
The BetSided team has you covered every day with previews for each game and our editor's top picks and predictions, with all odds via WynnBET Sportsbook.
Let's see who the top teams to back are on Thursday:
Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros Prediction and Pick
The Astros bats got off to a cold start to the season, but no offense has been hotter than Houston's in the month of May. Since May 1, the Astros lead MLB in OPS at .803 and home runs at 31. The offensive resurgence has led them to a 13-3 record in their last 16 games.
Now they get to trot out that offense while also starting one of their better pitchers in Framber Valdez. It could be a long night for the Rangers, who haven't won in Houston since Sept.16, 2020.
This will be the second time this season that Valdez has faced the Rangers. He pitched six scoreless inning in Arlington on April 25, but the Astros bullpen let him down as Houston ended up losing 6-2. I don't see the same scenario playing out tonight, so I'd lean the Astros winning this game in a blowout.
Lean: Astros -1.5 (+100) -- Iain MacMillan
You can track Iain's bets on Betstamp here.
New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles Prediction and Pick
While the Yankees continue to dominate the Orioles, they might not have such an easy time this afternoon with their AL East rivals. This is because Bruce Zimmermann, one of the few bright spots on this team, will get the start in this series finale. Despite a 2-2 record, Zim has a 2.72 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 36 ⅓ innings pitched. He’s faced the Yankees a total of 9 ⅓ innings this year and given up three runs and three walks while striking out 11.
Heck, he even pitched in a 5-0 shutout win over the Bombers earlier in the season. Problem is, the Yankees have been kicking asses left and right over the last month. They got off to a decent start but are crushing teams recently. And I don’t think any amount of Zimmerman can slow this offense down right now.
Another reason I like the Yankees tonight is Jordan Montgomery. The 29-year-old lefty has a 3.06 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 35 ⅓ innings of work. While the Yankees are just 2-5 with Montgomery on the mound, we can chalk those losses up to a lack of run support. And while I don’t expect the Yankees to blow up Zimmerman, I do think they score enough to win and cover today.
Pick: Yankees -1.5 -- Matt De Saro
Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Chicago Cubs Prediction and Pick
Zac Gallen has been as good as any pitcher in all of baseball, allowing just four runs in 34.1 innings pitched this season while also only walking five batters thus far. His ERA is 1.05 and is supported by a fantastic FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) of 2.21, which means that Gallen hasn't been lucky with plays in the field, he is simply pitching at a high level for a Diamondbacks team exceeding expectations.
Now, he'll face off against a free-falling Cubs lineup. Chicago has the second highest strikeout rate in the month of May and the third lowest on-base percentage. The team has struggled at the dish and Gallen's strikeout/walk rate is the fourth highest in baseball this season. It's going to be a struggle for Chicago at home with the wind always playing a role.
I don't have much interest in a side, but I want to back Gallen to show up as usual this season. I'm going to take the Cubs team total under as my favorite bet for this series opening matchup.
LEAN: Cubs Team Total UNDER 3.5 (+100)
You can find all of Reed's bets HERE!