It didn’t take very long for the baseball odds to tighten up. Here we are just seven weeks into the 2023 regular season, and the MLB totals are already split evenly at 340-340 as we go to press. That’s despite the marked increase in team scoring from 4.28 to 4.57 runs per game.
Good thing we’re sticking with the moneyline for Tuesday’s MLB picks. Here are the Top 3 games to bet on, starting with the hottest team in the majors right now.
New York Mets vs. Chicago Cubs
Tuesday, May 23, 2023 – 07:40 PM EDT at Wrigley Field
That team would be the Mets, who have won five straight to improve to 25-23 (minus-4.25 betting units). That’s still five games behind Atlanta for first place in the National League East, but a very promising sign nonetheless for a team that was among this year’s leading World Series favorites at +800 heading into the new campaign.
The Cubs (20-26, minus-5.19 units) aren’t doing nearly as well – not that they were expected to, given their +7500 preseason odds to win the World Series.
The Northsiders have dropped seven of their last eight, their pitching staff has been waylaid by injuries, and OF Cody Bellinger (.830 OPS) is out until late May with a left knee contusion.
Chicago will be at the back end of their rotation Tuesday night with Drew Smyly (4.23 xFIP) starting opposite Kodai Senga (3.84 xFIP), who’s performed admirably for New York since coming over from the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of the NPB. Get ‘em while they’re hot.
MLB Pick: Mets (-105) at WynnBet
Texas Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Tuesday, May 23, 2023 – 06:35 PM EDT at PNC Park
There’s still some value to be had on the Pirates (24-22, plus-5.26 units), even though they’ve fallen back to earth with seven losses in their last 11 games.
Pittsburgh got back in the win column Monday by beating the Rangers (29-17, plus-7.47 units) 6-4 as +123 home dogs. Game 2 sees veteran Rich Hill (4.34 xFIP) take the mound for Pittsburgh, while Texas counters with Nathan Eovaldi (3.16 xFIP). The Rangers have the advantage here, but the Pirates have the superior bullpen, enough to make them worth a flyer at +140.
MLB Pick: Pirates (+140) at BetRivers
Miami Marlins vs. Colorado Rockies
Tuesday, May 23, 2023 – 08:40 PM EDT at Coors Field
It never seems right to bet on the Marlins, but they’ve been profitable this year at 24-23 (plus-2.73 units), and this Tuesday, they get to play one of the worst teams in the majors: Colorado (19-28, minus-1.45 units).
He’ll only be making his third big-league start, but Eury Perez (3.01 xFIP) and his 97-mph fastball have already shown great promise for Miami. Perez will take the hill at Coors Field versus Austin Gomber (5.03 xFIP), who has eked out 0.63 units in profit on a team record of 4-5, but only 1-3 at home. Bet accordingly.
MLB Pick: Marlins (-120) at BetMGM
