Best MLB Bets Today: NL Central Teams Head to the Coasts

We have two great bets on an exciting slate of games tonight. The first involves a red-hot Padres team heading to Wrigley Field to take on a Cubs team pushing for an NL Central title. The other is on a game between two disappointing teams, the Mets and the Cardinals.

Below, we’ll share everything you need to know to bet on both games confidently. We’ll be using odds taken from DraftKings Sportsbook, which allows bettors to earn $200 in Bonus Bets when they make an initial wager of $5+. 

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Best MLB Bets Today: Padres vs. Cubs (7:40 PM EST)

Chicago Cubs ML (-120 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

The Padres have been the hotter team of late as their lineup begins to take shape. The addition of Luis Arráez has allowed them to shift a red-hot Jurickson Profar down to the fifth spot, giving them a true leadoff man at the top of the lineup, leading to a jump up the NL West standings. While that would typically have us riding their hot streak to big winning, it isn’t the case today with the Cubs’ new ace on the mound.

Shota Imanaga (5-0, 0.78 ERA, 0.75 WHIP) has been one of, if not the, the best pitchers in the league. He has allowed one or fewer runs in five of his six starts this season, allowing only two in the sixth. Imanaga is coming off his most impressive start of the season on Wednesday, throwing seven scoreless innings while allowing just three hits and one walk. While the Cubs and Padres played a few weeks ago, San Diego did not have to face the 30-year-old, meaning they will be seeing him for the first time tonight.

The Padres will have former Cubs ace Yu Darvish (1-1, 3.45 ERA, 1.15 WHIP) making the start against his old team. The 37-year-old has fallen off since joining the Padres but is off to a decent start in 2024. His worst start of the season came against this same Cubs team. Darvish lasted just three innings, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks. We expect a similar performance from the aging star tonight.

Bet on Chicago Cubs ML (-120) at DraftKings 

Best MLB Bets Today: Mets vs. Cardinals (7:45 PM EST)

Over 8 (-118 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

It has been hard to trust either of these teams in 2024. Aside from a six-game win streak in the middle of April, the Mets have posted a 10-17. The Cardinals haven’t been any better, winning more than two consecutive games just once. Slow starts from their lineup have plagued these teams, but they’ll both have a chance to turn that around tonight with a subpar pitching matchup on the schedule.

The Cardinals will be starting veteran Miles Mikolas (2-4, 5.68 ERA) against the Mets. The 35-year-old is coming off the worst season of his career, and he’s had an even worse start to 2024. While his most recent win came against the Mets, it wasn’t a strong outing as he allowed two runs on seven hits across 5 2/3 innings. His results against New York were even worse last season, with Mikolas allowing 13 runs on 13 hits and three walks over 10 2/3 innings.

The Mets will also have an aging starter on the mound in Sean Manaea (1-1, 3.07 ERA). The lefty has fallen off over the last two seasons but is off to a stronger start this year. However, his impressive 3.07 ERA isn’t as bad as it should be. Manaea is struggling to keep runners off the base paths, posting a 1.43 WHIP. Walks have been the most significant issue, as he has allowed 14 over his last four starts. He has gotten lucky to keep the run totals down, but history suggests that won’t last much longer.

Bet on Over 8 (-118) at DraftKings 

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