Best MLB Bets Today: All in on Shota Imanaga

We have a couple of great bets to share with you today. The first comes from a matchup between the AL West-leading Mariners and the Nationals. The second is an NL Central clash between two fierce rivals as the Cubs visit the Cardinals. 

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Best MLB Bets Today: Mariners vs. Nationals (6:45 PM EST)

Under 7.5 (-110 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

This is our favorite bet of the day for a couple of different reasons. The first is that these are two of the worst offensive teams in the league. The Mariners rank twenty-fourth in batting average (.228) and runs scored (191) this season. The Nationals have been even worse, ranking twenty-seventh in batting average (.225) and twenty-fifth in runs scored (190). That will be a problem with two underrated pitchers on the bump today.

The Mariners will have George Kirby (4-4, 3.99 ERA) starting today. Consistency has been an issue for the righty this season, alternating between gems and duds through four May starts. However, his 1.01 WHIP suggests things are not as bad as they seem. He has struggled to keep the ball in the park in his bad outings, but that won’t be a problem against a Nationals team with the third-fewest home runs in baseball.

Washington will turn to one of their most promising prospects on the mound in MacKenzie Gore (2-4, 3.30 ERA). The 25-year-old has been fantastic for Washington this season, holding opponents to three or fewer runs in all nine of his starts. While his 1.38 WHIP isn’t great, the young pitcher has been able to work around it. Gore is coming off his best start of the season, holding a great Phillies lineup to two runs on three hits and three walks over 6 1/3 innings. 

While Seattle doesn’t leave many runners on base, they also don’t have many opportunities to do so.

Bet on Under 7.5 (-110) at BetMGM 

Best MLB Bets Today: Cubs vs. Cardinals (8:15 PM EST)

Cubs -1.5 (+125 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

The Cardinals have started to heat up over the last couple of weeks, winning eight of their previous ten games. While the Cubs have been unable to string together wins since May 5, they will have a significant advantage in tonight’s matchup in the form of starting pitcher Shota Imanaga (5-0, 0.84 ERA, 0.91 WHIP).

Imanaga has been the best pitcher in baseball this season as MLB teams struggle to figure out the former Nippon League star. He has allowed just five earned runs across 53 2/3 innings this season and allowed just nine walks. Imanaga’s ability to limit baserunners is unparalleled and is a reason why he is currently riding a 13-inning scoreless streak. We fully expect him to extend that streak tonight against a Cardinals team that has scored the third-fewest runs in baseball. 

The Cardinals will send veteran Miles Mikolas (3-5, 5.77 ERA, 1.40 WHIP) on the mound against the Cubs. He is coming off his worst season, and things haven’t improved in 2024. While he has been pitching a bit better, that's not saying much, considering his ERA in May is 5.57. The Cubs offense has struggled recently, but they have a deep lineup filled with talented hitters. Chicago will be able to get to Mikolas in this one, making the run line an easy cover.

Bet on Cubs -1.5 (+125) at BetMGM 

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