Best MLB Bets Today | MLB Picks, May 2

New York Mets vs Detroit Tigers

• Time: 6:40 PM ET
• Starting Pitchers: Joey Lucchesi vs Michael Lorenzen
• Moneyline: Mets -150 | Tigers +130
• Runline: Mets -1.5 (+115) | Tigers +1.5 (-135)
• Total: Over 8.5 (-115) | Under 8.5 (-105)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

My Pick: Under 8.5 (-105)

Our first MLB best bet for Tuesday is the under in the clash between the New York Mets and Detroit Tigers. This total is a bit higher than normal, thanks in large part to what is perceived to be a favorable matchup between the Mets lineup and the pitching of the Tigers. But the offensive issues of Detroit should keep the under in play throughout this game, even if the Mets are productive at the plate.

So far this season, only three teams in Major League Baseball have failed to score 100 runs as a team. Those three teams are the Miami Marlins, Kansas City Royals, and Detroit Tigers, with the Tigers ranking dead last in the league in runs scored at 88 for the year. In fact, the Tigers are the only team in the league that has failed to reach 90 runs as a team on the year, with their offense being especially bleak thus far.

It is worth pointing out that the Mets bats are taking on a pitcher in Michael Lorenzen that has an ERA of 7.07 so far this year. However, that is over a sample size of just 14 innings of work, while facing potent lineups such as those of the Milwaukee Brewers and Baltimore Orioles. Here, Lorenzen will appear in just his second home game of the year, where we can expect some better results against the Mets.

Cleveland Guardians vs New York Yankees

• Time: 7:05 PM ET
• Starting Pitchers: Tanner Bibee vs Gerrit Cole
• Moneyline: Guardians (+138) | Yankees (-164)
• Runline: Guardians +1.5 (-162) | Yankees -1.5 (+134)
• Total: Over 7.5 (+104) | Under 7.5 (-128)

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

My Pick: Yankees -1.5 (+134)

On Monday, the Cleveland Guardians took down the New York Yankees in a tight 3-2 contest, with Cleveland coming back from a 2-0 deficit to win in the late innings. On Tuesday, we expect the Yankees to exact their revenge for that game by beating Cleveland and covering the runline in the process. With Gerrit Cole on the mound for the Yankees, the last-place team in the AL East will get a rare reprieve from their recent struggles.

So far this season, Cole has been the favorite to win the AL Cy Young award, as his numbers have been beyond belief early in the year. Cole is 5-0 on the season with a 1.11 ERA, with the Yankees winning every game that he has started so far. He is striking out over a batter per inning thus far, and Cole should be able to mow down plenty of Guardians at home in a huge game for the Yankees.

On the other side, Cleveland is sending Tanner Bibee to the mound for this game, who pitched well in his first outing of the season against the Colorado Rockies. But there is a huge difference between pitching at home against the Rockies and pitching in Yankee Stadium against the pinstripes. We should see some slight regression from Cleveland’s starter here, which will help the Yankees get a win and a runline cover with Cole on the hill.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs Texas Rangers

• Time: 8:05 PM ET
• Starting Pitchers: Zac Gallen vs Jon Gray
• Moneyline: Diamondbacks (-145) | Rangers (+120)
• Runline: Diamondbacks -1.5 (+115) | Rangers +1.5 (-140)
• Total: Over 8 (-105) | Under 8 (-115)

Odds courtesy of BetMGM

My Pick: Diamondbacks Moneyline (-145)

Our final MLB best bet for Tuesday features another Cy Young candidate, only in the National League this time. We like the Arizona Diamondbacks to get the better of the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night, with Zac Gallen on the mound for the snakes. In what is a very solid pitching matchup between Gallen and Texas’ Jon Gray, we like Gallen to do just enough to keep his incredible season rolling with a win.

So far this season, Gallen is 4-1 with an ERA of 2.15, but it has been his ability to strike out opposing batters that has made him so special in 2023. Gallen has struck out 11 or more batters in three of his last four starts, including 12 strikeouts against the Royals in his last start. If he can continue to blow away opposing hitters in this game, especially in a normally hitter-friendly Globe Life Park, Gallen’s Cy Young candidacy could really take shape.

Gallen also has an interesting streak that he will do his part to protect in this contest. He will attempt to make it a fifth straight start where his opponents do not score. The Diamondbacks bullpen has finished shutouts for Gallen in each of his last four outings, an incredible run that they will look to extend deep in the heart of Texas.

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