Best MLB Bets Today | MLB Picks, May 26

The Friday MLB slate is loaded with valuable betting opportunities. We spend long hours studying the lines and odds at WSN, to set you up for success. The day starts with some early baseball between the Reds and Cubs in Chicago. It concludes with the Pirates and Mariners in an interleague matchup from Seattle. Let’s break down the best bets for May 26!

Chicago White Sox @ Detroit Tigers

• Time: 6:40 PM ET
• Starting Pitchers: Lance Lynn (CHI) vs Joey Wentz (DET)
• Moneyline: White Sox (-152) | Tigers (+128)
• Run Line: White Sox -1.5 (+112) | Tigers +1.5 (-134)
• Total: Over 8.5 (-120) | Under 8.5 (-102)

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

My Pick: Tigers +1.5 (-134)

The White Sox are an embarrassment to the entire city of Chicago. The American League West is the worst division in baseball, and they have a horrendous 21-31 record. A major reason for their bad record has been their inability to win on the road. The White Sox are 9-18 as visitors, and this reflects why the fans constantly chant, “SELL THE TEAM,” at games. 

Chicago will throw Lance Lynn who hasn’t done anything consistently well this season. Lynn is 3-5 with a 6.28 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. Over 57.1 innings, he has walked 19 batters and allowed 12 homers. Lynn has power on the mound, but when he misses with his fastball, big-league hitters find ways to generate power. Wentz will throw for the Tigers, and he hasn’t been any better. The pitcher is 1-4 with a 7.45 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP. 

He has allowed nine homers in 38.2 innings, so it will take a strong offensive performance for the Tigers to cover on the run line. Although, they’ve been a better team than Chicago this season at 23-25, which includes an 11-10 record at home. In Game 1 of this series, the Tigers pulled off a 7-2 win, showing they can manipulate Chicago’s bullpen. This gives me the belief they’ll be within one run on Friday. 

Boston Red Sox @ Arizona Diamondbacks 

• Time: 7:20 PM ET
• Starting Pitchers: Chris Sale (BOS) vs Brandon Pfaadt (ARI)
• Moneyline: Red Sox (-144) | Diamondbacks (+122)
• Run Line: Red Sox -1.5 (+118) | Diamondbacks +1.5 (-142)
• Total: Over 8.5 (-115) | Under 8.5 (-105)

My Pick: Red Sox ML (-144)

The Boston Red Sox are just over .500 in the best division in baseball. They’ve shown they can play with the best teams in baseball, just like their Friday opponent, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Arizona is 29-21 and in second place in the NL West. A big reason for their 2023 dominance has been their star pitching staff, headlined by Zach Gallen. However, they will not have a star take the ball on Friday night in Brandon Pfaadt. 

Pfaadt has struggled all season in his 20 innings on the mound. The young wing doesn’t seem to be ready for the show, which is clear by his 7.65 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. He has allowed seven homers in 20 innings on the mound because he consistently misses his spots. The Red Sox offense has been spectacular this season, and it’s why they’re one of the most profitable ‘over’ teams in MLB. The Red Sox have blasted 59 homers and have a .332 team OBP. The area where the Red Sox come up short is with their starting pitching. The entire group hasn’t been good and there is a lack of talent in the rotation. 

Chris Sale will take the ball for the Red Sox, and he has been one of their best pitchers despite some shaky numbers. Sale has a 5.01 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP. Over 50.1 innings, he has allowed 46 hits and eight homers. However, the strikeout numbers have been impressive, with 62 on the season. If Sale can continue turning up his velocity, the Red Sox should cruise to an opening night win in Arizona before they face the Diamondbacks’ tougher pitchers. 

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