Best MLB Bets for Saturday, May 31: Top Picks for Reds vs. Cubs, Rays vs. Astros, and More

There is a certain beauty to a Saturday afternoon packed with MLB games. What is that beauty, you ask? It’s this: If you look hard enough, there are a lot of great MLB bets you could make. Of course, the trick is finding the “best MLB bets” to add to my list.

Here’s what made my “MLB Best Bets” list for Saturday, May 31 (odds via FanDuel):

Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs

The Cubs are a solid baseball team, but they just aren’t playing like one at the moment. They haven’t been hitting too great over the last week (.247 BA) and didn’t do any better in Friday’s series opener (6-for-32).

It’s not going to get easier against Nick Lodolo. Lodolo has a 4-4 record with a 3.39 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. However, the bigger issue for the Cubs is not Lodolo. It’s going to be keeping the Reds’ offense in check with their shaky bullpen leading the charge.

Reds ML +138

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Houston Astros

At first, I thought this would be an easy one for the Rays. With the lineup hitting .268 over the last week, surely they’ll get to an unimpressive Colton Gordon (0-0 in three starts with a 5.52 ERA and 1.43 WHIP).

But then I took a closer look at Gordon and saw he had a decent outing against them on May 19 (5 1/3 innings, three hits, three runs, seven strikeouts, and no walks). As it turns out, Zack Littell had a solid outing against Houston the next day (five innings, seven hits, two runs).

With Houston hitting .297 over the last week and Tampa Bay hitting .268, I expect to see some offense. But Houston has a strong bullpen, while the Rays do not. That will be the difference in the game.

Houston ML -124

Washington Nationals vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

Pfaadt was red hot in April, winning all five starts with a 2.43 ERA for the month. He has since come back down to earth in May, going 2-2 in five starts with a 5.40 ERA for the month. In his four May starts, Soroka has a 5.23 ERA with a 1-2 record.

Arizona has been a mediocre team at home (14-15), while Washington has been a little competitive (13-16), giving them a slight edge. Both lineups have been hitting the ball well of late (Arizona: .278 BA; Washington: .251).

This appears to be a fairly even match between two teams with questionable pitchers and decent offenses. If you want a winner, I’m leaning toward Washington, but I consider the over a much better bet. Both pitchers should be good for 5–6 runs.

Over 9 at -115