Best MLB Bets for Thursday, May 8: Top Picks and Expert Predictions

Today’s MLB slate is smaller, but there is some quality among the reduced quantity of games.

Nine games still give us more than enough betting markets to choose from as we start to look to the weekend. But before we do that, there’s the matter of Thursday’s best MLB bets.

Here is my list of the best MLB bets for Thursday, May 8 (odds via FanDuel):

Baltimore Orioles (+136) vs. Minnesota Twins (-1.5), o/u 8

Joe Ryan is getting the start for Minnesota; he has allowed one run or fewer in five of seven starts. Dean Kremer pitched seven shutout innings for the Orioles in his last start, but gave up five or more runs in four of his other six starts.

With how Minnesota has been hitting the ball (.268 over the last week) and how poorly Kremer has played most of the season, the Twins should outscore Baltimore by two or more runs.

Pick: Minnesota -1.5

Detroit Tigers (-1.5) vs. Colorado Rockies (+150), o/u 10 (Game 1)

With Casey Mize on the mound for the Tigers (5-1 with a 2.70 ERA and 1.09 WHIP), Colorado fans may want to temper expectations after scoring six runs yesterday. Mize allowed four in his last start but held opponents to one run or fewer in four of his five starts in April.

The hottest-hitting team in baseball, Detroit (.311 over the last week), should make mincemeat out of Rockies starter Kyle Freeland (0-4, 5.70 ERA and 1.46 WHIP).

Pick: Tigers -1.5

Philadelphia Phillies (-1.5) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (+114), o/u 8.5

The Phillies are scheduled to start Jesús Luzardo against the Rays today. Luzardo is 3-0 across seven starts with a 1.94 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. Tampa Bay is going with Ryan Pepiot (2-4 with a 4.23 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP).

The Rays have been struggling at the plate over the last week, hitting just .193. It will not get any easier trying to hit Luzardo. Philly’s lineup, on the other hand, is hitting .295 and should have a field day vs. Pepiot.

Pick: Phillies -1.5

Los Angeles Dodgers (-1.5) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (+130), o/u 8.5

Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been absolutely incredible for the Dodgers this season. He is 4-2 in seven starts with a 0.90 ERA and 0.93 WHIP. Brandon Pfaadt has not pitched as well, but has done well in his own right (5-2, 3.79 ERA and a WHIP of 1.34).

Arizona’s lineup has been hitting .256 over the last week. While that’s not bad, fans should not expect much against Yamamoto, as opposing batters are hitting .171 against him.

Pick: Dodgers -1.5