Best MLB Bets Today: Top Picks for Monday, May 19th

With the NBA taking a break today, you can give betting on the best MLB bets of the day your full and undivided attention. But what are the “best MLB bets,” you ask? After doing a deep dive into the day’s slate, I’ve got a few ideas about that.

Here’s my list of the best MLB bets for Monday, May 19:

Chicago Cubs vs. Miami Marlins

When you look at the preview and see one starting pitcher with a 4.75 ERA (Ben Brown, Cubs) and the other with a 5.52 ERA (Edward Cabrera), the under is probably the last thing you think of.

In his last two starts, Cabrera gave up two runs (vs. A’s) and one (vs. White Sox) in 5 2/3 and five innings. Brown gave up two (vs. Miami) and three (vs. San Francisco) in his last two, but has been pitching better on the road compared to at home this season.

Brown has a 1.59 ERA on the road and did not give up a run in his last two road starts (each six innings).

The Cubs are hitting .266 over the last week, and the Marlins are hitting .256. Cabrera has done well in his recent starts, and Brown has been great on the road. They’ll keep things under control while they are in the game. But there is no telling what will happen once they are pulled.

First five innings total UNDER 4.5 at -106

Baltimore Orioles vs. Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers are hitting just .189 over the last week and scored 14 runs over their last six games combined. Facing Dean Kremer (5.36 ERA) should give them a boost, but with how badly they are hitting, it might not.

Baltimore’s been hitting a respectable .252 but has averaged less than four runs per game. Quinn Priester’s ERA is on the high side at 4.59, but he has pitched really well in his last two outings, giving up one run in each.

UNDER 8.5 at -110 (FanDuel)

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Colorado Rockies

The pitching matchup in this says it all. Philadelphia is set to start Cristopher Sánchez, who is 2-1 on the road in three starts with a 1.88 ERA. Colorado is scheduled to start Kyle Freeland, who is 0-3 in four starts at home with a 9.77 ERA.

Colorado’s pen has a 4.20 ERA, so I wouldn’t expect it to come to the rescue.

Phillies -1.5 (FanDuel)

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Here you have two teams that have been hitting the ball really well over the last week. The Dodgers have been hitting .313, and the Diamondbacks have been hitting .303. Brandon Pfaadt held the Dodgers scoreless in his May 8 start at home, but Pfaadt has been at his best at home.

On the road, he’s 2-2 with a 6.64 ERA, and teams have been hitting .302 against him. Dodgers starter Landon Knack has been at his worst at home (0-1 with a 7.00 ERA). Teams are hitting .297 against him at home.

It will be surprising, to say the least, if the final score is not over 9.5 runs.

OVER 9.5 at -102 (FanDuel)