MLB Best Run Total Bets for Saturday May 24th

While Friday features a full slate of MLB games, most are scheduled in the early evening hours.

But on Saturdays, the scheduling gods ensure fans have a steady stream of baseball for their viewing—and betting—entertainment.

Here are our best bets for Saturday:

Cubs at Reds

It may seem silly to take the under a day after these two teams combined for 19 runs. But when you look at who’s on the mound to start the day, maybe not.

The Reds will send out Andrew Abbott, who’s 3-0 in seven starts with a 1.80 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. The Cubs counter with Colin Rea, also 3-0 but in 10 starts, boasting a 2.38 ERA and 1.20 WHIP.

Abbott has given up just one earned run this month (in four starts) and should be able to quiet the Cubs’ bats. Rea is good enough to keep the Reds from going off.

Under 9.5 (FanDuel)

Mariners at Astros

Sounds risky for two teams whose total hit eight runs yesterday, right? Not so much when you factor in the starting pitchers: Bryan Woo for the Mariners and Framber Valdez for the Astros.

Woo is having a stellar year—5-1 with a 2.65 ERA and 0.87 WHIP. Valdez has been a bit up and down but is still solid at 3-4 with a 3.57 ERA and 1.11 WHIP.

Houston is hitting .256 over the last week; Seattle, .223. Valdez should keep Seattle’s weak offense in check, and Woo will make it tough for the Astros to get anything going.

Under 7.5 (FanDuel)

Phillies at Athletics

Oakland’s pitching staff did a solid job shutting down what had been a hot Philadelphia offense on Friday. But don’t count on that happening again.

Jeffrey Springs has a respectable 3.91 ERA overall, but he’s struggled mightily at home. In four starts in Oakland, he’s 1-2 with a 6.30 ERA and a .289 opponents’ batting average.

Philadelphia’s Cristobal Sanchez, meanwhile, is 4-1 with a 3.10 ERA and pitches best on the road—2-1 in four starts with a 2.66 ERA.

The Phillies’ bats were quiet on Friday, but Springs’ home struggles suggest they won’t stay silent for long. Sanchez should be able to contain a light-hitting A’s lineup.

Under 9.5 (FanDuel)