After a below .500 week in MLB betting, we went 7-4 last night as we adjust to the increasing offense and try to get back on track.

Remember, you don’t HAVE to bet on each game. We are giving you our best bets for every game, but if our analysis isn’t landing with you or you just don’t feel like a bet stands out, it’s okay to give that game a pass. There will always be more games to bet on.

Below, I take you through today’s schedule, the odds for each game along with the starting pitchers, and some picks that should help you not only enjoy the game but also think about which way you want to want to bet the game if that’s something you want to do.

Also, we recommend checking the Fangraphs Probables Grid to see the likely starting pitchers from each game with clickable links to get the most in-depth information on each pitcher.

New to betting? Read our Beginner’s Guide to Betting with a glossary of terms

MLB Odds and Schedule, May 17

Chicago White Sox (17-17) @ Kansas City Royals (12-21), 2:10 p.m. ET

Game 1 of a doubleheader

The White Sox have started slowly as an offense due to injuries, scoring 3.59 runs per game on the season, which is 25th in the league, while the Royals have been boosted by a series in Coors Field, which saw them score 8.67 runs per game. They now rank 24th in baseball with 3.67 runs scored per game. Both of these teams have also seen their formerly elite bullpens fall on hard times, with the White Sox pitching to a 4.18 ERA and the Royals coming in at 4.28

CHW Starting Pitcher: Dylan Cease (3-1, 3.55 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 13.74 K/9)
KC Starting Pitcher: Jon Heasley (1-0, 4.44 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 10.25 K/9 in minors)
MLB Free Pick:

Arizona Diamondbacks (18-18) @ Los Angeles Dodgers (22-12), 3:10 p.m. ET

Game 1 of a doubleheader

The Dodgers remain the best offense in baseball, scoring 5.26 runs per game on the season, while the Diamondbacks have been consistently poor and are 26th in baseball with 3.56 runs scored per game. These two bullpens are also at opposite ends of the spectrum, with the Dodgers pitching to a 3.21 rate while the Diamondbacks have been bad and have a 4.89 bullpen ERA.

ARI Starting Pitcher: Tyler Gilbert (0-1, 2.08 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, 6.23 K/9 split between bullpen)
LAD Starting Pitcher: Ryan Pepiot (2-0, 2.05 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 12.30 K/9 in minors)
MLB Free Pick:

St. Louis Cardinals (19-15) @ New York Mets (23-13), 3:10 p.m. ET

Game 1 of a doubleheader

The Mets offense has now dropped out of the top ten, ranking 11th with 4.44 runs scored per game, while St. Louis sits in 9th with 4.62 runs scored per game. The Mets’ bullpen has been relatively average, with a 3.59 ERA, while the Cardinals have been stronger and are registering a 3.38 mark.

STL Starting Pitcher: Miles Mikolas (3-1, 1.49 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 6.59 K/9)
NYM Starting Pitcher: Trevor Williams (0-2, 5.73 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 7.36 K/9)
MLB Free Pick:

Cincinnati Reds (9-26) @ Cleveland Guardians (16-17), 6:10 p.m. ET

The Reds offense sits 19th in baseball with 4.03 runs scored per game, while Cleveland continues to hit well, ranking 7th with 4.76 runs scored per game. Cleveland has the much better bullpen, pitching to a 3.44 bullpen ERA, while the Reds are second-worst in the league with a 4.93 rate.

CIN Starting Pitcher: Connor Overton (1-0, 1.59 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 4.24 K/9)
CLE Starting Pitcher: Zach Plesac (1-3, 4.68 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 5.51 K/9)
MLB Free Pick:

Detroit Tigers (13-23) @ Tampa Bay Rays (21-15), 6:40 p.m. ET

The Tigers have now plummeted into the basement, ranking dead last in baseball with 2.86 runs scored per game, while Tampa Bay sits 14th with 4.11 runs scored per game. Both bullpens are fairly solid with the Rays posting a 3.51 mark and the Tigers near the top of the league with a 2.73 mark.

DET Starting Pitcher: Beau Brieske (0-2, 3.86 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 4.71 K/9)
TB Starting Pitcher: Shane McClanahan (2-2, 2.52 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 13.27 K/9)
MLB Free Pick:

Shane McClanahan delivers a pitch in 2022 MLB action — Apr 18, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA;Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan (18) shows the ball against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Nationals (12-25) @ Miami Marlins (16-19), 6:40 p.m. ET

Washington has been picking it up of late and now ranks 15th with 4.11 runs per game, while Miami rode a mid-week hot stretch and now ranks 13th with 4.26 runs scored per game. The Miami bullpen has been surprisingly solid to start the year, pitching to a 3.40 bullpen ERA, while the Nationals have compiled a 4.03 bullpen ERA.

WAS Starting Pitcher: Joan Adon (1-6, 7.03 ERA, 1.72 WHIP, 8.16 K/9)
MIA Starting Pitcher: Cody Poteet (0-0, 0.55 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 7.71 K/9 as a reliever)
MLB Free Pick:

San Diego Padres (22-13) @ Philadelphia Phillies (17-18), 6:45 p.m. ET

The Phillies have been swinging hot bats of late and now rank 4th in baseball with 4.91 runs scored per game, while San Diego sits 10th with 4.57 runs scored per game. Both bullpens are fairly mediocre with the Padres posting a 4.08 mark and the Phillies posting a 4.38 bullpen ERA.

SD Starting Pitcher: Mike Clevinger (0-0, 5.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, 10.00 K/9 in two starts)
PHI Starting Pitcher: Zach Eflin (1-2, 4.50 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 6.75 K/9)
MLB Free Pick:

New York Yankees (26-9) @ Baltimore Orioles (14-22), 7:05 p.m. ET

The Yankees have been one of the best offenses in baseball, ranking 3rd with 4.94 runs scored per game, while the Orioles have been on the opposite end of the spectrum, ranking 29th with 3.22 runs per game. The Yankees have the best bullpen in baseball, currently, pitching to a 2.51 rate, while the Orioles have a strong 3.41 bullpen ERA.

NYY Starting Pitcher: Jameson Taillon (3-1, 2.93 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 7.34 K/9)
BAL Starting Pitcher: Spenser Watkins (0-1, 5.19 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 4.50 K/9)
MLB Free Pick:

Seattle Mariners (16-20) @ Toronto Blue Jays (19-17), 7:07 p.m. ET

Toronto continues to underperform our expectations on offense, ranking 22nd in baseball with 3.78 runs per game, while the Mariners have cooled off of late and are scoring 3.92 runs per game on the season, which ranks 20th in the league. These two bullpens have been below average with the Mariners registering a 3.83 ERA, while the Blue Jays have a 4.03 mark.

SEA Starting Pitcher: Logan Gilbert (4-1, 2.13 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 9.95 K/9)
TOR Starting Pitcher: Jose Berrios (2-2, 5.82 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 6.35 K/9)
MLB Free Pick:

Chicago White Sox (17-17) @ Kansas City Royals (12-21), 7:10 p.m. ET

Game 2 of a doubleheader

See above.

CHW Starting Pitcher: Davis Martin (2-0, 1.50 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 6.00 K/9 in minors)
KC Starting Pitcher: Brady Singer (0-0, 6.35 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 9.53 K/9 as a reliever)
MLB Free Pick: Pass
WHY?: I’ve never heard of Davis Martin before this game, and am constantly reading about baseball and fantasy baseball. Singer has also been a mess this year. Yet, both of these offenses have also been pretty bad to start the year. I just have no feel for how this game will go.

Houston Astros (23-13) @ Boston Red Sox (14-21), 7:10 p.m. ET

These two offenses, which met in the ALCS last year, started off the year slowly, but Houston has been trending up of late and now ranks 12th with 4.28 runs scored per game. Even though Boston averaged 6.33 runs per game in their last series, they still rank 23rd in baseball with 3.77 runs scored per game. The Astros bullpen has been one of the best in baseball with a 2.91 bullpen ERA, while the Red Sox have struggled to a 4.21 mark.

HOU Starting Pitcher: Jose Urquidy (2-1, 4.40 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 5.97 K/9)
BOS Starting Pitcher: Nathan Eovaldi (1-1, 3.15 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 9.45 K/9)
MLB Free Pick:

Nathan Eovaldi delivers a pitch in 2022 MLB action — Apr 8, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) pitches the ball against New York Yankees during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-USA TODAY Sports

St. Louis Cardinals (19-15) @ New York Mets (23-13), 7:10 p.m. ET

Game 2 of a doubleheader

See above

STL Starting Pitcher: Steven Matz (3-3, 6.40 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 10.30 K/9)
NYM Starting Pitcher: Taijuan Walker (1-0, 3.00 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 4.00 K/9)
MLB Free Pick:

Want to learn more about betting on MLB? Read our MLB Betting Resource Guide

Atlanta Braves (16-20) @ Milwaukee Brewers (23-13), 7:40 p.m. ET

The Brewers’ offense has been strong for the last few weeks, now ranking 6th in baseball with 4.78 runs scored per game, while the Braves are scoring 4.06 runs per game on the season, which ranks 18th in the league. The Braves bullpen has been average, with a 3.59 ERA, while the Brewers struggled to a 3.78 mark.

ATL Starting Pitcher: Tucker Davidson (1-1, 4.44 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 11.62 K/9 in the minors)
MIL Starting Pitcher: Adrian Houser (3-3, 3.86 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 7.42 K/9)
MLB Free Pick:

Pittsburgh Pirates (15-20) @ Chicago Cubs (14-20), 7:40 p.m. ET

The Cubs exploded in the first inning last night, upping their average runs per game to 4.09, which is 26th in baseball, while the Pirates rank 27th in baseball with 3.40 runs scored per game on the season. The Pirates’ bullpen continues to struggle with a 4.28 ERA, while the Cubs have been fairly strong and currently sport a 3.27 mark.

PIT Starting Pitcher: JT Brubaker (0-3, 5.34 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 9.79 K/9)
CHC Starting Pitcher: Keegan Thompson (2-0, 1.67 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 7.33 K/9 as a reliever)
MLB Free Pick:

Los Angeles Angels (24-14) @ Texas Rangers (15-19), 8:05 p.m. ET

The Angels continue to swing hot bats, ranking 5th with 4.89 runs per game, while Texas has been inconsistent this year and ranks 17th with 4.06 runs per game. Both teams have had middle-of-the-road bullpens this season with the Angels pitching to a 3.33 bullpen ERA and the Rangers carrying a 3.56 mark.

LAA Starting Pitcher: Reid Detmers (2-1, 3.77 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 5.81 K/9)
TEX Starting Pitcher: Taylor Hearn (2-2, 5.26 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 10.17 K/9)
MLB Free Pick:

San Francisco Giants (21-14) @ Colorado Rockies (17-18), 8:40 p.m. ET

These are two top-ten offenses with the Giants ranking 2nd in baseball with 5.03 runs per game, while the Rockies are scoring 4.74 runs per game, which ranks 8th in baseball. The Giants’ bullpen continues to be hit-or-miss with a 3.74 ERA, and the Rockies are putting up a league-worst 5.40 rate.

SF Starting Pitcher: Alex Cobb (2-1, 3.98 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 12.39 K/9)
COL Starting Pitcher: Chad Kuhl (3-1, 2.88 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 7.86 K/9)
MLB Free Pick:

Minnesota Twins (21-15) @ Oakland Athletics (15-23), 9:40 p.m. ET

These are two mediocre lineups with the Twins scoring 3.89 runs per game on the season, which is 21st in the league, while the Athletics are down to 28th in baseball with 3.24 runs scored per game. These are two solid bullpens with the Athletics registering a 3.09 bullpen ERA and the Twins putting up a 3.06 rate.

MIN Starting Pitcher: Dylan Bundy (3-2, 5.76 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 7.92 K/9)
OAK Starting Pitcher: James Kaprielian (0-2, 4.97 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 7.11 K/9)
MLB Free Pick: Check back later once lineups are published

Arizona Diamondbacks (18-18) @ Los Angeles Dodgers (22-12), 10:10 p.m. ET

Game 2 of a doubleheader

See above

ARI Starting Pitcher: Merrill Kelly (3-1, 1.71 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 8.14 K/9)
LAD Starting Pitcher: Tyler Anderson (3-0, 4.40 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 8.48 K/9)
MLB Free Pick: Check back later once lineups are published

Merrill Kelly delivers a pitch in 2022 MLB action — Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly throws against the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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F5 Parlay of the Day

We’re going to start moving away from the typical parlay and suggest parlay’s specifically for F5 (first five innings) picks because this gives us the ability to take advantage when we see a lopsided starting pitching matchup.

Odds: Check back later once lineups are published