MLB Picks and Predictions for May 8, 2025

Thursday’s nine-game MLB slate (May 8, 2025) features several intriguing matchups. Below we break down each game with start times, TV info, ticket prices, pitching matchups, and betting odds. We also provide a prediction and best bet (moneyline, runline, or total) for each contest, plus a top player prop to consider. Finally, we summarize the top bets of the day and answer FAQs about the best picks, props, and value plays.

Orioles vs. Twins (Dean Kremer vs. Joe Ryan – 1:10 PM ET, MLB Network)

Game Overview: The Baltimore Orioles (13–21) visit the Minnesota Twins (16–20) at Target Field for an afternoon finale. The Twins broadcast (MNNT) and MASN will televise the game. Tickets: Prices are very low – seats start around $5 on the secondary market, reflecting modest demand for this matchup. The Twins send Joe Ryan (2–2, 2.93 ERA) to the mound against Baltimore’s Dean Kremer (3–4, 5.73 ERA). Ryan has been excellent, with a sparkling 0.90 WHIP and 47:5 K:BB ratio in 40⅔ innings, while Kremer has struggled (opponents batting .281 off him) despite a strong outing his last start. Offensively, the Orioles rank near the bottom at 3.8 runs/game with a .223 team average. They’ve struck out 299 times (almost 9 K’s per game) this year, which could spell trouble against Ryan’s swing-and-miss stuff. Minnesota’s lineup has also underperformed, but they’ll look to capitalize on the pitching edge here.

Odds: The Twins are solid home favorites at roughly -160 on the moneyline (Orioles about +140). The over/under is set around 8 runs, reflecting two inconsistent offenses and Ryan’s effectiveness.

Prediction & Best Bet: Twins -1.5 Run Line – Minnesota’s major pitching advantage makes the runline enticing. Ryan has been dominant and should stifle Baltimore’s struggling bats, whereas Kremer and the O’s bullpen could get hit hard. We expect the Twins to win by 2+ runs (Statsalt’s pick is Twins -1.5). With both offenses scuffling, also consider the Under 8 total – Ryan hasn’t allowed more than 1 ER in any road start, and Baltimore will likely remain quiet (Statsalt leans under 8).

Top Player Prop: Joe Ryan over 6.5 strikeouts. Ryan is averaging over a strikeout per inning with 47 Ks in 7 starts. He faces an Orioles lineup that strikes out frequently (299 Ks already). At home, Ryan should rack up 7+ punchouts in this favorable matchup.

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Rangers vs. Red Sox (Jack Leiter vs. Brayan Bello – 1:35 PM ET, MLB Network)

Game Overview: The Texas Rangers (18–18) take on the Boston Red Sox (18–19) at Fenway Park in a matinee. The game airs on MLB Network and NESN (Boston’s regional network). Tickets:Despite Fenway’s draw, secondary market tickets are available from $12. Texas starts Jack Leiter (2–1, 4.58 ERA), the 25-year-old rookie, against Boston’s Brayan Bello (young righty with a mid-4s ERA). Leiter’s last outing was rough – 6 runs on 8 hits (2 homers) in 4⅓ IP – showing his growing pains. Bello has been better lately but still owns an ERA around 4.00 and has some alarming underlying metrics (5.38 xERA). Offensively, Boston scores 5.1 runs/game at home and has fared well in day games, while Texas’ bats have warmed up (14 runs over their last two games entering Wednesday). The Rangers won 3 of 4 when these teams met in March, but Boston will look to return the favor here.

Odds: The Red Sox are slight favorites at -140 (Texas around +120), indicating a close matchup. The total is high (around 9.5 or 10 runs), as both teams can score and Fenway Park is hitter-friendly. WinnersAndWhiners picks Boston to win (Red Sox ML) and expects a high-scoring game (over the total).

Prediction & Best Bet: Red Sox Moneyline (-137) – We lean Boston to win at home. The Red Sox offense is consistent at Fenway, and they’ve hit Leiter well in limited exposure (.300 BA collectively). Bello has been serviceable, and Texas’ bullpen is middle-of-the-pack. Overall, the Sox should outslug the Rangers in a back-and-forth game. The Over 9.5 is also attractive given suspect pitching on both sides – expect plenty of runs (W&W’s pick: Over).

Top Player Prop: Rafael Devers over 1.5 total bases. Devers is Boston’s most dangerous hitter and should feast on a rookie arm. Leiter has been homer-prone (2 HR allowed last start), so Devers – who thrives at Fenway – could easily double or homer. Look for Devers to accumulate at least two bases (e.g. a double or two singles).

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White Sox vs. Royals (Davis Martin vs. Kris Bubic – 2:10 PM ET)

Game Overview: In Kansas City, the Chicago White Sox (10–26) face the Royals (21–16) for an AL Central clash. This game is on local networks (CHSN in Chicago, FDS Kansas City) and not nationally televised. Tickets: Deals abound in KC – $3 gets you in the door on resale sites, reflecting the White Sox’s poor record. The pitching matchup pits Davis Martin (1–3, 3.52 ERA) for Chicago against lefty Kris Bubic (returning from injury, 4.00+ ERA range). Martin has been decent but allowed a lot of contact (8 hits in 5 IP in his last start). Bubic is still finding consistency; he can miss bats but also has bouts of wildness. The Royals have dominated the Sox lately (KC is 9–1 in the last 10 meetings). Kansas City’s offense is led by young star Bobby Witt Jr., while Chicago’s lineup has struggled most of the year, though they showed signs of life by winning a series vs. Houston recently.

Odds: The Royals are heavy favorites at about -245 on the ML – a reflection of Chicago’s struggles. Chicago +1.5 on the runline is around -104despite KC’s big ML price, indicating many expect a closer game. The total is 8 runs (slightly juiced to the over). Despite recent under trends (8 of last 10 head-to-head went under), W&W likes the Over in this one.

Prediction & Best Bet: White Sox +1.5 Run Line (-104) – Taking Chicago to keep it close. While the Royals are favored to win, laying -245 on KC is risky. The White Sox have been a bit more competitive of late, and Davis Martin’s steady pitching gives them a chance to hang around. We’ll grab the run and a half with Chicago to either win outright or lose by just one (W&W’s pick: White Sox cover +1.5). Over 8 runs is also worth a look – neither bullpen is lights-out, and both lineups could capitalize on middling starters (W&W projects the over).

Top Player Prop: Bobby Witt Jr. over 1.5 total bases. Witt Jr. is a dynamic player for KC, combining power and speed. He’s hitting in the heart of the Royals’ order and should get good swings against Davis Martin, who yielded 8 hits in his last start. Whether via a couple of singles or an extra-base hit, Witt can reach 2+ total bases in this matchup.

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Tigers vs. Rockies – Game 1 (Casey Mize vs. Kyle Freeland – 3:10 PM ET)

Game Overview: The Detroit Tigers (22–13) and Colorado Rockies (6–28) open a doubleheader at Coors Field after a rainout pushed this series into two Thursday games. Game 1 starts at 3:10 PM ET (Altitude Sports in COL, BSD in DET). Tickets: Coors Field is affordable – seats for the early game start around $7. Detroit is starting Casey Mize (2–0, 2.70 ERA) in his return from injury rehab, while Colorado goes with veteran Kyle Freeland (1–5, 5.70 ERA). The Tigers are surprise AL Central leaders, winning 7 of their last 8 games. Their offense exploded for 13 runs in their last outing, with OF Kerry Carpenter driving in 5 runs in that game. Carpenter (.295 AVG, 8 HR) has been a spark atop the lineup, and 1B Spencer Torkelson leads the team with 10 home runs and 27 RBI. By contrast, Colorado’s season has been dreadful – they’ve won just 6 games. The Rockies’ lineup has struggled, and their pitching (5.70 team ERA) is among MLB’s worst. Freeland in particular has been hit hard; opponents are batting over .300 against him, and Coors Field hasn’t helped.

Odds: Detroit is a strong favorite, priced around -174 on the moneyline. Colorado is +146 as a home underdog. The over/under is 10.0 runs – a bit lower than typical Coors totals, likely respecting Mize’s talent and Colorado’s weak offense. Still, thin air and daytime conditions could lead to runs. W&W likes Detroit -1.5 and the Over here.

Prediction & Best Bet: Tigers -1.5 Run Line (-115) – Back Detroit to win by 2+ in Game 1. The Tigers are the far superior team on paper (Rockies are just 6–28!) and have a big edge on the mound. Mize has looked sharp early on, whereas Freeland’s 5.70 ERA is a liability. Detroit’s bats (5th in AL in runs) should give Mize plenty of support, and Colorado’s anemic offense isn’t likely to keep up. We agree with WinnersAndWhiners that Detroit on the runline is the play. The Over 10 is also appealing – Coors Field plus a Rockies bullpen that gets lots of work could yield a slugfest (W&W pick: Over).

Top Player Prop: Spencer Torkelson over 1.5 total bases. Torkelson has been the Tigers’ top power hitter, leading the team with 10 homers. Facing lefty Kyle Freeland (5.70 ERA) at Coors gives Tork a prime chance to do damage. A double in the gap or a few hard-hit singles would cash this prop. With Freeland struggling and the Rockies’ staff allowing plenty of hits, Torkelson could eclipse 2+ bases early.

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Tigers vs. Rockies – Game 2 (Tanner Gordon vs. TBD – ~6:40 PM ET)

Game Overview: A few hours after Game 1, Detroit and Colorado square off again in Game 2 of the doubleheader (approx. 6:40 PM ET start; local TV only). Tickets: If you’re sticking around Denver, Game 2 is included for doubleheader attendees or available for a low price (similar to Game 1’s ~$7 range). Pitching is less certain: Colorado is expected to start Tanner Gordon (a rookie right-hander called up for depth), while Detroit’s starter was TBD at publishing (likely a bullpen game or spot starter). Given Detroit’s strong bullpen (2nd-best ERA in MLB at 2.96), they can manage a bullpen day. The Tigers might shuffle the lineup in Game 2, but their key bats (Torkelson, Carpenter, Riley Greene) are healthy. The Rockies, meanwhile, will hope to salvage a win behind players like Ryan McMahon and Kris Bryant, but runs have been hard to come by. Expect plenty of offense again at Coors, especially if tired arms prevail in the nightcap.

Odds: Without confirmed pitchers, books may wait to post odds. However, Detroit will likely be favored again (perhaps around -170). numberFire’s model gives the Tigers ~63.5% win probability in Game 2. The total should be high (Coors Field, bullpen game) – expect 10.5+ runs. In general, doubleheader Game 2’s can get wild if Game 1 taxed the bullpens.

Prediction & Best Bet: Tigers -1.5 Run Line (Game 2) – Detroit is simply the much better team. Even using a mix of relievers, the Tigers have a bullpen advantage (3rd-best quality starts and strong relief ERA) and a lineup that far outclasses Colorado’s. We’ll ride Detroit to sweep the day and win Game 2 comfortably (W&W also picked Tigers -1.5 in Game 2). Given the uncertainty on the mound, Over 10.5 runs is a fair play as well – Colorado’s pitching staff (5.11+ ERA vs Detroit in prior meetings) tends to get hit, and Coors can turn even backups into slugging stars.

Top Player Prop: Kerry Carpenter over 1.5 total bases. Carpenter has been on a tear for Detroit, batting .295 with 8 homers so far. In a hitter’s park like Coors Field, he’s a good bet to grab a couple of bases – whether via a homer, a couple of hits, or one of each. The Rockies’ Game 2 starter (Gordon) is inexperienced, and their bullpen is worn down, so Carpenter should see plenty of hittable pitches.

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Phillies vs. Rays (Jesús Luzardo vs. Ryan Pepiot – 7:05 PM ET, MLB Network)

Game Overview: The Philadelphia Phillies (20–15) continue their road trip “home” against the Tampa Bay Rays (16–19) at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. (Note: The Rays are hosting this series at the Yankees’ spring facility due to stadium renovations.) The game airs on MLB Network, as well as NBCS-PH and Bally Sports Sun. Tickets: This unique venue has limited seating, driving resale prices up – tickets from $24and up. On the mound, Philly’s Jesús Luzardo (3–0, 1.94 ERA) has been lights-out, pitching himself into early Cy Young consideration. He’s allowed 3 or fewer runs in every start and boasts a 1.59 ERA on the road. Tampa Bay counters with Ryan Pepiot (2–4, 4.23 ERA), acquired in the offseason. Pepiot has had ups and downs – he’s struggled at “home” with a 4.82 ERA and 1–3 record in Tampa. The Phillies’ offense is clicking (4.77 runs/game), led by Kyle Schwarber (12 HR, 28 RBI, .999 OPS)and a deep lineup including Trea Turner (.301, 8 SB). The Rays’ offense has been underwhelming (3.85 runs/game) – top prospect Junior Caminero leads the team with 6 HR, but they’ve lacked punch, which is a concern against a pitcher like Luzardo.

Odds: The Phillies are favored at about -134 on the moneyline, reflecting their form and pitching edge. Tampa is around +115. The total is 8.5 runs (juiced slightly to the under in some books). With a strong starter on one side and an anemic offense on the other, the under is a popular pick (W&W recommended Under 8.5).

Prediction & Best Bet: Phillies Moneyline (-135) – Philadelphia is the pick to win. They’ve taken the first two games of this series behind dominant pitching and now send out another red-hot starter in Luzardo. Tampa Bay hasn’t solved Philly’s arms yet, and Pepiot’s home struggles (4.82 ERA at homemake it hard to back the Rays. Philadelphia’s recent momentum and starting pitching edge provide excellent value on the ML (W&W’s best bet: Phillies ML -130). We also lean Under 8.5 runs – Luzardo rarely gives up more than 2–3 runs, and the Rays have allowed ≤4 runs in 6 of Pepiot’s 7 starts. A 4–2 type game seems plausible (W&W prediction: Under 8.5).

Top Player Prop: Kyle Schwarber over 1.5 total bases. Schwarber is on fire, leading the Phillies with 12 homers and a .999 OPS. He’s seeing the ball well and could feast on Pepiot’s fastball if it misses location. Pepiot has been hittable, allowing a .582 expected slugging to Texas hitters recently and generally not dominating. Whether it’s via a towering homer or a couple of hard-hit doubles/singles, Schwarber has a great chance to accumulate 2+ bases.

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Reds vs. Braves (Nick Lodolo vs. Spencer Schwellenbach – 7:15 PM ET, MLB Network)

Game Overview: The Cincinnati Reds (19–19) open a series against the Atlanta Braves (17–19) at Truist Parkf. This game is on MLB Network (out-of-market) and Bally Sports South/OH locally. Tickets: Atlanta fans can snag seats for as low as $5 – a bargain to watch some top young talent. The Reds send Nick Lodolo (3–3, 3.27 ERA) to the hill. The lefty has generally been excellent with a 1.04 WHIP, though he got pelted for 6 runs over 5⅓ IP in his last start. The Braves will debut prospect Spencer Schwellenbach, a hard-throwing right-hander making his first MLB start. Atlanta’s offense, led by Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson, averages about 4.5 runs/game but can erupt at any time. Cincinnati’s lineup has been around league average (Elly De La Cruz and Jonathan India are names to watch), but they’ve been inconsistent – the Reds have dropped 3 of their last 4 series. Atlanta will look to capitalize on Lodolo having a shaky outing last week, while the Reds hope Lodolo bounces back to play spoiler.

Odds: The Braves are favored at approximately -172 at home, with the Reds +144 as dogs. The over/under is low, around 7.5 or 8 runs (W&W noted 7.5) – respect for Lodolo’s abilities and the unknown rookie on Atlanta’s side. However, that total might be a bit low given Atlanta’s firepower.

Prediction & Best Bet: Braves -1.5 Run Line (+💰) – We’re taking Atlanta to win by 2 in this spot. Schwellenbach is an unknown, but he’s a well-regarded arm and will have a fresh, elite bullpen behind him if on a pitch limit. Meanwhile, Lodolo has to deal with a tough Braves lineup that hits lefties well. The Braves have also had success against Lodolo historically, and his last start (6 ER) raises some concern. With Atlanta at home and looking to build momentum, we like them to cover the -1.5 (W&W prediction: Braves -1.5). Over 7.5 runs is another solid angle – Lodolo could give up a few, and the Reds might scratch out some against Atlanta’s rookie or bullpen. W&W in fact leaned Over 7.5, anticipating more offense than the line implies.

Top Player Prop: Ronald Acuña Jr. over 1.5 total bases. Acuña loves hitting against lefties and should be poised to produce against Lodolo. In Lodolo’s last outing, even a weaker Nationals lineup knocked him around for 6 runs. Acuña can reach two total bases in many ways – a couple of singles, a double, or of course a homer. With Lodolo’s command a bit off recently, Acuña’s aggressive approach could pay off. Expect him to get on base and possibly extra bases (steals won’t count towards TB, so we’re banking on the bat here).

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Blue Jays vs. Angels (Chris Bassitt vs. José Soriano – 9:38 PM ET)

Game Overview: The Toronto Blue Jays (16–19) face the Los Angeles Angels (14–20) in Anaheim for the rubber match of a three-game set First pitch is 9:38 PM ET (SportsNet in Canada, Bally Sports West in LA). Tickets: Deals are plentiful in Anaheim – seats from $3 are available (one of the cheapest of the day). Veteran Chris Bassitt (2–3, 4.20 ERA) goes for Toronto, looking to stabilize the Jays who have lost three straight. The Angels start José Soriano (0–1, 5.40 ERA), a rookie right-hander making just his second MLB start. L.A. took the opener 8–3 on Tuesday, but Toronto’s lineup is too talented to stay down for long. The Jays offense, featuring Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer, and Bo Bichette, has underachieved so far – they went 0-for-8 with RISP in Tuesday’s loss. They’ll try to bounce back against Soriano, who may be on a short leash. The Angels, meanwhile, got a rare offensive outburst in Game 1 (8 runs) with homers from George Springer (yes, for Toronto) and Anthony Santander, and will hope their own hitters like Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani (now with LAA’s lineup after a quiet start) can solve Bassitt. Bassitt is typically steady and can navigate lineups with his mix of pitches, and he’ll aim to suppress an Angels offense that averages 5.14 runs/game (4th in MLB) but can be inconsistent.

Odds: Toronto is a modest favorite, roughly -125 on the moneyline, as the more proven team with the better starter. The Angels are around +105 underdogs at home. The total is in the 9 to 9.5 run range, considering the Angels’ strong offense and shaky pitching. However, W&W’s analysis leaned Under, expecting Bassitt to limit L.A. and Toronto’s offense to do just enough (their pick: Under).

Prediction & Best Bet: Blue Jays Moneyline (-125) – We side with Toronto to get a much-needed win. Bassitt’s experience and ability to induce weak contact give the Jays a clear edge on the mound over Soriano, who is likely to go only 4–5 innings. Toronto’s lineup has been quiet, but facing a rookie could wake up the bats. Meanwhile, the Angels’ bullpen (24th in ERA)often struggles, so even if Soriano is decent, the Jays can break through late. W&W also picked Toronto to win outright. For the total, we lean Under 9 – Bassitt should contain the Angels to a few runs, and the Jays haven’t been exploding offensively; a 5–3 type game is plausible (W&W took Under).

Top Player Prop: George Springer over 1.5 total bases. Springer has been swinging well in this series – he had two hits, including a homer, in Tuesday’s game. As Toronto’s leadoff man, he’ll get plenty of opportunities. Facing a young pitcher like Soriano (and possibly vulnerable middle relievers) is a great spot for Springer to collect multiple bases. Look for him to set the tone with a couple of hits or a big extra-base knock as the Jays aim to regroup.

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Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks (Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Brandon Pfaadt – 9:40 PM ET)

Game Overview: The NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers (25–12) visit the Arizona Diamondbacks (19–18) at Chase Field for the first of a four-game series. Local TV will carry the game (SportsNet LA and ARID). Tickets: This is a hot ticket in Phoenix – seats start around $31 on the secondary market, thanks to a marquee pitching matchup and the Dodgers’ drawing power. Los Angeles sends Japanese sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto (4–2, 0.90 ERA) to the mound. Yamamoto has been unreal, dominating in his first MLB season – in his last start he threw 6 innings of one-hit, scoreless ball vs. Atlanta. He’s allowed just 3 earned runs in his last 4 starts combined. Arizona counters with Brandon Pfaadt (5–2, 3.79 ERA), who has been solid but was rocked in his most recent outing (7 runs on 9 hits in 4.2 IP against Philly). The Dodgers’ lineup is potent, now featuring Shohei Ohtani (team-high 10 HR) and Teoscar Hernández alongside Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. L.A. scores 5.36 runs/game (3rd in MLB). The D-backs offense is no slouch either – 5.14 runs/game (4th) – with Eugenio Suarez (10 HR) and Geraldo Perdomo (30 RBI) leading the charge. But facing Yamamoto is a tall order for any lineup. Arizona will need Pfaadt to quickly shake off his last outing and keep the game close.

Odds: The Dodgers are favored at roughly -155 on the moneyline, given Yamamoto’s dominance and L.A.’s current 8-2 run in their last 10. The D-backs are +130 underdogs at home. The over/under is around 8.0 runs – both teams can hit, but Yamamoto’s presence has bettors expecting a lower score (W&W picked Under).

Prediction & Best Bet: Dodgers Moneyline (-159) – It’s hard to bet against Yamamoto right now. The Dodgers have won 8 of their last 10 games and are firing on all cylinders. Yamamoto has owned the D-Backs so far (2–0, 1.46 ERA in two starts vs ARI) and hasn’t allowed a run in his last three road starts. Meanwhile, Pfaadt and Arizona’s bullpen (9th-worst ERA in MLB) may struggle to contain L.A.’s offense for a full nine. The safest play is Dodgers to win (W&W’s pick as well). For the total, Under 8 is our lean – Yamamoto could easily throw up zeros, and the Dodgers might not need a huge score to secure the win. Recent trends support this: L.A. and Arizona have been under more often than not lately, and Yamamoto has given up only 1 run in his last three road starts.

Top Player Prop: Shohei Ohtani over 1.5 total bases. Ohtani (now with the Dodgers) has been leading the team in homers (10) and driving in runs. He’ll be licking his chops after seeing Pfaadt yield 11 runs over his last three starts and 7 runs in his last outing alone. With Pfaadt struggling and a mediocre Arizona bullpen behind him, Ohtani is a good bet to tally at least two bases – be it a couple of hits or one of his trademark extra-base blasts.

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Top Bets Summary (May 8, 2025)

• Twins -1.5 Run Line vs. Orioles: Joe Ryan’s dominance and the Orioles’ weak offense make Minnesota by 2+ runs a strong play.

• Red Sox Moneyline vs. Rangers: Boston’s home offense and edge against a rookie pitcher give them the nod at Fenway.

• White Sox +1.5 at Royals: Chicago to keep it close – the underdog runline offers value in what could be a one-run game.

• Tigers -1.5 (Game 1) at Rockies: Detroit should roll in the opener behind Casey Mize, facing a Rockies team with MLB’s worst record.

• Tigers -1.5 (Game 2) at Rockies: Expect a doubleheader sweep – Detroit’s depth and bullpen can carry the nightcap at Coors Field.

• Phillies Moneyline at Rays: Back the red-hot Phillies with Luzardo on the mound to finish a road sweep (great value around -130).

• Braves -1.5 vs. Reds: Atlanta’s lineup should back rookie Spencer Schwellenbach; they can cover the runline against Cincinnati.

• Blue Jays Moneyline at Angels: Trust the veteran Bassitt and Toronto’s talent to prevail over a rookie starter and grab a needed win.

• Dodgers Moneyline at D-Backs: Yamamoto’s brilliance makes the Dodgers a top pick despite playing on the road. Hard to fade a 0.90 ERA.

Each of the above bets corresponds to our “Prediction & Best Bet” for that game. Always shop odds for the best lines.

FAQ: MLB Betting Picks for May 8, 2025

Q: What are the best picks overall for today’s MLB games?
A: Two of our favorite bets are the Philadelphia Phillies ML (around -130) and Los Angeles Dodgers ML (around -155). The Phillies have a big pitching edge with Luzardo, and the Dodgers have Yamamoto dealing (0.90 ERA) which makes them very reliable. For plus-money value, we like Minnesota Twins -1.5 on the runline against Baltimore – Joe Ryan’s dominance could lead to a multi-run win. All three of those picks combine strong current form with favorable matchups.

Q: Any recommended player props for May 8?
A: A few player props to consider: Joe Ryan over 6.5 strikeouts vs. Baltimore – the Orioles strike out a lot (299 Ks already) and Ryan has 47 Ks in 40⅔ IP, so 7+ Ks is very attainable. Kyle Schwarber over 1.5 total bases is another great look – Schwarber has a .999 OPS with 12 homers and faces a pitcher with a 4.82 home ERA, giving him multiple chances to rack up bases. Additionally, Shohei Ohtani over 1.5 total bases for the Dodgers is enticing – Ohtani leads L.A. in HRs and faces a struggling pitcher in Pfaadt who just allowed 7 runs last start. These props target players in favorable situations to produce.

Q: Which games offer the best betting value today?
A: Value is subjective, but a few spots stand out. The White Sox +1.5 runline offers value because Chicago is a huge underdog but could easily keep it tight or win against Kansas City – getting a run cushion at nearly even money (-104) is attractive. Also, Philadelphia -135 ML is good value for a superior team with a hot pitcher; you’re not often able to get the Phillies at that price with such an edge. Finally, Detroit -1.5 in Game 1 of the doubleheader is great value around -115 – the Tigers are facing a 6-28 Rockies team with a poor starter, a scenario where a blowout win is quite likely. Identifying mismatches like Detroit vs Colorado or a strong underdog cover like Chicago gives you an edge on the betting lines.

Remember to consider lineups and any last-minute changes. Good luck and enjoy the games!