MLB Best Bets For Tuesday, May 24

Major League Baseball’s Tuesday, May 24th, schedule features 15 games, but only six of those games are divisional matchups. MLB Odds favor 10 of the home teams on the Moneyline on Tuesday, and run lines could be up after 10 games featured at least one team scoring five runs on Monday.

Interestingly, two matchups on Tuesday feature low run totals, set at 6.5. The Miami Marlins face Tampa Bay Rays and the Milwaukee Brewers square off against the San Diego Padres in games that will feature pitching aces, so the sportsbooks don’t have much faith in the offenses. 

Only six of Tuesday’s 15 games are divisional matchups, with a few interesting interleague contests taking place. Today’s bets back a surprise underdogs and expect some lineups to take advantage of favorable pitching matchups. Here’s a look at three MLB Best Bets for Tuesday, May 24th. 

Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds

MLB Best Bet: Cubs Moneyline +100 (UniBet)

The Chicago Cubs (17-24) took the first matchup of this four-game set against the Reds 7-4 on Monday behind a pair of three-run home runs. Despite their poor record overall, the Cubs have held their own away from Chicago, going 10-9 on the road so far this season. They’re 6-4 over their last 10 games, with a .224 batting average, a 3.07 team ERA, and have outscored opponents by 15 runs.

The Cincinnati Reds (12-29) enter this one with MLB’s worst record, including a 5-10 mark at home. That said, they’ve been far more competitive of late, going 5-5 over their last 10 games. In those contests, the Reds hit just .215 but posted a dominant 2.69 team ERA and outscored opponents by five runs. 

The Cubs expect to send Marcus Stroman (1-4) to the mound for his seventh start of the season. He’s pitched to a 4.88 ERA with 28 strikeouts through 31.1 innings. But he’s coming off a solid outing against the Arizona Diamondbacks where the right-hander threw five innings, allowing two earned runs while surrendering five hits. 

Despite their overall record, most sportsbooks favor Cincinnati in this one because of their starting pitcher. The Reds expect right-hander Tyler Mahle (2-4, 5.23 ERA) to go on Tuesday. He’s coming off a solid outing where he went 6.1 innings, allowing just one run. Mahle’s posted consecutive quality starts, going 1-0 with a 2.19 ERA, allowing three runs over 12.1 innings, with 12 strikeouts and three walks. 

Despite that, it’s hard to back what’s been the worst team in baseball. The Cubs come to this one with a solid 17-10 mark as underdogs against the run line this season. They’re 8-8 as a road ‘dog. The Reds have won one of the five games they’ve played as favorites this season.

Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees

MLB Best Bet: Over 8.5 Runs +106 (BetRivers)

The Baltimore Orioles (18-25) scored one of the bigger upsets of the day when they topped the Yankees 6-4 in New York on Monday. The Orioles survived two homers from Aaron Judge, with Ramon Urias knocking the tiebreaking dinger off Gerrit Cole for the impressive win. 

The New York Yankees (29-13) are riding a rare three-game losing streak into this game on Tuesday, which makes the Moneyline feel like an MLB Best Bet. Until Monday, the Yanks hadn’t lost three in a row all season. What’s most confounding is the fact that Judge is rolling, having connected on three homers in the past two days. 

Tuesday’s pitching matchup pits Baltimore lefty Bruce Zimmerman (2-2, 2.83 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 34 strikeouts) versus Yankees lefty Jordan Montgomery (0-1, 3.35 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 32 strikeouts). Zimmerman’s struggled against New York in the past, allowing a .338 batting average versus Yankee hitters. Judge himself enters this matchup 5-for-11 with a pair of homers versus Zimmerman. Anthony Rizzo’s 4-for-6 with two doubles, and Giancarlo Stanton’s 4-for-9 with a homer against Baltimore’s starter. 

The Yankees, who hold the best odds to win the American League, should plate some runs in this one. But Baltimore can, too. Montgomery is 3-1 with a 3.04 ERA in 15 career starts against the Orioles, allowing a .278 batting averaging in those contests. Anthony Santander sees him well, going 5-for-12 with two doubles and a homer versus New York’s lefty. Robinson Chirinos enters 3-for-7 with two homers off Montgomery as well. 

Baltimore’s seen the Over hit in four of their last five games. New York’s seen the Over hit in six of their last seven AL East games. The Over’s is 35-15 in the last 50 meetings between these clubs in New York and 5-1 in the six overall. 

Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves

MLB Best Bet: Over 8.5 Runs +110 (BetMGM)

The Philadelphia Phillies (20-22) jumped all over Atlanta starter Tucker Davidson on Monday, playing six runs by the end of the third inning in that one. Last year’s Cy Young runner-up, Zach Wheeler, continued to round into form, limiting the Braves to just two earned runs over 6.2 innings in Philadelphia’s 7-3 victory.

The Atlanta Braves (19-23) uneven defense of their World Series title took another down turn with that loss. Atlanta’s struggled to find it’s rhythm through the first few months of the season, which lead to a number of lineup changes on Monday. But those changes didn’t help. Ronald Acuña Jr. went 0 for 5 after reaching safely in 29 straight games, which was the longest active streak in the majors dating to last June 25.

On Tuesday, the Braves expect lefty Max Fried (4-2, 3.31 ERA) to face Philadelphia righty Kyle Gibson (3-2, 3.98). Fried’s allowed three or more runs in three of his eight starts this season and he’s facing a potent Phillies lineup. Over his last 12 innings pitched, Fried’s allowed seven earned runs and 16 hits. Philadelphia enters this one 7-5 against lefty starters with a .335 wOBA (fourth in MLB). Fried sports a 4.01 career ERA versus Philadelphia. 

But Gibson enters 1-1 with a 4.73 ERA in two career starts against Atlanta. He faced Atlanta once last year and was knocked out after giving up five runs (four earned) in 4.1 innings. And considering the Phillies weakness in the bullpen, there should be some runs plated in this one. Each of the last three matchups between these clubs (dating back to last season) saw at least eight runs scored.

Philadelphia’s seen the Over hit in four of their last five road games. The Over is 5-1-1 for Philly following a win. For the Braves, the Over is 6-0-1 in their last 7 games as a home favorite. The Over is 10-4 in the last 14 meetings between these clubs in Atlanta.