Today’s MLB Rundown + Best Bets

⭐ Luzardo faces the Cubs’ league-best offense, Padres look to bounce back behind Cease, and Casey Mize anchors the AL Central-leading Tigers in a doubleheader opener

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🔥 Top Picks

Tigers ML (-155) vs Orioles – 1:10 pm ET
Casey Mize (3-1, 2.22 ERA) has been lights-out, while Baltimore counters with rookie Brandon Young (6.75 ERA) in just his second big league start. Detroit is 10-3 at home and owns MLB’s third-best team ERA.

Padres -1.5 (+154) vs Rays – 8:40 pm ET
Dylan Cease owns a 2.27 ERA in 17 career starts at Petco, and the Rays lineup continues to flail on the road. San Diego is 11-4 at home and poised to bounce back after Friday’s 1-0 loss.

Phillies ML (-115) at Cubs – 4:05 pm ET
Jesus Luzardo has held Cubs hitters to a .152 average and brings a 2.08 ERA into Wrigley. Philly’s dropped five straight, but this is a strong bounce-back spot with their ace on the mound.

⚾ Game Previews

Orioles at Tigers – 1:10 PM ET
🔹 Brandon Young (BAL): 0-0, 6.75 ERA — making just his second MLB start
🔹 Casey Mize (DET): 3-1, 2.22 ERA — locked in and commanding
🔍 Insight: Detroit is 10-3 at home and top-three in team ERA. Mize has been dominant, while Baltimore’s pitching ranks dead last (5.25 ERA). Expect a clean Tigers win in the opener.
🔥 Top Pick: Tigers ML (-155)

Red Sox at Guardians – 1:10 PM ET
🔹 Tanner Houck (BOS): 0-2, 7.66 ERA — struggling out of the gate
🔹 Ben Lively (CLE): 1-2, 3.86 ERA — dependable middle-rotation arm
🔍 Insight: Cleveland’s 7-2 at home and won four of seven vs Boston last year. Houck's issues make the Guardians a live home side in Game 1 of the doubleheader.
Best Bet: Guardians ML (-108)

Angels at Twins – 2:10 PM ET
🔹 Yusei Kikuchi (LAA): 0-3, 3.38 ERA — better than record shows
🔹 Simeon Woods Richardson (MIN): 1-2, 4.74 ERA — rookie finding his footing
🔍 Insight: Both teams are cold, but the Twins have a slight edge with more reliable recent form and the Angels hitting just .178 over their last 10.
Best Bet: Twins ML (-130)

Brewers at Cardinals – 2:15 PM ET
🔹 Quinn Priester (MIL): 1-0, 1.93 ERA — strong but shaky command
🔹 Sonny Gray (STL): 3-0, 3.41 ERA — controlling lineups with ease
🔍 Insight: Gray has held opponents to a .204 average and is thriving at Busch. Priester’s walk issues could burn him in a tough road spot.
Best Bet: Cardinals ML (-155)

Reds at Rockies – 3:10 PM ET
🔹 Hunter Greene (CIN): 2-2, 2.35 ERA — overpowering fastball has been sharp
🔹 Antonio Senzatela (COL): 1-3, 4.81 ERA — hittable in every start
🔍 Insight: Cincinnati's won 9 of its last 10 against Colorado, and Greene has the arsenal to neutralize Coors Field. Rockies sit at an abysmal 4-21.
Best Bet: Reds ML (-205)

Mets at Nationals – 4:05 PM ET
🔹 Clay Holmes (NYM): 2-1, 3.16 ERA — converted closer excelling as a starter
🔹 Brad Lord (WSH): 0-2, 4.73 ERA — hasn’t gone deep in any start
🔍 Insight: The Mets lead the league in pitching and are built to bounce back after a walk-off loss. Holmes gives them the edge in Game 2.
Top Pick: Mets ML (-185)

Phillies at Cubs – 4:05 PM ET
🔹 Jesus Luzardo (PHI): 2-0, 2.08 ERA — Phillies' best arm early
🔹 Ben Brown (CHC): 2-1, 4.57 ERA — inconsistent vs quality lineups
🔍 Insight: The Cubs are mashing, but Luzardo has historically owned them. Phillies need this one badly and have the right arm to stop the bleeding.
🔥 Top Pick: Phillies ML (-115)

White Sox at Athletics – 4:05 PM ET
🔹 Jonathan Cannon (CWS): 0-3, 4.81 ERA — still seeking first win
🔹 Jeffrey Springs (OAK): 3-2, 5.64 ERA — shaky but flashes upside
🔍 Insight: Oakland’s been solid at home and faces a White Sox team that can’t hit lefties. Springs should control this one.
Best Bet: Athletics ML (-245)

Rangers at Giants – 4:05 PM ET
🔹 Tyler Mahle (TEX): 3-0, 0.68 ERA — borderline untouchable
🔹 Robbie Ray (SF): 2-1, 4.07 ERA — decent but hittable
🔍 Insight: Mahle’s dominance makes Texas a legit road threat. Giants won’t want to lose on Brandon Crawford Day, but Mahle's in control right now.
Best Bet: Rangers ML (+120)

Astros at Royals – 7:10 PM ET
🔹 Framber Valdez (HOU): 1-2, 4.50 ERA — due for a bounce
🔹 Michael Wacha (KC): 0-3, 4.15 ERA — winless in 2025
🔍 Insight: KC's on a five-game win streak, but Valdez owns a 3.09 ERA in his last five vs the Royals. Houston’s lineup is due.
Best Bet: Astros ML (-142)

Braves at Diamondbacks – 8:10 PM ET
🔹 Grant Holmes (ATL): 2-1, 3.22 ERA — solid control and poise
🔹 Merrill Kelly (ARI): 3-1, 4.73 ERA — dependable at Chase Field
🔍 Insight: Arizona’s strong at home and faces a Braves team just 3-11 on the road. Kelly’s experience gives them the edge here.
Best Bet: Diamondbacks ML (-120)

Rays at Padres – 8:40 PM ET
🔹 Ryan Pepiot (TB): 1-3, 4.82 ERA — shaky in recent starts
🔹 Dylan Cease (SD): 1-1, 6.04 ERA — elite at Petco (2.27 career ERA)
🔍 Insight: San Diego should bounce back behind Cease, especially with Tampa struggling to hit on the road.
🔥 Top Pick: Padres -1.5 (+154)

Pirates at Dodgers – 9:10 PM ET
🔹 Mitch Keller (PIT): 1-2, 4.18 ERA — awful history vs LAD (7.54 ERA)
🔹 Roki Sasaki (LAD): 0-1, 3.20 ERA — nasty stuff, just needs command
🔍 Insight: Keller’s been torched by the Dodgers, and Sasaki should settle in at home. LA ends its skid.
Best Bet: Dodgers -1.5 (-130)

Marlins at Mariners – 9:40 PM ET
🔹 Connor Gillispie (MIA): 0-2, 6.75 ERA — vulnerable
🔹 Luis Castillo (SEA): 2-2, 4.44 ERA — owns Miami (4-1, 3.03 ERA career)
🔍 Insight: Mariners are strong at home, and Castillo has handled the Marlins with ease before. Miami’s run likely ends here.
Best Bet: Mariners -1.5 (-105)

Red Sox at Guardians – 6:10 PM ET (Game 2)
🔹 Walker Buehler (BOS): 3-1, 4.23 ERA — trending up
🔹 Doug Nikhazy (CLE): MLB debut — nerves in play
🔍 Insight: Boston should pounce on the rookie and grab the nightcap. Buehler gives them a clear advantage.
Best Bet: Red Sox ML (-108)

Orioles at Tigers – 6:10 PM ET (Game 2)
🔹 Charlie Morton (BAL): 0-5, 10.89 ERA — completely lost
🔹 TBD (DET): Likely bullpen game
🔍 Insight: Even with a TBD starter, the Tigers are in a prime spot. Morton has been a fade magnet all month.
Best Bet: Tigers ML (-110)

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