MLB Expert Predictions Today | Odds, Best Bets for Pirates vs Orioles, Cubs vs Twins, More on Sunday, May 14
Pictured: Marcus Stroman. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
- Sunday, May 14 features a full slate of MLB games, and our experts have identified a trio of best bets.
- With every team in action, there's plenty of betting opportunity, so continue reading for our MLB best bets and analysis.
- There are picks on Pirates vs. Orioles, Rays vs. Yankees and Cubs vs. Twins.
Yes, there's a Game 7 in the NBA Playoffs, but there's nothing quite like spending a Sunday afternoon watching baseball. There's plenty of MLB action on Sunday, May 14, and our betting experts have found value in a trio of games.
They're targeting the Pirates vs. Orioles, Rays vs. Yankees and Cubs vs. Twins for their best bets on Sunday. So, make sure to wish your mom a happy Mother's Day, then read below for our MLB best bets for Sunday, May 14.
Sunday's MLB Best Bets
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our MLB betting staff is targeting from today's slate of games. Click the team logos for one the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
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| Specific bet recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our MLB Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Pirates vs. Orioles
Sunday, May 14 1:35 p.m. ET MLB.TV |
Pirates Moneyline (+130)  |
The Cinderella Pittsburgh Pirates sure seems to have turned into a pumpkin in May. They've lost 11 of their past 12 — including the first two of their series in Baltimore — and have scored a total of seven runs over their past four games.
That one win in the past 12 games? It was started by Mitch Keller, who twirled a complete game shutout against the Rockies on Monday.
Keller is back on the mound for Sunday's series finale, a game in which the Pirates have a start starting pitching edge. Keller's gem last time out was no fluke. He's turning into a bonafide ace, improving his K-BB rate by 9% and putting up elite expected stats to go along with his pristine surface-level stats.
Kyle Gibson has regressed from a solid mid-rotation innings eater into a borderline liability for the Orioles. He's not missing bats anymore as he's posting his lowest K rate since 2015 with Minnesota. He's deserved every bit of his 4.40 ERA, with his 5.22 xERA saying he's even been a bit lucky.
We're getting a great number on Keller here thanks to the Pirates' overall woes, and while Baltimore's bats have been hot lately as the Orioles prove they're here to stay in the AL East race, the starting pitching matchup gives plenty of value to the underdog.
The best odds as of this writing are +130 at PointsBet, but I'd bet the Pirates at +100 or better.
Pick: Pirates Moneyline |
What is QuickSlip?
QuickSlip is an Action Network feature that allows users to automatically pre-load their bet slip at FanDuel Sportsbook.
Rays vs. Yankees
Sunday, May 14 1:35 p.m. ET MLB.TV |
Rays 1st 5 Moneyline (-128)  |
By Nick Shlain
One of my favorite bets on the Sunday slate is for the Tampa Bay Rays to win the first five innings over the New York Yankees.
Tampa Bay has lost the past two games in the Bronx, but the Rays have the starting pitching advantage in this one. Clarke Schmidt will take the ball for the Yankees. Schmidt has a 4.45 xFIP this year, but more importantly, he has a difficult time preventing power from left-handed hitters. Schmidt has allowed a .231 ISO and .398 wOBA to left-handed hitters this season.
Tampa Bay is notorious for maximizing platoon advantages and I expect the Rays to do that here. Brandon Lowe has a .176 ISO against right-handed pitching this season and Luke Raley and Josh Lowe both have .229 ISOs against right-handed pitching this season.
Zach Eflin will be on the mound for the Rays and he’s been solid this year with a 2.91 ERA and a 3.08 xFIP. Even in the game the Rays lost Saturday, they had the lead after five innings and that’s all we’ll need here. There’s value in this number considering the Rays have the advantage on both sides of the ball.
Pick: Rays 1st 5 Moneyline |
What is QuickSlip?
QuickSlip is an Action Network feature that allows users to automatically pre-load their bet slip at FanDuel Sportsbook.
Twins vs. Cubs
Sunday, May 14 2:10 p.m. ET MLB.TV |
Cubs Moneyline (-105) |
By D.J. James
Marcus Stroman has made a name for himself atop the Chicago Cubs’ rotation. He has been a consistent presence when the team needs a solid performance and will face Louie Varland and the Minnesota Twins on Sunday.
Varland is the worst of the two starters in this game with a 4.32 ERA against a 5.02 xERA. He ranks in the 40th percentile in Average Exit Velocity and the 35th percentile in Hard Hit Rate. He has encouraging strikeout and walk rates, but his 13% Barrel Percentage doesn't leave much to the imagination.
Additionally, the Cubs have been successful against righties. They have a team 110 wRC+ this season with a .762 team OPS, so they should give Varland a run for his money.
On the other rubber, Stroman has a 2.28 ERA and even though he has been the beneficiary of some good fortune, his xERA is still below 4.00. His peripherals are also better with an Average Exit Velocity in the 57th percentile and a Hard Hit Rate in the 42nd percentile.
The Twins also haven't hit righties well. They have a team OPS below .700 with a 94 wRC+. The edge goes to the Cubs.
Finally, the Cubs even have a better bullpen, and since Stroman has proven he can go deep into games, there is no reason the Twins should be favored in this game. Take the Cubs on the road at -105, and play them to -135. They should be easy favorites.
Pick: Cubs Moneyline |
What is QuickSlip?
QuickSlip is an Action Network feature that allows users to automatically pre-load their bet slip at FanDuel Sportsbook.
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