MLB Best Bets for Friday, May 26 from Pickswise expert handicapper Mark Zinno

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (41) reacts after throwing a strikeout for the third out against the Houston Astros in the fourth inning of game five of the 2021 ALCS at Fenway Park
Photo of Mark Zinno

Mark Zinno

MLB

Show Bio

NBA handicapper for Pickswise.

We have a big day of MLB action on Friday and I’ve picked out the 3 plays I like most on today’s baseball slate. I went 2-1 in Wednesday’s article, making it a nice 6-1-1 run in my last 3 across the NBA and MLB.

Today I am looking at a run-line play, a first 5-innings money line bet and a first 5-innings under. Let’s get into the reasoning behind those picks.

Bet like a Caesar with this awesome new customer offer from Caesars, where you can get up to $1,250 back on your first bet! Click here to join Caesars, where you can bet on our MLB picks.

Nationals +1.5 over Royals (-178, FanDuel)

The Kansas City Royals and Washington Nationals begin a 3-game series at Kaufmann Stadium on Friday and the Nationals will send beleaguered starter Patrick Corbin to the mound. However, Corbin has actually been better than most people notice, and over his last 4 starts he’s gone at least 6 innings and given up 2 or fewer earned runs. The Nationals have won 3 of his last 4 starts – all games in which the team has allowed 4 or fewer runs. Corbin has also managed to avoid the long ball, allowing just 2 home runs over that same 4-start span.
Kansas City starts Jordan Lyles, who is 0-8 on the season with a 7.15 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. Lyles has been better at home, but it’s hard to justify the Royals being favored here at all considering Kansas City has lost all 10 starts that Lyles has made this season. This feels like a perfect spot to grab the Nationals on the money line at a plus-money price, but just to be sure, I’m willing to pay the heavy juice to take the +1.5 in the run line.

Yankees first 5-inning ML over Padres (+104, FanDuel)

The Yankees and Padres start a 3-game series in the Bronx today. The Padres are starting Joe Musgrove, who has yet to round into form. In May, he’s 0-2 with a 4.60 ERA and has walked 8 batters in 15.2 innings pitched. The Padres lineup also continues to struggle and is dead last in MLB with a .233 average and 22nd out of 30 teams in slugging on the season.

The Yankees counter with Randy Vasquez, who is making his major league debut. The Yankees will have him on a short leash and trust their bullpen to carry him if needed. New York’s bullpen is one of the best in baseball, so Vasquez may not need to go more than 4 innings. The Yankees are also 7th in MLB in runs scored in the first 5 innings on the season while San Diego is 22nd. Musgrove has allowed at least 3 runs in the first 5 in 4 of his 5 starts this season. I like the Yankees to get an early lead and hang on for the first-5 money line as an underdog.

You can bet any of our MLB predictions at FanDuel Sportsbook, which has a great new-customer offer to take advantage of. If you sign up for FanDuel right now, you can get a $1,000 No Sweat First Bet! Click here to join FanDuel right now.

Under 4.5 in first 5 innings of Red Sox vs Diamondbacks  (-105, FanDuel)

The Diamondbacks and Red Sox start a weekend series in the desert and Boston will send Chris Sale to the hill. Sale has gone at least 6 innings and allowed 3 or fewer runs in his last 4 starts. In May, he has settled in nicely with a 2.57 ERA and a sub-1 WHIP. The Red Sox have given Sale some of the best run support in baseball, scoring 5.56 runs in his starts, but much of that came in April. Over his 3 starts in May, they’ve averaged only 4 runs per start.

The D-backs will start rookie Brandon Pfaat. He has had back-to-back solid starts, going at least 5 innings and allowing 3 or fewer runs in both, but the D-backs have scored only 8 runs over his last 3 starts. I like this game to be a bit of a pitchers’ duel early, so let’s look to the under in the first 5 innings as Boston is averaging only 2.5 runs in the first 5 on the road this season. Sale should do enough to keep the rest of the scoring down early.

Check out today’s MLB mega parlay and YRFI/NRFI best bets

BetMGM is the king of online sportsbooks, and right now they have a great new customer promotion where you can claim a $1,000 deposit bonus by signing up right now! Click this link to join BetMGM.

Pickswise is the home of free NBA picks and NBA predictions. Check out the latest NBA prop bets and NBA parlays as well as NBA Best Bets from our NBA experts.

Virginia Bonuses

See All
BetMGM
Get $1,000 Paid Back in Bonus Bets if you Don't Win + $25 Bonus Bet

Register for a new BetMGM account & deposit

Place your first bet and get refunded up to $1,000 in bonus bets if you don't win

Plus receive a $25 Bonus Bet after placing your qualifying wager

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER CO, OH, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions. US promotional offers not available in DC, Nevada, New York or Ontario
FanDuel Sportsbook
No Sweat First Bet - Up To $1,000 Back in Bonus Bets if you Lose

Sign up for a new FanDuel Sportsbook account

Make a first-time deposit of $10+, and then place your first wager on any sports market

Get up to $1,000 back in bonus bets if you lose!

Must be 21+. First online real money wager only. $10 first deposit required. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable free bets that expire 14 days after receipt. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook.
DraftKings
Bet $5+ Get $150 in Bonus Bets instantly

Sign up for a new account with DraftKings Sportsbook and make your first deposit

Make your first deposit and bet $5+ on any sports market

Get $150 in bonus bets instantly

Gambling Problem? Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MD/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in OH/ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet. $150 issued as bonus bets that expire 7 days (168 hours) after being awarded. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com.
bet365
Bet $1 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets!

Register for a new bet365 account

Place qualifying bets of $1 or more

Get $200 in bonus bets - no matter if your bet wins or loses

New Customer Offer. Deposit required. Bonus Bets added to Bonus Bet Credits balance. Bonus Bet risk excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits, and exclusions apply. Must be physically located in VA.
WynnBet
Bet $100 & Get $100 Bet Credit

Register for a WynnBET account today.

Deposit & Wager $100 on any sports market (odds -120 or greater).

Get a $100 Bet Credit.

Must be 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
BetRivers
Get up to $500 Back in Bonus Bets if your First Bet Doesn't Win

Sign up for a new BetRivers account using promo code SPORTS

Make your first deposit & and bet up to $500

If your first bet loses, get up to $500 back in bonus bets

Must be 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-BETS OFF
Caesars Sportsbook
Your First Cash Bet Is On Caesars Up To $1,250

Sign up for a new Caesars Sportsbook account and Place your 1st wager of $10 or more

If you lose, you get 100% of your stake back as a Bet Credit - up to $1,250.

AND win or lose, you’ll also get 1,000 Reward Credits® and 1,000 Tier Credits.

21+. New users and first wager only. Must register with eligible promo code. Bet amount of qualifying wager returned only if wager is settled as a loss. Maximum bet credit $1,250; must be used within 14 days of receipt. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Void where prohibited. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Unibet
Get up to $100 Back in Bonus Bets if your First Bet Doesn't Win

Register for a new Unibet account & make a deposit

Place your first bet up to $100 free!

Get $100 back in bonus bets if your wager loses

New players only. Terms & conditions apply. 21+. VA only.
DraftKings
Get a $1,000 Deposit Bonus

Create a new DraftKings Sportsbook account and make your first deposit (min $5)

DraftKings will match 20% of your deposit up to $1,000 total

To get a $100 bonus, deposit $500

21+. Terms & conditions apply.
BetMGM
Get $1,000 Paid Back in Bonus Bets if you Don't Win Your First Bet

Register for a new BetMGM account & deposit

Place your first bet up to $1,000!

Get refunded up to $1,000 in bonus bets if you don't win

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER CO, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, MA 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions. US promotional offers not available in DC, Nevada, New York or Ontario
DraftKings
Get a +1000 Odds Boost on Any Golfer to Win any Tournament

Create a New DraftKings Account

Make Your First Deposit Of $5+ Into Your Sportsbook Account

Following Sign Up, You’ll Be Issued With One (1) Single-Use +1000 Odds Surge Token For Any Golfer To Win Any Tournament

Gambling Problem? Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MD/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in OH/ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer
Underdog Fantasy
First deposit is 100% matched up to $100 with Underdog Fantasy

Sign up for a new account with Underdog Fantasy

Make your first deposit

Every dollar (up to $100) will be matched! Deposit $25, get $50; deposit $100, get $200, etc

Must be 21+ to play. Terms & conditions apply
Owners Box
First Time Deposit Bonus Up To $500

Sign up for a new DFS account with OwnersBox

User's first deposit will be matched up to $500 in site-credit

Join one of their Daily NFL, NBA, MLB, or NHL contests

You must be at least eighteen (18) years of age to receive deposit bonuses, participate in Contests, or win prizes offered through OwnersBox Contests. In jurisdictions, territories, and locations where the minimum age for permissible use of Contests is greater than eighteen (18) years old, you must meet the age requirement in your local jurisdiction or territory.
TVG
Get Your First Single-Horse Win Wager Back Up to $200 if you don't win

Register for a new TVG account and make a deposit

Place your first single horse win-type bet up to $200

If your horse doesn't win you'll get a refund up to $300

21+. T&C's apply. Please gamble responsibly.
TwinSpires
Get a $200 Sign-Up Bonus for The Preakness with Twinspires Racebook

Open your TwinSpires.com account using offer code BET200

$200 bonus cash will be credited in increments of $100 for every $400 wagered

To earn the full $200 bonus players must wager $800 within 30 days

21+. Terms and conditions apply.