Friday is here, and we have a loaded slate of MLB action on tap. With new series starting, there are fresh matchups to dive into, and we have highlighted 3 MLB best bets in today’s article. Let’s jump in and discuss, while you can find our MLB predictions for tips and analysis for EVERY game throughout the season.
MLB Best Bet: Pittsburgh Pirates ML over Cincinnati Reds (-130)
Odds available at BetMGM at time of publishing. Playable to -140.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are fresh off their worst and most disappointing series of the season, losing all 4 games at home to their division rivals in the St. Louis Cardinals. Each loss was tough to swallow as a fan, especially with Paul Skenes on the mound yesterday, but I do believe Friday presents them with a get-right spot. Cincinnati enters this series against Pittsburgh atop the National League Central, as the best division in baseball so far is paced by Cincinnati’s 20-11 record. There are still some underlying concerns with their roster, however.
The Reds’ offense has been largely powered by the production of 2 guys. Elly de la Cruz and Sal Stewart have been terrific, but the rest of the lineup has faltered around them for the most part. They face Mitch Keller on Friday, and Keller has had a strong start to his 2026 campaign. In 34 innings, the right-hander has produced a 3.18 ERA with a 3.84 xERA and 3.10 FIP. His strikeout production has not been elite, but he is missing barrels and pitching efficiently for Pittsburgh. Cincinnati ranks 22nd in wOBA with a 90 wRC+ against right-handed pitching this season.
Pittsburgh has been a little better against righties this season, ranking 17th in wOBA with a league average wRC+ of 100. They also face the starter in worse form, as Brady Singer is set to make his 7th start of the year. His first 6 outings have combined for 29 innings with a 4.97 ERA. Meanwhile, his 5.34 xERA and 5.00 FIP are results of poor batted ball metrics and just a 14% strikeout rate. Singer is not generating enough whiffs to escape damage consistently. Pittsburgh has been willing to whiff recently, so it could be a get right spot in the strikeout department for Singer, but overall, I am not overly fond of his matchup on Friday. At current pricing, I side with the better lineup and the better starter.
Check out our 5-star Reds vs Pirates best bet
MLB Best Bet: Chicago White Sox First 5 ML over San Diego Padres (+110)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -105.
I favor the Chicago White Sox over the San Diego Padres through the first 5 innings of play in their matchup on Friday, May 1. Noah Schultz is the scheduled starter for Chicago when they take on the Padres in San Diego, a former 1st round draft selection and one of the more touted prospects in the White Sox farm system. His MLB debut resulted in 3 earned runs and an additional unearned run in 4.1 innings against Tampa Bay. Since then, Schultz has tossed 11 innings of 3-run ball with 14 strikeouts. Walks have been an early concern, and he struggled in that department in the minor leagues, but his upside is something I am willing to buy-in on.
San Diego has been poor against left-handed pitching in 2026. Through their first 199 plate appearances against southpaws, San Diego sits 28th in wOBA with a 78 wRC+. They also have the 4th-lowest walk rate against lefties, which should help Schultz’ ability to generate chases. Someone who has not been able to generate many chases is Padre starter German Marquez. Marquez was a longtime starter for the Rockies, starting his home games in the hitter-friendly Coors Field. Now he pitches his home games in a pitcher-friendly park, but he is still not someone on which I am looking to bet.
Marquez has made 5 starts with San Diego so far. Among those outings, 2 have resulted in 0 earned runs allowed, but he has allowed 4 earned runs in each of his other 3 starts. Interestingly enough, all 3 of those poor starts were at home for Marquez. For my money, Schultz is the better starter, so let’s take the ChiSox to lead early in this one.
Read our full White Sox vs Padres prediction
MLB Best Bet: Los Angeles Angels vs New York Mets Over 9 (-110)
Odds available at BetMGM sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -120.
I like the over on the posted game total in Friday’s matchup between the Los Angeles Angels and the New York Mets, which may seem strange at first given the poor offensive start for the Mets in 2026. However, I expect scoring from both sides in this contest. Let’s start with that Mets offense, set to take on Walbert Urena. Urena is scheduled to make his 5th appearance and 3rd start of the season for Los Angeles. His first 4 outings have resulted in a 4.76 ERA in 11.1 innings. Urena has allowed 6 earned runs thus far, but he has also seen 6 unearned runs cross the plate. With 10 walks issued and 15 base hits allowed to this point, it almost seems like he is starting each inning with a runner on base. His lack of command has been an issue at all levels of his professional career, and even in the minor leagues last season, his strikeout rate was below average.
The Angels offense has been the better unit so far in 2026, ranking 11th in wOBA with a 104 wRC+. Mike Trout’s strong start has anchored their success, but Los Angeles is receiving contributions from multiple sources currently. They will face Christian Scott in this game, as the right-hander is set to make his 2nd appearance of the year. He missed all of 2025 with injury after debuting in 2024, a year in which he tossed 47.1 innings with a 4.56 ERA. His season debut this year lasted just 4 outs, largely due to walking 5 batters. Until Scott proves he has returned to form, I am more than willing to bet on runs from opposing lineups. We should also benefit from decent hitting conditions on Friday in LA.
Find out our Mets vs Angels prediction
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