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 best bets in today’s article. Let’s jump in and discuss!
MLB Best Bet: Pittsburgh Pirates ML over Cincinnati Reds (-130)
Odds available at BetMGM sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -140 odds.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are fresh off their worst and most disappointing series of the season, losing all 4 games at home to their division rival 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. 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. His 5.34 xERA and 5.00 FIP are the result of poor batted ball metrics and 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.
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 odds.
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 as they take on the Padres in San Diego. Schultz, a former 1st round draft selection, is 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 I am looking to bet on.
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. Chicago has been worse against right-handed pitching than left-handed pitching this season, ranking 26th in wOBA with a wRC+ of 89. Marquez may not have his worst outing of the season, and he may not allow 4 more earned runs, but in what should be a lower scoring game I will side with the more talented starter at current pricing.
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 odds.
I like the over on the posted game total in Friday’s matchup between the Los Angeles Angels and the New York Mets. This may seem strange at first given the poor offensive start for the Mets in 2026, but I do expect scoring from both sides in this game. Let’s start with that Mets offense as they are 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 11.1 innings with a 4.76 ERA. Urena has allowed 6 earned runs, but he has also seen 6 unearned runs cross the plate as well. With 10 walks issued and 15 base hits allowed so far, 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 looks to make his 2nd outing of the year. He missed all of 2025 with injury after debuting in 2024. That 2024 season saw him toss 47.1 innings with a 4.56 ERA, showcasing middling results. His season debut this year lasted just 4 outs while 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 for this matchup.
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