MLB Best Bets Today: MLB Betting Picks for Saturday, May 17

MLB betting expert JP Aravena has a couple of sharp plays for Saturday night, including one side bet and one total bet to help build your bankroll.
MLB Best Bets Today: MLB Betting Picks for Saturday, May 17
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This Saturday brings us the second day of this rivalry weekend in Major League Baseball, and we're here to bring you the best bets for this full 15-game slate. 

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Best MLB Bets Today

Atlanta Braves vs. Boston Red Sox: Under 9.5 total runs, -115 @ FanDuel

Atlanta and Boston will collide at Fenway Park Saturday, featuring a matchup between two talented pitchers who have faced their fair share of struggles in 2025. Atlanta will feature Grant Holmes, who has gone 2-3 with a 4.14 ERA in nine appearances (eight starts) this season. The Red Sox counter with Lucas Giolito, who's currently sporting a 5.51 ERA across three starts and 16.1 innings. However, upon closer examination, neither pitcher has struggled as much as their ERA suggests. Giolito has recorded two quality starts in three appearances, while Holmes is limiting opposing teams to a mere .204 average across his 45.2 innings of work. Considering those circumstances, don't be surprised if this game ends up being a relatively low-scoring affair.

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Los Angeles Angels vs. Los Angeles Dodgers: Dodgers to cover -1.5 spread, -111 @ FanDuel

The talent gap between these two franchises is massive, and while baseball can be an unpredictable sport at times, there is no doubt that the Dodgers should win this game by a relatively large margin. The Dodgers will have Clayton Kershaw on the mound, making his 2025 debut in this matchup. The Angels counter with Tyler Anderson, who has gone 2-1 with a 2.58 ERA and 39 strikeouts across eight starts (45.1 innings) in 2025. The big difference lies in the talent on offense, though. The Dodgers have the majority of their big pieces on offense available, while the Angels will be without their best player in Mike Trout (knee). Plus, the Dodgers are the best offense in baseball with a collective OPS of .825, whereas the Angels rank 24th in that same measure with a team OPS of only .664, which would certainly classify as below average. Expect the Dodgers to cruise to a win while covering this -1.5 spread.

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MLB Picks Recap

  • Braves vs. Red Sox: Under 9.5 total runs, -115 @ FanDuel
  • Angels vs. Dodgers: Dodgers to cover -1.5 spread, -111 @ FanDuel
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
35-year-old sports analyst and journalist. Fan of every single sport on this earth, but mainly NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL and soccer. Eternal optimistic who, for unknown reasons, chose to root for the Chicago Cubs and Jacksonville Jaguars. Born and raised in Chile.
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