This article is part of our MLB Picks series.
MLB Bets Today: Free MLB Expert Picks for Friday, May 27
RotoWire.com's Michael Rathburn has dug into the best online sportsbooks across the country to identify his MLB bets and MLB player props to target today.
Previous article 1-7 -6.40
Season 69-75-1 +21.76
There is a reason I try not to celebrate too much after a strong night or a good run, and it is what took place Wednesday. Some bad plays for sure as I went too heavy on the Red Sox vs. Lucas Giolito, but also some 0.5 runs losses stung.
Baltimore Orioles vs. Red Sox 7:10 pm EDT
Kyle Bradish vs. Garrett Whitlock
The Red Sox offense has been the best in baseball for the month of May. Getting them at home against a weak starting pitcher is the play here and they will continue to score a ton of runs. The Red Sox are 11-4 in their last 15 games, averaging 7.5 runs per game and scoring at least 6 runs in 10 out of those 15 games. It goes up to 8 runs a game in their last 10 games with 2.2 homers as well.
MLB Expert Picks for Red Sox-Orioles
- Red Sox -1.5 for 1 RW buck (FanDuel +118)
- Red Sox over 5.5 for 1 RW buck (FanDuel +102)
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. San Diego Padres
Well with the Reds putting up 20 runs yesterday, we can't pick on them as much so I will go to the Pirates (Tigers, Nationals are two others to bet against heavily). In their last 13 games, the Pirates have scored a total of 33 runs with 10 of them against the Rockies on 5/25. If you take out that game, it is 23 runs in 12 games for just under 2 per game. One of the angles I like to look at for a team to go under their total is when they are a huge dog like this (Padres -220). If you can shop around for a 3, go for it.
MLB Expert Picks for Pirates-Padres
- Pirates u2.5 runs for 1 RW buck (FanDuel -105)
Houston Astros vs. Seattle Mariners 9:40 pm EDT
Justin Verlander vs. Chris Flexen
About once a week I will find a game in which the mismatch is so huge between starting pitchers and teams that I will look for multiple ways to get exposure to it. This is another one of those games as the Astros and Verlander should win easily against the Mariners and Chris Flexen.
In his 8 starts, Verlander has averaged 6.5 innings, with a 1.22 ERA, 49 strikeouts to 9 walks. The Astros are 18-6 in May, while the Mariners are 7-17 and 2-8 last 10. He is 2-0 vs. the Mariners this year and 5-0 in his last 5. Flexen is 0-4 in his last 5 vs. the Astros with a 4.73 ERA, 15 strikeouts, and 4 walks. Flexen is the type of pitcher that this Astros lineup has feasted on for several years.
MLB Expert Picks for Astros-Mariners
- Astros -1.5 for 1.18 RW buck (FanDuel -118)
- Verlander over 18.5 outs for 1.2 RW buck (DraftKings -120)
- Mariners under 1.5 F5 for 1.4 RW buck (DraftKings -140)
- Astros over 4 for 1.2 RW buck (DraftKings -120)
MLB Expert Picks Recap for Friday, May 27
- Red Sox -1.5 for 1 RW buck (FanDuel +118)
- Red Sox over 5.5 for 1 RW buck (FanDuel +102)
- Pirates u2.5 runs for 1 RW buck (FanDuel -105)
- Astros -1.5 for 1.18 RW buck (FanDuel -118)
- Verlander over 18.5 outs for 1.2 RW buck (DraftKings -120)
- Mariners under 1.5 F5 for 1.4 RW buck (DraftKings -140)
- Astros over 4 for 1.2 RW buck (DraftKings -120)
Visit RotoWire all season long for exclusive sports betting picks from our group of handicappers with their expert MLB picks each day of the campaign. Remember that betting apps vary in terms of odds and available player props, so we have an easy-to-use odds page that allows you to shop for the best lines at DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and PointsBet.