This article is part of our MLB Picks series.
MLB Best Bets: Expert Bets and Props to Target for June 1
Thursday doesn't bring a ton of action across baseball with just seven games to be played. However, there are still some exciting wagers to consider. Let's highlight three of them that stand out.
Mike Barner's season record: 7-7 (-1.41 units)
Baseball fans in Massachusetts can now register at BetMGM using the BetMGM Massachusetts Bonus Code to gain access to a first bet bonus worth up to $1,000. BetMGM is one of several sportsbooks that accept credit card and PayPal.
Houston Astros 
vs. Los Angeles Angels
The Astros' lineup has been a disappointment. Their .706 OPS ranks inside the bottom 10 in baseball and they have scored the 11th-fewest runs. Last year, they ranked inside the top eight in both runs scored and OPS. One of the reasons why their lineup has struggled is that Jose Altuve has been limited to just nine games because of a thumb injury.
Altuve is now back in the lineup and he has shown no signs of his thumb being an issue. He has a 1.013 OPS, hitting two home runs and three doubles. That has helped him record at least two combined hits, runs and RBI in six of his nine games. More success in those departments could be coming in a matchup against Reid Detmers, who has a 1.53 WHIP. Altuve also has a career .382 wOBA against left-handed pitchers.
MLB Best Bets for Astros vs. Angels
- Jose Altuve over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI (-145 DraftKings Sportsbook) for 1 unit
The DraftKings Massachusetts Promo Code gets new customers $150 in bonus bets when they sign up and place a $5 wager.
Boston Red Sox 
vs. Cincinnati Reds 
There have been plenty of runs scored in this series. After combining for 17 runs in the first game, nine more were scored Wednesday. The Reds won both matchups, moving the Red Sox to 15-13 at home. With so many runs being scored in both games, none of the four starting pitchers logged at least six innings.
The Reds will try to complete the sweep with Hunter Greene on the mound. While he has a 32.8 percent strikeout rate, he has also given up seven home runs over his last five starts. The Red Sox generally do a good job of making contact, striking out the sixth-fewest times in baseball. That could be a problem for Greene. Also, Greene generally hasn't pitched deep into games, logging fewer than six innings in seven of his 11 starts. Don't be surprised if he has a shorting outing at hitter-friendly Fenway Park.
MLB Best Bets for Red Sox vs. Reds
- Hunter Greene under 17.5 outs recorded (-150 DraftKings Sportsbook) for 1 unit
Minnesota Twins 
vs. Cleveland Guardians 
The Twins lead the AL Central despite having a mediocre 29-27 record. Sitting in third place in the division is the Guardians, who are three games behind them in the loss column. One of the reasons why the Guardians have struggled is that their lineup has been a disappointment, to say the least. They have the second-worst OPS, have scored the second-fewest runs and have hit the fewest home runs in baseball.
Looking to exploit their issues Thursday will be Pablo Lopez, who the Twins acquired from the Marlins during the offseason. He does a good job of keeping hitters off base, posting a 1.18 WHIP for his career. This season, he has a 1.13 WHIP. That has helped him log at least six innings in seven of his 11 starts. With the Guardians' struggles to get on base, expect Lopez to pitch deep into yet another outing.
MLB Best Bets for Twins vs. Guardians
- Pablo Lopez over 17.5 outs recorded (-165 DraftKings Sportsbook) for 1 unit
MLB Best Bets Today Recap
- Jose Altuve over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI (-145 DraftKings Sportsbook) for 1 unit
- Hunter Greene under 17.5 outs recorded (-150 DraftKings Sportsbook) for 1 unit
- Pablo Lopez over 17.5 outs recorded (-165 DraftKings Sportsbook) for 1 unit
RotoWire has everything MLB bettors need from daily expert MLB picks to MLB player props. Stay up to date and find the best prices using our latest MLB odds page.
