Memorial Day MLB Best Bets!

Apologies to this legend, but during their latest road trip, the resurgent San Francisco Giants took their heart with them. They won four of 6 games, and averaged 5.3 runs per game. In fact, this super-exciting Giants squad has gone 10-3 during the last two weeks—with series wins over the Phillies (a sweep), the Marlins, the Twins, and the Brewers. They’re now 4.5 games behind the Dodgers in the West, and they’re here due an infusion of youthful talent—Estrada, Conforto, Pickett, Schmitt, and the always solid, and always under-the-radar, Lamonte Wade, Jr. The Pirates, on the other hand, have had a miserable month of May. They’ve gone 6-17 stretching back to a series loss to the Rays one month ago. Over the last 28 days, their team wRC+ (74) and team OPS (.632) ranked third to last in the league, just barely above the A’s and Guardians. That’s correct—the Pirates offense has been A’s-level bad. This is really a shame because their season began with such hope.

Although things have fallen fast and hard for the Pirates, they might be able to turn things around a bit offensively today, as they face Anthony DeSclafani (4.10 SIERA) in a hitter-friendly Oracle setting (daytime ball, winds blowing out). The Giants will almost certainly put some runs on the board against 43-year old Rich Hill, who is currently clocking in the 70-80 mph range. Hill’s numbers (4.25 SIERA; 5.50 xERA) certainly suggest so. Consequently, the total here (8) feels rather low. This is likely due (in part) to the Pirates recent offensive woes (and to Estrada being out with a wrist injury). If recent scores are anything to go by, however, the Giants might just score 9 runs all by themselves.

Bet the game total OVER 8 runs (-122).

Best of the Rest

• Bet the RANGERS -1.5 run line (-110).

• Bet the UNDER 8.5 runs in Rays/Cubs (-130).

• Bet the DODGERS -1.5 run line (-122).

• Bet the BRAVES -1.5 run line (-145).