MLB · 1 year ago

MLB Betting Guide for May 14: AL Central Greatness?

Ben DiGiacomo

Host · Writer

MLB Betting Guide for May 14: AL Central Greatness?

We have 16 games on deck today around the MLB, so let’s dive into all the action and lay out everything you need to know.

Kicking off the day, we have a single early afternoon game to look out for: the Philadelphia Phillies will remain in Queens to take on the New York Mets. It should be an interesting pitching duel as Aaron Nola and Jose Butto square off. Still, after last night’s epic comeback victory, the Phils will carry much momentum into tonight.

Later, the Washington Nationals and Chicago White Sox will have a doubleheader after yesterday’s postponement. Given the Nationals’ competitive play, our betting model finds much value in the Nationals ML in today’s first game, with Trevor Williams exceeding expectations on the mound.

Looking at the night window, we want to highlight the AL Central because this dominant division hasn’t gotten nearly enough love around the baseball community. The Cleveland Guardians are off to a great start, the Kansas City Royals are putting together impressive all-around baseball, and the Minnesota Twins are coming alive as of late. All three teams rank in the top nine in all of baseball in winning percentage, so could we see the AL Central become a multi-bid playoff division this fall? It sure seems like it.

It will be a great night of baseball, so stay with SportsGrid to have you covered on everything that could be thrown at us today. Let’s ride!

Swing for the Fences with SportsGrid’s free daily MLB Game Picks and MLB Prop Picks.

MLB Betting Guide for May 14

Tonight’s Headliners: Top Player Props |

1:10 p.m. ET: Philadelphia Phillies @ New York Mets

Run Line: Phillies -1.5 | Moneyline: Phillies -146 | Total: 7.5
Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Citi Field (Queens, NY)
Weather Notes: Clear winds blowing across from right to left

Starting Pitching Matchup: Aaron Nola (ERA: 3.67; K/9: 8.63) vs. Jose Butto (ERA: 3.00; K/9: 9.27)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Phillies ML (3-Stars) | OVER 7.5 (1-Star)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Phillies by 1.4 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Bryce Harper OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +130) | Starling Marte OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +250)

Game 1 – 4:40 p.m. ET: Washington Nationals @ Chicago White Sox

Run Line: Nationals -1.5 | Moneyline: Nationals -120 | Total: 8.5
Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Guaranteed Rate Field (Chicago, IL)
Weather Notes: There is a slight chance of rain throughout the day, but it shouldn’t be enough to trigger anything more than a slight delay

Starting Pitching Matchup: Trevor Williams (ERA: 1.96; K/9: 7.36) vs. Chris Flexen (ERA: 4.29; K/9: 6.31)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Nationals -1.5 (5-Stars) | Nationals ML (5-Stars) | OVER 8.5 (2-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Nationals by 2.2 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Awaiting Props

6:35 p.m. ET: Toronto Blue Jays @ Baltimore Orioles

Run Line: Orioles -1.5 | Moneyline: Orioles -154 | Total: 8.5
Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Camden Yards (Baltimore, MD)
Weather Notes: Rain is expected; it could be postponed to tomorrow, but monitoring the forecast later today will be essential.

Starting Pitching Matchup: Chris Bassitt (ERA: 5.06; K/9: 8.44) vs. Kyle Bradish (ERA: 1.86; K/9: 13.03)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Orioles -1.5 (5-Stars) | Orioles ML (3.5-Stars) | OVER 8.5 (2.5-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Orioles by 1.8 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Kyle Bradish OVER 5.5 Ks (5-Stars, +112) | Daulton Varsho OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +210)

6:40 p.m. ET: Miami Marlins @ Detroit Tigers

Run Line: Tigers -1.5 | Moneyline: Tigers -184 | Total: 8.5
Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Comerica Park (Detroit, MI)
Weather Notes: Clear winds blowing across from left to right

Starting Pitching Matchup: Ryan Weathers (ERA: 4.54; K/9: 7.34) vs. Reese Olson (ERA: 2.52; K/9: 8.01)

SportsGrid’s Best Bet: UNDER 8.5 (1.5-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Tigers by 1.5 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Ryan Weathers UNDER 4.5 Ks (5-Stars) | Spencer Torkelson OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +120)

7:10 p.m. ET: Tampa Bay Rays @ Boston Red Sox

Run Line: Rays -1.5 | Moneyline: Rays +100 | Total: 9
Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Fenway Park (Boston, MA)
Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing out

Starting Pitching Matchup: Aaron Civale (ERA: 5.88; K/9: 9.36) vs. Nick Pivetta (ERA: 3.60; K/9: 8.40)

SportsGrid’s Best Bet: OVER 9 (1-Star)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Even

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Jonny DeLuca OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +160) | Nick Pivetta OVER 5.5 Ks (5-Stars, +116)

7:20 p.m. ET: Chicago Cubs @ Atlanta Braves

Run Line: Braves -1.5 | Moneyline: Braves -196 | Total: 8
Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Truist Park (Atlanta, GA)
Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing out

Starting Pitching Matchup: Jameson Taillon (ERA: 1.13; K/9: 6.00) vs. Chris Sale (ERA: 2.95; K/9: 10.97)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Cubs +-1.5 (2.5-Stars) | Cubs ML (4-Stars, +164) | OVER 8 (1-Star)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Braves by 0.4 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Jameson Taillon OVER 4.5 Ks (5-Stars, +122) | Marcell Ozuna OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +120)

7:40 p.m. ET: Pittsburgh Pirates @ Milwaukee Brewers

Run Line: Brewers -1.5 | Moneyline: Brewers -158 | Total: 8.5
Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: American Family Field (Milwaukee, WI)
Weather Notes: Dome

Starting Pitching Matchup: Quinn Priester (ERA: 3.86; K/9: 5.14) vs. Joe Ross (ERA: 4.75; K/9: 7.25)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Pirates ML (3-Stars, +134) UNDER 8.5 (1-Star)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Brewers by 0.1 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Joey Bart OVER 0.5 RBIs (3-Stars, +230) | Jake Bauers OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +135)

7:40 p.m. ET: New York Yankees @ Minnesota Twins

Run Line: Yankees -1.5 | Moneyline: Yankees -136 | Total: 8
Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Target Field (Minneapolis, MN)
Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing in

Starting Pitching Matchup: Carlos Rodon (ERA: 3.56; K/9: 9.00) vs. Chris Paddack (ERA: 4.34; K/9: 8.92)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Twins +1.5 (5-Stars) | Twins ML (5-Stars, +116) | UNDER 8 (1-Star)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Twins by 0.7 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Anthony Rizzo OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +175) | Chris Paddack UNDER 4.5 Ks (5-Stars, +104)

8:05 p.m. ET: Cleveland Guardians @ Texas Rangers

Run Line: Rangers +1.5 | Moneyline: Rangers -120 | Total: 9
Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Globe Life Field (Arlington, TX)
Weather Notes: Dome

Starting Pitching Matchup: Ben Lively (ERA: 2.63; K/9: 8.56) vs. Jack Leiter (ERA: 12.91; K/9: 7.04)

SportsGrid’s Best Bet: OVER 9 (4-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Rangers by 0.2 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Jose Ramirez OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +120) | Marcus Semien OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +145)

Game 2 – 8:10 p.m. ET: Washington Nationals @ Chicago White Sox

Run Line: Nationals -1.5 | Moneyline: Nationals -116 | Total: 8.5
Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Guaranteed Rate Field (Chicago, IL)
Weather Notes: There is a slight chance of rain throughout the day, but it shouldn’t be enough to trigger anything more than a small delay

Starting Pitching Matchup: Mitchell Parker (ERA: 2.67; K/9: 7.33) vs. Erick Fedde (ERA: 3.00; K/9: 8.80)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Nationals -1.5 (3.5-Stars) | Nationals ML (5-Stars) | UNDER8.5 (1-Star)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Nationals by 1.2 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Awaiting for Game 1 to conclude

8:10 p.m. ET: Oakland Athletics @ Houston Astros

Run Line: Astros -1.5 | Moneyline: Astros -184 | Total: 8.5
Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Minute Maid Park (Houston, TX)
Weather Notes: Dome

Starting Pitching Matchup: JP Sears (ERA: 4.20; K/9: 6.60) vs. Ronel Blanco (ERA: 2.23; K/9: 8.32)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Astros -1.5 (5-Stars) | UNDER 8.5 (3.5-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Astros by 2.4 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Shea Langeliers OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +155) | Ronel Blanco UNDER 6.5 Ks (5-Stars)

9:38 p.m. ET: St. Louis Cardinals @ Los Angeles Angels

Run Line: Cardinals -1.5 | Moneyline: Cardinals -142 | Total: 7.5
Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Angel Stadium (Anaheim, CA)
Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing out to center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Sonny Gray (ERA: 2.29; K/9: 11.21) vs. Reid Detmers (ERA: 4.96; K/9: (9.73)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Angels +1.5 (4-Stars) | Angels ML (3.5-Stars, +120) | OVER 7.5 (5-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Cardinals by 0.5 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Awaiting props

9:40 p.m. ET: Cincinnati Reds @ Arizona Diamondbacks

Run Line: Diamondbacks +1.5 | Moneyline: Diamondbacks -116 | Total: 8.5
Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Chase Field (Phoenix, AZ)
Weather Notes: Dome

Starting Pitching Matchup: Hunter Greene (ERA: 3.38; K/9: 10.52) vs. Slade Cecconi (ERA: 4.15; K/9: 7.06)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Reds -1.5 (5-Stars) | Reds ML (5-Star) | OVER 8.5 (1.5-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Reds by 2.3 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Hunter Greene OVER 5.5 Ks (4.5-Stars) | Slade Cecconi UNDER 4.5 Ks (5-Stars)