MLB Betting Guide for May 23: Skenes on Mound for Pirates
Ben DiGiacomo
Host · Writer
Today’s MLB slate includes a smaller eight-game selection, so let’s review everything you need to know.
Kicking off the day in the early afternoon, the New York Yankees will host the Seattle Mariners in the final game of their four-game series. The Mariners have taken two of three games. Additionally, the Philadelphia Phillies will have their ace Zack Wheeler on the mound as they go for a sweep of the Texas Rangers. Much has been said about the Phillies’ historic 36-14 start, namely a perceived easy schedule, but a sweep of the defending World Series champions should be worth something!
Plus, Paul Skenes will take the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates in what will be his third career start against the San Francisco Giants. In his last outing, Skenes tossed six no-hit innings with eleven strikeouts, captivating the eyes of the entire baseball community. Skenes has all the makings of the next great pitcher, so it will be exciting to tune into his performance as our betting model is touting a five-star play on the over for his strikeout prop.
Closing out the night, we’ll check out the Baltimore Orioles, who are on the road to face the Chicago White Sox after being swept by the St. Louis Cardinals.
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!
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MLB Betting Guide for May 23
Tonight’s Headliners: Phillies Set Record with 36-14 Start
12:35 p.m. ET: Seattle Mariners @ New York Yankees
- Run Line: Yankees -1.5 | Moneyline: Yankees -148 | Total: 8
- Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Yankee Stadium (Bronx, NY)
- Weather Notes: Slight chance of early rain and a small possibility of a late start
Starting Pitching Matchup: Luis Castillo (ERA: 3.28; K/9: 9.85) vs. Luis Gil (ERA: 2.39; K/9: 11.39)
SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Mariners +1.5 (5-Stars) | Mariners ML (5-Stars, +126) | UNDER 8 (2-Stars)
SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Mariners by 1.8 runs
SportsGrid’s Top Props: Ty France OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +230) | Luis Gil OVER 7.5 Ks (5-Stars, +106)
12:35 p.m ET: San Francisco Giants @ Pittsburgh Pirates
- Run Line: Pirates -1.5 | Moneyline: Pirates -166 | Total: 8
- Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: PNC Park (Pittsburgh, PA)
- Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing out to the left
Starting Pitching Matchup: Mason Black (ERA: 7.71; K/9: 6.17) vs. Paul Skenes (ERA: 2.70; K/9: 16.20)
SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Giants ML (3-Stars, +140) | OVER 8 (1-Star)
SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Pirates by 0.2 Runs
SportsGrid’s Top Props: Patrick Bailey OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +210) | Paul Skenes OVER 7.5 Ks (5-Stars, +100)
1:05 p.m ET: Texas Rangers @ Philadelphia Phillies
- Run Line: Phillies -1.5 | Moneyline: Phillies -190 | Total: 9.5
- Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia, PA)
- Weather Notes: Slight chance of a late start due to early showers
Starting Pitching Matchup: Andrew Heaney (ERA: 4.43; K/9: 8.87) vs. Zack Wheeler (ERA: 2.52; K/9: 10.53)
SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Rangers +1.5 (3.5-Stars) | Rangers ML (5-Stars, +160) | UNDER 8.5 (1-Star)
SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Phillies by 0.4 Runs
SportsGrid’s Top Props: Andrew Heaney UNDER 5.5 Ks (5-Stars) | Kyle Schwarber OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +155)
1:10 p.m. ET: San Diego Padres @ Cincinnati Reds
- Run Line: Padres -1.5 | Moneyline: Padres -110 | Total: 9.5
- Where to Watch: ESPN+ | Location: Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati, OH)
- Weather Notes: Rain is possible throughout the game. They should be able to get it in, but delays are possible
Starting Pitching Matchup: Matt Waldron (ERA: 5.00; K/9: 9.00) vs. Frankie Montas (ERA: 4.37; K/9: 6.43)
SportsGrid’s Best Bet: UNDER 9.5 (3-Stars)
SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Padres by 0.3 Runs
SportsGrid’s Top Props: Jake Cronenworth OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +115)
7:40 p.m. ET: Atlanta Braves @ Chicago Cubs
- Run Line: Braves -1.5 | Moneyline: Braves -118 | Total: 9
- Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Wrigley Field (Chicago, IL)
- Weather Notes: Clear, winds are blowing in from the right
Starting Pitching Matchup: AJ Smith-Shawver (Season Debut) vs. Ben Brown (ERA: 3.57; K/9: 9.93)
SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Braves -1.5 (5-Stars) | Braves ML (5-Stars) | UNDER 9 (1-Star)
SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Braves by 1.7 runs
SportsGrid’s Top Props: Marcell Ozuna OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +120) | Christopher Morel OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +135)
3:37 p.m. ET: Colorado Rockies @ Oakland Athletics
- Run Line: Athletics +1.5 | Moneyline: Athletics -120 | Total: 7.5
- Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Oakland Coliseum (Oakland, CA)
- Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing out to center
Starting Pitching Matchup: Ryan Feltner (ERA: 5.69; K/9: 7.71) vs. Joey Estes (ERA: 9.35; K/9: 9.35)
SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Rockies ML (2.5-Stars, +102) | UNDER 7.5 (1-Star)
SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Rockies by 0.3 runs
SportsGrid’s Top Props: Ryan Feltner UNDER 5.5 Ks (5-Stars) | Brent Rooker OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +150)
6:40 p.m. ET: Toronto Blue Jays @ Detroit Tigers
- Run Line: Blue Jays -1.5 | Moneyline: Blue Jays -110 | Total: 7.5
- Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Comerica Park (Detroit, MI)
- Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing across from right to left
Starting Pitching Matchup: Kevin Gausman (ERA: 4.89; K/9: 9.14) vs. Jack Flaherty (ERA: 3.79; K/9: 11.85)
SportsGrid’s Best Bet: OVER 7.5 (1.5-Stars)
SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Blue Jays by 0.2 Runs
SportsGrid’s Top Props: Danny Jansen OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +145) | Wenceel Perez OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +190)
7:40 p.m. ET: Baltimore Orioles @ Chicago White Sox
- Run Line: Orioles -1.5 | Moneyline: Orioles -250 | Total: 8.5
- Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Guaranteed Rate Field (Chicago, IL)
- Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing in from left-center
Starting Pitching Matchup: Grayson Rodriguez (ERA: 3.15; K/9: 9.90) vs. Mike Clevinger (ERA: 5.56; K/9: 7.94)
SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Orioles -1.5 (1.5-Stars) | OVER 8.5 (2-Stars)
SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Orioles by 2.9 Runs
SportsGrid’s Top Props: Gunnar Henderson OVER 0.5 HRs (4-Stars, +300) | Paul DeJong OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +240)
