MLB Betting Guide for May 7: Shohei Ohtani is Underpaid

All 30 MLB teams are in action today, so let’s dive into everything you need to know to pump out some winners.

Kicking off the day, we have a single game in the afternoon as the surprisingly competitive Oakland Athletics will host the Texas Rangers, but our betting model doesn’t believe it’s going to be a good day for the A’s as we’re touting a five-star play on the Rangers ML.

Next, a couple of aces will take the mound in exciting matchups in the night window. First, Jose Berrios will look to continue his dominant start against the Philadelphia Phillies, who arguably look like the best team in baseball right now. Additionally, Corbin Burnes will take the ball for the Baltimore Orioles as they travel a little bit south to take on the Washington Nationals, while Zac Gallen will start for the Arizona Diamondbacks as they’re up against the Cincinnati Reds.

On TBS tonight, the New York Yankees will host the Houston Astros in a matchup we’ve become used to seeing in the postseason, but the Astros are desperately looking for a spark right now to turn the series around as the Yankees are rolling. However, a strong showing against New York in this series may be enough to turn the tides in Houston’s clubhouse.

Additionally, the Atlanta Braves will look to bounce back tonight after they were swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend against the Boston Red Sox, while the Milwaukee Brewers and Kansas City Royals will meet in a great matchup. Also, we’ll have our eyes on Wrigley to see whether or not Shota Imanaga can keep his dominance up against the San Diego Padres.

To close out the night, the Los Angeles Dodgers will host the Miami Marlins after they smashed four home runs last night. One of those long balls was from Shohei Ohtani, who might be the hottest hitter on the planet right now. He leads the majors in batting average, home runs, and OPS, bringing into question whether or not he’s actually underpaid.

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

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

MLB Betting Guide for May 7

Tonight’s Headliners: Top Props | Managers Most Likely to be Fired

Catch Up on the Weekend’s Action: Phillies Earn 10th Straight Home Win | Dodgers Win Walker Buehler’s Return

3:37 p.m. ET: Texas Rangers @ Oakland Athletics

• Run Line: Rangers -1.5 | Moneyline: Rangers -116 | Total: 8
• Where to Watch: ESPN+ | Location: Oakland Coliseum (Oakland, CA)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing out to right-center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Jose Urena (ERA: 4.36; K/9: 6.97) vs. Ross Stripling (ERA: 4.24; K/9: 6.02)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Rangers -1.5 (5-Stars) | Rangers ML (5-Stars) | OVER 8 (5-Stars) 

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Rangers by 2 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Shea Langeliers OVER 0.5 HRs (5-Stars, +470)

6:10 p.m. ET: Detroit Tigers @ Cleveland Guardians

• Run Line: Guardians -1.5 | Moneyline: Guardians -126 | Total: 8.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Progressive Field (Cleveland, OH)
• Weather Notes: Chance of showers, possibility that this game is concluded tomorrow

Starting Pitching Matchup: Kenta Maeda (ERA: 5.02; K/9: 6.91) vs. Logan Allen (ERA: 5.11; K/9: 7.54)

SportsGrid’s Best Bet: UNDER 8.5 (2-Stars) 

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Tigers by 0.1 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Kenta Maeda OVER 3.5 Ks (5-Stars) | Jose Ramirez OVER 0.5 RBIs (4.5-Stars, +130)

6:40 p.m. ET: Los Angeles Angels @ Pittsburgh Pirates

• Run Line: Pirates -1.5 | Moneyline: Pirates -120 | Total: 8
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: PNC Park (Pittsburgh, PA)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing in from right

Starting Pitching Matchup: Patrick Sandoval (ERA: 5.91; K/9: 10.69) vs. Quinn Priester (ERA: 3.31; K/9: 6.06)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Pirates +1.5 (2-Stars) | Pirates ML (1-Star) | OVER 8.5 (1-Star) 

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Pirates by 0.8 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Patrick Sandoval UNDER 5.5 Ks (5-Stars) | Bryan Reynolds OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +165)

6:40 p.m. ET: Toronto Blue Jays @ Philadelphia Phillies 

• Run Line: Phillies -1.5 | Moneyline: Phillies -130 | Total: 8.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia, PA)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing out to right

Starting Pitching Matchup: Jose Berrios (ERA: 1.44; K/9: 6.39) vs. Cristopher Sanchez (ERA: 3.68; K/9: 8.90)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Phillies -1.5 (5-Stars) | Phillies ML (4-Stars) | OVER 8.5 (3-Stars) 

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Phillies by 1.5 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Justin Turner OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +150) vs. Cristopher Sanchez OVER 4.5 Ks (5-Stars, +120)

6:40 p.m. ET: Arizona Diamondbacks @ Cincinnati Reds 

• Run Line: Diamondbacks -1.5 | Moneyline: Diamondbacks -126 | Total: 9
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati, OH)
• Weather Notes: Rain all day in Cincinnati, but there should be a window of dry weather to get this game in. Regardless, keep an eye out.

Starting Pitching Matchup: Zac Gallen (ERA: 3.38; K/9: 9.84) vs. Frankie Montas (ERA: 4.19; K/9: 6.52)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Reds +1.5 (1-Star) | Reds ML (1-Star, +108) | OVER 9 (3-Stars) 

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Even

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Christian Encarnacion-Strand OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +155)

6:45 p.m. ET: Baltimore Orioles @ Washington Nationals 

• Run Line: Orioles -1.5 | Moneyline: Orioles -220 | Total: 8.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Nationals Park (Washington, D.C.)
• Weather Notes: Likelihood of showers, hopefully not heavy enough for a delay

Starting Pitching Matchup: Corbin Burnes (ERA: 2.61; K/9: 8.93) vs. Trevor Williams (ERA: 2.27; K/9: 6.25)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Nationals +1.5 (4-Stars) | Nationals ML (3-Stars, +184) | OVER 8.5 (1.5-Stars) 

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Orioles by 0.9 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Gunnar Henderson OVER 0.5 HRs (4-Stars, +300) | Jesse Winker OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +250)

6:50 p.m. ET: Chicago White Sox @ Tampa Bay Rays

• Run Line: Rays -1.5 | Moneyline: Rays -250 | Total: 8
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Tropicana Field (St. Petersburg, FL)
• Weather Notes: Dome

Starting Pitching Matchup: Michael Soroka (ERA: 6.48; K/9: 4.32) vs. Zach Eflin (ERA: 4.17; K/9: 7.90)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Rays -1.5 (5-Stars) | OVER 8 (5-Stars) 

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Rays by 3.3 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Andrew Benintendi OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +240) | Jonny DeLuca OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +180)

7:05 p.m. ET: Houston Astros @ New York Yankees

• Run Line: Astros -1.5 | Moneyline: Yankees -118 | Total: 8
• Where to Watch: TBS | Location: Yankee Stadium (Bronx, NY)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing from right to left

Starting Pitching Matchup: Justin Verlander (ERA: 2.08; K/9: 6.75) vs. Luis Gil (ERA: 3.19; K/9: 11.61)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Astros ML (3-Stars, +100) | UNDER 8 (2.5-Stars) 

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Astros by 0.4 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Kyle Tucker OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +160) | Anthony Rizzo OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +195)

7:20 p.m. ET: Boston Red Sox @ Atlanta Braves

• Run Line: Braves -1.5 | Moneyline: Braves -172 | Total: 9
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Truist Park (Atlanta, GA)
• Weather Notes: Warm, winds blowing from right to left

Starting Pitching Matchup: Kutter Crawford (ERA: 1.56; K/9: 8.93) vs. Reynaldo Lopez (ERA: 1.50; K/9: 9.30)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Braves -1.5 (5-Stars) | OVER 9 (3.5-Stars) 

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Braves by 2 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Dominic Smith OVER 0.5 HRs (5-Stars, +800) | Reynaldo Lopez UNDER 5.5 Ks (5-Stars, +112)

7:40 p.m. ET: Milwaukee Brewers @ Kansas City Royals

• Run Line: Royals -1.5 | Moneyline: Royals -130 | Total: 8.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City, MO)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing out to left-center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Colin Rea (ERA: 2.67; K/9: 6.15) vs. Seth Lugo (ERA: 1.60; K/9: 6.20)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Brewers +1.5 (1.5-Stars) | Brewers ML (4.5-Stars, +110) | OVER 8.5 (1-Star) 

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Brewers by 0.6 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Colin Rea OVER 3.5 Ks (5-Stars) | Michael Massey OVER 0.5 RBIs (4-Stars, +170)

7:40 p.m. ET: Seattle Mariners @ Minnesota Twins

• Run Line: Twins -1.5 | Moneyline: Twins -144 | Total: 8
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Target Field (Minneapolis, MN)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing out to left

Starting Pitching Matchup: Emerson Hancock (ERA: 4.75; K/9: 6.82) vs. Bailey Ober (ERA: 4.55; K/9: 7.96)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Mariners +1.5 (2-Stars) | Mariners ML (4-Stars, +122) | OVER 8 (2-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Mariners by 0.4 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Emerson Hancock UNDER 4.5 Ks (5-Stars) | Bailey Ober UNDER 6.5 Ks (5-Stars)

7:40 p.m. ET: San Diego Padres @ Chicago Cubs

• Run Line: Cubs -1.5 | Moneyline: Cubs -142 | Total: 9
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Wrigley Field (Chicago, IL)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing out to center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Randy Vasquez (ERA: 5.87; K/9: 5.87) vs. Shota Imanaga (ERA: 0.78; K/9: 9.09) 

SportsGrid’s Best Bet: Cubs -1.5 (1.5-Stars) 

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Cubs by 1.1 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Randy Vasquez UNDER 4.5 Ks (5-Stars) | Shota Imanaga OVER 4.5 Ks (5-Stars)

7:45 p.m. ET: New York Mets @ St. Louis Cardinals

• Run Line: Cardinals -1.5 | Moneyline: Cardinals -126 | Total: 8.5
• Where to Watch: MLB. TV | Location: Busch Stadium (St. Louis, MO)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing out to right-center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Jose Butto (ERA: 2.57; K/9: 9.96) vs. Miles Mikolas (ERA: 5.68; K/9: 6.87) 

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Mets +1.5 (3-Stars) | Mets ML (5-Stars, +108) | UNDER 8.5 (1-Star) 

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Mets by 0.9 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Francisco Lindor OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +135)

8:40 p.m. ET: San Francisco Giants @ Colorado Rockies

• Run Line: Giants -1.5 | Moneyline: Giants -166 | Total: 10.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Coors Field (Denver, CO)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing from left to right

Starting Pitching Matchup: Kyle Harrison (ERA: 3.79; K/9: 9.00) vs. Dakota Hudson (ERA: 5.93; K/9: 5.34)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Rockies +1.5 (5-Stars) | Rockies ML (5-Stars, +140) | OVER 10.5 (1-Star) 

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Rockies by 1 run

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Kyle Harrison UNDER 5.5 Ks (3.5-Stars) | Brenton Doyle OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +170)

10:10 p.m. ET: Miami Marlins @ Los Angeles Dodgers

• Run Line: Dodgers -1.5 | Moneyline: Dodgers -330 | Total: 8
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles, CA)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing out to center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Edward Cabrera (ERA: 6.05; K/9: 13.97) vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto (ERA: 2.91; K/9: 11.12)

SportsGrid’s Best Bet: OVER 8 (4.5-Stars) 

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Dodgers by 2.5 runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Jake Burger OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +200) | Max Muncy OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +125)