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Best MLB Bets Today: Betting Big on Aces Today

Written by: Michael Savio
Published May 1, 2024
11 min read
Best MLB Bets Today May 1 - Phillies

Our favorite bets for today are centered around two of the best pitchers in the league through the season's first month. The first comes from a matchup between the Phillies and Angels. The second involves a struggling Mets team that will play host to the NL Central-leading Cubs.

Below, we’ll share everything you need to bet on both games confidently. All odds will be taken from Caesars Sportsbook, which is giving new players a $1,000 First Bet Offer when they sign up using promo code WSN1000.

For more betting opportunities, check out our list of the best MLB betting sites and our curated list of MLB promos and bonuses.

Best MLB Bets Today: Phillies vs. Angels (4:07 PM EST)

Phillies Spread -1.5 (-105 at Caesars Sportsbook)

Not a great price for this bet, but it is one of the best ones on the board. Not only do the Phillies have a far better roster, but they also have a massive advantage on the mound tonight. Philadelphia will have Zach Wheeler (2-3, 1.93 ERA, 0.88 WHIP) making the start. 

The righty has been pitching at a Cy Young-level over the last few seasons, and he is off to another great start in 2024. He has registered five quality starts across six games and is currently riding a 13 ⅓ inning scoreless streak. The Angels haven’t seen much of Wheeler before, making figuring him out tonight a near-impossible task for their underwhelming lineup.

Patrick Sandoval (1-4, 6.33 ERA) will start opposite Wheeler. The 27-year-old broke out in 2022 by posting a 2.91 ERA, but he hasn’t been able to recapture that magic. A big reason for that is his inability to keep runners off the bases, posting a 1.51 WHIP in 2023 and owning a 1.78 WHIP through six starts this season. 

Sandoval has yet to last more than six or more innings in a start, struggling against even the league’s worst offenses. The Phillies lineup packs a significant punch, and they will chase Sandoval from this game early en route to a lopsided win.

Bet on Phillies to cover the spread at Caesars Sportsbook CTA icon

Best MLB Bets Today: Cubs vs. Mets (7:10 PM EST)

Cubs Money Line (-125 at Caesars Sportsbook)

The Mets have been one of the most disappointing teams in the NL this season, and they will add another loss tonight. After posting a six-game winning streak, it looked like they were turning around, but the team lost six of its next eight games. The offense has been struggling to find consistency all season, and now their pitching is also starting to come apart.

Jose Butto (0-1, 2.86 ERA) is one of the reasons for New York’s pitching struggles over the last two weeks. After an incredible start to the season, the 26-year-old has floundered over his previous two starts, allowing six runs on seven hits and eight walks across ten innings. Things won’t be any easier tonight as he faces a Cubs team that has scored the seven most runs in the league.

The Cubs have been hit hard by injuries this season but continue to impress. They now lead the NL Central, thanks partly to a breakout season from Michael Busch (.269 BA, 6 HR, 17 RBI). The first baseman has helped compensate for the loss of Cody Bellinger and Seiya Suzuki, allowing the Cubs to continue their winning ways.

Another big reason for the Cubs' success will be on the mound tonight. Chicago spent a lot of money to lure Shota Imanaga (4-0, 0.98 ERa, 0.80 WHIP) across the Pacific, and it has paid off in a big way. The 30-year-old has dominated through his first five starts, leading him to become the betting favorite in the NL Cy Young race. Considering that the Mets rank in the bottom half of the league in batting average, we don’t see them being able to solve Imanaga the first time they see him. 

Bet on the Cubs Money Line at Caesars Sportsbook CTA icon

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AUTHOR

Michael Savio

467 Articles

Michael is an avid sports fan and a veteran bettor from Milwaukee. He learned the trade from his grandfather in Las Vegas as a kid and has turned that into a successful career. He cheers for all Wisconsin pro teams along with his Alma Mater Arizona State. He specializes in baseball betting, but has experience in football, basketball, and hockey as well. When he isn’t pouring over stats, he’s spending time with his two young children.

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