Best MLB Bets Today | MLB Picks, May 1

Chicago Cubs vs Washington Nationals

• Time: 7:05 PM ET
• Starting Pitchers: Drew Smyly (CHC) vs MacKenzie Gore (WAS)
• Moneyline: Cubs (-135) | Nationals (+115)
• Run Line: Cubs -1.5 (+120) | Nationals +1.5 (-140)
• Total: Over 8.5 (-120) | Under 8.5 (-140)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

My Pick: Chicago Cubs ML (-132)

Our first bet of the day will take us to the East Coast. The Chicago Cubs will take on the Washington Nationals. The Cubs underperformed last year but are exceeding expectations so far. On the other side, the Nationals are rebuilding and are one of the worst teams in the league. The Cubs will win this game with their bats. Bet on the Chicago moneyline.

Drew Smyly is taking the hill for Chicago. Smyly has been reliable in his two seasons for the Cubs. He had one horrible start to begin the season but has only given up four combined runs in four starts since then. Luckily for Smyly, he is facing a Nationals with limited offensive weapons. Other than Joey Meneses and Lane Thomas, the Nationals have very little to offer at the plate. Since Smyly is on a tear and facing a weak lineup, he should have no problems going six or seven innings.

The Nationals are sending MacKenzie Gore to the mound. Gore has been pretty impressive to start the year. He has a 3.00 ERA and a 2-1 record through five starts. Three of his starts have gone six innings, and he has not given up more than three runs in one outing. I only expect him to give up a couple of runs to the Cubs, but the real problems will begin when he leaves the game. The National's bullpen is not reliable and has an ERA in the fours. They will likely struggle against this Cubs lineup averaging 5.41 runs per game. Bet on the Chicago moneyline.

San Francisco Giants vs Houston Astros

• Time: 8:10 PM ET
• Starting Pitchers: Ross Stripling (SF) vs Luis Garcia (HOU) 
• Moneyline: Giants (+155) | Astros (-180)
• Run Line: Giants +1.5 (-135) | Astros -1.5 (+115)
• Total: Over 8.5 (-110) | Under 8.5 (-110)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

My Pick: Houston Astros -1.5 (+115)

Our final pick of the day will take us to Houston, Texas. The San Francisco Giants and Houston Astros are headed in different directions. The Giants are off to a tough start and have a losing record, but the Astros are starting to show signs of life and are only two games out of first place in the Central Division. Houston has the edge in this game and will cover their moneyline. 

The Giants are sending Ross Stripling to the mound. Stripling is hard to read. He is coming off a great season with the Toronto Blue Jays but has had some troubles to start the year. Four of his five starts have been less than four innings, and he has given up some runs. The 33-year-old comes into this game with a 6.89 ERA and will not pitch that deep into this game. The Astros lineup is simply too talented, so Stripling will only pitch into the fourth inning. 

The Astros are giving Luis Garcia the nod. Garcia has a 4.00 ERA but is coming off two very impressive starts. The 26-year-old threw six scoreless innings last week and seven scoreless innings the week before. He may have had some less-than-stellar starts to begin the season but has now returned to form. Garcia is facing a Giants lineup that is almost as productive as the Astros lineup, but since he has been throwing so well lately, he will have no problems. Bet on the Astros to cover.

Catch More of our Daily MLB Picks

• Best NRFI Bets Today, May 1
• Best Prop Bets Today, May 1