Best MLB Bets Today | MLB Picks, May 22

Toronto Blue Jays @ Tampa Bay Rays

• Time: 6:40 PM ET
• Starting Pitchers: Chris Bassitt (TOR) vs Trevor Kelley (TB)
• Moneyline: Blue Jays (+105) | Rays (-125)
• Run Line: Blue Jays +1.5 (-190) | Rays -1.5 (-160)
• Total: Over 8 (-120) | Under 8 (-100)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

My Pick: Tampa Bay Rays ML (-125)

Our first bet of the day takes us to St. Petersburg, Florida, for a game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Tampa Bay Rays. There are plenty of games on slate today, but this should be one of the better ones. The Blue Jays have one of their better lineups in the last couple of seasons but have lost their previous four games, and the Rays are the best team in baseball. They have taken the MLB by storm and are especially good at home. Since Tampa is 21-4 at home and facing a Blue Jays team on a four-game losing streak, I would bet on the Rays moneyline.

Chriss Bassitt will take the hill for the Blue Jays. Bassitt has been Toronto’s best starter and is off to a strong start. He comes into this game with a 5-2 record, a 3.05 ERA, and a 1.02 WHIP. He has not given up a run in his last three starts, and the Blue Jays have won each time. However, I expect his scoreless streak to end today. The Jays are facing a Rays squad averaging over six runs a game. Tampa’s lineup is the best in baseball and strong enough to put a few runs on Bassitt and knock him out after six innings. The Rays will go on to score a few more runs against the Blue Jays’’ bullpen.

Trevor Kelley will get the nod for the Rays. Kelley is a relief pitcher, so he will likely be used as an opener. He may throw two innings, but it will end there. Since Kelley is being used as an opener, I expected him to perform well before giving way to the starter. It does not really matter who comes in after Kelley. The Rays’ roster is full of solid starters, and their lineup will carry them the rest of the way. Bet on the Tampa moneyline.

Oakland Athletics vs Seattle Mariners

• Time: 9:40 PM ET
• Starting Pitchers: Kyle Muller (OAK) vs Luis Castillo (SEA) 
• Moneyline: Athletics (+260) | Mariners (-315)
• Run Line: Athletics +1.5 (+135) | Mariners -1.5 (-155)
• Total: Over 8 (-105) | Under 8 (-115)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

My Pick: Seattle Mariners -1.5 (-155)

Our second and final prop bet of the day will take us to Seattle, Washington. This game will be a divisional battle, but not a highly anticipated one. The Athletics are tanking and are the worst team in baseball, and the Mariners are mediocre and sitting a little below .500. With that being said, the Mariners are the better team and will win this game and cover the spread. Bet on Seattle -1.5.

Kyle Muller will take the bump for the Athletics. Muller is playing in his first full season and struggling. He has started nine games and has a 7.71 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. His last three starts have been especially difficult. The southpaw has given up 16 runs in that time and 21 hits. Mullers does not have much more time to figure it out at the Major League level and will give up around four runs to the Mariners today.

The Mariners will give Luis Castillo the start. Castillo has proven himself as a dominant starter over the last few seasons and is pitching well to begin this year. The 30-year-old has not received much run support this season and has only won two games but has a 3.31 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. He is coming off his worst start off the season against the Houston Astros. Castillo pitched five innings and gave up seven runs (five earned) on six hits. However, I would not be too concerned, though. The righty was simply having an off day and will face one of the worst lineups in baseball today. Castillo will give up no more than two runs and lead the Mariners to an easy victory. Bet on Seattle to win and cover the spread.