MLB Bets Today:  Free MLB Expert Picks and Player Props for Friday, May 26

MLB Bets Today: Free MLB Expert Picks and Player Props for Friday, May 26

This article is part of our MLB Picks series.

MLB Bets Today: Free MLB Expert Picks for Friday, May 27

RotoWire.com's Michael Rathburn has dug into the best online sportsbooks across the country to identify his MLB bets and MLB player props to target today.

Previous article 1-7 -6.40

Season 69-75-1 +21.76

There is a reason I try not to celebrate too much after a strong night or a good run, and it is what took place Wednesday. Some bad plays for sure as I went too heavy on the Red Sox vs. Lucas Giolito, but also some 0.5 runs losses stung.

Baltimore Orioles vs. Red Sox 7:10 pm EDT

Kyle Bradish vs. Garrett Whitlock

The Red Sox offense has been the best in baseball for the month of May. Getting them at home against a weak starting pitcher is the play here and they will continue to score a ton of runs. The Red Sox are 11-4 in their last 15 games, averaging 7.5 runs per game and scoring at least 6 runs in 10 out of those 15 games. It goes up to 8 runs a game in their last 10 games with 2.2 homers as well.

MLB Expert Picks for Red Sox-Orioles

  •  Red Sox -1.5 for 1 RW buck (FanDuel +118)
  •  Red Sox over 5.5 for 1 RW buck (FanDuel +102)

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. San Diego Padres

Jose Quintana vs. Sean Manaea

Well with the Reds putting up 20 runs yesterday, we can't pick on them as much so I will go to the Pirates (Tigers, Nationals are two others to bet against heavily). In their last 13 games, the Pirates have scored a total of 33 runs with 10 of them against the Rockies on 5/25. If you take out that game, it is 23 runs in 12 games for just under 2 per game. One of the angles I like to look at for a team to go under their total is when they are a huge dog like this (Padres -220). If you can shop around for a 3, go for it.

MLB Expert Picks for Pirates-Padres

  • Pirates u2.5 runs for 1 RW buck (FanDuel -105)

Houston Astros vs. Seattle Mariners 9:40 pm EDT

Justin Verlander vs. Chris Flexen

About once a week I will find a game in which the mismatch is so huge between starting pitchers and teams that I will look for multiple ways to get exposure to it. This is another one of those games as the Astros and Verlander should win easily against the Mariners and Chris Flexen.

In his 8 starts, Verlander has averaged 6.5 innings, with a 1.22 ERA, 49 strikeouts to 9 walks. The Astros are 18-6 in May, while the Mariners are 7-17 and 2-8 last 10. He is 2-0 vs. the Mariners this year and 5-0 in his last 5. Flexen is 0-4 in his last 5 vs. the Astros with a 4.73 ERA, 15 strikeouts, and 4 walks. Flexen is the type of pitcher that this Astros lineup has feasted on for several years.

MLB Expert Picks for Astros-Mariners

  •  Astros -1.5 for 1.18 RW buck (FanDuel -118)
  • Verlander over 18.5 outs for 1.2 RW buck (DraftKings -120)
  • Mariners under 1.5 F5 for 1.4 RW buck (DraftKings -140)
  • Astros over 4 for 1.2 RW buck (DraftKings -120)

MLB Expert Picks Recap for Friday, May 27

  • Red Sox -1.5 for 1 RW buck (FanDuel +118)
  • Red Sox over 5.5 for 1 RW buck (FanDuel +102)
  • Pirates u2.5 runs for 1 RW buck (FanDuel -105)
  • Astros -1.5 for 1.18 RW buck (FanDuel -118)
  • Verlander over 18.5 outs for 1.2 RW buck (DraftKings -120)
  • Mariners under 1.5 F5 for 1.4 RW buck (DraftKings -140)
  • Astros over 4 for 1.2 RW buck (DraftKings -120)

Visit RotoWire all season long for exclusive sports betting picks from our group of handicappers with their expert MLB picks each day of the campaign. Remember that betting apps vary in terms of odds and available player props, so we have an easy-to-use odds page that allows you to shop for the best lines at DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and PointsBet.

RotoWire Community
Join Our Subscriber-Only MLB Chat
Chat with our writers and other RotoWire MLB fans for all the pre-game info and in-game banter.
Join The Discussion
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael Rathburn
Known as “Rath” in the Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) community, he has helped run operations for two prominent daily fantasy sports startups. Michael has taken his insider knowledge and expertise in daily fantasy sports to the content side. Rath won the 2016 FSWA "Baseball Article of the Year, Online" award and was a finalist for the FSWA Best Baseball Series in 2011.
RotoWire Roundtable: 2025 Fantasy Baseball Top-300 Rankings
RotoWire Roundtable: 2025 Fantasy Baseball Top-300 Rankings
The Z Files: My New Approach to the Roundtable Rankings
The Z Files: My New Approach to the Roundtable Rankings
Farm Futures: Rookie Outfielder Rankings
Farm Futures: Rookie Outfielder Rankings
Offseason Deep Dives: Reynaldo Lopez
Offseason Deep Dives: Reynaldo Lopez
Offseason Deep Dives: Hunter Greene
Offseason Deep Dives: Hunter Greene
Farm Futures: November Dynasty Mailbag!
Farm Futures: November Dynasty Mailbag!