A jam-packed, 15-game slate is on tap for baseball fans on Saturday, with all 30 teams taking the diamond. The excitement gets started this afternoon, when the Brewers visit the NL East-leading Phillies and Cy Young contender Jesus Luzardo. Elsewhere, Tigers ace Tarik Skubal takes the mound against the rival Royals in Kansas City. Finally, the Yankees and Dodgers battle once again after an epic Los Angeles comeback on Friday night.
Before the start of today’s contests, here are three MLB bets worth placing on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Royals ML (+160)
The Tigers are currently pacing the American League with a 38-20 record, and its easy to see why. Unlike last season, Detroit boasts not just an elite pitching staff, but one of baseball’s deepest lineups. That was on full display during last night’s 7-5 win over the Royals. To clinch a series win, the Tigers will hand the ball to ace Tarik Skubal this afternoon. It’s been a dominant start for the reigning Cy Young winner, allowing 19 earned runs over 68.2 innings pitched (2.49 ERA). Kansas City, averaging the third-fewest runs per game this season (3.33), doesn’t look like a formidable opponent. However, this is a spot that Skubal has had some difficulty in. Over his last five appearances vs. KC, the left-hander has recorded a middling 4.13 ERA.
If the Royals are going to pull off an upset, it’ll take a solid performance from starter Michael Wacha. The 33-year-old is reliable, recording an ERA under 3.50 in each of the past four seasons. He’s also shown an ability to thrive in this matchup. Over seven career outings vs. the Tigers, Wacha owns a 3.20 ERA. Most recently, he tossed 5.1 innings of two-run ball against Detroit. On paper, it’s difficult to fully trust Kansas City and its mediocre lineup. However, this appears to be the rare team that has Skubal’s number. Coupled with a capable hurler of their own, and it’s difficult to dismiss the Royals at +160.
Rays ML (+120)
Saturday pits two of the American League’s hottest teams, the Rays and the Astros, against one another. Last night culminated in a 2-1 Houston victory, thanks in large part to a dominant showing from pitcher Framber Valdez. However, the Astros won’t have nearly the same level of talent on the mound tonight. Colton Gordon is slated to start tonight, and the results have been uninspiring thus far. Over 14.2 innings of work, the rookie has posted a 5.52 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 14 strikeouts. Obviously, that’s a small sample size. Still, it’s not as if the 26-year-old has given bettors much reason for confidence.
For the Rays, Zack Littell is set to toe the slab. Following a rough first few starts, the right-hander has been phenomenal in the month of May. During his last 31.2 innings pitched, Littell has only surrendered ten earned runs (2.84 ERA). The 29-year-old has also had Houston’s number recently, holding them to two runs over five innings just 11 days ago. The Astros are playing good baseball as of late, but Tampa Bay has won eight of its last ten games. With a clear advantage on the mound, it’s impossible to fade the Rays at plus money.
Pirates at Padres under 8 runs (-115)
They might not have the firepower of some other National League squads, but the Padres continue to win games. San Diego’s 32-23 record is due in large part to one of the sport’s top pitching staffs. Surprisingly, the team has had success on the hill without Dylan Cease pitching at his best. The former All-Star got off to a brutal start, compiling a 5.68 ERA in April. However, since then the righty has rebounded; over his last five starts, Cease’s ERA is 3.38. That bodes well heading into tonight’s meeting with the Pirates, baseball’s second-lowest scoring offense.
With that being said, the Friars aren’t the only team with a red-hot starter tonight. Bailey Falter has enjoyed a breakout 2025 campaign, as he currently owns a stellar 3.47 ERA. That includes seven innings of one-run ball against the Padres on May 3rd. The 28-year-old has been on another level this month, allowing just three earned runs during his last 29.1 innings (0.92 ERA). Regression might be coming, but right now Falter looks like one of the National League’s best arms. Expect a pitcher’s duel at Petco Park on Saturday.
