15 games between 30 teams are set for Saturday across Major League Baseball. The action gets going this afternoon with several intriguing matchups. Ronald Acuna Jr. is back, as his Braves host the Padres in a battle of postseason contenders. Elsewhere, AL West rivals clash in Houston when the Mariners visit the Astros. Tonight’s main event will take place at Citi Field, where the Dodgers and Mets will meet in primetime.
Before the start of today’s contests, here are three MLB bets worth placing on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Royals ML (+120)
Long considered a punchline, the AL Central has become a legitimate bloodbath recently. Excluding the hapless White Sox, this entire division has their sights set on a postseason berth. That includes the Royals, who have had an uneven start to their season. So far, Kansas City ranks 26th in the league with 3.33 runs scored per game. However, the team does employ one of baseball’s best pitching staffs. Michael Wacha isn’t the first name that comes to mind, but he’s one of the sport’s more underrated starters. This season, the right-hander has logged a 2.86 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 43 strikeouts over 56.2 innings of work.
The Twins have caught fire in the month of May, winning 15 of their last 19 games. However, their offense has taken a hit without leadoff hitter Byron Buxton (concussion). Minnesota will send out Zebby Matthews, making his second appearance of the season. The 25-year-old hasn’t found success in the majors, logging a 7.08 ERA during ten career starts. On the flip side, Michael Wacha owns a 3.09 ERA over eight meetings with the Twins. It’s difficult to trust KC’s lineup, but the pitching disparity this afternoon is too difficult to ignore. Give me the Royals as a ‘dog with plenty of value.
Padres ML (-105)
A leadoff homer from Ronald Acuna was the only bit of good news for the Braves on Friday. Starter Nick Pivetta and the Padres bullpen held Atlanta scoreless for the rest of the game. In the top of the ninth, Manny Machado blasted a homer to give the visitors a 2-1 lead. Overall, it was a textbook performance from San Diego: quality pitching and a star-powered lineup leading to a win. The Friars will hope to clinch the series with ace Michael King on the mound this afternoon. Over ten appearances this season, the 29-year-old owns a 2.59 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 64 strikeouts.
If that wasn’t enough of a challenge for the Braves, they’ll be starting Grant Holmes on Saturday. The 29-year-old’s surface numbers are respectable (4.01 ERA), but a 5.21 FIP suggests regression is imminent. That’s especially true against an above-average Padres offense filled with dangerous hitters. It doesn’t help that Atlanta has only scored 79 runs this month, the 11th-fewest in baseball. A struggling lineup and an inconsistent pitcher against one of the league’s top teams? Grab San Diego as an over-qualified underdog.
Dodgers-Mets over 9 runs (+100)
Last night, it was the Dodgers that came out on top with a 7-5 win in extra innings against the Mets. It was another disappointing result for New York, losers in six of its last eight contests. The Amazin’s will hope to turn things around tonight with underrated arm David Peterson on the bump. It’s been a breakout season for the right-hander, who most recently tossed six innings of one-run ball against the Yankees. He’ll take on another lethal lineup tonight in Los Angeles, one that has proven difficult throughout his career. Peterson owns a lackluster 5.74 ERA during four career outings vs. LA.
For the visitors, oft-injured hurler Tony Gonsolin is set to toe the slab. In three of his four appearances in 2025, the former All-Star has held the opposition to three runs or less. However, two of those starts came against a miserable Marlins offense. Despite his respectable 4.05 ERA, Gonsolin has had notable command issues (1.30 WHIP). That could prove difficult against the Mets, who have recorded the sixth-most walks in baseball this season (189). Even if one of tonight’s starters does their job, both offenses have enough firepower to put up a crooked number. Regardless, expect a shootout at Citi Field on Saturday night.
