Welcome back to another round of MLB Best Bets Today as the 2025 baseball season rolls on. 

Thursday’s baseball slate is a lighter one with nine games on the schedule. Yet, we still have games going on all afternoon and evening with plenty of ways to go for our top MLB picks and predictions. Let’s focus on two games for our MLB best bets today before dishing out a few baseball player props to consider. 

Keep in mind, some of these odds or lines could move before the first pitch. All bets below are for one unit unless otherwise noted. Without further ado, let’s dive into our MLB Best Bets Today.

 

 

 

MLB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 5/8

Our MLB Best Bets Today start with an interleague matchup between the Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays. Can Jesus Luzardo dominate yet again to anchor things for Philly on the road? 

We’ll also dive into an NL West showdown between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks. Check out the MLB predictions to make as you enjoy Thursday’s baseball action. 

Phillies vs. Rays Predictions: Thursday, May 8th

The Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays wrap up their three-game series tonight. The visiting Phils have won the first two games by a combined 15-4 scoreline. They can complete the sweep with advantages in both the pitching matchup and offensively. Let’s break down how to back Philadelphia to begin our MLB picks. 

Phillies starter Jesus Luzardo has been excellent this year, rocking a 1.94 ERA and 1.93 FIP through seven starts. The southpaw looks like one of the best pitchers in baseball. He has a 27.6% K rate (79th percentile) and 6.5% walk rate (76th) with two runs or fewer allowed in all but one outing thus far. 

Even on the road, Luzardo should keep it going in a very favorable matchup. The Rays have terrible season-long numbers against left-handed pitching with a .256 wOBA (28th in MLB), 66 wRC+ (27th), and .189 batting average (29th). Over the past two weeks, they’ve been even worse vs. lefties (.220 wOBA, 42 wRC+, .165 BA). 

Meanwhile, the Philly offense should get to Ryan Pepiot to provide enough run support. The Tampa starter has a 4.23 ERA and 5.14 FIP through seven starts this season, with a shaky 1.41 WHIP as well. Pepiot’s 10.3% barrel rate (28th percentile) and .260 xBA (36th) are especially worrisome against a dangerous lineup today. 

The Phillies are crushing right-handed pitching over the past week with a .394 wOBA (1st in MLB), 152 wRC+ (1st), .229 ISO (2nd), .312 batting average (1st), and 14.4% K rate (2nd). They’re also a top-10 offense in the split across the whole season (.332 wOBA, 110 wRC+). Philadelphia is averaging 6.3 runs over the past 10 games as well. 

Bank on Luzardo and the Phillies hitters taking care of business in their respective favorable spots. It’s worth noting that Philadelphia has had plenty of fans in attendance this week with their Spring Training facility just a short drive away. 

  • Expert Phillies vs. Rays Picks:
    • Phillies Moneyline (-134 on FanDuel Sportsbook)
    • Phillies 1st 5 Innings -0.5 Runline (-110 on FanDuel Sportsbook)

 

 


 

Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks Predictions: Thursday, May 8th

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks start up a four-game series tonight. Let’s dive into how to bet on this NL West clash with divisional bragging rights on the line. 

Yoshinobu Yamamoto is putting up Cy Young-type numbers for the Dodgers this season. The right-hander boasts a 0.90 ERA and 0.93 WHIP through seven starts. His 2.26 FIP and 2.47 xERA aren’t too shabby either. Yamamoto’s 32.0% K rate (91st MLB percentile), 32.6% whiff rate (89th), 4.4% barrel rate (85th), and .210 xBA (83rd) are all elite metrics. 

It’s been profitable to back the Dodgers with Yamamoto on the mound this year. They’re 5-2 across his seven outings, with four of those wins coming by multiple runs. We’ll gladly do it again tonight. Last year, Yamamoto allowed only two runs with a 13:3 K:BB ratio in 12.1 combined innings against the Diamondbacks. 

Arizona has been elite season-long numbers against right-handed pitching this season. However, the offense is also trending down in the split lately. Over the past week vs. righties, the D-backs have a .302 wOBA (22nd in MLB), 88 wRC+ (24th), and 26.4% K rate (28th). Yamamoto is facing this lineup at the right time. 

On the other side, Arizona starter Brandon Pfaadt should have more trouble in his own matchup. The regression monster came calling for Pfaadt in his last start, with seven runs allowed to the Phillies. His 5.31 xERA and 4.42 FIP are still notably higher than his current 3.79 ERA and suggest he’s still worth fading. 

Pfaadt’s advanced metrics leave a lot to be desired. The right-hander’s .306 xBA (7th MLB percentile) and 45.5% hard-hit rate (23rd) are especially worrisome. His current 20.7% K rate is a career-low mark as well. Pfaadt has a 6.20 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers, including six runs allowed across 11.2 innings last year in this matchup. 

As for Los Angeles, this offense is arguably the league’s best against right-handed pitching this season. The Dodgers’ .378 wOBA, 145 wRC+, and .286 batting average in the split all lead the majors. Over the past week, they’re hammering righties to the tune of a .390 wOBA, 151 wRC+, and .305 batting average. 

  • Expert Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks Picks:
    • Dodgers -1.5 Runline (-105 on BetMGM Sportsbook)
    • Dodgers 1st 5 Innings -0.5 RL (-110 on BetMGM Sportsbook)

 

 


 

Best MLB Player Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 5/8