MLB Best Bets Today, 5/10: Picks, Predictions & Player Props
Welcome back to another round of MLB Best Bets Today as the 2025 baseball season rolls on.
Saturday’s baseball slate is loaded up with 15 games on the schedule. We have every MLB team in action with games lasting all afternoon and night. There are a ton 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 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, 5/10
Our MLB Best Bets Today start with an interleague matchup between the Cincinnati Reds and the Houston Astros. Can Lance McCullers Jr. anchor our MLB picks in his second start of the season?
We’ll also dive into an American League showdown between the Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals. Check out the MLB predictions to make as you enjoy Saturday’s baseball action.
Reds vs. Astros Predictions: Saturday, May 10th
Last week, Lance McCullers Jr. returned to the mound for the first time since the 2022 season. The Houston Astros’ right-hander tossed 3.2 scoreless innings. Yes, it came against the lowly White Sox, but it’s still a good sign for a guy who hadn’t pitched in three years.
Let’s back McCullers to anchor the Astros in today’s home matchup. He boasts a 2.67 ERA at home in his career and faces a Cincinnati Reds offense that’s struggled against right-handed pitching lately. Over the past week vs. righties, the Reds have a .213 batting average (27th in MLB) and .295 wOBA (22nd).
It’s definitely risky to trust a pitcher who just returned to the majors after battling injuries. However, McCullers’ home track record is encouraging and he had a solid 2.84 ERA in four rehab starts before last week. The righty could go 5-6 innings today after throwing 87 pitches in that first start. Once he exits, though, the elite Astros bullpen (MLB-best 3.03 FIP) can finish the job.
On the other side, Reds starter Brady Singer has a solid 3.66 ERA this year. Yet, we have a few reasons to fade him today. After tossing seven shutout innings to begin the season, Singer has just a 4.45 ERA over his last six starts. He also has a 4.76 ERA on the road compared to a 2.82 ERA at home so far.
Singer will have his hands full with Houston on the road here. The Astros have an elite home offense over the past month with a .357 wOBA (4th), 134 wRC+ (3rd), and .289 BA (3rd). They’re also averaging 5.5 runs per game over their last 12 home games. Meanwhile, Singer’s 23.5% chase rate (16th percentile), 43.1% hard-hit rate (33rd), and other underwhelming advanced metrics could be an issue in today’s matchup.
Let’s grab the Astros to win on the moneyline and lead after five innings. Houston is 10-3 in their last 13 home contests while Cincy is 3-8 over its last 11 games overall. That includes a 3-0 victory for the ‘Stros last night.
- Expert Reds vs. Astros Picks:
- Astros Moneyline (-138 on FanDuel Sportsbook)
- Astros 1st 5 Innings ML (-120 on FanDuel Sportsbook)
Red Sox vs. Royals Predictions: Saturday, May 10th
The Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals continue their weekend series with an interesting Saturday evening matchup. In this game, we have two talented pitchers in Garrett Crochet and Cole Ragans on the mound. Let’s break down which way to go for our MLB picks.
Crochet is off to a strong start for Boston this season. He has a 2.02 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 2.83 FIP through eight outings. He’s also allowed one earned run or fewer in five of his last seven starts.
Crochet boasts some elite advanced metrics like a 28.6% strikeout rate (82nd percentile), 34.2% hard-hit rate (82nd), 30.1% whiff rate (81st), and .221 xBA (75th). Even on the road today, Crochet should limit the Royals.
The KC offense has struggled against left-handed pitching this season with a .279 wOBA and 70 wRC+. Over the past month, the Royals have just a .254 wOBA and 56 wRC+ vs. southpaws.
Meanwhile, the Boston hitters should provide run support against Royals starter Cole Ragans. He’s been up and down this year with a 3.79 ERA across seven starts. Despite an encouraging 2.38 FIP, this is a tough spot today.
The Red Sox are a top-10 offense vs. lefties with a .334 wOBA and 110 wRC+ this season. Over the past two weeks, they boast a .361 wOBA and 129 wRC+ against southpaws. This lineup should bounce back after being held to one run last night in the series opener vs. KC.
- Expert Red Sox vs. Royals Picks:
- Red Sox Moneyline (-118 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Red Sox 1st 5 Innings ML (-115 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
Best MLB Player Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 5/10
- Milwaukee Brewers vs. Tampa Bay Rays – Under 9.5 Runs (-120 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- San Francisco Giants Moneyline (-102 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers – Under 6.5 Strikeouts (-135 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Tanner Bibee, Cleveland Guardians – Under 4.5 Strikeouts (+125 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
Player News
Ceddanne Rafaela went 3-for-5 with a homer against the Brewers on Wednesday.
Raffaela made a baserunning mistake later that will be talked about as a key reason the Red Sox lost this one, but between his offense and defense, he was one of the few reasons they had a shot in the first place. The nice game hopefully concludes a 2-for-26 slump he’d been in the previous nine days.
Bo Bichette is not in the lineup for Wednesday’s showdown against the Rangers due to lower back tightness.
It’s a rare day off for Bichette, who has played pretty much every game this season in his walk year. The 27-year-old shortstop got off to a sizzling-hot start, but he’s faded recently, batting .246/.301/.405 with four homers, 12 RBI and two steals over his last 30 games. Hopefully the extra break enables him to put the back issue to bed and get back on track at the dish. It’ll be Ernie Clement taking over at shortstop on Wednesday evening in his place.
Carson Kelly (illness) is back in the lineup for Wednesday’s series finale against the Rockies.
Kelly is back handling the catching duties and batting fifth following a three-game absence due to illness.
Mariners activated RHP Jackson Kowar from the 60-day injured list.
Kowar returns to Seattle’s relief mix ahead of Wednesday’s showdown against the Nationals. The 28-year-old righty has been out since undergoing Tommy John surgery last March.
Mariners optioned RHP Logan Evans to Triple-A Tacoma.
Evans wasn’t going to have a spot in Seattle’s rotation in a couple days one Bryce Miller (elbow) returned from the injured list. The 23-year-old prospect leaves on a positive note after tossing eight strong frames on Tuesday in a win over the Nationals. He figures to return at some point later this season.
Royals released OF Nelson Velázquez.
Velázquez was jettisoned from Kansas City’s 40-man roster back in late March and was hitting .202 through 33 games this season at Triple-A Omaha. The 26-year-old former top prospect has hit .212/.286/.433 with 31 homers and seven steals in 194 games in the majors since 2022. There’s presumably another organization out there willing to roll the dice on his talent.