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 MLB schedule and every team in action. There are 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 and other picks 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, 5/31

Our MLB Best Bets Today start with an AL Central showdown between Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals. We’ll also dive into an interesting matchup tonight as the San Diego Padres host the Pittsburgh Pirates. Check out these MLB predictions to make as you enjoy Saturday’s baseball action. 

 

Tigers vs. Royals Predictions: Saturday, May 31st

One of the only divisional matchups this weekend features this series between the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals. The visiting Tigers entered the weekend with the best record in baseball, while the Royals sit in fourth place in the AL Central. Let’s break down how to bet on Saturday’s game. 

Tarik Skubal will start for Detroit today. The reigning AL Cy Young winner has been dominant again this season with a 2.49 ERA and 0.84 WHIP. He just tossed a complete-game shutout against Cleveland last weekend. This isn’t exactly the pitcher we should fade, yet there’s an opportunity here. 

The Royals have proven to be a pesky matchup for Skubal. He had a 4.24 ERA in four starts vs. KC last season and has a 4.76 ERA in 16 career appearances in this rivalry. The Royals scored five and four runs off Skubal in two of those games last year. 

Skubal faced Kansas City earlier this season and allowed two runs on a season-high seven hits, with only four strikeouts as well. That was at home. Things could be tougher this time around on the road. The Royals' offense has underwhelmed this season, but the previous success vs. Skubal is tough to ignore. 

On the other side, Royals starter Michael Wacha is having a good season with a 3.21 ERA thus far. The veteran right-hander has been effective lately with a 2.52 ERA over his last six starts. He can handle the Tigers, who have struggled against righties over the past week (.267 wOBA, 71 wRC+, .200 BA, 31.7% K rate). 

Wacha held the Tigers to two runs over 5.2 solid innings earlier this season. That outing was on the road, and he can be even better at home today. Wacha owns a 2.18 ERA across six home starts this year compared to a 4.40 ERA on the road. 

Last year, Wacha boasted a 2.79 ERA at home with a 3.78 ERA on the road. He also has a 2.86 ERA in 25 career starts at Kansas City’s Kauffman Stadium. Plus, the righty owns a 2.95 ERA in his last three starts against the Tigers, which includes seven innings of two-run ball last year at home in this matchup. 

Let’s roll with the Royals at home today. Kansas City is 18-12 at home this year compared to 12-16 on the road. The Tigers have a dominant 21-8 home record but are more vulnerable on the road with a 17-12 record. Take the KC runlines for more safety, but consider the moneyline as well. 

 

 

Pirates vs. Padres Predictions: Saturday, May 31st

Let’s lead off today’s MLB picks with an interesting late-night matchup. The San Diego Padres host the Pittsburgh Pirates in what could be a lower-scoring contest based on the starting pitchers and key offensive splits. Last night saw a 3-2 final between these squads and tonight can follow a similar script. 

Pirates starter Bailey Falter has a solid 3.47 ERA and 1.14 WHIP this season, but he’s been lights-out lately. The left-hander owns a 0.92 ERA over his last five starts with just three earned runs across 29.1 innings. Though Falter’s advanced stats aren’t dominant, we have to respect how good he’s been. 

Falter’s 5.09 ERA on the road isn’t too pretty, but it’s skewed by one bad outing against the Dodgers. He owns a more respectable 3.86 ERA in his four other road starts. That’s encouraging for tonight’s matchup. 

The Padres have struggled against left-handed pitching over the past month with a .266 wOBA (27th in MLB), 69 wRC+ (24th), and .212 batting average (24th). The offense is also averaging just 3.1 runs per game over the past 12 contests. If Falter keeps pitching well, he can handle this San Diego lineup in its current form. 

On the other side, Padres starter Dylan Cease is a prime buy-low candidate. He owns a shaky 4.58 ERA this year, but his 3.24 FIP and 3.22 xFIP indicate positive regression. The right-hander’s 29.1% K rate (85th percentile), 32.9% whiff rate (89th), and 32.0% chase rate (84th) are all encouraging moving forward. 

Cease has been much better lately with a 3.20 ERA and 3.11 FIP over his last four outings, with a 33:5 K:BB ratio across 25.1 innings in this stretch. His season-long ERA is also inflated because of one terrible outing on the road, in which he allowed nine runs to the Athletics (in a hitter-friendly park). In his 10 other starts, Cease owns a 3.44 ERA. 

We should feel confident in Cease at home tonight in a favorable matchup. The Pirates have a terrible road offense (.275 wOBA, 71 wRC+, .212 BA) with bottom-tier splits against right-handed pitching this year. Over the past month vs. righties, Pittsburgh has a .294 wOBA (27th in MLB) and 83 wRC+ (28th). 

Meanwhile, Cease boasts a 3.29 ERA at home compared to a 5.68 ERA on the road. Last year, he had a 3.03 ERA at home in the pitcher-friendly San Diego park. Let’s take the under for the full game and first five innings as both starters limit the scoring overall. 

 

 

Best MLB Player Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 5/31