It’s a loaded MLB betting card today with a whopping 15 games on the schedule and that can only mean one thing — seemingly unlimited MLB prop betting options.
Today, we take a look at a five-inning total in an American League Central showdown and find some value with a home run prop for an under-the-radar Bronx Bomber as the New York Yankees continue their series in Texas against the Rangers.
We break down and pick those games and more with our best free MLB prop bets and predictions for Tuesday, May 18.
Today’s MLB props and picks
White Sox-Twins Under 4.5 Five-Inning Total (-125)
The Chicago White Sox and the Minnesota Twins were supposed to battle it out for the American League Central division crown all season long but so far, the battle has been one-sided.
The White Sox lead the Central at 24-15 with the best-run differential in the MLB while the Twins reside in the division basement at 13-25. But Minnesota will try to put a little dent in that lead when they hand the ball to Michael Pineda for Game 2 of this series.
Pineda has arguably been the Twins' most reliable starter this season, with a 2.79 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP through seven starts. His last start was against this same White Sox lineup and he pitched reasonably well, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out seven in 5 1-3 innings — with all of the production coming off a pair of home runs. Limit the dingers and he can have another quality outing.
The White Sox counter with a right-hander of their own in Lance Lynn, who has been dominant in his first season in Chicago. Lynn has posted a 1.30 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP in six starts this season and that includes allowing just one unearned run on two hits while striking out nine over five innings against the Twins last time out. Pitching will be the story early in this one.
Gio Urshela Over 0.5 Home Runs (+400)
After a bit of a slow start to the season, New York Yankees’ third baseman Gio Urshela has once again looked like one of his team’s most reliable hitters. While Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge have both been on flashy power streaks, Urshela has quietly looked like the guy who has hit .310 since joining the Yanks in 2019.
Urshela has hits in 11 of his last 12 games, hitting .341 with a .838 OPS over that stretch. However, Urshela only has one home run over that stretch and he's hit 27 over his previous two seasons — and he has the opportunity to get a dinger tonight.
Urshela and the Bronx Bombers visit the Texas Rangers Tuesday night, who are handing the ball to Mike Foltynewicz. The Rangers’ right-hander has surrendered more long balls than anyone in the Big Leagues so far, with opponents taking him deep 11 times in eight starts. Urshela is due for a dinger and his value to do so looks like the best on the board.
Brewers -0.5 Five-Inning Runline (-110)
Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes create one of the most devastating one-two punches at the top of any rotation in baseball and Tuesday is Woodruff’s turn to take the next swing as the Milwaukee Brewers visit the Kansas City Royals.
Woodruff has been one of the most dominant starters all season long, pitching to a 1.64 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, and limiting opponents to a ridiculously low .144 batting average.
Plus he faces a Royals team that is in a teensy bit of a slump. K.C. enters this series having lost 13 of their last 15 games, plating just 3.2 runs per contest and ranking 24th in batting average against right-handers over that span.
On the other side, Kris Bubic makes his first start of the season for the Royals and while the Brewers aren’t exactly world-beaters at the dish, they tend to do better when facing lefties like Bubic. Bet the Brew Crew to have a lead through five innings.
Yesterday's MLB record: 2-1, 0.91 units
Season MLB betting record: 67-71-3, -6.08 units
MLB betting card for May 18
- CWS-MIN Under 4.5 Five-Inning Total (-125)
- Gio Urshela Over 0.5 Home Runs (+400)
- Brewers -0.5 Five-Inning Runline (-110)
Picks made on 5/18/2021 at 11:06 a.m. ET
MLB parlays
Did you know that if you parlayed today’s MLB prop picks, you could win $161.82 on a $10 bet?
Use our MLB parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
Where can I bet on MLB props?
You can bet on MLB props at every online and casino sportsbook, including MLB player props, derivatives, and a ton of other MLB prop odds. Head over to our best-suggested sportsbooks for the top spots to bet on MLB props in your area.
