Check out our best MLB bets for all of the action on Thursday, May 26, including the game between the red-hot Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals.
If you're following the best 2022 betting MLB sites closely enough, you'll have started to notice a shift in the odds for the World Series. Sure, 2022 World Series odds are always changing to account for what's taking place on the field. Seldom, though, does a new darling enter the equation more than one-quarter of the way through the schedule. And yet, that's exactly what the Milwaukee Brewers are doing: putting major league baseball on notice that they're here, for real and ready to contend.
With all that said, skeptics continue to wonder whether their recent success is sustainable. That's fair. The Brewers' May 26 matchup with the St. Louis Cardinals will be a great test of their mettle. It's also the focus of our latest batch of best MLB bets, along with some other key games. Let's get things rolling by having a peek at the latest MLB betting odds for all the games taking place on Thursday, May 26:
Favorite Underdog Chicago Cubs -120 +102 Cincinnati Reds New York Yankees -126 +108 Tampa Bay Rays Washington Nationals -108 -108 Colorado Rockies Detroit Tigers -142 +120 Cleveland Guardians Atlanta Braves -126 +108 Philadelphia Phillies Minnesota Twins -184 +154 Kansas City Royals St. Louis Cardinals -122 +104 Milwaukee Brewers Chicago White Sox -110 -106 Boston Red Sox Los Angeles Angels -158 +134 Toronto Blue Jays Los Angeles Dodgers -175 +148 Arizona Diamondbacks Oakland Athletics -126 +108 Texas Rangers
Though single-game lines tend not to move much, you'll still want to double-check these betting odds for MLB before placing your wager. Last-minute lineup changes can have a significant impact on baseball betting lines.
We also encourage you to browse our reviews of the top online sportsbooks before making any decisions. We've compiled a bunch of information and insight so that you know how to spot the best MLB betting sites in 2022.
Milwaukee Brewers Aren't Going Anywhere
Offense is supposed to be the Milwaukee Brewers' calling card. And in some ways, it is. Their offense is more complete than last year. The Milwaukee Brewers have shown the ability to hit for power and to just flat-out get on base.
At the same time, they are even more intriguing than we expected thanks to their pitching staff. Entering play on Thursday, three of the Milwaukee Brewers' primary starting pitchers are striking out at least 28 percent of the batters they're facing: Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff and Eric Lauer. And Lauer, specifically, is whiffing 32 percent of the hitters he's going up against, the fourth-biggest market in major league baseball among all qualified pictures, according to The Ringer.
No, the Milwaukee Brewers do not play in the strongest division. But they're not exactly capitalizing on a cupcake schedule, either. Not only are they a ridiculous 10-4 in one-run games, but they have so far outperformed their expected win-loss record by two victories—no small feat considering how much they struggled to start the year.
If you aren't already taking the Brewers seriously, it's time to start doing so.
OSB Prediction: Milwaukee Brewers (+104)
New York Yankees Remain Great Moneyline Bets
Betting against the Yankees is just bad business these days. They're as hot as the Milwaukee Brewers, except their heater has essentially lasted the entire season.
Going up against the Rays is never easy. They have one of MLB's better run differentials. But the Yankees have dismantled the rest of the league with their pitching, all while underachieving on offense. The latter point is kind of terrifying. Aaron Judge already leads the majors in homers and is crashing the MVP discussion. Imagine where the Yankees will be if the rest of their bats fall in line with him.
OSB Prediction: New York Yankees (-126)
Los Angeles Dodgers Are Free Money vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Risk-takers might see value in taking the Diamondbacks after they rattled off two consecutive victories entering Thursday. Let's pump the brakes there.
Investing in the Dodgers is essentially free money here. Sure, some people are peeved that they haven't played up to snuff just yet. But that's part of their charm. The Dodgers are on pace to win nearly 110 games despite Clayton Kershaw getting hurt, Cody Bellinger playing through a rut and Mookie Betts turning in a less-than-stellar start.
OSB Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers (-175)
Los Angeles Angels Get Statement Win vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Part of this pick has to do with Shohei Ohtani. We refuse to bet against the Angels when he's on the mound, as we he will be Thursday.
But this is also about the Blue Jays, and about their unforeseen struggles. While they continue to hover above .500, they've dropped to third in the AL division, and they've got a negative run differential. Combine this with a crummy record on the road from Toronto, and we're more comfortable taking the Ohtani-powered Angels than usual.
OSB Prediction: Los Angeles Angels (-158)
Texas Rangers Are Quality Sleeper Bet Against Oakland Athletics
On the surface, the Rangers aren't worth your time. Nearly all of Texas' big offseason additions have devolved into fool's gold, and they enter Thursday with one of the weakest pitching staffs in baseball.
Here's the thing, though: The Rangers are playing the Athletics, and Oakland just might be one of the two or three most depressing clubs around at the moment. The A's are struggling in nearly every aspect of the game, even more so than their low payroll suggests. Given that Texas' bats have picked up their power and efficiency in recent weeks, we see a great opportunity to capitalize on a payout worth more than even money.
OSB Prediction: Texas Rangers (+108)
Take a look at this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can decide which one to use for all of your MLB betting throughout the 2022 season:
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