MLB Best Bets Today, 4/28 - Expert Picks, Predictions, Props, & Odds
We have another full 15-game slate of MLB games on Sunday with plenty of ways to go for top baseball picks. Check out these MLB best bets and predictions as you enjoy the action. Our MLB picks today feature a showdown between veteran pitchers with the St. Louis Cardinals taking on the New York Mets. We also have Philadelphia Phillies vs San Diego Padres predictions to get to. Plus, check out a few top MLB player props to lock in for Sunday’s games.
MLB Best Bets For Today: Sunday, April 28
As always, be sure to shop around for the best odds and lines at different sportsbooks. The odds in this article below are accurate as of this writing. Without further ado, let’s check out the MLB best bets and baseball predictions for Sunday, April 28th.
Cardinals vs Mets Prediction Today, 4/28
Sunday’s matchup between the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets features a pair of veteran journeyman pitchers going head to head. Lance Lynn toes the rubber for the Cards while Jose Quintana starts for the Mets. We’re backing one and fading the other for today’s game.
On the surface, Lynn’s 2.81 ERA is impressive through five starts. Yet, his 4.43 FIP and 4.08 xERA tell a different story and suggest some negative regression. The right-hander’s current 82.2% left-on-base rate would be a career high. Plus, his 1.36 WHIP is on par with last season (1.39) when he wound up with a 5.73 ERA. Lynn has benefited from a couple of good outings but his 14:8 K:BB ratio over the past three starts is worrisome.
Lynn now has to face a Mets lineup that’s been hitting righties well recently. New York has a .347 wOBA, 124 wRC+, and .782 OPS vs right-handed pitching over the past two weeks as a top-tier offense in the split. This is the type of matchup where Lynn could come back down to Earth a bit.
Quintana, meanwhile, has had an up-and-down season so far with a 4.21 ERA and 1.60 WHIP. However, he’s had success in easier matchups against the Pirates and Reds with just two runs allowed over 10.2 combined innings in those outings. This matchup against St. Louis also categorizes as an easier one. The Cardinals have one of the league’s worst offenses vs lefties with a .282 wOBA, 79 wRC+, .195 BA, and .617 OPS in the split this season. This is a nice bounceback opportunity for Quintana after he coughed up five runs to the Giants last time out.
Another notable thing for Quintana is that he’ll be pitching at home today. Over his lengthy career, the southpaw boasts a 2.28 ERA at Citi Field that includes a 2.76 ERA in six home starts last year for New York. His home/road splits have continued this season with a 2.79 home ERA compared to a 5.06 road ERA. Let’s back the Mets for the full game and the first five innings with Quintana besting Lynn.
Expert Cardinals vs Mets Predictions
- Mets ML (-115 BetMGM)
- Mets 1st 5 Innings ML (-120 BetMGM)
Phillies vs Padres Prediction Today, 4/28
While the Astros/Rockies game in Mexico City will feature plenty of runs today, let’s target a different matchup for a potentially higher-scoring outcome. Taijuan Walker will make his season debut for the Philadelphia Phillies and Michael King starts for the San Diego Padres in this one. The pitching matchup combined with two dangerous offenses should lead to plenty of runs.
The 31-year-old Walker is returning from a shoulder injury that sidelined him during the spring and forced a late start. We could see the Phillies right-hander endure some early growing pains until the shoulder is fully in mid-season form. Walker struggled in his three rehab starts, allowing seven runs over 15 innings. His most recent outing at Triple-A saw him allow four runs on seven hits.
Walker had an up-and-down 2023 season with a 4.38 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. We’ll likely see a lesser version of the veteran for his first few MLB starts and it starts here on the road against the Padres. The San Diego offense boasts good numbers vs right-handed pitching this year with a .330 wOBA, .270 BA, and .742 OPS. The lineup has also been better against righties than lefties so far.
On the other side, the Phillies offense should also do damage against Padres starter Michael King. The righty has a 4.11 ERA and 1.43 WHIP through six outings this season. King’s 5.63 FIP and 4.59 xERA suggest he’s even been worse as well. Now he has to face a red-hot lineup that’s hammering righties. The Phillies have a .369 wOBA, 132 wRC+, .216 ISO, and .851 OPS against right-handers over the past week. Philly’s offense is rolling right now after a slow start to the season.
Let’s take the over for the full game and first five innings. We can also look to the Phillies team total over as they are averaging 6.1 runs per game over the past 11 contests.
Expert Phillies vs Padres Predictions
- Over 8 Total Runs (-118 DraftKings Sportsbook)
- 1st 5 Innings Over 4.5 Runs (-110 BetMGM)
- Phillies Team Total Over 3.5 Runs (-130 DraftKings Sportsbook)
Best MLB Player Props Today, 4/28
- Erick Fedde Over 4.5 Strikeouts (-135 BetMGM)
- Yordan Alvarez Over 2.5 Hits+Runs+RBI (-150 DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Reid Detmers Under 5.5 Strikeouts (+120 DraftKings Sportsbook)