Welcome back to another round of MLB Best Bets Today as the 2025 baseball season rolls on. 

Saturday’s baseball slate features 15 games on the schedule with every team in action and games lasting all day. We have many interesting matchups on tap as we dive into 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, 5/3

Our MLB Best Bets Today start with an American League matchup between the Kansas City Royals and Baltimore Orioles. In this rematch of last year’s AL Wild Card series, which side should we back? 

We’ll also dive into the NL Central showdown between the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers. Check out the MLB predictions to make as you enjoy Saturday’s baseball action. 

 

 

 

Royals vs. Orioles Predictions: Saturday, May 3rd

The Kansas City Royals and Baltimore Orioles continue their weekend series with an intriguing Saturday evening matchup. Kris Bubic is on the mound for KC while Tomoyuki Sugano toes the rubber for Baltimore. These starting pitchers and the respective offensive splits point us to the road squad. 

Bubic is having an excellent season for the Royals with a 2.25 ERA and 2.91 FIP through six starts. Though his advanced stats don’t jump off the page, the left-hander has been effective on a mostly consistent basis. He’s due to bounce back today after allowing four runs last outing. 

We may see some negative regression in Bubic’s later starts, but it won’t come in this matchup. Simply put, the Orioles are terrible against left-handed pitching this season. Their .231 wOBA, 48 wRC+, .472 OPS, and .172 batting average vs. lefties all rank dead last in the majors. Over the past two weeks, the O’s have a .212 wOBA, .148 batting average, and 27.8% K rate in the split. 

On the other side, Sugano has a solid 3.00 ERA in his debut MLB season for the Orioles. Yet, the Japanese right-hander’s 5.66 xERA and 5.12 FIP say he’ll likely regress. Sugano has benefited from a 91.8% left-on-base rate and .250 BABIP that are bound to catch up to him. His 12.6% K rate (5th percentile), 19.8% whiff rate (14th), .299 xBA (12th), and 10.9% barrel rate (26th) are also concerning metrics. 

The Royals, admittedly, have poor season-long numbers against right-handed pitching. That’s changed recently, though. Over the past week vs. righties, KC has a .351 wOBA (5th in MLB), 125 wRC+ (5th), .323 batting average (2nd), and 15.4% strikeout rate (1st). Bobby Witt has led the charge lately with a .385 batting average and 1.044 OPS over his last seven games. 

Furthermore, these two teams are heading in opposite directions right now. The Royals are 9-2 over their past 11 games, including a sweep of the Rays this week. Meanwhile, the Orioles are just 4-7 in their last 11 contests. 

 

 

 

Cubs vs. Brewers Predictions: Saturday, May 3rd

Let’s now turn our attention to an NL Central showdown between the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers. Based on the starting pitchers and favorable offensive matchups, this game should be on the higher-scoring end. Let’s break down Saturday night’s divisional clash. 

Brewers starter Jose Quintana is off to a hot start with a 1.14 ERA through four outing. However, the veteran lefty is likely due for negative regression based on his 4.46 xERA, 3.37 FIP, and 4.33 xFIP. He’s benefited from a high 93.8% left-on-base rate and a lower .261 BABIP thus far. 

Plus, Quintana’s 16.1% K rate (15th percentile), 16.6% whiff rate (5th), 47.1% hard-hit rate (18th), and .284 xBA (18th) are worrisome advanced stats. Give credit to the southpaw for being effective through his first four starts. Yet, it might be time to sell high. 

Tonight’s matchup presents a good opportunity to fade Quintana. The Cubs boast one of the league’s best offenses against left-handed pitching. They have a .375 wOBA (1st in MLB), 141 wRC+ (2nd), .218 ISO (2nd), 11.8% walk rate (2nd), and 16.1% K rate (2nd) vs. southpaws this year. Chicago is also elite on the road with a .369 wOBA, 134 wRC+, .232 ISO, and .277 BA that all lead the majors.

As the Cubs set the tone offensively, the Brewers can also add their fair share to the total. Cubs starter Jameson Taillon has a shaky 4.01 ERA through six starts. His 4.32 xERA and 4.09 FIP aren’t any better either. The right-hander has just a 19.0% K rate (32nd percentile) and .274 xBA (23rd) this year as well. 

Meanwhile, Milwaukee has above-average numbers vs. righties this season (.323 wOBA, 103 wRC+). At the very least, the lineup will make Taillon work. Over the past week, the Brewers have a low 17.0% K rate and high 12.1% walk rate against right-handed pitching. 

Let’s grab the over for the full game and first five innings. The Chicago and Milwaukee offenses can both pace a high-scoring contest. Plus, we have two shaky bullpens. The Cubs’ relievers have a 4.64 ERA collectively (23rd in MLB) while the Brew Crew pen is even worse with a 4.90 ERA (27th). 

 

 

 

Best MLB Player Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 5/3

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