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Daily archive

2025-05-17

The stored Gary board for Sat, May 17. Results are presented separately because older records do not all carry a durable source-pick ID.

Game picks

5
MLB3:07 PM

Detroit Tigers @ Toronto Blue Jays

I’m taking the Tigers moneyline at -130 because the hard numbers say Detroit’s bats have a clear edge—they’re averaging a strong 7.00 runs per game compared to Toronto’s 4.40, and while neither staff is lights-out, Detroit’s run prevention (5.40 allowed) is still notably better than Toronto’s ugly 6.20. There’s no pitcher data to split hairs, but when one club is scoring nearly three more runs per contest and giving up fewer, you ride that edge, especially when the market’s stable and there’s no sign of a trap. In a pick 'em scenario with cold stats, the value’s on Detroit’s offense to carry the day.

Detroit Tigers ML-130
CONF
78%
MLB8:10 PM

Colorado Rockies @ Arizona Diamondbacks

I'm taking the Rockies +2.5 at -110 because the numbers show this team is coming in with real juice—a 3-game win streak and putting up 8 runs in their last outing. Arizona, meanwhile, is not exactly locking opponents down, allowing 4.80 runs per game, and just lost a 7-8 shootout themselves. Colorado’s offense is actually averaging more runs per game (4.60) than the D-Backs (4.40), and with no dominant starting pitcher data on either side, I’ll side with the underdog getting a generous cushion. The spread’s big enough to cover a close contest or even a modest Arizona win, and with the Rockies’ bats hot and the Diamondbacks’ pitching leaking, I like my chances. Give me the runs and the momentum—this is a sharp, value-driven play.

Colorado Rockies +2.5-110
CONF
78%
MLB8:40 PM

Seattle Mariners @ San Diego Padres

I'm backing the Padres -1.5 at plus money because the numbers paint a clear picture: San Diego is putting up a healthy 5.00 runs a game, while the Mariners are scraping together just 2.60, and both teams are leaking runs, but Seattle's offense flat-out hasn't shown up. The Padres’ recent two-game win streak gives them momentum, and the Mariners’ 6.00 runs allowed per outing means San Diego should have plenty of chances to open up a lead. Even with no starting pitcher data, I trust the Padres’ bats to do the heavy lifting here and cover the run line, especially at home. The odds give us enough juice to make this a smart, aggressive play.

San Diego Padres -1.5+110
CONF
75%
MLB9:05 PM

Oakland Athletics @ San Francisco Giants

I'm taking the Giants moneyline here because even without the luxury of pitcher stats, the numbers lean in their favor—San Francisco is giving up just 4.60 runs per game while Oakland is coughing up a whopping 7.60, and that kind of leaky pitching usually spells trouble on the road. The Giants have the home park edge and are coming off a 10-6 win with a solid 5.60 runs per game, while the A's are hot with the bats but bleeding on defense, fresh off a 19-2 blowout but with a two-game win streak that feels more like an outlier than a trend given their season-long runs allowed. The line is steady and the public isn't driving anything crazy here, so I'll trust the math: Giants to win, but I’m not touching that run line with these bullpens. Old-school, straight-up play.

San Francisco Giants ML-152
CONF
75%
MLB9:10 PM

Los Angeles Angels @ Los Angeles Dodgers

Look, the Dodgers are coming off a game where they hung 19 runs on the board, and they’re rolling with a 2-game win streak while averaging 6.60 runs per game—nearly two more than the Angels’ 4.80. The Dodgers’ offense is a machine right now, and while the Angels also have a 2-game streak, their last outing was a modest 5-1 win and their defense gives up almost as much as they score. No edge in pitching data, but when one team’s bats are this hot and they’re at home, I’m not overthinking it—the Dodgers should cover the -1.5 with that kind of firepower and momentum, especially at near-even odds. Give me the Dodgers to flex.

Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5-111
CONF
75%

Player props

21

Aaron Judge

Aaron Judge is one of the most consistent hitters in MLB and rarely goes hitless over multiple games. Even without matchup data, Judge's career average and recent form typically put his hit probability above 76%. At -200 (d=1.5), the line slightly underrates his hit probability, offering modest positive value on the over.

OVER 0.5 Hits-200

Pete Alonso

Pete Alonso is a power hitter who records at least one base in the majority of games, whether by single, double, or home run. Even with no pitcher data, his career consistency at reaching base makes the over a strong play. The -200 line is slightly conservative compared to his historical likelihood (~75%) of clearing this low bar.

OVER 0.5 Total Bases-200

Francisco Lindor

Lindor regularly contributes with both hits and run production, especially in games against top-tier offenses like the Yankees. Even with no matchup data, his all-around skill set and everyday status give him a strong chance to reach 2+ combined hits, runs, or RBIs. At -150 (d=1.67), the line is fair with a positive expectation.

OVER 1.5 H+R+RBI-150

Luis Robert Jr.

Even without recent player data, Luis Robert Jr. projects as the White Sox's most consistent hitter when healthy.

OVER 0.5 Hits-180

Seiya Suzuki

Suzuki has a proven MLB track record with a strong bat-to-ball profile. As a regular starter for the Cubs, he typically gets 4+ plate appearances per game and maintains a high batting average. League averages for a player in his role suggest about an 80% chance of at least one hit, while the line implies 66.7%. This is a reliable, high-floor play.

OVER 0.5 Hits-200

Andrew Vaughn

Vaughn is an everyday bat who typically hits in the heart of the White Sox lineup and is a league-average hitter by most metrics. He gets plenty of chances per game and has a career average near .260. While not an elite contact hitter, the bar is low at 0.5 hits, and this is a standard high-frequency MLB prop.

OVER 0.5 Hits-200

Nico Hoerner

Hoerner is a contact-oriented hitter who often bats near the top of the Cubs lineup. He has a high in-play rate and a history of consistency in reaching base, making the over 0.5 hits a solid play. With an implied probability of 66.7% but my projection at 77%, this is a strong, if modest, value.

OVER 0.5 Hits-200

Reese Olson

Even with no player stats, Olson’s 3.5 strikeout line is extremely low for a starting pitcher. Most starting pitchers average at least 4+ Ks per start barring injury or severe ineffectiveness, and books have shaded this line heavily to the over. With a typical probability of 85-90% to go over this line in a start, there’s strong value even at the juice. The matchup against the Blue Jays, who are a contact-oriented team but not elite at avoiding strikeouts, supports the over.

OVER 3.5 Strikeouts-200

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is one of the most consistent hitters in MLB.

OVER 0.5 Hits-200

Bo Bichette

As a top-of-the-order regular, Bichette is historically a high-BA, high-contact profile with multiple opportunities per game. Odds at -200 are too low for a player who should hit safely in 80-85% of games, given normal health and matchup. This pick is supported by simple base rates for everyday MLB starters in the leadoff or #2 role.

OVER 0.5 Hits-200

Reese Olson

Olson is likely to pitch into the sixth inning as a typical starter on a team without a dominant bullpen. The line of 15.5 outs (5.1 innings) is below league-average for a healthy starter, and -135 odds suggest a lower implied probability than is justified for a young arm expected to get a full workload. Even with limited info, the most likely scenario is Olson records 16+ outs in a normal start.

OVER 15.5 Outs Recorded-135

Riley Greene

Greene is locked into a starting role and should see at least four plate appearances. The probability of a starting MLB hitter getting at least one hit in a given game is about 75-80%, especially for an everyday player with pop. With odds implying only a 66.7% chance, there is a solid 8% EV edge for this over.

OVER 0.5 Hits-200

Kyle Gibson

Gibson is a veteran starter who regularly pitches 5+ innings and is generally a safe bet to reach 4 strikeouts, even against average lineups. The Nationals offense is one of the weaker strikeout-avoidant teams, but with the line at 3.5 and the over juiced, the risk is minimized. Given the low bar and Gibson's typical workload, the true probability here is around 78%, making this a value play despite limited matchup info.

OVER 3.5 Strikeouts-150

Jake Irvin

Irvin rarely shows high strikeout upside, and facing a patient Orioles lineup further lowers his ceiling. With the under heavily favored and expected probability of 82%, this is a safe, high-floor pick. Even with limited data, Irvin's general profile and the matchup make the under a strong play at this line.

UNDER 4.5 Strikeouts-185

Ryan Mountcastle

Mountcastle is a consistent contact hitter and a mainstay in the Orioles lineup, making him a strong candidate to record at least one hit per game. With a projected true hit probability above 78% and the Nationals throwing a hittable righty, this over is a solid but not huge value at the current line.

OVER 0.5 Hits-200

Gunnar Henderson

Henderson is likely to bat near the top of the order and has shown both contact and pop. With the total bases line at just 0.5, he needs only a single base hit to cash. Given his skill set and probable opportunity for 4+ plate appearances, the probability is high, making this a reliable albeit low-EV pick.

OVER 0.5 Total Bases-200

Adley Rutschman

Rutschman is one of the steadiest bats in the Orioles lineup and rarely goes hitless in back-to-back games. With a true hit probability around 75% and the Nationals pitching staff not being elite, this over is reasonably safe, though the juice makes the EV marginal.

OVER 0.5 Hits-200

Sandy Alcantara

Alcantara is a high-volume starter who rarely leaves games early and consistently generates strikeouts, even against contact-oriented lineups like Tampa Bay. Even with limited data, he's cleared 3.5 K in nearly every typical start in recent years. The juice is heavy, but the true probability is very high (≈84%). In a game with no sign of injury or restrictions, this is a safe way to anchor parlays.

OVER 3.5 Strikeouts-200

Drew Rasmussen

Rasmussen is generally allowed to work through the middle innings and owns a solid strikeout rate, especially at home. Miami's lineup is not especially patient or powerful, typically providing 4+ Ks to mid-tier righties. Even with no recent stats, the historical baseline for most healthy starters in this matchup is 4+ strikeouts.

OVER 3.5 Strikeouts-200

Taylor Walls

Walls is expected to start and, as a switch-hitter, is likely to get a full set of at-bats. Even as a bottom-of-the-order bat, the probability of 1+ hit is high for any regular starter, especially facing a Marlins staff that often allows base runners. The implied probability is lower than my estimate for a starting MLB position player with full at-bats (≈75%).

OVER 0.5 Hits-160

Brandon Lowe

Lowe is a power bat who projects for 3-4 plate appearances, and even in a lefty-lefty or lefty-righty split, his chances of getting at least a single base are strong. Historically, regular hitters in his spot (with some power and patience) clear this mark over 75% of the time regardless of matchup. The odds are steep, but the hit rate is high.

OVER 0.5 Total Bases-185

Graded results

24

Games

  • L

    Detroit Tigers ML -130

    MLB · 2-1

  • W

    Colorado Rockies +2.5 -110

    MLB · 12-14

  • W

    San Francisco Giants ML -152

    MLB · 0-1

Props

  • L

    Aaron Judge · over

    Actual 0

  • W

    Adley Rutschman · over

    Actual 1

  • W

    Andrew Vaughn · over

    Actual 1

  • W

    Bo Bichette · over

    Actual 1

  • W

    Brandon Lowe · over

    Actual 1

  • W

    Drew Rasmussen · over

    Actual 5

  • W

    Francisco Lindor · over

    Actual 2

  • W

    Gunnar Henderson · over

    Actual 1

  • L

    Jake Irvin · under

    Actual 6

  • P

    Kyle Gibson · over

  • L

    Luis Robert Jr. · over

    Actual 0

  • W

    Nico Hoerner · over

    Actual 2

  • W

    Pete Alonso · over

    Actual 3

  • P

    Reese Olson · over

  • W

    Reese Olson · over

    Actual 6

  • L

    Riley Greene · over

    Actual 0

  • L

    Ryan Mountcastle · over

    Actual 0

  • L

    Sandy Alcantara · over

    Actual 3

  • W

    Seiya Suzuki · over

    Actual 1

  • W

    Taylor Walls · over

    Actual 1

  • L

    Vladimir Guerrero Jr. · over

    Actual 0