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MLB Best Bets Today: Predictions & Picks for Brewers vs Astros, Phillies vs Dodgers, More for Sunday, May 31

MLB Best Bets Today: Predictions & Picks for Brewers vs Astros, Phillies vs Dodgers, More for Sunday, May 31 article feature image
8 min read
Credit:

Jeff Hanisch, Joe Nicholson, Jeff Curry, and Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images. Pictured: Brewers SP Jacob Misiorowski (top left), Mariners SP Bryce Miller (top right), Busch Stadium (bottom left), Dodgers DH Shohei Ohtani (bottom right)

We have a full 15-game slate today, starting early with Blue Jays vs. Orioles at 12:15 p.m. ET at Camden Yards and closing with Cubs vs. Cardinals at 7:20 p.m. ET at Busch Stadium.

Our experts have analyzed the matchups and found great options for Sunday, May 31.

Below are 5 expert MLB best bets for Sunday afternoon.


MLB Best Bets Today

The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our MLB betting staff is targeting from today's slate of games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.

GameTime (ET)Pick
Milwaukee Brewers LogoHouston Astros Logo
2:10 PM
San Francisco Giants LogoColorado Rockies Logo
3:10 PM
Philadelphia Phillies LogoLos Angeles Dodgers Logo
4:10 PM
Arizona Diamondbacks LogoSeattle Mariners Logo
4:10 PM
Chicago Cubs LogoSt. Louis Cardinals Logo
7:20 PM
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our MLB Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game.


Sean Paul's Brewers vs Astros Run Line Pick

Milwaukee Brewers Logo
Sunday, May 31
2:10 PM ET
MLB.TV
Houston Astros Logo
Brewers -1.5 (-130 or Better)
DraftKings  Logo

By Sean Paul

In his breakout sophomore year, Brewers young star ace Jacob Misiorowski owns a 1.83 ERA to go with a dazzling 2.14 xERA and 1.88 FIP. None of his dominance is due to luck; he's just that special, as evidenced by his 14.06 K/9.

He holds opponents to a .178 xBA and gets barreled just 2.4% of the time. Plus, he cut his BB/9 from 4.23 to 2.67. Improving his strike-throwing ability turned him into one of the game's most consistent arms.

Milwaukee is a heavy road favorite of -186. Usually, I'd look to back a competent team like the Astros as such heavy home dogs.

That said, Houston will struggle to hit the regular 100+ mph fastballs from Misiorowski. He's one of the best pitchers in the league against a lineup with three (or four if you count Isaac Paredes) scary hitters. And in reality, the only one the Miz will have to pitch carefully to is Alvarez.

Give me the run line here with the Brewers.

Read Paul's full Brewers-Astros analysis here:
Brewers vs Astros Prediction, MLB Odds: Sean's Pick for Sunday Afternoon Image

Pick: Brewers -1.5 (-130 or Better)



PRO's Giants vs Rockies Top Prop Edge

San Francisco Giants Logo
Sunday, May 31
3:10 PM ET
MLB.TV
Colorado Rockies Logo
Luis Arraez Over 1.5 Hits (+115)
DraftKings  Logo

By Action PRO

PRO projects Giants 2B Luis Arraez for 2.12 hits in today's matchup against the Rockies, giving us an excellent 16.1% edge against the market when compared to his current prop line of over/under 1.5, which is good enough to mark the over with an A- grade in our system.

After a cold start to the season, with a .211 average in April, the three-time batting champion is up to his usual numbers, hitting .322 for the season.

Today, he will face an ineffective Tanner Gordon at the spacious Coors Field.

Arraez is hitting .336 against right-handers and .340 in the last 15 days. He has surpassed this 1.5 line in four of his last 10 games, one of them against Colorado.

At plus money, let's back him to get a multi-hit game this afternoon.

Pick: Luis Arraez Over 1.5 Hits (+115)



Doug Ziefel's Phillies vs Dodgers Best Bet

Philadelphia Phillies Logo
Sunday, May 31
4:10 PM ET
MLB.TV
Los Angeles Dodgers Logo
Dodgers Team Total Over 4.5 (-140)
DraftKings  Logo

By Doug Ziefel

I'm back to finish off this three-game set between the Phillies and the Dodgers after Roki Sasaki came through in a big way, sailing over his strikeout prop.

With warm weather and winds expected to blow out to right-center, the market has taken a clear stance on this matchup. We've seen the total rise from its opening number of 8.5, and normally that is a peculiar move when Yoshinobu Yamamoto is on the mound.

However, it is a strong indication of the Dodgers' expected offensive success against Phillies rookie starter Andrew Painter. Painter was once a top pitching prospect in baseball, but injuries delayed his initial rise to the majors, as he did not pitch in 2023 or 2024.

While he returned to the game last year, he was nowhere near as dominant in the minors as he was prior to being injured.

It may not stop with Painter, either, as the Phillies' bullpen is in a tough spot after last night's usage.

Look for the Dodgers to pile it on the Phillies and close out this series with a crooked number on the scoreboard, going over their team total.

Read Ziefel's full Phillies-Dodgers breakdown here:
Phillies vs Dodgers Prediction, Pick, MLB Odds for Sunday, May 31 Image

Pick: Dodgers Team Total Over 4.5 (-140)



Derek Carty's Diamondbacks vs Mariners Prop Pick

Arizona Diamondbacks Logo
Sunday, May 31
4:10 PM ET
MLB.TV
Seattle Mariners Logo
Bryce Miller Under 3.5 Hits Allowed (-114)
DraftKings  Logo

By Derek Carty

THE BAT X is forecasting 3.54 hits allowed for Mariners SP Bryce Miller compared to 4.14 hits allowed implied by the oddsmakers, so I believe there is value here.

If you take the under, you'd be projected to win 64% of the time, resulting in a 38% ROI. Based on a $100 wager, the expected value here would be $38.05. This play is good down to at least -140.

Love THE BAT X? Get all of Carty's sports betting projections at EV Analytics!

Pick: Bryce Miller Under 3.5 Hits Allowed (-114)



Bet Labs' Cubs vs Cardinals Featured System

Cubs Logo
Sunday, May 31
7:20 p.m. ET
NBC/Peacock
Cardinals Logo
Under 8.5 (+100)
DraftKings Logo

By Bet Labs

This system targets unders in regular-season MLB games where softer home starting pitchers—low strikeout rates and moderate WHIP—are on the mound in games three or four of a series, which is the case for this Cubs vs. Cardinals matchup on Sunday Night Baseball.

By this point in the series, hitters have seen multiple arms and scouting reports are sharper, yet scoring remains muted when the matchup lacks overpowering velocity and winds remain neutral.

MLB Icon
Evan Abrams / Bet Labs – Unders with Soft Starters and Neutral Winds
the home team's game number is between 37 and 169
the home team's win percentage is between 36% and 65%
the series game # is between 3 and 4
the home pitcher's strikeout rate is between 0.2 and 0.53
the home team's starting pitcher's WHIP is between 1.15 and 2.05
the average wind speed is between 0 and 15 mph
the wind direction is From Right or Left to Right or Right To Left or In or From Left or None or Left To Right
betting on the Under
$11,492
WON
525-375-40
RECORD
58%
WIN%

The setup avoids exaggerated run environments by filtering out strong directional wind influence, keeping offensive surges in check.

With the home team in the middle of the season grind, winning at a modest clip, the market may overlook how often these quiet conditions lead to slower-paced, low-scoring outcomes.

Pick: Under 8.5 (+100)



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Action Network is a team of seasoned sports betting experts specializing in a broad range of sports, from the NFL and NBA to less mainstream options like cricket and darts. Their staff includes well-known analysts like Sean Koerner and Stuckey, recognized for their accurate predictions and deep sports knowledge. The team is dedicated to delivering expert analysis and daily best bets, ensuring bettors are well-informed across all major sports.

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