Subway Series, Freeway Series, Crosstown Classic, Ohio Cup, Silver Boot, and I-70 Series – all in one day! It’s happening this Friday during MLB’s first-ever Rivalry Weekend. The league is spotlighting regional matchups by packing a full slate of geographical rivalries into one epic weekend of baseball. 2t6k36
So this weekend, we’ll have the likes of Mets vs. Yankees, with Juan Soto returning to the Bronx for the first time after his offseason departure. Also, the Freeway Series will see Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers going up against his former club, the Angels, which is also drawing a lot of intrigue.Â
Also on the line is the Crosstown Classic between the White Sox and the Cubs, as well as the Texas Derby with Astros vs. Rangers. To help you traverse through one of the most spectacular weekends of recent MLB history, here are our top picks of the week. So take a look at them and consider them when creating your bet slip.
| Game | Date | Tip | Alternative Bet |
| New York Mets vs. New York Yankees | Friday, May 16 | Yankees Moneyline Bet | Under 9 Runs |
| Los Angeles Angels vs. Los Angeles Dodgers | Friday, May 16 | Dodgers Moneyline Bet | Under 9.5 Runs |
| Chicago White Sox vs. Chicago Cubs | Friday, May 16 | Cubs Moneyline Bet | White Sox to Cover the Spread |
| Cleveland Guardians vs. Cincinnati Reds | Friday, May 16 | Guardians on the Run Line | Over 9 Runs |
| St. Louis Cardinals vs. Kansas City Royals | Friday, May 16 | Royals on the Run Line | Over 8.5 Runs |
| Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers | Friday, May 16 | Rangers on the Run Line | Under 8 Runs |
*Sports betting carries inherent risks, and outcomes can be unpredictable. The recommendations offered here are based on current data and analysis but should not be viewed as guarantees of success.
New York Mets vs. New York Yankees – Yankees Moneyline Bet 6j716r
The New York Mets visit Yankee Stadium on Friday to face the New York Yankees in a key Subway Series clash. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. ET, with Tylor Megill starting for the Mets and Carlos Rodon taking the mound for the Yankees. Megill has a 3.10 ERA this season, while Rodon sports a 3.29 ERA.
The Yankees enter as favorites with a moneyline of around -140, while the Mets sit near +119 to +120. The total runs line is set at 9, reflecting expectations for a moderately scoring game.
Consider taking the Yankees on the moneyline. They have a strong record as favorites this season and a slight edge in win probability (around 54%). Alternatively, the under 9 runs is a solid option. Both teams have solid pitching staffs, and recent trends suggest a tighter game with fewer runs scored.
Los Angeles Angels vs. Los Angeles Dodgers – Dodgers Moneyline Bet 563b3u
The Los Angeles Dodgers host the Los Angeles Angels, with the home team entering as clear favorites, holding a 28-15 record compared to the Angels’ 17-25. Dustin May (1-3, 4.08 ERA) will start for the Dodgers, while Jack Kochanowicz (2-5, 5.23 ERA) takes the mound for the Angels.
The Dodgers have won nearly 68% of their games as favorites this season and remain undefeated when favored at -300 or shorter. The Angels have struggled, especially as underdogs, winning just over 38% of those games. The total runs line is set around 9.5, reflecting the offensive potential of both teams.
Back the Dodgers on the moneyline (-300). Their strong home form and pitching advantage make them a solid pick. Also, consider the under 9.5 runs (-125). Both starting pitchers have shown the ability to limit scoring, and the Angels’ offense ranks low in runs per game.
The Dodgers are likely to control the game, but the Angels can put runs on the board, so a close contest with controlled scoring is expected.
Chicago White Sox vs. Chicago Cubs – Cubs Moneyline Bet 4h5767
Friday, Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs will host the Chicago White Sox in a matchup where the Cubs enter as clear favorites. The Cubs hold a 25-19 record this season, while the White Sox are struggling at 14-30. Starting pitchers are Cade Horton (1-0, 6.75 ERA) for the Cubs and Shane Smith (1-2, 2.08 ERA) for the White Sox. The Cubs have won three straight games against the White Sox at Wrigley and are favored with moneyline odds around -225, implying about a 70% chance to win.
For betting, the main tip is to back the Chicago Cubs on the moneyline, given their stronger overall performance and home advantage. The Cubs also have a 66% projected chance of winning according to advanced simulations. An alternative betting option is to take the White Sox with the +1.5 run line, as they have a 53% chance to cover that spread, offering some value if the game stays close.
Cleveland Guardians vs. Cincinnati Reds – Guardians on the Run Line 3s5bn
The Cleveland Guardians visit the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, May 16, 2025. The Guardians (25-18) come in as favorites with a -126 moneyline and a -1.5 run line (+130 odds), while the Reds (21-24) are underdogs at +106 moneyline and +1.5 on the run line (-156 odds). The total runs over/under is set at 9.
Starting pitchers are Tanner Bibee for Cleveland, who has a 3-3 record with a 3.80 ERA, and Brady Singer for Cincinnati, with a 4-2 record and a 4.97 ERA. Bibee’s team has a strong record when favored, and the Guardians have won about 70% of games as favorites this season. The Reds have struggled recently, losing 4 of their last 5 games and going 1-4 against the spread in that stretch.
Take the Guardians on the run line (-1.5) at +130 odds. Cleveland’s pitching and overall form suggest they can win by at least two runs at home. Also consider the over 9 runs (-106). Both teams have combined to hit the over in about half of their recent games, and the Reds’ home games have frequently gone over the total.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Kansas City Royals – Royals on the Run Line n1f4x
The St. Louis Cardinals (24-20) face the Kansas City Royals (25-20) on Friday at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals are slight favorites at around -155 on the moneyline, while the Cardinals are underdogs near +130. The total runs line is set at 8.5.
Starting pitchers are Andre Pallante for St. Louis (3-2, 4.36 ERA) and Cole Ragans for Kansas City (2-2, 4.20 ERA). Pallante has a modest history against the Royals but has been solid this season. The Cardinals rank 7th in MLB with 4.8 runs per game and have a team batting average of .262. The Royals have been strong at home and hold a 7-1 record when favored by -162 or more this year.
We advise taking the Royals on the run line (-1.5) at around +130 odds. Kansas City’s home advantage and consistent pitching give them a good chance to win by two or more runs. But you can also consider the over 8.5 runs (-110). Both teams have shown the ability to score, and games involving these teams have frequently gone over the total this season.
Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers – Rangers on the Run Line 6g3647
The Houston Astros (22-21) visit the Texas Rangers (24-21) at Globe Life Field, with the Rangers favored on the moneyline around -180. The Astros are underdogs at +150. The run line has Texas at -1.5 (+120) and Houston at +1.5 (-137). The total runs line is set close to 8.
Starting pitchers are Nathan Eovaldi for the Rangers, boasting a 4-2 record with a 1.78 ERA, and Lance McCullers Jr. for the Astros, who has struggled with a 15.75 ERA in limited action. The Rangers have won their last five games and perform well as favorites, especially at home. Houston has shown resilience, but has yet to win with McCullers starting this season.
The main betting tip is taking the Rangers on the run line (-1.5) at +120 odds. Texas’s strong pitching and home-field advantage suggest they can win by two or more runs. You can also consider the under 8 runs (-106). Both teams have combined for relatively modest scoring recently, and the pitching matchup favors a lower-scoring game.
If you want to add more excitement to your weekend betting, pair these MLB picks with most popular sportsbooks in the US.
